Virgin Voyages

Is Rockstar Really Worth It — and Who Is It Actually For?

If you’re planning your first (or next) Virgin Voyages sailing, chances are you’ve hit the same fork in the road everyone does:

Do I sail as a standard Sailor… or do I go Rockstar?

On paper, Rockstar sounds incredible.

In reality, the decision is more nuanced — and very dependent on how you travel.

I’ve sailed both as a Sailor and as a Rockstar, and this guide breaks down:

• The real differences (not the marketing fluff)
• What you actually gain — and what you quietly lose
• Who Rockstar is perfect for
• Who should absolutely stay Sailor (and save the money)

No hype. No affiliate nonsense. Just lived experience.

The Price Reality (Let’s Address It First)

This is the uncomfortable bit most guides dance around.

On a typical sailing:

• Balcony Sailor cabin: ~£2,000–£3,000
• Entry-level Rockstar suite: ~£5,500–£6,000+

That’s often £2,000+ extra for the Rockstar experience.

So the real question isn’t “Is Rockstar good?”

It’s “Is Rockstar worth that premium for you?”

Let’s break it down.

Embarkation: Rockstar Wins (But There’s a Cheat Code)

Rockstar Embarkation

Rockstars:

• Board first
• Skip queues
• Have a private check-in lounge
• Get whisked through with zero friction

It feels polished. Calm. Very “airport lounge energy”.

Sailor Reality (And the Smart Alternative)

If early boarding matters to you but Rockstar pricing doesn’t — there’s a workaround:

Splash of Romance

For a fraction of the price, you:

• Board early
• Skip most queues
• Get a relaxed start without going full Rockstar

👉 For many people, this alone removes the biggest pain point Rockstar solves.

Booking Restaurants & Shows: Small Edge, Not a Game-Changer

Rockstars can book dining earlier than Sailors.

That helps — especially on:

• Short sailings
• Miami party-heavy itineraries

But here’s the honest truth:

I’ve never failed to eat where I wanted as a Sailor.

Virgin’s system is flexible, and cancellations happen constantly. Rockstar makes it easier — it doesn’t unlock something Sailors can’t access.

Rockstar Agent vs Sailor Services

(This Is the Real Rockstar Advantage)

This is where Rockstar genuinely shines.

As a Rockstar, you get a dedicated Rockstar Agent — and this changes everything.

They can:

• Rebook restaurants instantly
• Adjust Shore Things
• Fix billing issues
• Arrange surprises
• Send drinks or gifts to other cabins
• Handle problems without queues

Compared to Sailor Services (which can involve waiting or messaging delays), this feels effortless.

👉 If you value frictionless service, this is the strongest argument for Rockstar.

Richard’s Rooftop: Incredible… and Surprisingly Limiting

Richard’s Rooftop is exclusive to Rockstars:

• Champagne happy hour every night
• Quiet pools and hot tubs
• Plush seating
• Space to breathe on sea days

It’s excellent.

But here’s the unexpected downside:

You spend less time exploring the ship.

As Sailors, we:

• Met more people
• Drifted into spontaneous events
• Stumbled across pop-up moments
• Felt more connected to the energy of the ship

Rockstar can feel… insulated.

Not bad — just different.

Hot Tubs, Pools & Space

If hot tubs are your thing:

• Rockstar = easy access, minimal crowds
• Sailor = competitive, especially on sea days

This matters more on:

• Miami sailings
• Party-heavy itineraries
• Peak seasons

If relaxed soaking matters to you, Rockstar wins here.

Shows, Lines & Priority Access

Rockstars:

• Have priority entry lines for shows
• Are rarely turned away

That said:

• I’ve never missed a show as a Sailor
• Arriving early solves most issues

Helpful? Yes.

Essential? No.

The Hidden Trade-Off: Community vs Comfort

This is the part most reviews never say out loud.

As Sailors, we:

• Talked to more people
• Shared tables, bars, hot tubs
• Fell into random conversations
• Ended up going to shows together

As Rockstars:

• We were more comfortable
• But more contained
• More “separate”

Neither is wrong — but they’re different experiences.

So… Who Is Rockstar Actually For?

Rockstar Is Worth It If:

• You’re celebrating something big (honeymoon, milestone birthday)
• You hate queues with a passion
• You value personal service over spontaneity
• You want a luxury-first experience
• You’re happy paying for ease

Stay Sailor If:

• You love meeting people
• You enjoy exploring the ship
• You want the full social energy
• You’d rather spend the money on another voyage
• You don’t mind a little organised chaos

The Honest Verdict

Rockstar is fantastic.

But it’s not automatically “better”.

For many travellers, Sailor + Splash of Romance hits the sweet spot:

• Early boarding
• Full ship experience
• Better value
• More social energy

If you’ve never sailed Virgin Voyages before, I’d honestly recommend:

Try Sailor first.

Upgrade to Rockstar later if you feel the pull.

Final Thought

Virgin Voyages works because it gives you choice.

Rockstar isn’t about status — it’s about how you want to experience the ship.

And that’s what makes this decision worth thinking about properly.