Virgin Voyages’ Splash of Romance Package: Is It Worth It? An Ultimate Review and Guide
🚢 Thinking about adding a little extra luxury to your Virgin Voyages cruise? The Splash of Romance is an attractive booking package designed for couples (or anyone looking to elevate their experience), offering perks like priority boarding, daily fresh juices, an Exclusive Sail Away Hour, and thermal spa access. But is it really worth the price? Let’s get into all of the details!
Table of Contents
What is the Splash of Romance Package?
Virgin Voyages describes Splash of Romance (SOR, in Virgin Voyages lingo) as a $1,000 value package, but they currently sell it for $250 per cabin (for two passengers). Since availability is limited to only 90 cabins per sailing, it sells out fast—so if this sounds like something you would like, book it ASAP! (Pro tip: If you’re a Rockstar, Mega Rockstar, or have Blue Extras or Deep Blue Extras, compare your included benefits before purchasing Splash of Romance—some perks may overlap!)
Please note that this package is different than Splash For Your Bash. Splash For Your Bash is a package for planning special events onboard.
Please remember that I may receive a commission when you click on my links to make a purchase. This, however, has no bearing on my content, reviews and comparisons. I will do my best to keep things fair and balanced to assist you in making the best decision for you.
What’s Included?
✔ Early Embarkation – Board the ship sooner and start your vacation early! Splash of Romance guests usually board around 1:30PM on embarkation day, right after Rockstars and Deep Blue Extras guests. (Note: Your early boarding time will not reflect in the app. Be sure to check with Virgin Voyages or head to the earliest boarding time available for your sailing!)
✔ Daily Fresh Juices – Enjoy a healthy start each morning at Gym & Tonic (Deck 15). Usually available until late morning, you can drop by and pick a fresh juice from the menu. There's a nice variety of juices from orange juice to green juices. Our favorite picks? ‘Got the Beet' for a refreshing boost and ‘Light Green' for a healthy way to start your day!
✔ Shake for Champagne – A fun app feature that delivers a bottle of Moët anywhere on the ship. You will simply open the Virgin Voyages app and shake it, little bubbles will appear across your screen and then your champagne will be delivered shortly! (We have had issues with the charge being credited after used the “Shake For Champagne”, my advice is to check your account and go to Sailor Services if you have any issues.) *Fun tip: Get your morning fresh squeezed orange juice and find a sweet spot on deck to use your “Shake For Champagne” to make upscale mimosas!
✔ Exclusive Sail Away Hour – A private event with champagne and cocktails. This event does not take place on embarkation day; it is usually scheduled for the second evening of the cruise. You'll receive an invitation in your cabin with the exact details, so keep an eye out! This is a great opportunity to enjoy complimentary bubbly and sangria without dipping into your bar tab!
✔ Sultry Treats Delivered to Your Cabin – Think chocolates and macarons. Usually two or three times on 7 day sailings, they will deliver a plate with some small treats to your cabin in the afternoon. We have received some unique flavored chocolates and macarons to enjoy.
✔ Three-Hour Thermal Spa Pass – Enjoy the sauna, steam room, plunge pools, Hydrotherapy pool, heated loungers & the mud room at The Redemption Spa (Deck 5). With this package you will receive two 3 hour passes to use at the spa. The nice part about these passes is that they are not assigned to each person, so if one person in the cabin wants to use both of them, it is completely allowable. The other unique feature is that you will receive a cup of mud to use in the mud room. They will give you a small paper cup with mud when you check in to your appointment.
(For more details, visit Virgin Voyages' official Splash of Romance page)
Breaking Down the Value
Now, let’s see if Splash of Romance lives up to its $1,000 value claim. Here’s what each perk is worth individually:
- 🛳 Early Embarkation: No listed price and it's hard to put a price on skipping the lines, but it’s priceless for some! However, some cruise lines charge for $69.99 per cabin for something similar.
- 🍊 Fresh Juices: $10 per juice × 7 days × 2 guests = $140
- 🍾 Shake for Champagne: Moët bottle costs about $200 (check out Bar Menus)
- 🍸 Exclusive Cocktail Hour: 2 drinks per person × $25 = $100
- 🧖♀️ Thermal Spa Pass: $59–$79 per person, so $118–$158 total
- 🍬 Sultry Treats: No listed price, but let's value them at $30-$60! (on other cruises, when you have snacks like chocolate covered strawberries delivered to your cabin, it costs between $15-$20)
🔹 Total Estimated Value: $650–$730 (not quite $1,000, but still a great deal for $250!)
Who Should Get This Package?
💖 Perfect For:
✅ Anyone who does not have Deep Blue Extras or is a Rockstar and values some extra perks
✅ First-time Virgin Voyages cruisers wanting to elevate their trip
✅ Spa lovers who will make use of the thermal pass
✅ Guests arriving early to the port (so you can take advantage of early embarkation!)
✅ Guests who want to make reservations for the spa on sea days, events or restaurants that may sell out- early embarkation is great for this
✅ Honeymooners who will use the package perks like Shake for Champagne in a romantice way
✅ Guests who are focused on wellness wanting to start their day with fresh juice
🤷♀️ Skip It If:
❌ You don’t drink champagne or plan to go the cocktail hour
❌ You won’t use the spa pass (this is a big part of the value!)
❌ You’re on a short cruise (you may not get much value from the fresh juices and you may feel pressure to get your money's worth)
❌ You won’t be arriving to the port until later (early boarding is a sought after feature)
❌ You’re on a short cruise (it might feel rushed)
How to Book Splash of Romance
📅 Don’t wait! This package can sell out! You can add the Splash of Romance Package immediately after booking your cruise through the Virgin Voyages website or Sailor Services. Since only 90 cabins per sailing can purchase this package, availability is limited. If you’re interested, secure it as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
To book:
1️⃣ Log into your Virgin Voyages account after booking.
2️⃣ Navigate to My Voyage Add-Ons and look for Splash of Romance.
3️⃣ If available, add it to your booking and complete your purchase.
4️⃣ If it’s sold out, you can try calling Sailor Services to check for any last-minute openings.
Need some more info about whether Virgin Voyages is for you you before you book? You can see 7 Ways Virgin Voyages Turn No's Into Yes in this article.
Our Experience: What We Loved & What We Didn’t About The Splash Of Romance Package
😍 What We Loved:
✅ Early Embarkation – This is the #1 feature we book for, getting onboard early meant extra time to book reservations, enjoy lunch, and soak in the atmosphere.
✅ Shake for Champagne – The novelty of shaking your phone and having Moët delivered anywhere? So fun! 🎉
✅ Thermal Spa Access – One of the best perks! The mud room is relaxing and a unique to Virgin Voyages feature. We also enjoyed using the heated loungers, salt room, sauna and steam room. However, the hot/cold plunge pools are somewhat small, and it does get crowded on sea days.
✅ Exclusive Cocktail Hour – Free-flowing drinks in a private setting? Yes, please! It was a great way to mingle with fellow Splash of Romance guests.
🤔 What Could Be Better:
❌ Sultry Treats Were Underwhelming – With so much great food onboard, the small chocolate and macaron deliveries felt unnecessary.
❌ Shake for Champagne Glitches – Some cruisers reported being charged instead of it being included, so always check your onboard account!
❌ Limited Spa Availability – If you want prime-time slots, book your spa session ASAP on embarkation day.
is included as part of the Splash of Romance Package
My Suggestions to Improve The Splash of Romance Package
While the Splash of Romance Package is a great value, there are a few ways Virgin Voyages could make it even better:
💡 Rename the Package – “Splash of Romance” makes it sound like it’s only for couples, and it really is not overly romantic. All of these features can be used by anyone you are sharing a cabin with. A more inclusive name like “Sailor Perk Package” would appeal to a broader range of cruisers.
💡 Update the App for Priority Boarding – The boarding time should be accurately reflected in the Virgin Voyages app to avoid confusion.
💡 Replace Sultry Treats with Room Service Credit – Instead of chocolates and macarons, offering one complimentary room service delivery per cruise would be more useful.
💡 Rebrand the Exclusive Sail Away Hour – A more enticing name like “Bubbles in The Manor” would highlight the venue and the experience better.
By making these small but meaningful changes, Virgin Voyages could enhance the value of this package even more!
Q&A: Frequently Asked Questions About Splash of Romance
❓ Can the Splash of Romance package be used for just one sailor?
Yes, but the package is designed for two sailors per cabin and is priced as a bundle. If you’re sailing solo, you would still pay the full $250 price.
❓ Why doesn’t my early boarding time show up in my reservation?
The early embarkation perk from Splash of Romance does not reflect in the Virgin Voyages app. To board early, simply arrive at the earliest available boarding time for your sailing or check with Virgin Voyages to confirm your embarkation time.
❓ What do I do when I arrive at the embarkation port?
Upon arrival at the port:
- Drop off your luggage with the porters.
- Head to the terminal check-in area with your documents ready.
- If you have Splash of Romance, you will see signs directing you which way to go to check-in. If you do not see the signs, speak to a Virgin Voyages representative and they will direct you.
- Once onboard, book your thermal spa session as slots can fill up quickly!
❓ Can I book the Splash of Romance package after I’ve already booked my cruise?
Yes! You can add it right after booking your cruise through the Virgin Voyages website or by calling Sailor Services. However, since only 90 cabins per sailing can purchase the package, it’s recommended to book as soon as possible before it sells out.
❓ Does the Shake for Champagne perk work more than once?
No, the Shake for Champagne perk is a one-time use during your cruise. Once you activate it, a bottle of Moët will be delivered to you anywhere on the ship.
❓ Can I bring a guest to the Exclusive Sail Away Hour?
No, the Exclusive Sail Away Hour is limited to the two sailors in the cabin who purchased Splash of Romance and cannot be extended to additional guests.
❓ How do I book my thermal spa pass?
Once onboard, visit Redemption Spa on Deck 5 as soon as possible to reserve your three-hour session. Popular times can fill up quickly, so early booking is recommended.
Final Verdict: Is Splash of Romance Worth It?
💰 For $250, this package is totally worth it IF you plan to use at least 3 of the perks. The thermal spa access, early embarkation, and Shake for Champagne alone make it a solid deal.
However, if you’re not a spa person or don’t care about the drinks, you might be better off spending that $250 on events, excursions, or bar tab credits. Here is my article about 5 Awesome Things To Do On A Virgin Voyages Cruise.
🔹 Our Recommendation: If you’re on a 5+ day cruise and want to add a little luxury without breaking the bank, Splash of Romance is a fantastic value. But if you’re only sailing for 3–4 days, you might not have enough time to enjoy everything.
I hope this has helped you decide if the Splash of Romance Package is worth it for you! If you still need help making a decision, check out this Simple Decision Making Hack, it will help you decide in two minutes!
We appreciate the opportunity to be with you from Shore To Cruise! Happy Sailing!
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