Virgin Voyages Shore Things: excursions explained
Checked against the cruise line’s own pages. Policies change, so we confirm the details on your booking before you pay.
Shore Things are Virgin Voyages’ shore excursions. Booking opens 120 days before you sail (135 days for Sailors in RockStar Quarters), you pay when you book, and you can cancel for a full refund up to 48 hours before the outing, unless its description says otherwise. You don’t have to book one: Virgin lets you explore most ports on your own. Here’s how booking, paying, cancelling and the port day itself work.
What Shore Things are
Virgin describes Shore Things as an alternative to stock tours, aimed at less-traveled corners of each destination and local culture. They’re run by local tour operators that Virgin works with, not by Virgin itself, and each one comes with a Need to Know section in the app. Read it before you book: that’s where you’ll find the duration, how active it is, what to wear, whether food is included (if it isn’t mentioned, it isn’t included) and whether it’s wheelchair accessible.
Some Shore Things have age, weight or height limits set by the operator, and some ask you to sign a waiver. Virgin also notes that buses aren’t guaranteed to be air-conditioned.
When and how to book
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Booking opens | 120 days before sailing |
| RockStar Quarters | 135 days before sailing, for Sailors in the suite only |
| Where to book | The Discover tab in the Virgin Voyages App, My Account on virginvoyages.com, Sailor Services or your travel agent |
| Onboard | The app, or the Shore Things desk on Deck 7 |
| Payment | In full, at booking |
Book early. Virgin says booking before you sail gets the lowest rates on select Shore Things, and that those prices rise onboard. Early booking also gets you the most choice, and Virgin says a Shore Thing that’s no longer listed in the app is no longer available. The suite head start is one of the RockStar perks that pays off on a popular port day.
Traveling with friends? Virgin can arrange a private Shore Thing for a group. Ask Sailor Services before the voyage, or the Shore Things team on Deck 7 once you’re onboard.
How to pay
Prices are in US dollars and are only locked in when you book. A few payment details:
- Bar Tab can’t be used. It covers drinks only.
- Sailor Loot (onboard credit) works on Shore Things you book onboard, but not on ones booked before the voyage.
- Flexpay, Virgin’s pay-over-time option, can include Shore Things.
For the full list of what costs extra, see what’s included.
Cancellations and refunds
The standard rule: cancel at least 48 hours before the Shore Thing’s scheduled departure and you get a full refund, credited back to your account automatically. Some Shore Things have different rules, which Virgin lists in the description or your confirmation email, so check before you book.
Longer windows apply to a few types:
| Type of Shore Thing | Cancel by |
|---|---|
| Most Shore Things | 48 hours before departure |
| With hotel stays, charter flights or private vehicles | 30 days before, or you pay the full price |
| Private outings for your own group | 30 days before, or you pay the full price |
| With commercial airline flights | The airline’s own rules apply |
You can also reschedule before the 48-hour deadline unless the description says you can’t. To cancel, open your Planner in the app, tap the Shore Thing and choose cancel, or use My Account or Sailor Services. Onboard, the Shore Things desk on Deck 7 can do it too.
Weather. Virgin says most Shore Things run rain or shine. Any of them can still be canceled, weather included, and operators can change the route or skip a stop. If yours is canceled, Virgin says it will try to place you on another one.
On the day
- Find your meeting point in the app under My Planner. Virgin gives different guidance on how early to arrive in different places, so go by the time in the app and leave a cushion.
- Bring your Band and a government-issued photo ID. The gangway in port is usually on Deck 4 midship.
- Tender ports: a booked Shore Thing gets a reserved spot on the tender, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes each way. Without one, you reserve a tender time slot in the app, starting on embarkation day.
- Missed your departure? Go to Sailor Services on Deck 5 or the Shore Things team on Deck 7.
Can you go on your own?
Yes. Virgin says Sailors can explore ports on their own, except where local rules require a booked Shore Thing to go ashore. The ship’s departure time is in the app and on screens around the ship, and Virgin recommends being back an hour before it. On overnight stays you can sleep ashore; just be back by the all-onboard time.
Are Shore Things worth it?
Our take: book a Shore Thing when the port is a tender stop, the sights are far from the pier, or you want a guide who knows the place. Walk off on your own when the town starts at the gangway. Either way, decide before you sail, because the early prices and the best time slots go first. For the rest of your pre-trip checklist, see know before you go.
Quick answers
When can I book Shore Things on Virgin Voyages?
Booking opens 120 days before your voyage starts. Sailors staying in RockStar Quarters can book from 135 days out, but only for the Sailors in that suite. You pay in full when you book.
What is the cancellation policy for Virgin Voyages Shore Things?
Cancel at least 48 hours before the Shore Thing's scheduled departure for a full refund, unless its description says otherwise. Shore Things with hotels, charter flights or private vehicles, and private group outings, must be canceled 30 days ahead or you pay the full price.
What happens if Virgin cancels my Shore Thing for weather?
Virgin says most Shore Things run rain or shine, but any of them can be canceled, including for bad weather. If one is canceled, Virgin says it will try to move you onto another available Shore Thing.
Can I explore a port on my own instead of booking a Shore Thing?
Yes. Virgin says Sailors can explore ports on their own, except where local rules require a booked Shore Thing to go ashore. Virgin recommends being back onboard an hour before the ship's departure time.
Are Shore Things cheaper if I book before the cruise?
Virgin says booking early gets the lowest rates on select Shore Things and that those prices go up once you're onboard. Booking early also gives you the most choice.
Can I use my Bar Tab or Sailor Loot on Shore Things?
Not Bar Tab, which only covers drinks. Sailor Loot (onboard credit) works on Shore Things you book once you're onboard, but not on Shore Things booked before the voyage.