Virgin Voyages is the better choice for Canadian adults seeking an all-dining-included, design-forward cruise with no kids. Royal Caribbean is better for families or travellers who want mega-ship amenities like waterslides, go-karts, and structured entertainment. Both are excellent — the right choice depends entirely on who you're travelling with and what kind of experience you want.
| Feature | Virgin Voyages | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Adults Only | Yes — 18+ only, no exceptions | No — all ages welcome, extensive kids programs |
| Dining Included | All 20+ restaurants included, no cover charges | Main dining room + buffet included; specialty restaurants cost $30-$80+ extra |
| Wi-Fi | Basic Starlink Wi-Fi included in fare | Not included — packages cost $15-$25 USD/day |
| Gratuities | Not included — $20/day prepaid or $22/day on board | Not included — $16-$20.50 USD/day auto-charged |
| Dress Code | No formal nights — casual to smart-casual | Formal nights on most sailings (suits/gowns expected) |
| Ship Size | ~2,770 guests per ship (intimate) | 3,000-7,600 guests (largest ships in the world) |
| Entertainment | Immersive performances, DJs, Scarlet Night | Broadway shows, waterslides, go-karts, FlowRider |
| Drink Packages | Bar Tab prepaid credit system (with bonus value) | Traditional drink package ($60-$100+ USD/day) |
| Canadian Departures | Vancouver (Alaska on Brilliant Lady) | No regular Canadian departures |
| Ships in Fleet | 4 sister ships (identical design) | 28+ ships across 6 classes |
This is where Virgin Voyages wins for value-conscious Canadians. Every Virgin Voyages fare includes all dining at 20+ restaurants — steakhouse, Korean BBQ, Italian, Mexican, experimental dining, and more. No cover charges, no supplements, no upsells.
On Royal Caribbean, the main dining room and Windjammer buffet are included, but specialty restaurants like Giovanni's, Chops Grille, and Izumi carry cover charges of $30-$80 USD per person. For a couple on a 7-night cruise who dines at two specialty restaurants, that's an extra $120-$320 USD (approximately CAD $165-$440) that Virgin Voyages includes for free.
For a 7-night Caribbean cruise, a Canadian couple might spend:
When you factor in these extras, the total cost gap between the two lines narrows considerably — and often favours Virgin Voyages.
The vibe is completely different. Virgin Voyages ships feel like a boutique hotel or a design-forward restaurant. The music is curated, the common areas are stylish, and the crowd skews 25-55. There are no announcements blaring over the pool deck.
Royal Caribbean ships feel like a floating resort or theme park — in the best possible way if that's what you're looking for. There's constant activity: waterslides, rock climbing walls, bumper cars, surf simulators, ice skating rinks (on some ships). The crowd is families, multi-generational groups, and first-time cruisers of all ages.
For Canadian couples looking for a quieter, adults-only experience: Virgin Voyages. For Canadian families with kids or mixed-age groups: Royal Caribbean.
Base fares are often similar, but the total cost calculation changes the picture. A 7-night Caribbean cruise for two might look like this in Canadian dollars:
One often-overlooked cost difference: Royal Caribbean adds an automatic 18% gratuity to every drink purchase. On Virgin Voyages, the menu price is the price you pay — your prepaid crew appreciation covers bar service. For a couple having 4 cocktails per day at $15 USD each, that 18% saves roughly $75 USD over a 7-night sailing on Virgin Voyages.
When you compare total cost, Virgin Voyages is often competitive or cheaper — especially for Canadians who would buy Wi-Fi and eat at specialty restaurants on Royal Caribbean anyway.
Through Sean, Canadians can also access Canada Resident Rates, group fares, and Agent Loot perks that can bring Virgin Voyages pricing even lower.
Not sure which line is right for you?
Sean sells both Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean. He'll give you an honest recommendation based on your group.