Got credit card points and itching to hop on a cruise ship? This is the deal for you.

The hip cruise line Virgin Voyages is out yet again with an amazing offer, allowing you to snag a five-night cruise for two this summer … for as few as 89,000 credit card points total! This limited-time deal is available for select Virgin Voyages cruises departing from Miami sailing from June 1 through September 30, 2024.

Considering these cruises typically cost between $2,400 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 this year. And it's an amazing way to use your Virgin points.

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 partnerships. You can transfer points to Virgin from all the major credit card companies, including  Chase, American Express, Capital One, Citi, and even Bilt Rewards.

And right now, American Express and Chase are both offering a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin. That means you could transfer just 89,000 points into Virgin to have the required 115,000 points needed to book this cruise for two people! If you don't have Amex or Chase points, you'll need to transfer the full 115,000 points to book.

Keep reading for more on what you can book with this deal and how to do it.

 

virgin red cruise promotion

 

Virgin Voyages Cruise Promotion

Through September 30, 2024, you can book one of a handful of Virgin Voyages cruises departing from Miami for just 115,000 Virgin Red points. That price is good for two passengers.

While there is no deadline for booking these cruises, your cruise must depart before September 30, 2024. And with limited availability, beware that the cruise you want could sell out – don't wait if you're thinking about taking advantage of this offer.

Just keep in mind that flights to Miami and back are not included. 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.

 

Here's what you need to know about this offer:

  • 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.
  • Pricing includes all your meals, gratuities, free onboard Wi-Fi, and access to all onboard shows for two people.
  • You'll still be on the hook for the taxes and fees which will run around $300 total for both passengers – depending on your destination. 
  • Flights and transfers to the cruise port are not included as a part of this deal.
  • Cruises departing from Miami will be on the Valiant Lady.
  • All bookings will be in a Central Sea Terrace cabin (or Sea Terrace room, depending on availability), which is outlined below.
  • There are five different itineraries to choose from – all of which begin and end in Miami, with a full-day stop at a private beach club in Bimini, Bahamas. 
  • This offer is exclusive to Virgin Red program members for departures before September 30, 2024. 

 

central sea terrace cabin

 

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 is what you can book.

 

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.

Departure dates available for this promotion are May 5, June 2, 30, July 28, August 25, and September 22  (subject to availability).

  • Day 1: Departs Miami at 6:00 PM
  • Day 2: Sailing
  • Day 3: Cozumel (Playa del Carmen), Mexico: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Day 4: Sailing
  • Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Day 6: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 AM

 

Riviera Maya cruise route

 

Dominican Daze (or A Virgin Celebration Voyage – Miami)

This cruise departs from Miami and stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami.

Departure dates available for this promotion are May 10, June 7, June 21, July 5, August 2, August 16, September 27 (subject to availability).

  • Day 1: Departs Miami at 6:00 PM
  • Day 2: Sailing
  • Day 3: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Day 4: Sailing
  • Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Day 6: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 AM

 

dominican daze cruise

 

Mayan Sol

This cruise departs from Miami and stops in Costa Maya, Mexico, and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami.

Departure dates available for this promotion are May 19, June 16, July 14, August 11, and September 8 (subject to availability).

  • Day 1: Departs Miami at 6:00 PM
  • Day 2: Sailing
  • Day 3: Costa Maya, Mexico: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Day 4: Sailing
  • Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Day 6: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 AM

 

 

mayan sol cruise

 

Miami, Grand Turk & Back

This cruise departs from Miami and stops in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, and the Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas, before returning to Miami.

Departure dates available for this promotion are May 24, July 19, September 13 (subject to availability).

  • Day 1: Departs Miami at 6:00 PM
  • Day 2: Sailing
  • Day 3: Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Day 4: Sailing
  • Day 5: Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Day 6: Arrives back in Miami at 6:30 AM

 

miami, grand turk and back

 

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:

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 code 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 72 hours to receive.

One thing to note: Even though you are redeeming points for a cruise, you'll still be on the hook for the taxes and fees which will run around $300 total for both passengers – depending on your destination. 

 

Our Take

This is a really solid deal. It's one of the best ways to cover a cruise with points and a great way to use your Virgin points, to boot. That said, this same deal was offered starting at just 80,000 points last year. No question the current 115,000 point price point is more expensive, it is still a solid deal for your Virgin points – especially if you are utilizing one of the 30% transfer bonuses from Chase or American Express. 

While none of the Thrifty Traveler staff have ever been on a Virgin Voyages cruise, they've gotten great reviews since launching in 2021. Considering that this price includes all meals and entertainment for two people, it seems like a great option to cruise on the cheap.

Additionally, there are a few more cruise deals available for a limited time. 

First, you'll find a 16-day transatlantic cruise from Rome to Miami for 320,000 points. 

 

transatlantic voyage from rome to miami

 

Next, you'll find a few options for a seven-night cruise in the Mediterranean from just 120,000 points. 

 
med cruise virgin

 

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 a five-night, all-inclusive Caribbean cruise.

The promotion is valid for departures before Sept. 30, 2024, so don't wait to take advantage if you are interested – rooms could sell out fast!

 

Photos courtesy of Virgin Voyages