As cruise vacationers and other travelers increasingly feel like their loyalty isn’t valued by their favorite travel brands, popular adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages is making it easy for travelers to try out an alternative way to travel with status.
For a limited time, Virgin Voyages is inviting elite travelers who feel undervalued by their current travel loyalty programs to set sail with VIP perks with a broad new status match program.
The program promises to be especially enticing to some Carnival Cruise Line loyalty program members who are ready to jump ship as a result of unpopular loyalty program changes coming next year.
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Virgin Voyages wants to make passionate travelers feel seen and appreciated.Image source: Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages will match status from 35+ travel loyalty programs
With Virgin Voyages’ new status match program, approximately 50 million travelers who hold high-tier status with more than 35 airline, hotel, and cruise line loyalty programs will be eligible for VIP loyalty benefits on their first sailing with the adults-only cruise line.
“Loyalty programs have gotten it backward,” said Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu. “They ask for more, give less and call it a reward. We’re flipping that. From the moment Sailors step aboard, we want them to feel recognized, relaxed and reminded of why they fell in love with travel in the first place.”
Related: Virgin Voyages unveils new cruise pass for kid-free summer in Alaska
Virgin Voyages’ status match program reflects the brand’s fundamental belief that people who love to travel deserve to be valued for it.
“You earned your status,” said Saverimuttu. “You put in the flights, the nights, the spend. Other programs responded by taking more and giving less. We’re responding by opening our doors and saying: we see you, we appreciate you, come sail with us.”
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Virgin Voyages will match airline, hotel, and cruise status
Through the new status match program, Virgin Voyages will recognize loyalty members from across the Virgin family, as well as members of more than 35 travel programs from other brands.
The program will extend the Virgin Voyages Sailing Club’s VIP perks, Blue Extras, to eligible members of Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club and Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer, as well as eligible members of other airline, hotel, and cruise line loyalty programs.
Eligible travel programs include American Airlines’ AAdvantage, United MileagePlus Program, Delta SkyMiles, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latitudes Rewards, Carnival’s VIFP Club, and dozens more.
Related: Virgin Voyages introduces bold new cruise pricing model
Blue Extras perks for Virgin Voyages sailings include:
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Premium coffees at The Grounds Club
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Complimentary laundry service
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Exclusive cocktail events
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Personalized Sailor Services support from embarkation to disembarkation
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Access to special deals and entry into Virgin’s global rewards program benefits
Travelers can apply for Virgin Voyages’ Status Match program now through Jan. 16, 2026 and must book a voyage by March 31, 2026 to receive the Blue Extras perks. Benefits are available for sailings now through summer 2027.
Virgin Voyages offers adults-only cruises departing from Miami, San Juan, New York, Barcelona, Athens, Los Angeles, and Seattle. The cruise line sails to destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, and beyond.
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.