Virgin Voyages' all-inclusive "Loot" model means most drinks are already covered, so the bring-aboard rules differ from traditional cruise lines. Wine is more permissive (two bottles per cabin), but extension cords, drones, and outside food are tightly controlled. This guide is the quick reference, drawn from Virgin's own policy pages.
At a Glance
Allowed
Two 750-ml bottles of wine per cabin, 12 sealed cans/cartons (12 oz max) per Sailor, sealed pre-packaged snacks, CPAP machines (sealed labeled distilled water), curling/flat irons, hair dryers, snorkel gear.
Prohibited
Hard liquor and beer brought aboard, irons and clothing steamers, drones, candles, hoverboards, cannabis or CBD, surge protectors and most extension cords (electrician approval required), kratom and other impairing substances, coolers (medical exception only).
Check first
Service dogs (paperwork 14+ days out, port permits), oxygen (2 cylinders max per cabin, no liquid O2), vapes (designated areas only — never in cabins), specialty liquor purchased in port (held until final night), bicycles and surfboards (pre-approval required).
What You Can Bring
Wine and Champagne
Each cabin can bring two 750-ml bottles of wine, in carry-on bags only, on embarkation day. There's no separate champagne quantity — the wine bottle limit applies to both. No corkage fee is published for in-cabin consumption. Specialty liquor purchased in port may be brought aboard but must be handed to security at the gangway and is held until the final night of the voyage.
Non-Alcoholic Beverages
Up to 12 sealed, unopened cans or cartons of 12 oz or less per Sailor, in hand luggage only. Includes water, soft drinks, dietary supplement drinks, and non-alcoholic beer. Glass and plastic bottles are not permitted — boxes and cans only.
Food
Pre-packaged, sealed, non-perishable snacks in reasonable personal quantities. Bulk amounts are not allowed. Homemade, pre-cooked, perishable food, and open containers are not permitted. Special dietary supplement items can be cleared in advance via Sailor Services.
Medications and Medical Equipment
Bring all prescription medications in carry-on, in original packaging — the onboard pharmacy is limited. CPAP machines are permitted in carry-on, and distilled water is allowed but the container must be unopened and labeled. Up to two oxygen cylinders per cabin may be hand-carried; additional quantities must be delivered by an outside provider. Liquid oxygen and systems greater than 680 liters or E/M-24 size are prohibited. Peritoneal dialysis equipment may be brought aboard. Use the Accessibility and Medical Request Form at least 45 days in advance for special arrangements.
Electronics and Personal Grooming
Phones, laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, and chargers are fine. Hair dryers (also provided in cabins), curling irons, and hair straighteners are explicitly allowed. Extension cords and power strips are subject to inspection and approval by the Ship's Electrician — they're not freely allowed. Personal speakers may be used in your cabin only, not in public areas. Smart glasses are allowed but recording is prohibited in bathrooms, saunas, spas, and locker rooms.
Mobility and Sports Gear
Bring your own wheelchair; book a Fully Accessible Cabin if needed. Mobility scooters require a Fully Accessible Cabin reservation. Wheelchair (spillable) batteries are explicitly excepted from the spillable-battery prohibition. Golf clubs are permitted and stored in the cabin. Bicycles and surfboards are allowed only with pre-voyage approval through Sailor Services.
Coolers
Generally prohibited — but allowed as an exception for medications or documented dietary needs. Standard small soft-sided medical coolers are accepted on the same logic as other major lines.
What's Prohibited
Hard Liquor and Beer
Spirits and beer cannot be brought aboard. Alcohol found in checked luggage is collected at embarkation and returned post-voyage. Specialty liquor purchased in port has a unique workflow — hand it to security at the gangway and it's held until the final night.
Irons and Clothing Steamers
No exceptions. Hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons are allowed; clothing irons and garment steamers are not. Self-service launderettes onboard are the standard alternative for wrinkles.
Drones
Drones and remote-controlled helicopters or airplanes are confiscated pre-voyage and returned at the home port at the end of the cruise. Virgin does not allow them onboard at all, even stored in your cabin for shore use.
Cannabis and CBD
All cannabis products, medical marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and CBD products are explicitly prohibited. Virgin's ships are Bahamian-flagged and CBD or THC products are illegal on Bahamian-flagged ships regardless of source-state legality. Other impairing substances explicitly banned: kratom, tianeptine, 7-OH, synthetic cathinones, nitrous oxide ("whippets"), salvia divinorum, and alkyl nitrites (poppers).
Open Flame and Fire Hazards
Candles, incense, gas torches, flares, hookahs, and any open-flame or heating-element items are prohibited.
Weapons and Sharp Items
Firearms, ammunition, explosives, incendiary devices including replicas; knives with blades over 4 inches and scissors with blades over 4 inches; martial arts and self-defense items; handcuffs and restraints. Metal nail files, cuticle tools, scissors for trimming facial hair, and manicure sets are explicitly permitted exceptions.
Hoverboards and Wheeled Hazards
Hoverboards, skateboards, roller skates, and non-disability scooters (regular or electric) are prohibited.
Heating Appliances
Coffee makers, kettles, hot plates, and any item with a heating element are banned.
Surge Protectors
Surge protectors, power strips, and extension cords are subject to inspection and approval by the Ship's Electrician — they're not allowed by default and may be confiscated if not approved. A USB-only multi-port charger is the practical workaround.
Other Prohibited
Aerosols (except personal-care toiletries), spillable batteries (except wheelchair use), large batteries, compressed gas cartridges, fire extinguishers, scuba diving tanks, satellite phones, Starlink, routers, EPIRBs, ham radios, devices for cybersecurity or electronic interference, fresh flowers and potted plants, seashells and corals, and chlorine, ammonia, bleach, paints, thinners, fuels, tear gas, and pepper spray.
Gray Area — Bring It But Check First
Service Animals
Service dogs only — emotional support and comfort animals do not qualify and are not permitted. The Sailor (Virgin's term for a guest) is fully responsible for the dog's food, care, and a designated relief station forward on Deck 7. Service dogs are not allowed in pools, whirlpools, or spas. Country-specific import permits are required and documents must be submitted at least 14 days before sailing. CDC re-entry rules apply for U.S. itineraries.
Vapes and E-Cigarettes
Allowed on board but used only in designated smoking areas: The Smoking Room on Deck 6 Forward, and the designated smoking area on Deck 16 Forward, starboard side, near the entrance to Richard's Rooftop. Smoking or vaping anywhere else — including cabins and balconies — is prohibited. Violations trigger a $500 fee per incident, classified as a material breach of the ticket contract, with possible disembarkation at the next port at the Sailor's expense.
Distilled Water for CPAP
Allowed, but the container must be unopened and labeled as distilled water. Standard sealed bottles from a pharmacy or supermarket are fine.
Outside Cakes
Not specifically addressed. Virgin's pre-voyage policy advises against bringing food given onboard options, and homemade or perishable food is prohibited. Outside cakes fall under that prohibition by default. Confirm with Sailor Services if you have a specific celebration planned.
Snorkel Gear and Dive Equipment
Personal snorkel gear (mask, fins, snorkel) is permitted; scuba diving tanks are explicitly prohibited. Most Sailors bring snorkel gear for shore excursions in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Greek Isles.
Adults-Only Sailings
All Sailors must be 18 or older — this isn't a packing item but materially affects what to bring. No baby gear, formula questions, strollers, or kid-specific items apply. The fare's "Loot" amenities (most drinks, gratuities, group fitness, basic Wi-Fi) reduce what you need to pack.
What Happens at the Scanner
All luggage passes through security scanning at embarkation. When something prohibited is detected:
Bags are X-rayed at embarkation. Drones are confiscated pre-voyage and returned at the home port at the end of the cruise.
Hard liquor and beer found in checked luggage are collected at embarkation and returned post-voyage.
Specialty liquor purchased in port and presented to security at the gangway is held in the alcohol locker and returned on the final night of the voyage.
Cannabis, CBD, kratom, and other impairing substances are confiscated and may result in denial of boarding or disembarkation at the next port.
Smoking or vaping outside designated areas (including in cabins or on balconies) is a $500 fee per incident, a material breach of the ticket contract, with possible disembarkation at the guest's expense and repatriation costs.
Service animals that are uncontrolled, not housebroken, or disruptive may be removed from the ship; cabin damage is charged to the handler.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Virgin's wine policy different from other lines?
Virgin allows two 750-ml bottles per cabin in carry-on at embarkation, with no corkage fee for in-cabin consumption. Most other lines cap at one bottle per drinking-age guest. Hard liquor and beer are still prohibited.
Are drinks really included in the fare?
Yes — Virgin's "Loot" model includes most non-premium drinks (still and sparkling water, soft drinks, drip coffee, tea, juice, and a wide list of beer, wine, and cocktails by the glass). Premium spirits, wine bottles, and specialty drinks cost extra.
What happens if I vape in my cabin?
$500 fee per incident on your onboard account, a material breach of the ticket contract, and possible disembarkation at the next port — at your expense. Vaping is allowed only in the Deck 6 Forward Smoking Room and the Deck 16 Forward starboard area near Richard's Rooftop.
Can I bring CBD if it's hemp-derived?
No. Virgin's ships are Bahamian-flagged, and CBD or THC products are illegal on Bahamian-flagged ships regardless of source-state legality.
Can I bring my drone for shore use?
No. Virgin confiscates drones pre-voyage and returns them at the home port at end of cruise. Unlike Royal or Celebrity, you can't bring it aboard at all — not even for stored-only use.
What about my regular extension cord?
Extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors are subject to inspection and approval by the Ship's Electrician — not allowed by default. A USB-only multi-port charger is the cleanest solution.
I take a CPAP — what do I bring?
Pack the machine in your carry-on. Distilled water is allowed but the container must be unopened and labeled as distilled water. Use the Accessibility and Medical Request Form at least 45 days in advance for any special arrangements.
Are kava and kratom really prohibited?
Yes. Virgin explicitly bans kratom, tianeptine, 7-OH, synthetic cathinones, nitrous oxide ("whippets"), salvia divinorum, and alkyl nitrites (poppers) alongside cannabis and CBD. This is stricter than most lines.
Sources
All policies above are drawn from Virgin Voyages's published help pages. For the latest rules, including any updates after this guide was written:
Virgin Voyages prohibited items — https://www.virginvoyages.com/safety-security/prohibited-items
Virgin Voyages pre-voyage policies — https://www.virginvoyages.com/faq/before-you-sail/pre-voyage-policies
Virgin Voyages onboard policies — https://www.virginvoyages.com/faq/the-days-at-sea/onboard-policies
Virgin Voyages onboard health and safety — https://www.virginvoyages.com/faq/the-days-at-sea/onboard-health-and-safety
Virgin Voyages embarkation guide — https://www.virginvoyages.com/embarkation-guide
Virgin Voyages accessibility — https://www.virginvoyages.com/faq/before-you-sail/accessibility
Virgin Voyages service animals — https://www.virginvoyages.com/accessibility/service-animals
Virgin Voyages Sailor conduct policy — https://www.virginvoyages.com/safety-security/sailor-conduct-policy
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