jon81uk

Virgin Voyages is almost all Americans and Brits. More Americans from Miami and then probably 60% Brits from Barcelona or Athens. Less than 10% of guests are non-English speakers (ie not UK, USA or Canada), just a few Italians and Spanish. It’s definitely an American cruise line. 7pm or 7.30 does seem the most popular time to dine and then see a show at 10pm. I think 8.30-9.30 reservations are less popular. Most tables seat two or four, so as a solo you’ll get a 2-top for yourself. Some nights there are organised solo meet up where they have a group table for dinner though. The only restaurant that seats strangers together is Gunbae as the tables round the grill seat 6-8. Although at most places the tables for two are close enough together that you can make conversation!

Don’t think you need to book, just first come first served so arrive a little early for better seats. No charge but there will be servers for drinks in the Manor.

Should be able to see them here https://www.virginvoyages.com/shore-excursions but need to use the app to actually book them and see exactly what is available for your dates.

It will appear in the app at 45 days out anyway.

Currently onboard a busy Valiant Lady apparently with 2200 sailors and we’ve not had any problems with dining. I did make reservations at 45 days out but have been able to change the time of some without problems and also turned up late at Test Kitchen so my reservation had been automatically cancelled but they were still able to seat us. I have seen people report they are being turned away at the Wake for walk ups, that seems to be the hardest place to get into. If you want the prime 7pm slots you need to get in quick as soon as booking opens in advance or onboard. But getting 8pm or 6pm isn’t difficult.

I’m currently on Valiant Lady and had zero issues with the WiFi.

Per cabin and only voyages seven nights or longer.

In the app it’s possible to state that you are covering their onboard spend, then drinks come from your bar tab and then your credit card when it’s gone. Or can see sailor services onboard to get the two accounts merged.

major show times will appear in the app at 45 days out, then change in the week before and once onboard. descriptions of the main parties and shows are here https://www.virginvoyages.com/cruise-entertainment#valiant-lady Miss Behave Show and Duel Reality are don’t miss.

Took two hours for luggage last Sunday on Valiant Lady. Think that’s the slowest I’ve ever seen it.

We just took the rest of the bottle with us and kept drinking it through the evening.

Major events appear in the app at 45 days out, then about two weeks before a few more but it won’t be exactly correct until the day before or even once onboard. same applies for the link and the app. no one has found that link for Resilient Lady.

Once seated you can ask your server not to bring the food and I think they can just not bring it to you. Initially some people reported you got the food even if you didn’t want it but now I think they can hold it back.

I think it might have improved now they aren’t giving it for free with deep blue extras so they aren’t getting as many orders, but we waited around 40 minutes I think.

The issue could be that it can take 20-60 minutes for the champagne to arrive after shaking.

I generally value Virgin points at 0.5-1p (in British pence) per point. So 80,000 points could be worth £800. For flight redemption we can fly London to Miami in economy for 45,000 plus taxes. Cheapest price for a sea terrace on that Melbourne to Hobart is £1960, so you are saving around £1000 by using point. yes I’ve used pounds for the examples as I’m British, but the logic should be the same. Unless you can see a flight you want to spend the points on, the cruise is a pretty good use of them. Your only other cost will be alcoholic drinks onboard.

Standard well spirits are $8 with regular mixers, I think you get Buffalo Trace for that price. They don’t show the well/house spirit on menus. The menu for On The Rocks does have a large listing of all the whisk(e)y they might have, but prices did go up on a few at the beginning of this year (well/house spirits went from $7 to $8).

I’ve not done it myself (there is so much food for free I don’t see the point) but others have reported it comes from bar tab.

It’s more of a brunch menu and yes it is fancier. There is pork belly Benedict, steak and eggs but also banana French toast and some other dishes I can’t remember. Walk in can be possible but it’s best to make reservations to guarantee you’ll get in.

I think the full Galley options is from 6.30 to 11am with the diner counter 24 hours. Also Razzle Dazzle will be open around 7am to 1pm for breakfast/brunch and the Wake 8am to 1pm for brunch. The Galley does limited options 11-12 and then re-opens for lunch 12-4, then there is a limited dinner service from 6pm.

Anything you can charge to your room will come from loot credit. If you are using onboard credit for the casino you will get promotional credit/chips that can’t be cashed out, to stop people turning promotional loot straight into cash. You have to gamble it and then winnings can be cashed out. If you have any bar tab then drinks will get charged to that first and if it runs out then loot and then to the credit card when that’s gone too. Ive seen mixed reports about corkage, most people who bring their own wine just drink it in the room or pour to a glass first to avoid getting charged.

You’ll see some in the app but it might not be completely clear until onboard and the full schedule loads. you can’t pay for any activity from bar tab. It can only be used for drinks plus afternoon tea. Some of the paid for activities that come from loot are; Grog Walk Painting and boozy bevvies Loteria Bingo Shot for Shot (food photography) Whats the (Jojo) Tea (class about tea) Rice Rice Baby (sushi making) Beyond Tequila Mix it Up Behind the Scenes tour Another Rose dinner show (on Resilient Lady)

Same, they are on the firm side but that’s what I’m used to anyway.

Virgin Voyages doesn’t have any single use plastics on the ships and therefore no bottled water. Filtered water (still and sparkling) is included in the fare. Coca-Cola products and juice from concentrate is also included for free. Bar tab can be used for any charged for drinks, espresso, latte, cappuccino, non-alcoholic cocktails, fresh juice and smoothies and premium drinks like Red Bull.

Scarlet night will normally be the night before the last sea day.