These are the two closest philosophical rivals in cruising — both strictly adults-only 18+ — but they serve very different travellers. Viking is quiet, destination-obsessed luxury for a mostly 55+ crowd, with wine and beer included at meals and longer, port-intensive itineraries. Virgin Voyages is livelier, more design-driven, and considerably less expensive, with all 20+ restaurants included. Choose Viking for immersive itineraries and serenity; choose Virgin for energy, dining variety, and value.
| Feature | Virgin Voyages | Viking Ocean Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Adults Only | Yes — 18+ only | Yes — 18+ only (the other strictly adults-only ocean line) |
| Typical Demographic | Roughly 30s-50s couples and friend groups | Predominantly 55+ experienced travellers |
| Dining Included | All 20+ restaurants, no cover charges | Main restaurant, buffet, and one specialty restaurant included (The Chef's Table / Manfredi's by reservation) |
| Alcohol | A la carte via shareable Bar Tab with bonus value; no 18% per-drink gratuity | Wine and beer included with lunch and dinner; drinks outside meals extra (or Silver Spirits package) |
| Wi-Fi | Basic Starlink Wi-Fi included | Wi-Fi included |
| Gratuities | Not included — $20 USD/day prepaid ($22 on board) | Typically approximately $17 USD/day added (varies by market and promotion) |
| Casino | Yes — full casino | No casino on any ship |
| Entertainment | Immersive performances, DJs, late-night events | Classical music, lectures, enrichment; quiet evenings |
| Typical Fare Level | Premium — often approximately CAD $2,000-$3,000/person for 7 nights | Luxury — often approximately CAD $5,000+/person, with longer itineraries the norm |
| Ship Size | ~2,770 guests | Approximately 930 guests (small-ship, all-veranda) |
Virgin Voyages and Viking are the only major ocean lines that ban children entirely, but the similarity ends at the gangway. Viking's founder famously described the line by what it doesn't have: no kids, no casinos, no umbrella drinks, no photographers. The result is a hushed, elegant ship where days are built around ports, lectures, and long dinners with included wine.
Virgin kept "no kids" and threw out the rest of the rulebook in the other direction: a casino, drag brunches, a tattoo parlour, DJs by the pool, and Scarlet Night parties. Both experiences are excellent — they're just aimed at different energy levels, and often different decades of life.
A useful gut check: if your perfect sea day is a guest lecturer on Norse history followed by a quiet aquavit tasting, book Viking. If it's a spin class, a long lunch at an included restaurant, an afternoon at the casino, and a late show, book Virgin. Sean sells both and will tell you honestly which side of that line you're on — see about Sean.
Viking includes more per day, but costs far more per day — Virgin usually wins on total value for shorter warm-weather trips. Viking bundles Wi-Fi, one included shore excursion per port, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, one specialty restaurant, and self-service laundry. But its fares typically start around CAD $5,000 per person for its shorter itineraries, and most voyages are longer and pricier.
Virgin's fares often land around CAD $2,000-$3,000 per person for a 7-night Caribbean sailing, including all 20+ restaurants, basic Starlink Wi-Fi, soft drinks and drip coffee, group fitness classes, and entertainment. Gratuities ($20 USD/day) and alcohol are extra — though the shareable Bar Tab adds bonus value (pay $300 USD, get $350) and there's no automatic 18% gratuity per drink.
Flight logistics are similar for Canadians: both fly you to Miami or Barcelona-type gateways with direct service from Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver — though Virgin also sails Alaska right out of Vancouver on Brilliant Lady, no U.S. flight required. See the full breakdown in what's included and browse current voyages.
Not sure which line is right for you?
Sean sells both Virgin Voyages and Viking Ocean Cruises. He'll give you an honest recommendation based on your group.