In This Guide: Shore Things Guide +

Shore Things: VV Excursions Guide

What Shore Things are, when to book, and how to decide what's worth it.

Shore Things is Virgin Voyages' brand name for port excursions. Every port visit has a curated menu of activities — from snorkeling and ATV tours to rum tastings and submarine rides. None are included in the base fare, but higher VoyageFair tiers include a credit to offset costs.

Booking Windows

Rockstar suite holders 135 days before sailing
Deep Blue / Blue Sailing Club 120 days before sailing
Gold / Red Sailing Club + standard Depends on membership — check app

Book the moment your window opens for popular excursions — especially Bimini activities, submarine experiences, and anything with limited group sizes.

What Sells Out First

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Submarine experiences

Limited vessel capacity — gone within hours of window opening.

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Private beach cabanas at Bimini

If you want a premium Bimini experience, book immediately.

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Small-group food/rum tours

Intimate tastings at popular ports cap at 8–12 people.

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Horseback riding / ATV tours

Equipment limits availability. Early booking essential.

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Private sailing charters

Entire boat for your group — very limited slots.

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Snorkeling at best sites

Not all sites are equal. Top-rated operators book fast.

VV Shore Things vs. Independent Booking

VV Shore Things

  • ✓ Ship waits if you're late returning
  • ✓ Vetted operators, VV-backed quality
  • ✓ Easy cancellation (48h notice)
  • ✓ Can use Shore Things fare credit
  • ✗ Often pricier than independent

Independent Tours

  • ✓ Often 20–40% cheaper
  • ✓ More options + local operators
  • ✓ Can be more authentic / less touristy
  • ✗ Ship will NOT wait if you're late
  • ✗ No Shore Things credit applicable

The Rule of Thumb

Use VV Shore Things for any excursion with tight timing (full-day tours, ferry departures) or at distant ports. Go independent at close-in, walkable ports where you have flexibility and can easily get back if anything runs long.

Frequently Asked

When can I book Shore Things? +
Booking windows vary by Sailing Club status. Most sailors can book starting 120–135 days before sailing. Rockstar suite holders and higher-tier Sailing Club members get earlier access.
Can I cancel a Shore Thing? +
Most Shore Things are fully refundable if cancelled at least 48 hours before the excursion. A handful of specialty experiences have stricter policies — check the terms when booking.
Are there third-party excursions I can book independently? +
Yes. You're not required to use VV's Shore Things. Many sailors book independently at ports through local operators — often cheaper. The trade-off: VV Shore Things wait for the ship if you're late returning; independent tours do not.
Do higher fare tiers include Shore Things credit? +
Yes. VoyageFair Essential and Premium tiers include a Shore Things credit (amount varies by sailing length). Base tier has no Shore Things credit included.

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