Unlimited Cruise Pass Launched By Virgin

Cruise lines have shrugged off their negative reputations from the pandemic era and are increasingly offering ways to stay onboard for longer. With several ships now offering endless cruises, some for as long as 15 years, Virgin has launched its offering—an annual unlimited cruise pass to anywhere in the world that it sails, including the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Unlimited Cruise Pass—Cruises Are Increasingly Designed So People Don’t (Want To) Disembark

Two unifying trends are taking place on cruise ships at the moment. The first is that cruise ships are getting bigger in scope and size. The best example is Icon of the Seas, which set sail in early 2024, the largest cruise ship in the world, five times the size of the Titanic. It aims to provide something for everyone so that multi-generational parties (another travel trend is for groups of all ages to voyage together) can all appreciate its facilities, whether that be roaming the eight different neighborhoods, playing mini golf, and swimming in the world’s largest water park at sea in one of seven pools, as well as surfing and rock climbing.

The second trend taking place in Europe is well documented—that cruise ships are becoming less and less welcome in European ports due to overcrowding issues. Following well-documented protests this summer, many cruise operators are voting with their propellers and heading to the Caribbean instead through 2025.

It’s a win-win to cash in on both trends. Cruise companies are then not the bad guys delivering an onslaught of daytrippers into Europe’s rammed summer cobbled streets by keeping everyone onboard longer with many activities.

Cruise companies are also investing heavily into new private islands and beaches to take passengers to, like CocoCay, the island with North America’s second tallest waterslide, helium balloon rides, adult-only beaches, and zip lines galore. In addition, they keep all the profit from the activities and food and drink consumed.

Unlimited Cruise Pass—Endless Residential Cruises Are Having A Moment

2024 saw more passengers taking cruises than before the pandemic; in particular, GenZ is driving this trend. According to research by CivicScience, 69% of the 18-24 year-old age group are at least “somewhat interested” in going on a cruise, which is higher than any other age group.

There is also another cohort of people opting to hit the high seas forever, with several companies starting endless residential cruises. The Villa Vie Odyssey is such a ship. It has 485 cabins to house 800 passengers and intends to sail for 15 years, although the first part of its cruise is a more modest three and a half years, taking in 425 destinations over 1301 days, and all in a warm climate. It costs around $32,485 to rent a cabin onboard for one year and around $97,455 for three years. That includes food and soft drinks, alcohol at dinner, housekeeping, wifi, and doctor’s appointments (but not medical procedures or medicine).

Unlimited Cruise Pass—What Virgin Cruises Offers

The $120,000 price tag Virgin is asking for an annual unlimited cruise pass is based on a double Sea Terrace cabin with a balcony and hammock, for single or double occupancy. Travelers can upgrade to a different cabin for an additional cost.

Thrown in is the knowledge that someone else will do your laundry for free and that you can also sample two specialty coffees every day, drink $100 worth of bar drinks on each cruise, benefit from dedicated concierge support, and mingle with other annual unlimited cruise pass holders at a VIP cocktail evening.

So, where to set sail? In fall 2025, the new liner Brilliant Lady will tour North American cities such as Boston and New York and southeastern Canada on her inaugural tour. You could also choose a transatlantic cruise to Spain and Morocco or sail through the Greek islands.

Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, said in a press release about the industry first, “I’ve always been a big believer in the power of travel and adventure to spark creativity and bring clarity… Now, Sailors can jump aboard any of our ships across an endless variety of exciting destinations for an entire year. We’re offering unlimited opportunities for adventure in a way that has never been done in cruising before.”

Following a growing trend in the travel sector, Virgin will become the first cruise to accept payment in cryptocurrency, using Bitcoin.

Limited passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis; you must be over 21 and book by March 2025 at the latest. There are four different start dates—January 1, February 1, March 1, or April 1, 2025. The annual unlimited cruise pass is non-refundable and doesn’t include any additional cruise taxes and fees.

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