Virgin Voyages Cruise Deals: My Unbeatable Sailing
Why I Gave Virgin Voyages Cruise Deals a Chance
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I’ll be honest, until May 2023, I had never been interested in cruising. I had taken two cruises in my twenties and had no desire to repeat the experience. However, in a moment of weakness, my friend Mary (the best cruise travel agent ever!) persuaded me to book a last-minute cruise just six days before departure. I went, and to my surprise, I had an amazing time! It was so fantastic that I became convinced my sister would love it too. Knowing she would need a good deal to consider it, I set out to find one. I had to make it so good she couldn’t say NO, and I think I outdid myself.
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🎰Learn more about Casino Deals -> Affordable Cruising: Princess Cruises Casino Offers
The Casino Status Match Strategy
Update: this is currently not an option this time. I am leaving this up because you never know when a deal like this will pop up!
Have you ever heard of the status merry-go-round? Well, I hopped on and got not only a steal of a deal from Virgin but also some other cruise deals (more on those later). I initially read about the merry-go-round on Reddit. It sounded too good to be true, but all I had to do was try to get the Wynhdam business earner card with a $95 a year annual fee to get started, so I thought, let’s try this.
After getting approved for the Wyndham credit card, I was instantly upgraded to Wyndham Rewards Platinum status. From there, I matched my status to Caesars Diamond directly through the Wyndham website—it was quick and seamless. Once approved, I downloaded my Caesars Diamond card via their app and submitted screenshots to several cruise lines through their casino offer portals. Virgin Voyages responded with an incredible deal: a free balcony cabin on a cruise up to 7 nights. My sister and I jumped on the opportunity and booked the Mayan Sol itinerary out of Miami in May. We only paid taxes and fees—less than $350 total for both of us. Virgin Voyages is unlike any other cruise line: no kids, no buffets, and no tipping required. All specialty dining, Wi-Fi, and gratuities were included, making the experience feel effortlessly luxurious.
🍷Virgin Voyages Drink Package Bar Tab
Booking Flights with Southwest Points
We flew down to Miami on Southwest. Southwest is amazing for point lovers. When they have sales, the points needed for trips also go on sale. So I booked a free flight on points for myself. I have a companion pass for Southwest, so someone can fly free with me on my flights. I made my sister my companion, so she flew for free to Miami. Our total out-of-pocket for flights was $22.40 for both of us.
🍽️Virgin Voyages Restaurants - Dining
Free Hotel Night in Miami
I always recommend you fly in at least a day before your cruise, just to be safe. We needed a hotel to stay in for our night in Miami. Hyatt is my go-to hotel when I travel. Unlike their competitors, I get rooms at Hyatt for low point values, and our stay at the Hyatt Regency was no different. We were able to book a free night on points. We thought the Hyatt Regency Miami was fantastic for a quick stay. I have already booked it again for the upcoming cruises in August and November. It was within walking distance of a Whole Foods. Before we set sail, we went and grabbed two bottles of wine for our cabin. We each were allowed to bring a bottle of wine onto the ship. You need to place it in your carry-on.
💡Read my full review of the Hyatt Regency -> Hyatt Regency Miami Review
What’s Included on Virgin Voyages
The night before our cruise, my sister finally looked at the Virgin app, and she couldn’t believe all the amazing restaurants I had booked. (Reservations open up 45 days before you cruise) She spent hours reading the menus and talking about what she wanted to order. Now she was officially ready for a few days together! Check out my Virgin Voyages Dining Guide. Need help with Bar Tab? I got you here!
Final Thoughts & Future Cruises
I have already booked two more Virgin cruises for this year. I don’t have casino deals for these, but I love them so much I will gladly pay for them (gasp!) I will be cruising with my 18-year-old next month and later this year with my husband. I am eager to show both of them this fabulous way to travel.
🏨 Pre-Cruise Hotel Hack: Stay Free at Hyatt
Before setting sail, we spent the night at the Hyatt Regency Miami—just minutes from PortMiami. Thanks to points and elite status, our stay was completely free. If you're cruising Virgin Voyages, don’t overlook this travel hack: book a Hyatt property with points or use your credit card perks to score a free night. It’s the perfect way to start your vacation early and stress-free.
✨ Want help stacking hotel points or finding the best pre-cruise stays? Explore the Hyatts I have stayed at on points in the Miami/FLL area -> Best Hyatt Redemptions Cruise ports
Let’s Travel Hack Together
If you enjoy learning how we travel as a family using points, miles, and smart credit card strategies, I’d love for you to follow along:
