Travel-and-See

What would you like to hear? I'm a solo cruiser. I think you might be confusing what "unfair supplement" means. Celebrity was charging more for a solo passenger than for 2 regular passengers in the same room. That is unfair. Paying a solo supplement that is usually 150%-200% is not unfair. What I am thankful for, is now I can search the solo prices on Celebrity's website. That's a huge improvement.

Oh, what a shame - I'm a solo cruiser and I've met some wonderful people by allowing them to join me.

But it is not a downside on other lines - that's what I'm saying. This is a common complaint - Virgin should fix it. That's all I'm saying. I haven't tried the new menu yet but that pasta dish was insanely good as well as the vegan cheesecake. I'm sad that both of them are gone. That place needs a lot more than placemats to make it feel upscale but I guess that's a start haha. The Galley is never going to feel upscale - are you talking about the one dinner special per night? Every cruise line I've been on does that in the buffet. I'm not trying to be difficult here - I just think this is something that needs to get fixed.

I thought they always did that? Either way, that's not a solution to anything, that's providing a common amenity on a cruise line. The dinner buffets typically have specials for those who don't eat in the MDR. I'm talking about an actual solution like making Razzle Dazzle more upscale, ditching Test Kitchen for every night of the cruise and only offer it a couple of nights and the other nights it becomes a traditional dining room with similar menu as the Wake.... things that will actually help.

Dinner Reservations - it's the most annoying part of the Virgin Cruise experience. You seem to defend everything they do, so I'm guessing you will say it's not actually a problem even though myself and many others on this board are very annoyed with it.

So an Americano traditionally has espresso - if you are getting a regular coffee with baileys, that would be coming from a coffee pot and would be very hot. It's the espresso shots that are pre-pulled and sit on the counter.

I wonder what the solution is to this? I'm surprised Virgin hasn't tried something, this has to be the biggest complaint they get.

What do you usually order?

So you know what the Reserve coffees are correct? Those are quite good. I'm the same way... I go to Starbucks cause they are consistent, I actually feel guilty for not supporting my local coffee shop and going to Starbucks but they make it so easy. What cruise line gets coffee the best for you?

Starbucks Tall = 1 Shot, Grande or Venti = 2 Shots. If you can find a Starbucks with the Reserve Coffees and the Clover you can get an amazing cup of coffee at Starbucks.

This definitely isn't a rule, there are Edge Class sailings right now with all cabins available for solo passengers. Maybe they block them off for certain sailings?

Both times I cruised with Celebrity the coffee shop would just continually pull single shots into the paper cups, leave them sitting, and then when there was an order they would just add whatever to the cup, add milk, water, ice, etc. and there you go. When I ordered a double shot (cause the 1 shot is crazy weak) they would just pour a pre-pulled shot from one cup into another. The coffee shops on Virgin have been pretty consistent and quite good. Ocassionaly they have a bit of a coffee snob attitude but at least they know how to make a latte! haha.

is that different from any other job?

I've been on 2 Celebrity cruises. The first one I ate most meals in the buffet - it was quite good. Baked Potatoes were always available - the Indian section was very good, and they always had a specialty section that rotated with freshly prepared items. This was the Solstice in 2022 The second cruise was a drastic downgrade for the buffet. No Baked Potatoes, The Indian Food was very watered down (literally.. it was like a watery stew), the specialty section had an extremely long line whenever it was open, and quite a few times on the salad bar didn't look fresh. For breakfast, they were using some type of liquid egg to make omelets. Fortunately, I had any time dining and the MDR on that cruise was excellent. This was Millenium in 2023.

What makes it a difficult commute?

The rooms do have a mini-fridge and unlike other cruise lines you can actually use it - it does not come stocked! The cabin attendant can bring you pitchers of water and/or sparkling water. You can also bring beverages back and keep them cold in the refrigerator.

There is no song and dance on other lines - just more options for the guests. Celebrity always brings me water right away and then asks if I would like anything else to drink - at that point I can can order a bottled sparkling water, club soda, or anything else on the menu. It would be nice if Virgin offered a sparkling mineral water.

Correct. They offer "Sparkling Water" anywhere on the ship - it's often soda water from the soda fountains. Took me some getting used to - whenever I would ask for a "Club Soda" on my first cruise I would get very puzzled looks. Sparkling Water is the term - Ahoy! haha.

A sommelier who is supposed to be trained on how to describe however many wines on Celebrity Ships has a language barrier? What an interesting concept.

If by all parties you mean the Sommelier then I agree.

Last summer I had anytime and just went anytime I felt like dining. I was always seated in the same section - which was great. Only once was I given a pager, and the wait was like 5-10 minutes. On the Edge Class Ships how does it work with the different dining rooms? Is it still easy to get anytime dining without reservations?

I thought that was advertised as a moving sauna feature. 😉 haha. And yes, I agree - also the elevator hallways and stairways are so sterile - there's a reason the other cruise lines put lots of art to liven up those areas.

I also think that it should be noted that some people want to avoid alcohol for social / religious reasons and may not want to even appear to be participating in an event with alcohol.

I guess I've just been spoiled on Celebrity then... they never mention it since it's noted in the reservation details. There is a professional way to do it that Virgin lacks in my opinion.

I'll get specialty on Celebrity when I have OBC to use. To me, the upcharge for specialty is paying for the feeling of exclusivity to an extent. It's not very crowded, the server can take time and be more attentive and more personal. I would also say the food is more consistent as well. I do think the food quality on Virgin is better than the typical MDR - but service has been much more consistent and professional in Celebrity MDR's. So the over all experience is about the same to me. It's also tricky because its hard to get reservations at the Wake which has the best combo of food and atmosphere. I actually really like the food at Razzle Dazzle but that place has about as much charm as a food court in Ikea.