Your Local Besties NOVA/DC
Besties Cruise 2026
Besties at SEA! Join us aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady for a special adults-only sailing designed to be fun, flexible, and completely choose-your-own-adventure.
We’ve started booking! If you’re ready to book, please click here.
If you’re interested but not ready, please fill out the interest form.
If you’re looking for a cabin match, please fill out the matching form.
October 8-12, 2026
Key West & Bimini Beach Club
(formerly called Fire and Sunset Soirées)
Miami | Key West | Bimini Beach Club, Bahamas
The Links You Need
Still missing something?
Contact Rachelle and be sure to mention the Besties trip.
If you missed the Virtual Info and Q&A Night, the notes and slides are now here.
Sailing Details
Cruise Line: Virgin Voyages
Ship: Resilient Lady
Departure Port: Miami
Sailing Dates: October 8-12, 2026 (4 nights)
Sailing: Fire & Sunset Soirées
Day 1: Miami
Day 2: Key West
Day 3: At Sea
Day 4: The Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas
Day 5: Return to Miami
Designed to be fun and flexible.
This isn’t a rigid, all-together-all-the-time group trip. It’s simply a fun cruise with built-in, completely optional connection.
Whether you want to spend your days and nights with fellow Besties or sip champagne solo in your hammock the entire voyage — it’s entirely up to you.
Why Virgin?
The cruise line for people who don’t do cruises.
Sneak peak of Bimini Beach Club
Adults-only serenity
The whole ship. Every restaurant, every hot tub, every bar, every moment — no kids, ever. Virgin Voyages is 18+ across the board, which means the energy stays exactly where you want it.
Elevated dining
Twenty-plus restaurant concepts, all included in your fare. No sad buffets, no up-charge to dine. From a Michelin-connected Italian spot to Korean BBQ to a proper steakhouse — you make a reservation and show up hungry.
Modern luxury… without the price tag
The ships were designed by some of the same people behind boutique hotels and high-end restaurants — and it shows. Think hand-woven hammocks, mood lighting, rainfall showers, and marble bathrooms in the suites.
Boutique ships with big amenities
Around 2,700 passengers, which sounds like a lot until you're on a ship with 20+ restaurants and a spa and you realize you never feel crowded. It's got everything a mega-ship has — without the mega-ship chaos.
Wellness and spa experiences
The Redemption Spa is mermaid-themed and genuinely beautiful, with a thermal suite, treatment rooms, and a hydrotherapy pool. Daily group fitness classes are included. You can work out, get a massage, and be back at the pool bar by noon. This is that kind of trip.
Award-winning entertainment
Not the kind of entertainment you politely sit through. Think live DJs, immersive theatrical experiences, drag shows, comedy, rooftop deck parties — a festival lineup that actually goes until late if you want it to. Three years of Travel + Leisure's #1 cruise line. The awards are earned.
You have more questions. We have answers! Read our FAQ below.
Interested in joining? Let us know here!
Filling out this form does NOT lock you into anything or confirm your booking. This is just for us to get a rough idea of how many Besties are interested in joining.
Can’t make it but interested in future trips? Let us know in the form above.
FAQ
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Virgin Voyages pricing is dynamic, meaning fares adjust based on demand and availability.
Because of inventory on this particular sailing, we will not be opening a price-protected Circle hold. That means cabins will book at the live rate and promotion available at the time you reserve.
In other words: earlier booking typically means better pricing and better cabin selection.
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Virgin Voyages has a very reasonable tiered cancellation policy based on how far out you cancel:
More than 120 days before sailing: Your 20% deposit is refundable as a Future Voyage Credit for use on a future Virgin Voyages sailing. Any amounts paid above the deposit — taxes, fees, and bookables — are refunded in the original payment method.
119–45 days before sailing: You will receive 100% Future Voyage Credit on any voyage fare paid. Taxes, fees, and bookables are refunded.
Within 44 days of sailing: No cancellations are allowed at this point. HOWEVER, you CAN change the 2nd name on the booking up to 48 hours before sailing. This includes removing a sailor entirely!
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance at the time of booking to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
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The deposit will be 20%, due within 24 hours of adding your name to the booking. We will coordinate with you directly.
For bookings made on or after June 10th, full payment will be required at the time of booking.
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Full payment is due at 120 days prior to departure. For this sailing, that is June 10, 2026.
For bookings made after that point, full payment will be due at the time of booking.
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While we recommend travelers always have a valid passport, this sailing is considered a “Closed Loop” sailing and passports are NOT required.
PLEASE READ:
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Yes, you can absolutely come solo — and no, you are not required to share a cabin.
Sharing is completely optional. If you prefer your own space, you can absolutely book a private cabin. If you’re open to sharing, you can let us know on the interest form.
Your room situation is entirely your choice.
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The vibe is flexible and choose-your-own-adventure.
We plan to:
Host at least one large group dinner onboard (if our Circle qualifies)
Create a WhatsApp group for optional meetups
Share excursion ideas and onboard event suggestions
If there is interest, we plan to host a pre-trip mixer to get to know the group.
You are never required to attend anything.
You can spend the entire trip with the group — or barely at all. It’s your vacation.
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Your Virgin Voyages fare includes:
All dining (20+ eateries, no buffets)
Basic beverages (water, soda, drip coffee, tea)
Group fitness classes
Entertainment and shows
Not included:
Alcohol
Shore excursions
Spa treatments
Specialty beverages (cocktails, premium coffee)
If you’ve sailed with Virgin Voyages prior to October 2025, you may remember that gratuities and premium wifi were included in the cruise fare. Virgin has since introduced a new three-tier fare model and what’s included now depends on the fare category selected at the time of booking.
You can read a full breakdown of the updated fare structure and what each tier includes here.
We’ll clearly outline what is and isn’t included when group pricing is released so there are no surprises.
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Yes. You’re welcome to bring a partner, spouse, or friend. This is not a “solo only” trip.
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No. Airfare and hotels are not included in the cruise fare and are your responsibility to book.
If there is sufficient interest, we may coordinate a group hotel booking in Miami for the night before sailing. In that case, we would likely organize an optional meet-up or casual dinner that evening.
If you’d like assistance with flights or hotel arrangements, our travel agent Bestie Rachelle, is happy to help — but you’ll need to reach out to her directly to coordinate. Air and hotel arrangements are not automatically handled as part of the group cruise booking.
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Refreshingly, Virgin does not offer traditional unlimited drink packages.
You can either pay as you go with your wristband or pre-pay with a “Bar Tab.”
When you pre-purchase your Bar Tab, you’ll unlock bonus credits — giving you more to spend on Premium, or Signature drinks at onboard bars, restaurants, and The Beach Club. From morning lattes to evening cocktails, you’ll enjoy more for less.
Here’s how it adds up:$200 Bar Tab = $225 to spend
$300 Bar Tab = $350 to spend
$500 Bar Tab = $600 to spend
$750 Bar Tab = $925 to spend
$1,000 Bar Tab = $1,250 to spend
These bonuses are only available when you pre-purchase, so make sure to lock in your savings before setting sail.
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Local (Arlington-based) Bestie Rachelle Jenkins, in coordination with Mai Tang! Rachelle is a Virgin Voyages expert, First Mate (Virgin-speak for Travel Agent), and founder of Innoventures.
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No worries! Reach out here. (Be sure to mention Besties Trip!)
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YES! Many ideas are floating around! Please send me a note and let me know what kind of trips you’re interested in!
