jon81uk

Does that $200-250 of value really make that much of a difference to your plans?

Earliest boarding is about 1pm-1.30 for suites, but you could arrive anytime from 12.30 really. For non-suites boarding starts about 1.45pm.

Sorry not a tonic drinker so can’t help on that one but I only recall seeing Diet Coke and Coke Zero as sugar free drinks. Sprite and Fanta were full sugar in cans and draft. To add on the tonic question I don’t recall seeing slimline/diet on any menu, just different flavours from London Essence Co. But they of course do have a full bar offering that isn’t shown on menus so they may only list the premium option and “house” tonic like Seagrams is likely available as well as the premium London Essence Co one. https://profcruise.com/virgin-voyages-bar-menus-and-drink-prices/

Last August we got Lyft from Terminal V to Miami Airport for $22 plus tip. Miami Airport to downtown Miami (the night before the cruise) was under $17 plus tip. Didn’t have any long waits really.

They will status match but only if you are going on a cruise before the 31st March. see https://www.virginvoyages.com/sites/sailing-club What is happening after 1st April no one knows yet.

Maybe I’m spoilt by having a GHD hairdryer at home it I thought the ones on VV were weak and I’m a guy with fairly short hair. Also being British I don’t expect there to be a standard socket in the bathroom.

To my knowledge they don’t hold spots for walk ups, but as you say they are often available. I think people have only had issues once occupancy gets to around 2000+

There is US outlets and USB-A both sides of the bed and at the desk. Plus one EU socket at the desk too. Hairdryer should work as well as normal. There is one in the room but it isn’t good.

And yet thousands of people a week are sailing with Virgin and not requiring those single use plastics. The other cruise lines could do away with it too, but choose not to as they’d rather make the money on bottles.

Once you get onboard there will be more slots available

A recent special offers email sent to Sea Blazers at the end of Feb, did state Deep Blue Extras are extended until 31st March. So at present there is no news or further extension.

so other cruise lines push bottled water just because they can charge for it. I still see it as a positive that Virgin don’t have any single use plastic onboard.

There is now a dedicated bay for ride share pick up separate from the main area outside the terminal doors. We had no trouble getting a Lyft pick up.

There are two large carafes in the room of water which will be filled by the cabin attendant daily or on request if you get through it all sooner. Then all restaurants will offer water as soon as you are seated. At any bar you can ask for water. The pool bar usually has a thing of fruit water you can help yourself too. Also on the sun deck are bottle refill machines and in the gym. Can also help yourself in the Galley. All the filtered water in included in the fare.

There is, if you book in March you get up to $600 in bar tab. but yes OP needs to know that’s bar tab and can only be spent on beverages (hot, cold, alcoholic). loot can be spent on anything but there is currently no general offers giving it, but if you book onboard you do get bonus loot.

Apparently that no longer works, others who have departed in 2023 said they couldn’t book anything until onboard.

Not for dinner really. Some of the counters (tacos and sandwiches) don’t offer dinner service and others (Raman noodles, pizza place) only open late. It’s okay as a back up, or a quick option (the steak sandwich is good) after a port day, but I would be trying to get into a restaurant for dinner. I think the OP should be able to get something reserved once onboard.

All standard balcony (terrace) cabins and XL terrace cabins can have the bed made into two singles in an L shape. Some sleep three. All rockstar suites sleep two in a king bed. Some mega rockstar suites sleep two in a king bed and more in separate convertible sofa beds.

When we did the westbound transatlantic last October the worst weather and rough seas was the strait of Gibraltar between Malaga and Madeira. So stopping in Lisbon I expect you will have calmer seas.

I’ve not done it but from what has been said on here and the subreddit, if doing B2B at Miami you need to wait for all other passengers to disembark and then you are walked off the ship, through immigration and back on. Whereas in Barcelona I think I’ve read you can stay onboard, they do all the check in on the ship. No need to redo immigration as the ship didn’t leave the EU.

Nope couldn’t do it. If I’m away for a week or longer I want plenty of outfit and sneaker choices to wear. Hand luggage is for a weekend away not a week plus!

If you do have any large luggage it is very different at Miami to Barcelona. At Barcelona you queue up at the luggage desk to drop off the large items and then go through the scanner with hand luggage and on to check in. At Miami there is no desk to drop the large items, the porters take it. You then do check in and the hand luggage scan last. As far as I know if you have large (checked) luggage you have to give it to the porters.

Yet I’ve read elsewhere that Virgin are profitable when over half full, which is it? I will admit I’ve not done any other cruise line, but what am I missing out on? I love the design and decor of Virgins ships.

Anyone can ask, but flashing cash to try and get it is not good. Asking politely is fine.

Generally speaking Virgin Voyages staff will refuse tips, don’t make it awkward by trying. Dining early (6pm) is more likely to get the better tables as they aren’t already occupied. Or go for brunch as it’s quieter and they mainly use the central section of the restaurant.