MIAMI, FL – June 3, 2026 – Simple to hold, easy to sell and built to earn. That wasn’t a tagline. That was the brief.
It’s also what First Mates have come to expect from Virgin Voyages.
Launching today, the world’s No. 1 cruise brand introduces a new unified Groups program that gives First Mates more flexibility, control and opportunities to grow their business. It brings together past groups programs into one structure with a consistent set of benefits designed to help advisors sell with confidence.
“This program is all about giving First Mates more flexibility and more ways to win,” said Koreen McNutt, VP of Agency Development at Virgin Voyages. “Whether it’s holding inventory without a deposit, protecting pricing or allowing Sailors to stack group perks with My Next Virgin Voyage, we’ve focused on creating value at every step of the booking journey.”
The new structure includes two distinctions:
Small Groups: 8–16 Cabins | 120-day recall
Large Groups: 17–75 Cabins | 150-day recall
Virgin Voyages’ new Groups program includes:
- Hold up to 75 cabins with no deposit required
- Fares and promotions locked from the moment the group is created, protecting pricing regardless of future increases
- Group Bar Tab per cabin scaled to voyage length: $50 on 5-night sailings or less, $100 on 6- to 9-night sailings and $200 on voyages of 10 nights or more
- Choice of earning: one free cabin for every 16 sold or 2% bonus commission
- Group dining concierge: up to three group dinner reservations across all signature restaurants, based on voyage length and availability
“‘Brilliant For You’ has to mean something in every part of how we work with First Mates, not just the commission rate,” said John Lovell, Board Member and Senior Advisor at Virgin Voyages. “This new program offers a simpler structure, meaningful earning opportunities and the flexibility to use it as a genuine business-building tool. That’s what First Mates have been asking for.”
To celebrate the launch, new groups created through June 30, 2026, can earn either one complimentary cabin for every 12 cabins booked – reduced from the standard 16-cabin threshold – or the additional 2% commission. The offer is available on all voyages with available group inventory.
For advisors with groups already on the books, they’re protected. All existing groups keep their original benefits and 120-day recall, unchanged.
Named Best Mid-Size Ship Cruise Line in Recommend Magazine’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, it’s a product the travel advisor community has already voted on. Now there’s a program that matches the conviction.
More details and FAQs are available in Canto or through any of Virgin Voyages' Sales Crew. To book, contact a First Mate or visit www.FirstMates.com.
About Virgin Voyages
Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, exclusively adult cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami, Barcelona, Athens and San Juan, the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 150+ incredible ports of call. On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes are offered daily, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows are on the agenda. Paired with modern, tech-savvy cabins, designer suites fit for a rockstar and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. For three consecutive years – 2023, 2024 and 2025 – Virgin Voyages won best cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted World’s Best Awards for mega-ship ocean cruise line, along with the 2023 and 2024 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for best large ocean cruise line.
