The difference in one table
| Question | Bar Tab | Sailor Loot |
|---|---|---|
| What can it cover? | Eligible premium drinks, including specialty coffee and alcohol | Eligible onboard drinks, spa, retail, tattoos and Shore Things |
| Where? | Onboard and eligible drinks at the Beach Club at Bimini | Eligible purchases charged onboard; verify each activity |
| Pre-voyage purchases? | A prepaid Tab buys drink credit, not other extras | Cannot pay for pre-voyage purchases, including a prepaid Bar Tab |
| Unused promotional credit? | No cash refund at voyage end | Do not count on a refund or rollover |
| What is it worth? | No more than eligible drinks you'll buy | No more than eligible onboard spending you'll buy |
Prepaying for a Tab is a different decision from receiving promotional credit with a fare. Use the Bar Tab calculator to decide how much to buy.
A $600 credit is not automatically $600 of savings.
If you would spend $150 on eligible drinks, a $600 promotional Bar Tab replaces only $150 of your planned spending. Buying drinks just to empty the balance does not lower your trip cost.
Compare the same ship, sailing, cabin, fare rules and party before comparing the credits. A lower fare can come with different flexibility.
Two offers, two different winners
Illustrative offers—not current promotions or bookable quotes. Assume the same cabin, sailing, party, fare rules and other inclusions. Prices are USD for the whole cabin. The matched fare totals include the same taxes; add service gratuities and other shared costs separately.
| Offer | Fare | Included credit |
|---|---|---|
| A | $2,500 | $600 Bar Tab |
| B | $2,400 | $300 Sailor Loot |
Light drinkers: Offer B costs $250 less
Planned eligible spending: $150 drinks + $200 other onboard purchases = $350.
- A: $2,500 fare + $350 spending − $150 usable Bar Tab
- $2,700
- B: $2,400 fare + $350 spending − $300 usable Loot
- $2,450
The bigger Bar Tab leaves $450 unused. The smaller, more flexible credit covers more of this couple's planned spending.
Higher drink spending: Offer A costs $200 less
Planned eligible spending: $650 drinks + $100 other onboard purchases = $750.
- A: $2,500 fare + $750 spending − $600 usable Bar Tab
- $2,650
- B: $2,400 fare + $750 spending − $300 usable Loot
- $2,850
The same offers produce the opposite answer. The point is to match your existing plans, not increase spending to justify a perk.
These are fare-plus-planned-spending comparisons, not full vacation totals. Flights, transfers, service gratuities and any other costs must still be included in your budget.
Have both credits? Don't count them twice.
- Set your spending budget first. Separate eligible drinks from other eligible onboard purchases.
- Allocate Bar Tab to drinks. Cap the benefit at the smaller of your drink budget or available Bar Tab.
- Allocate Loot to the remainder. Count only eligible spending not already covered. This is a budgeting method, not a guarantee of the folio's transaction order.
Example: $250 of drinks + $100 other spending, with $300 Bar Tab and $200 Loot, gives you $350 of usable credit—not $500. Confirm how your balances are applied in the app or with Sailor Services.
In the Bar Tab calculator, enter only credit you actually plan to allocate to drinks. Don't also count that same Loot against a spa treatment or excursion. Compare fare levels and other costs next.
Check these before choosing an offer
- Credit type and amount: per cabin or per Sailor? Promotional or purchased? Which sailing?
- Eligibility: cabin, fare, travel dates, booking deadline and whether offers combine.
- Timing: Loot cannot pay for a pre-voyage excursion booking. Waiting to book onboard risks the excursion selling out.
- Restrictions: verify gratuities, casino charges and unusual purchases separately; don't treat “onboard credit” as cash for anything.
Check current Virgin offers rather than assuming an example on this page is available.
A real person, no extra fee
Book with a Virgin Voyages Gold Tier First Mate.
Fruglar checks the fare, cabin and eligible offers before you book. No Fruglar planning or booking fee. Virgin pays our commission; your travel costs and supplier terms still apply.
The Virgin booking link keeps Fruglar as your First Mate. How we're paid.
Book your travel with Fruglar and receive a done-for-you Story Map after your trip, plus an optional custom trip song at no extra cost—a $99 value.
Quick answers
Can I buy a prepaid Bar Tab with Sailor Loot?
No. Virgin's Payments FAQ excludes Sailor Loot from pre-voyage purchases, including Bar Tab. Loot can instead cover eligible onboard drink purchases.
Can Bar Tab pay for a spa treatment or Shore Thing?
No. Bar Tab is restricted to eligible beverages, with corkage also allowed by Virgin's Drinks FAQ. Sailor Loot has broader eligible onboard uses.
Does unused credit roll over to another sailing?
Do not assume it will. Virgin's Payments and Drinks FAQs say unused balances do not roll over after a voyage. The ticket contract has different language for some purchased or gifted Sailor Loot; ask Virgin to confirm your exact credit terms. Neither credit should be treated as cash.
Does booking through Fruglar cost extra?
Fruglar charges no planning or booking fee for Virgin Voyages. You book with a Virgin Voyages Gold Tier First Mate; Virgin pays our commission. Your cruise fare, travel costs and supplier terms still apply.
Sources & checks
Official credit rules checked September 14, 2026. Promotional-credit examples are Fruglar's own math, not live offers. The FAQs and ticket contract differ on some purchased/gifted Loot transfer wording, so verify that separately.