Bobblehat71

On 10/22/2023 at 5:45 PM, Gretchendz said:

There are quite a few people trying Virgin Voyages. The food is great--no mian dining hall or buffet, Every dining venue is a specialty restaurnat already included in the fare. Basic wi-fi is included. Fitness classes are included.  

 

Contrary to some fears, it is not fears, it usually has no more "drunk crowd" than cruises with similar itineraries.

 

It is adults-only. While the demographic skews toward people in their 30s and 40s, older clients love the experience too. Big caveat: People who are offended by drag shows would not enjoy Virgin.  After all, the call their free gelato-style ice cream shop "Lick Me Till I Scream."

We sailed with Virgin back in May around the Med. My wife and I are in our early 50's and Absolutely loved it. The food was excellent throughout the ship.The entertainment wont be to every ones taste but it was high quality great fun. The restaurant and food court concepts are really refreshing.It was nice to get the speciality restaurant feel without being fleeced for more cash. The service across was some of the best we've ever experienced on any cruise line and the staff were so much more relaxed and appeared genuinely happy .

Just booked our first Celebrity cruise for October.

We’ve wanted to try Celebrity for a while but never found the right trip at the right time.

I don’t generally stick to one line, just pick the the best itinerary and price for the time I want to go. 
This year I’ve been with MSC out of Dubai and Virgin around the Med and both were fantastic. They were also great value for money. I also like RCL but the high cost of drinks and tips etc has put me off booking with them in recent years. 
Will be interesting to see how Celebrity compare.

1 hour ago, gavvy said:

I heard the UK all inclusive (Tips and drink package for a cheap rate) they did a few years ago was a bit of a disaster, people over indulged and made for a bad atmosphere.

 

We do in the UK have an odd relationship with booze so maybe it was the wrong market to launch it on.

That's not been my experience and I've seen far more rowdy drunk Americans on Cruises than Brits. Maybe they cant handle their Beer 🤣

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes , I can confirm its 10% off . Can't combine it with any other deals or Vouchers (Tesco clubcard etc) 

We got a great all inclusive deal about 6 years ago on Independance from Southampton but havent seen it repeated since. High Drinks prices is one of the reasons I don't cruise with RCL as much as I'd like to. This year I've cruised with MSC and Virgin as they both had great all inclusive offers. 

Hi All,

Are RCL currently offering a bluelight discount ?

Not sure who the Diva was but Around the World on Valiant last week was universally panned by anyone that had this misfortune to see it.🤣

We just got off Valiant Lady and there were just 980 passengers on board. It was great 😎

Just got off Valiant Lady and can confirm we were charged tax on all drinks. Juts checked my bill and it appears to be around 10% on each drink.Think it may have been 15 or 20% in Spanish waters.

Neil Lockwood was on our IONA cruise last year. He's a pretty talented guy and once you get past the leather trousers and that he thinks he's playing Wembley stadium he puts on a good show. 

However , I find it a bit sad that P&O are booking the same acts year after year. Its bad enough having the same headliner shows and tinderies every year. Soon you will be able to completely re-live a previous cruise .😬 

1 minute ago, david63 said:

 

 

In order to keep the demographic then P&O's ships will need to become the destination as the "glitzy" US ships have done. If they don't do that then they will need to do something about their itineraries - there are only so many times that the "new" passengers will go to the fjords or Cadiz without something else to attract then to the ship.

A good friend of mine took his first ever cruise last year on Iona. He loved the cruise experience so much so that when he got back he booked a cruise on MSC Virtuosa. When he got back from that he booked another cruise,  on MSC! He loved his P&O cruise but he said MSC just offered more.

Just now, Vampiress88 said:

P&O Cruises are a decent product and great value for money but you do get what you pay for.
Agreed. 
would love to go on Royal Caribbean or Disney but are they really twice or more as good as p&o for me to be paying the double price? 
and then I end up back with p&o

You may not think they're worth twice the price but your kids probably will 😉

RCL and P&O are not really comparable , for me they are totally different experiences.

IMHO P&O has something of an identity crises. Its trying to attract families and younger cruisers but at the same time not alienate its core of older cruisers. Their new ships Iona and Arvia are IMO fairly dull and in reality don't offer anything new or particularly exciting. I'm a relatively new cruiser in my early 50's and probably in the target audience for P&O. I've done 5 P&O cruises in the last 5 years and probably will again.Pretty much all of these were chosen either on price or simply because they were from Southampton. My last cruise was on MSC Europa , which was incredible and my next is with Virgin Voyages.I've also sailed with RCL ,NCL and Viking so have had lots to compare. P&O Cruises are a decent product and great value for money but you do get what you pay for.

Have recently got MSC Europa and the crew passenger ratio was something like 4:1 . Service was excellent. Turndown service everyday and bed was changed at least 3 times. The ship was spotless at all times and the service in the bars and around the pool was great.Shows what can be done even if they are short staffed.

Main dining room was a disaster so they didn't get it all right 😬

Thanks for all the reples.I'll try and give them a call to clarify. Wish me luck!
 

Hi All,

Doe anyone know if you can still get the Bluelight discount if you also use Tesco Vouchers? 

Any info much appreciated.

Cheers , I read that to.

Not planning to get of myself but good news as I know a lot of people were looking forward to it.

The Balloon festival is a nice bonus. Got a cycling trip booked for Doha but hopefully we will be back to enjoy some of the balloon festival to.

Not long to go now.

This is the latest info from the MSC website dated 19th DECEMBER.

no visa required if staying on board.

On 12/10/2022 at 1:47 PM, little britain said:

I know they cannot serve alcohol whilst in Saudi waters… but how would they stop you having a drink on your balcony?

#askingforafriend 

Party at yours then 🤣

On 12/9/2022 at 4:31 PM, Stormy Dan said:

Hi all I spoke to MSC on the phone today they said they got an email from Saudi Government today and the visa is still required whether you go ashore or not!!

They really do need to sort this out. Not sure what they'll do if half the ship turn up in Dubai without one. 😅 

Can only speak for Iona . 

IMHO Its not as exciting as the Marketing might suggest. Its pretty much just a bigger version of Ventura. There's a couple of Extra eateries but other than there's little difference other than the size.

Due to the relatively cheap prices its likely to be very busy in the school holidays.Personally I think Brittania would be a good compromise in School Holidays but outside of the holidays I'd give Iona a go.

Its a very nice ship and I would go on her again. 

Not got the details to hand but I believe there is a cheaper day visa available for around £35.

The MSC Trips aren't particularly appealing for us in Dammam and the prices are eye watering. We will be staying on the ship. 

19 hours ago, little britain said:

Cruise Tickets just arrived! 

Nothing yet , but did get an upgrade offer email. No bargains to be had unfortunately 😒

Whats everyones thoughts on getting tested? Website just says not required but recommended ? 

Any one know if that's the same for Emirates Airlines? Cant find any info on their website.

On 8/16/2022 at 12:38 PM, YFEW said:

As per my travel agent, saudi visa is required for embarking the cruise ship in dubai.  So even if one wants to skip going ashore in that port, one still needs to have the visa.

I have had confirmation by email from MSC stating that a visa is not required for Saudi if staying on board 😅  

They really need to get this sorted! 

I had an email from MSC a couple of weeks ago confirming that I did not need a Visa If I was staying on board. I am on Europa stopping at Damman .