Before You Sail

Potential Additional Costs

We believe in telling you everything up front. Here's a clear breakdown of costs that may come up beyond your cabin fare, so nothing catches you by surprise.

Open Bar Fee $75–$100 per person, per event

Select Sapphic Sail events require an open bar, and the fee ranges from $75 to $100 per person, per event depending on the package and event. This is charged to your account ahead of sailing.

Admission to our events is already covered by your booking. This fee covers the alcohol and food served at the events that require it.

The open bar fee is mandatory and will be charged to everyone in the group, regardless. This applies to all Sapphic Sail sailings, including sailors who booked directly with Sapphic Sail. There are no exemptions based on how or where you booked.

We want to be honest about where this comes from: it is not our requirement. It's Virgin Voyages' requirement for private events. Hosting an open bar is what allows us to keep our events truly private, closing them off to anyone outside our group. Think of it like a venue buyout — exclusive venues need bar sales to stay exclusive.

This fee is charged by Virgin Voyages, on their behalf. None of these proceeds go to Sapphic Sail — at all.

Bar Tabs Non-refundable

Virgin Voyages runs on a bar tab system rather than an all-inclusive drink package. You load money onto your account and drinks come out of that balance.

Important: purchased bar tabs are not refunded. Any credits you buy must be used before you leave the ship. Unused credits do not carry over and are not returned, so plan your spending accordingly.

Gratuities Charged onboard

Gratuities may be applied to purchases and services onboard the ship. These are charged directly by Virgin Voyages to your onboard folio and are separate from anything you pay Sapphic Sail.

This typically applies to bar tabs, spa services, and certain onboard purchases. Rates are set by Virgin Voyages.

Premium Events and Experiences Billed separately

The only mandatory charge from Sapphic Sail is the open bar fee. Beyond that, we may offer optional premium experiences that are ticketed and billed separately — currently prelude events and VIP Bimini cabana offerings.

These are optional add-ons and are billed separately from your cabin fare and from your general event access. Availability is limited, pricing is set per experience, and details are announced ahead of each sailing.

You are never required to purchase a premium experience to enjoy your sailing. Everything in our standard event lineup remains included with your booking.

Prelude Events Ticketed separately

We may host prelude events before sailing — gatherings that happen on land, ahead of embarkation.

Prelude events are ticketed separately and are not included in your cabin fare. Pricing is set per event and will be shared at a later date. These events are optional, and you're never required to attend.

Outside of what's listed on this page, no other additional charges are required by Sapphic Sail. Everything else in our event lineup is included with your booking.

Acknowledgement

Sign Your Agreement

Please review and sign below to confirm you understand these potential additional costs.

  • I understand that select Sapphic Sail events require an open bar fee ranging from $75 to $100 per person, per event, charged to my account ahead of sailing.
  • I understand this open bar fee applies to all Sapphic Sail sailings, including sailors who booked directly with Sapphic Sail, with no exemptions based on how or where I booked.
  • I understand this open bar requirement comes from Virgin Voyages, is charged on their behalf, and that none of these proceeds go to Sapphic Sail.
  • I understand that purchased bar tabs are non-refundable and that all credits must be used before I leave the ship.
  • I understand that gratuities may be charged onboard by Virgin Voyages on purchases and services, separate from Sapphic Sail.
  • I understand that prelude events are ticketed separately, are not included in my cabin fare, and that pricing will be shared at a later date.
  • I understand the only mandatory charge from Sapphic Sail is the open bar fee, and that optional premium experiences — currently prelude events and VIP Bimini cabana offerings — are ticketed and billed separately from my cabin fare and general event access.
  • I confirm I have read and understand all potential additional costs outlined on this page.
By typing your full name, you agree it serves as your electronic signature. The date and time are recorded automatically.
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Agreement received.

Thank you. Your signed acknowledgement has been recorded. If you have any questions about these costs, just reach out to hello@sapphicsail.com.