Once again, Virgin Voyages has extended their Status Match Program for 2025. Cruisers that have loyalty with another cruise line can now submit their request for status match with Virgin Voyages through October 31, 2025. Let’s take a look at the details of the 2025 Virgin Voyages Status Match Program.
What is Status Match?
Virgin Voyages set out to shake things up in the industry. To get cruisers to try a new brand, when they launched their Sailing Club Loyalty Program, they included a Status Match component. We LOVE this. In fact, it’s what led us to trying Virgin Voyages so early on. Being able to match status effectively eliminates the risk of trying a new cruise line. It’s a win-win for the cruiser and the cruise line as they attract new clientele.
Clearly, Status Match has worked for the brand. We’ve recommended – and even sold! – Virgin Voyages to many cruisers. While we likely would have eventually tried the brand, having the ability to bring our top-tier status over from another cruise line made it a no-brainer.
Who Does Virgin Voyages Status Match?
Virgin Voyages will match the status of a bunch of different cruise lines out there. They’ll also match status within the Virgin Group, so, if you’re loyal to Virgin Airlines, you’re in luck!
Below is the complete list of Loyalty Programs Virgin Voyages will match status with. The table also includes the level of status you must achieve with the other program in order to receive your Virgin Voyages status match.
Does Virgin Voyages Match Status with MSC?
You might notice that MSC Cruises is missing from the list. We get asked the question often whether or not Virgin Voyages matches status with the cruise line and the answer is no.
There’s quite an easy explanation for this: MSC Cruises has their own status match program, allowing cruisers to bring their status from other loyalty programs over and complete a status match with the cruise line. They’re notably missing from Virgin Voyage’s list of status match eligible programs as the cruise line doesn’t want you status matching into MSC and then bringing that status over to Virgin Voyages. The cruise line wants to ensure that you’ve actually earned status with the other cruise line before matching.
What Are the Perks of the 2025 Virgin Voyages Status Match Program?
“So why would anyone want to bring their status over to Virgin Voyages in the first place?” you might be wondering. Great question. There’s a bunch of perks Virgin Voyages offers in their Sailing Club Loyalty Program that they extend to cruises who match status. When you status match with Virgin Voyages, you automatically achieve their “Blue Extras” loyalty tier.
Blue Extras Loyalty Tier
In the Blue Extras loyalty tier, you receive the following perks and benefits:
- One Specialty Coffee per day of your cruise
- An invite to an exclusive cocktail event
- One bag of complimentary laundry
- Dedicated Sailor Services support (priority access to guest services on board)
To us, the complimentary bag of laundry is worth matching status by itself! Though, we do love our complimentary specialty coffee every day – and who doesn’t love an exclusive cocktail event! Hopefully you’ll never need Sailor Services, but if you do, having the priority support should make it a speedy experience.
How Do I Match Status with Virgin Voyages?
We thought you’d never ask! Matching status with Virgin Voyages is easy. The cruise operator has made the process very straight forward. Once you’ve booked your voyage with the brand, you simply fill out the Virgin Voyages Status Match form where you enter your personal details and upload proof of loyalty status with one of the partners listed above.
That’s it. As long as you know your name, email, Virgin booking number, and loyalty club info, you’re set. Keep in mind, this must be completed at least 7 days prior to your sailing.
What Exclusions Apply to 2025 Virgin Voyages Status Match Program?
As mentioned above, MSC Cruisers will not be able to apply for status match. Additionally, any loyalty program not listed in the table above will not qualify. Virgin Voyages also lists the following groups as excluded from status match:
- Casino (Loyalty) Complimentary Bookings
- Free Voyage Fare (Access Key) Giveaways
- First Mate Rate Bookings
- Interline Rates
- All reduced cruise fares (e.g., employee/employee family rates, vendor rates, etc.)
- Internal ECC Bookings
- Internal Ship Companion Bookings
- Other cruises as designated by Virgin Voyages at its sole discretion.
How Much Does Virgin Voyages Status Match Cost?
We have received this question in the past, and so I wanted to include it in this post. The Virgin Voyages Status Match Program is FREE. There is no cost for you to submit your status match.
That’s great news! Especially considering you receive at least $100 worth of value on a 7-night cruise if you take advantage of each of the perks that comes with Blue Extras. While we assign a value to the exclusive cocktail event in our value calculation, let’s be honest, getting to spend time with other regulars is priceless!
How Do I Book with Virgin Voyages?
I’m glad you asked! Booking with Virgin Voyages is so easy. Simply drop Rocky an email at rocky@thiscruiselife.com and he’ll be happy to help you get booked. He can help you with Virgin Voyages Status Match as well! Plus, there might just be an extra perk or two he might have access to…
Feel like booking on your own? That’s ok, too! Just be sure to use our exclusive Virgin Voyages Booking Link. This ties the reservation to Rocky so that he can help you with anything you need along the way – and send you his Virgin Voyages preparation plan document.
Oh, and whether you reach out via email or book on your own through Rocky’s exclusive link, know that it doesn’t cost you anything extra! But it helps us out at This Cruise Life tremendously. 💙