Got credit card points and itching to use them on an all-inclusive cruise? The hip, new(ish) cruise line Virgin Voyages is out with an awesome offer, allowing you to snag a four-night cruise for two … for as few as 100,000 credit card points!
Back in October, Virgin Red released a batch of sailings for this winter and there are still some great options left to use your points for a vacation this winter. Considering these cruises typically cost between $2,000 and $3,000 for two and include all your meals, gratuities, free onboard Wi-Fi, and all the onboard shows and entertainment, this might be one of the most cost-effective ways to book a cruise.
Interested but don't have Virgin points? Don't fret: They're some of the easiest points in the world to earn through credit card transfer partners. You can transfer points to Virgin from all the major credit card companies, including Chase, American Express, Capital One, Citi, Bilt Rewards, and even Wells Fargo.
If you've got Amex points, you're in luck: American Express is currently offering a massive 40% transfer bonus to Virgin. That means you could transfer just 100,000 points to Virgin and have enough to book this cruise for two people! If you don't have Amex points, you'll need to transfer the full 140,000 (or more) points to book.
While paying as few as 100,000 American Express points for one of these cruises is a tremendous deal, it's worth noting that we've seen even better offers in the past. Just last spring, you could book a five-night cruise during the summer months for as few as 115,000 Virgin points (or 89,000 credit card points with a transfer bonus).
But there's no telling if deals that cheap will ever return. And considering these current offers are for peak season, I'd say they're worth booking if a cruise sounds like your kind of vacation.
Keep reading for more on what you can book with this deal and how to do it.
Booking Virgin Voyages with Points
You can currently book one of eight different Virgin Voyages itineraries using points – ranging from four to 11 days in length – departing from Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The price for two passengers starts at just 140,000 Virgin Red points, depending on which itinerary you choose.
Shorter, four- and five-night cruises departing from Miami will be onboard the Valiant Lady, while longer, six- and seven-night itineraries will be onboard Virgin's Scarlet Lady. All sailings from San Juan will be onboard the Resilient Lady. These ships are all nearly identical and feature 20-plus dining outlets, a multi-story fitness complex, rooftop pools, a casino, and more.
Just keep in mind that flights to and from the port (Miami and San Juan) are not included in this deal. If you've got even more points stashed away to book a flight, it could easily be worth it, given how good this Virgin cruise deal is.
What you need to know about this promo:
- All of these cruises are adults-only cruises. All passengers must be at least 18 years old.
- The points price is per cabin for two people. There is no discounted option for single-passenger bookings, unfortunately.
- Pricing includes all your meals, gratuities, free onboard Wi-Fi, and access to all onboard shows for two people.
- All these bookings include a pre-paid bar tab worth $100.
- Flights and transfers to the cruise port are not included as a part of this deal.
- All bookings will be in a Central Sea Terrace cabin (or The Sea Terrace, depending on availability).
- There are eight different itineraries to choose from – all of which begin and end in either Miami or San Juan. All sailings from Miami include a full-day stop at a private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas.
- This limited-time offer is exclusive to Virgin Red program members.
Itineraries You Can Book
While Virgin Voyages operates a number of different cruises through the Caribbean and Europe, only select options departing from the Caribbean are a part of this promotion. Here they are.
4-Night Cruise: Fire & Sunset Soirées
This cruise departs from Miami and stops in Key West and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami. The cost for this itinerary is 140,000 to 149,000 Virgin points, depending on the departure date.
Departure dates available for this promotion are Dec. 11, Jan. 22, Feb. 5, and Feb. 19 (subject to availability).
- Day 1: Departs Miami at 6 p.m.
- Day 2: Sailing
- Day 3: Key West: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Day 4: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 5: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 a.m.
5-Night Cruise: Riviera Maya
This cruise departs from Miami and stops in Cozumel (Playa del Carmen), Mexico, and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami. The cost for this itinerary is 186,250 Virgin points.
Departure dates available for this promotion are Jan. 12, Feb. 9, Feb. 23, and March 9 (subject to availability).
- Day 1: Departs Miami at 6 p.m.
- Day 2: Sailing
- Day 3: Cozumel (Playa del Carmen), Mexico: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 4: Sailing
- Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 6: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 a.m.
5-Night Cruise: Dominican Daze
This cruise departs from Miami and stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami. The cost for this itinerary is 186,250 Virgin points.
Departure dates available for this promotion are Jan. 3, Feb. 14, Feb. 18 and March 14 (subject to availability).
- Day 1: Departs Miami at 6 p.m.
- Day 2: Sailing
- Day 3: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 4: Sailing
- Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 6: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 a.m.
6-Night Cruise: Western Caribbean Charm
This cruise departs from Miami and stops in Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatán, Honduras and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami. The cost for this itinerary is 223,500 Virgin points.
Departure dates available for this promotion are Jan. 5, Jan. 19, Feb. 2, Feb. 16 and March 2 (subject to availability).
- Day 1: Departs Miami at 6 p.m.
- Day 2: Sailing
- Day 3: Roatán, Honduras: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 4: Costa Maya, Mexico: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 5: Sailing
- Day 6: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 7: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 a.m.
7-Night Cruise: Saint (Isles) & Seas of the Caribbean
This cruise departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico and stops in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, St. Lucia, St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, before returning to San Juan. The cost of this itinerary is 245,000 Virgin points.
Dec. 14 is the only available departure date for this itinerary (subject to availability).
- Day 1: Departs San Juan at 6 p.m.
- Day 2: Tortola, British Virgin Islands: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 3: Sailing
- Day 4: Bridgetown, Barbados: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Day 5: Castries, St. Lucia: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 6: St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Day 7: Philipsburg, St. Maarten: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Day 8: Arrives back in San Juan at 6:30 a.m.
8-Night Cruise: Eastern Caribbean Antilles
This cruise departs from Miami and stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami. The cost for this itinerary is 280,000 – 298,000 Virgin points, depending on the departure date.
Departure dates available for this promotion are Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Jan. 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, and March 8 (subject to availability).
- Day 1: Departs Miami at 6 p.m.
- Day 2: Sailing
- Day 3: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 4: San Juan, Puerto Rico: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Day 5: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 6: Sailing
- Day 7: Sailing
- Day 8: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 9: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 a.m.
10-Night Cruise: San Juan, St. Vincent, Barbados & More
This cruise departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico and stops in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Basseterre, St. Kitts, St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda, Fort-de-France, Martinique, Bridgetown, Barbados, Castries, St. Lucia, and Kingstown, St. Vincent, before returning to San Juan. The cost of this itinerary is 372,500 Virgin points.
Jan. 11 is the only available departure date for this itinerary (subject to availability).
- Day 1: Departs San Juan at 8 p.m.
- Day 2: Tortola, British Virgin Islands: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 3: Basseterre, St. Kitts: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 4: St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 5: Sailing
- Day 6: Fort-de-France, Martinique: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 7: Bridgetown, Barbados: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 8: Castries, St. Lucia: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 9: Kingstown, St. Vincent: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 10: Sailing
- Day 11: Arrives back in San Juan at 6:30 a.m.
11-Night Cruise: Idyllic Caribbean Isles & Colombia
This cruise departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico and stops in Cartagena, Colombia, Bridgetown, Willemstad, Curaçao, Oranjestad, Aruba, Castries, St. Lucia, St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, before returning to San Juan. The cost of this itinerary is 409,750 Virgin points.
Jan. 21 is the only available departure date for this itinerary (subject to availability).
- Day 1: Departs San Juan at 8 p.m.
- Day 2: Sailing
- Day 3: Sailing
- Day 4: Cartagena, Colombia: 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Day 5: Sailing
- Day 6: Willemstad, Curaçao: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Day 7: Oranjestad, Aruba: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Day 8: Sailing
- Day 9: Castries, St. Lucia: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Day 10: St. John's, Antigua & Barbuda: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Day 11: Philipsburg, St. Maarten: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Day 12: Arrives back in San Juan at 6:30 a.m.
How to Redeem Virgin Points for This Offer
First things first, you'll want to head to the Virgin Voyages website to confirm availability for the specific cruise and dates you are interested in.
Next, you'll need to make sure you have a Virgin Red account, the overarching loyalty program for all things Virgin. Even if you already have a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club airline account, you'll need to create a Virgin Red account in order to transfer any points and redeem them for this cruise. You can create an account here.
Don't worry: If you have miles in your Virgin Atlantic account, you'll be able to link it with your Virgin Red account during the sign-up process and any miles will show up in your Virgin Red account.
Since most of the credit card transfer partners to Virgin are through the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (with the exception of Capital One and Bilt), you'll need to make sure your accounts are linked if you plan to transfer most credit card points to Virgin.
You can transfer credit card points to Virgin from the following points programs:
- American Express Membership Rewards (40% transfer bonus to Virgin ends Dec. 31)
- Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Capital One Venture Miles (transfers go directly to Virgin Red)
- Cit ThankYou Points
- Bilt Rewards Points (transfers go directly to Virgin Red)
- Wells Fargo Rewards Points (transfers directly to Virgin Red)
Once you have the required amount of Virgin points in your account for the cruise you want to book, just sign into your Virgin Red account and click “Spend” in the top navigation bar.
You won't be able to proceed if you don't have enough points in your account.
Assuming you have enough points in your account to cover the purchase, after clicking “Redeem” you'll receive an access key that you can use to book your cruise directly with Virgin Voyages. Virgin says this access key and instructions to book your place on board could take up to three working days to receive.
Bottom Line
It's not often that you can book a cruise with points, which makes this a pretty great deal. If you have Virgin points (or transferrable credit card points), this is a fantastic option for an all-inclusive Caribbean cruise this winter.
The promotion is valid for departures through March, so don't wait to take advantage if you are interested – rooms could sell out fast!
Photos courtesy of Virgin Voyages
Thanks. I’ve been watching for this since we did the 8-day Caribbean last spring for 100,000 pts. That was also a better deal than current Caribbean as it covered taxes and fees. We loved Virgin although being in FL, we don’t love the Caribbean–hot to hot! (There was also and east-bound transatlantic in the offers for 100,000 last spring.) The Med cruise for 100,000 may be the best deal if traveling there isn’t a big issue.
Just got back from this Cruise. Did the amex deal! 64k points! What a deal!
Looks like this deal is gone now!
Does anyone if this is refundable when booked with miles? can dates be changed?
Hey Nick, great tip! I just booked the Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems voyage departing June 11th. Hope to see some of you other points and miles people on board.
Hi! Any idea if the promo is combinable with the Sailing Club loyalty program? Specifically the perks you get while cruising I mean (ie bar tab credit), not any booking offers obviously! Thank you
We acutally have a cruise booked on September 3rd with Virgin is there a way to use points for this cruise?
Unfortunately, no. It has to be one of these routes mentioned and it has to depart before August 31.
Hi Nick, am already in Europe in July. I’ve been trying to see availabilities on the. Virgin Cruise but I can’t get into how to find out availability. Any tips? Thanks.
Hi Belen. If you go the Virgin Voyages website and the cruise you want has a departure date listed before August 31, it should be available for this deal. It just needs to be one of the itineraries listed in this story.
I looked under “Featured” but could not find the cruise option, is this only visible if you have enough points? Thank you.
I believe this offer has ended I am not able to find it either.
This is an awesome deal!!! I was looking at booking one in November and wish j could change the dates. Do you know can you book virgin voyages all the time with transfer partners points? Or if they’ll do this special again?
They have run similar promos in the past so it is likely it will be available again.
Hi Nick! Do you have any pointers on booking the flights to go with the Mediterranean cruise?
Hi Nancy! Since your dates would be pretty specific, I would suggest searching with Google Flights and potentially setting up a few price alerts.