Shore Things: How to Book Shore Excursions on Virgin Voyages

Booking your Shore Things (Virgin Voyages’ term for shore excursions) is one of the most exciting parts of planning your cruise! These are curated experiences that let you dive deeper into each destination. Whether you’re craving relaxation or thrill-seeking adventure, knowing when and how to book ensures you’ll snag the best spots before they sell out.

Here’s exactly when and how to book shore excursions on Virgin Voyages like a pro.

How to Book Shore Excursions on Virgin Voyages

Book Shore Things Online

  1. Go to the Virgin Voyages website and login to your account.
  2. On the main page, find your cruise under “Click “Upcoming Voyages”
  3. If your Shore Things are open for booking, you’ll see an option to “Book a Shore Thing” in Quick Tasks. You can also select the “Discover” tab and scrolls down to find the option to “View All Shore Excursions”.
  4. Click through the different ports to explore the options in each. Make sure to read the description and the “need to know” section of the excursions you’re interested in.
  5. On the page of your chosen excursion, select the Sailors and preferred timeslot (if options are provided), then click “Next”.
  6. Select your method of payment and follow the instructions to pay.

🐙 First time logging in or having trouble accessing your reservation? Learn how to access your Virgin Voyages account.

Book Shore Things on the Virgin Voyages App

  1. Open the Virgin Voyages App on your phone.
  2. Select on the “Discover” tab on the bottom of the screen and open “Shore Things”.
  3. Select different a ports by clicking on the name or swiping the screen
  4. Click on the button to “Book a Shore Thing” to view excursions at the selected port.
  5. Look through the options and make sure you read the description and the “need to know” section.
  6. Open the excursion you want to book and click the “Book” button on the bottom of screen.
  7. Select the Sailors that will be going on the excursion and click “Next”.
  8. Follow the instructions to complete the payment and you’re all set!

Ask your First Mate to Book

Booking online or on the App is very easy but if you need help, I can book Shore Things excursions for my clients. If are looking for a First Mate, come say “hi”.

Booking Shore Things for Groups

If you’re cruising with others, it’s possible to book shore excursion on Virgin Voyages as a group. Each Sailor needs to log into their own Virgin Voyages account or app to book Shore Things under their name.

👯‍♀️ Here’s a step-by-step guide to link your sailing mates in the Virgin Voyages App.

When to Book Shore Things

Pre-Book Your Excursions

You can book shore excursions on Virgin Voyages starting 120 days before the voyage, or 135 days if you’re in a RockStar Suite.

Popular excursions do often sell out fast so get the best selection, I recommend logging in as soon as booking opens for your cabin category and finalize your choices well before embarkation. While you can still book during the cruise, your choices will be limited.

⛵️ If you’re outside the booking window, you can preview your Shore Thing options online.

Book Shore Things While Cruising

If you did not pre-book your Shore Things, you can follow the instructions above to book via the App or online onboard the ship. Or stop by the Sailor Services Desk on Deck 5 and the crew will help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions I get from my clients a lot:

The Shore Thing I want is sold out. Can I still book it?

If the Shore Things excursion you want is sold out, check back at a later date. If you someone else changed their mind, more slots may open back up.

Can I use Sailor Loot to pay for excursions?

Yes, but Sailor Loot is onboard credit so you’ll need to wait until you’re on the ship to use it. Remember that Shore Things do sell out. If you really want a specific excursion, I recommend pre-booking it.

Can I book a shore excursion with a third-party provider instead of Virgin Voyages?

Can I book a shore excursion with a third-party provider instead of Virgin Voyages?
Yes, but third-party excursions aren’t monitored by Virgin Voyages. The ship will not wait if you return late. Booking directly through Virgin ensures timing, safety, and support from the crew if anything changes. For those reasons, I do not recommend it (in most cases).

👋 Hi, I’m Denise — travel advisor with Fora and Top 100 First Mate with Virgin Voyages. This article is intended for my clients here at PlanYourVoyage.com. If you’re booking on your own using my First Mate link or using a different travel advisor, some of this information may not apply to you. I try my best to keep everything updated but something is off or you have any questions, please reach out. Cheers!