Virgin Voyages: What’s the difference between the Bar Tab and Sailor Loot?

You just booked your Virgin Voyages cruise and see a free $150 Bar Tab on the sailor app. If you’re really lucky, you might even notice you scored some free Sailor Loot. So what’s the difference between the Virgin Voyages Bar Tab and Sailor Loot?

Bar Tab is for drinks

The name may sound self explanatory, but the Virgin Voyages Bar Tab is for paying for drinks onboard the ship or at the Beach Club at Bimini. The Bar Tab can be used for alcoholic beverages, Shake for Champagne, and even premium non alcoholic beverages like lattes, smoothies, and Sugar Free Red Bull.

Once you’ve exhausted your Bar Tab, Sailor Loot can be used to pay for drinks. But don’t worry, once your Bar Tab and Sailor Loot are spent, you can still buy drinks. You’ll just get an invoice for it at the end of your cruise. If you have more questions, check out my post where I explain everything you need to know about the Bar Tab.

Sailor Loot is for anything

Sailor Loot is amazing because you can use it to score all the booty (you know, merchandise) you can handle. Your Sailor Loot can also be used to pay for Shore Things, but only if you book them after you board the ship. Popular Shore Things do sell out in advance, so you’ll want to plan your Shore Things accordingly.

High Street on Deck 6 has a lot of upscale shopping options, a makeup store, and a Virgin Voyages merchandise store. Heck, you can even get a tattoo at Squid Ink (but book that right away, they fill up quick.) There’s even a small record store just up the winding stairs on Deck 7 where you can find some great vinyl. Be sure to check out the Virgin Voyages exclusive, limited edition Sex Pistols record, possibly the best booty on the entire ship. And yes, you can use Sailor Loot to pay for all of it.

Think of Sailor Loot like a gift card that is good anywhere onboard or at the Beach Club at Bimini. I promise you will find plenty of booty to help you part with your Sailor Loot.

What if I don’t spend my Bar Tab or Sailor Loot? Do I get a refund?

Unfortunately no, you do not get a refund if you do not spend your Bar Tab or Sailor Loot. Fortunately, I don’t think you will have any trouble. Virgin Voyages frequently offers free Bar Tabs with certain promotions, so you’re not going to be out anything if you don’t spend your Bar Tab. However, if you find yourself at the end of your cruise with Bar Tab and Sailor Loot to spare, order a SH-OCT-A-PUS or two, the infamous five shot monster at The Loose Cannon. I assure you, you will have new friends in no time.

At the end of your cruise, you will receive an invoice for all the drinks and souvenirs you wisely procured along the way. Drinks will first charge the Bar Tab. Any remaining amount will go toward your Sailor Loot, along with any purchases you made onboard. Any charges beyond that will be made to the credit card you saved on the Virgin Voyages Sailor app. Learn How to track Virgin Voyages Bar Tab & Sailor Loot purchases.

Should I buy the Bar Tab or Sailor Loot in advance?

It pays to buy the Bar Tab in advance. Virgin Voyages often offers a complimentary Bar Tab bonus, up to $50, if you purchase your Bar Tab in advance. If you’re doing the math at home, that’s about eight free basic blue collar beers.

Sailor Loot isn’t necessary to purchase in advance. Virgin Voyages hasn’t offered a promotion like the Bar Tab bonus, likely because Sailor Loot is basically like cash. If you are gifting someone a Virgin Voyages cruise (hey, let’s be friends), you can purchase some Sailor Loot in advance, but you really don’t get any advantage for doing so.

Final Thoughts: Bar Tab vs. Sailor Loot

Unlike other cruise lines, Virgin Voyages does not offer a traditional drink package. Instead, the Bar Tab offers sailors flexibility to buy drinks for themselves or their friends. Sailor Loot can be used for anything, including drinks. I go into drink prices a little more on my other post, Everything you need to know about the Virgin Voyages Bar Tab. Do the math and make sure to get the right Bar Tab for you so you’re not missing out on free bonus money.