Virgin Voyages vs Royal Caribbean: Which Is Right for You?

Virgin Voyages is a boutique, adults-only cruise line with all dining and WiFi included. Royal Caribbean is the world's largest cruise line, welcoming all ages with massive ships, waterslides, and Broadway shows. They serve fundamentally different audiences, and the right choice depends entirely on what kind of vacation you want.

Here is a comprehensive comparison across every category that matters to Canadian cruisers:

Feature	Virgin Voyages	Royal Caribbean
Age policy	18+ adults only	All ages welcome
Ship size	~2,770 passengers (4 ships)	2,000-7,600 passengers (28+ ships)
Dining included	20+ restaurants, all free	Main dining room + buffet; specialty $35-$75 USD
WiFi included	Yes (Starlink)	No ($15-$25 USD/day)
Gratuities	$20 USD/day prepaid ($22/day on board)	$16-$18.50 USD/person/day auto-charged
Basic beverages included	Yes (water, coffee, juice, soda)	Water and basic coffee only
Drink package cost	Bar Tab from $200 USD ($225 to spend)	Deluxe Beverage Package ~$80-$110 CAD/day
Fitness classes	All included	Basic gym free; classes $15-$35 USD
Room service / ShipEats	Available via app (fees may apply)	$8-$15 USD delivery fee
Entertainment style	Original immersive shows, DJ sets, nightclub	Broadway shows, ice skating, aqua shows
Kids facilities	None (adults only)	Adventure Ocean, waterslides, FlowRider
Loyalty program	Virgin Voyages Sailing Club	Crown & Anchor Society
Canadian departure ports	None (fly to Miami, Barcelona, etc.)	None year-round; occasional repositioning from Canada
Typical 7-night Caribbean (CAD)	$1,800-$3,200/person	$1,200-$2,800/person (before extras)

At first glance, Royal Caribbean appears cheaper. But once you add WiFi, gratuities, specialty dining, and a drink package to a Royal Caribbean booking, the total cost is often comparable to or higher than Virgin Voyages.

Virgin Voyages wins the dining comparison decisively. Every restaurant on every Virgin Voyages ship is included in your fare, and the quality across all 20+ venues is consistently high. Royal Caribbean includes only the main dining room and Windjammer buffet; specialty restaurants like Chops Grille, Izumi, and Wonderland cost $35-$75 USD per person.

On Virgin Voyages, a couple could dine at The Wake (steakhouse) on night one, Pink Agave (upscale Mexican) on night two, Gunbae (Korean BBQ) on night three, and Test Kitchen (experimental tasting menu) on night four, all at no extra cost. On Royal Caribbean, that same rotation through specialty restaurants would cost $200-$300 USD for two people.

The food quality difference is notable. Virgin Voyages hired Michelin-experienced chefs and invested heavily in restaurant design. Each venue has a distinct identity with custom menus, unique decor, and dedicated kitchen teams. Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants are good, but the main dining room and buffet that most guests default to are standard cruise fare.

For Canadian foodies who enjoy Toronto's diverse restaurant scene or Montreal's culinary culture, Virgin Voyages will feel far more aligned with your expectations. The variety of cuisines (Mexican, Korean, Italian, vegetarian-forward, experimental) is closer to a curated food festival than a traditional cruise ship.

One area where Royal Caribbean has an edge is family-friendly dining. If you are travelling with children (which you cannot do on Virgin Voyages), Royal Caribbean's kids' menus, character dining, and casual options are well-designed for families.

For adults travelling without children, Virgin Voyages typically offers better overall value once all costs are factored in. The sticker price may appear higher, but the inclusions eliminate $400-$700 CAD per person in extras that Royal Caribbean charges separately.

Here is a realistic cost comparison for a Canadian couple on a 7-night Caribbean cruise:

Cost Item	Virgin Voyages (CAD)	Royal Caribbean (CAD)
Base fare (balcony, per person)	$2,400	$1,800
Gratuities (7 nights)	$195 ($20 USD/day prepaid)	$175
WiFi	Included	$140
Specialty dining (3 meals)	Included	$200
Basic beverages	Included	$70
Fitness classes (2)	Included	$50
Total per person	$2,400	$2,435

The totals are nearly identical, but the Virgin Voyages passenger gets significantly more: 20+ restaurants instead of three specialty meals, unlimited WiFi instead of basic connectivity, and all fitness classes instead of two. The Royal Caribbean passenger would need to spend even more to match the same level of inclusion.

For Canadian families, Royal Caribbean remains the clear choice since Virgin Voyages does not allow guests under 18. For couples, friends travelling together, or solo adult travellers, Virgin Voyages typically delivers superior value.

Both cruise lines price in CAD for the Canadian market, and both accept Canadian credit cards without foreign transaction fees on their Canadian booking portals. Working with a Canadian travel advisor like Revolution Travel ensures you get the best available Canadian pricing and any current promotions.

The entertainment philosophies are completely different. Royal Caribbean invests in spectacle: Broadway-licensed shows like Grease and Cats, ice skating performances, aqua shows with high divers, and attractions like the FlowRider surf simulator and zip lines. Virgin Voyages invests in original, immersive, adults-only entertainment designed around nightlife culture.

On Royal Caribbean, you might see a full production of Hairspray in a 1,400-seat theatre, then ride a waterslide ten decks high. On Virgin Voyages, you might attend an immersive acrobatic show at a nightclub venue, then dance until 2am at The Manor with an internationally known DJ.

Virgin Voyages signature experiences include:

• Scarlet Night, a shipwide party where everyone wears red and the entire vessel transforms into a themed event
• Never Sleep Alone, an interactive adults-only comedy show
• Duel Reality, an acrobatic Romeo and Juliet reimagining
• Late-night DJ sets at The Manor nightclub, with a proper Funktion-One sound system

Royal Caribbean highlights include:

• Broadway shows (full licensed productions)
• Ice skating shows in a dedicated rink
• AquaTheater high-diving performances on Oasis-class ships
• Adventure activities like rock climbing, zip lining, and bumper cars

Canadian travellers who enjoy the nightlife scenes in Toronto's King West, Montreal's Plateau, or Vancouver's Gastown will gravitate toward Virgin Voyages. Those who prefer family-friendly spectacle entertainment will prefer Royal Caribbean. Neither approach is objectively better; they serve different tastes.

Royal Caribbean operates ships ranging from 2,000-passenger Voyager-class vessels to the 7,600-passenger Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship. Virgin Voyages operates four identically-sized ships carrying approximately 2,770 passengers each. The experience is markedly different.

Virgin Voyages ships feel boutique and curated. The design aesthetic is modern, stylish, and consistent throughout, with a colour palette of reds, golds, and ocean blues designed by Tom Dixon and other noted designers. Cabins are contemporary with mood lighting, USB-C and USB-A charging throughout, a hammock on most balconies, and a distinctive design sensibility.

Royal Caribbean ships range widely in quality. Newer ships like Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas have excellent cabin finishes, while older vessels show their age. The cabin design is functional but less design-forward than Virgin Voyages.

One significant difference: nearly every Virgin Voyages balcony cabin (called Sea Terrace) includes a hammock on the balcony. This is a small detail that guests consistently rave about. Falling asleep in a hammock with the ocean breeze is a quintessential Virgin Voyages moment. A select few Sea Terrace cabins do not include a hammock due to balcony configuration — Sean knows exactly which ones to avoid if the hammock matters to you.

For Canadians booking their first cruise, ship size matters for crowd tolerance. A 2,770-passenger Virgin Voyages ship feels spacious and never overcrowded. A 5,000+ passenger Royal Caribbean Oasis-class ship can feel like a floating city, which some people love and others find overwhelming. Neither is wrong, but know your preference before booking.

Both lines are equally accessible for Canadian travellers, as neither offers regular departures from Canadian ports. Most Caribbean sailings depart from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, requiring Canadians to fly south first.

For Caribbean cruises, the logistics are nearly identical: fly from a Canadian airport (YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC, etc.) to Miami International Airport, then transfer to the port. Virgin Voyages uses Terminal V at PortMiami, while Royal Caribbean uses several terminals depending on the ship.

One area where Royal Caribbean has an advantage is sheer variety. With 28+ ships sailing from dozens of ports worldwide, you have far more options for departure dates, itineraries, and destinations. Virgin Voyages has four ships sailing primarily from Miami (Caribbean), Barcelona and Athens (Mediterranean), and occasionally other ports for repositioning cruises.

For booking, both lines have Canadian-specific websites that display prices in CAD. Both accept Canadian credit cards. Working with a Canadian travel advisor is recommended for either line, as advisors often have access to exclusive promotions, onboard credits, and package deals that are not available through direct booking.

Canadian passport holders do not need a US visa or ESTA to transit through Miami for a cruise, which simplifies the process for both lines. You will need a valid Canadian passport with at least six months of validity remaining from your return date.