CruisingWalter

Based on previous folks who posted about running cabling in the hallways, that might have been the start of new Internet infrastructure. With miles and miles of cables to run, and repeaters to install, that may be something that's going to be rolled out over the next few months. Especially if they're working around passengers on revenue sailings.

According to the Royal Caribbean FAQ, you can only purchase the drinks package up to 72 hours in advance of your cruise or on the first day of your cruise. Sounds like after Day One, no more offers for the drinks package. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/beverage-package-cancellation-policy

That depends on whether the category is officially Closed by Royal Caribbean or Waitlisted. If the category is closed, there won't be any additional fare reductions. If it is Waitlisted, we've never see the cruise fare reduce. The Waitlist price is usually significantly higher than anyone who has already booked. If you're working with a TA, it's super easy for them to price check your stateroom and if there is a price reduction, they can re-fare you cabin without the need to call Royal Caribbean (or Celebrity).

Travel Agencies may also be holding blocks of cabins, those won't be released until they are either released by the travel agencies or final payment date. All cruise lines will hold back at least a few categories, especially for cruises that are on sale a year or more out. As categories start to fill in, more will open up.

Junior Suites are part of the Sea Class of Royal Suites. Dinner at Coastal Kitchen, based upon availability*. All Day Access** to Silver Dining for guests onboard Spectrum of the Seas® Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard Luxury Pillow Top Mattress Luxury Bathroom Amenities Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine *Reservations are required for dinner at Coastal Kitchen (upon availability). Beverages are not included. **Silver Dining has specific opening hours for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. Reservations are not required. -Complimentary gratuities are not included for Sea guests The list of benefits for each class of Royal Suite is here https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-royal-suite-class

The endless parade of 'flash sales' is confusing in themselves. VV is kind of becoming MSC in that regard, MSC runs a flash sale about every other week. It is interesting that VV tightened the Status Match options when they re-released the program. You cannot match from most every cruise line like you could before.

Everyone at VV is very tight lipped on this one. The deployment grid we have shows Brilliant Lady in Q4 2025 with "Coming Soon." No specific dates or locations. May 1, 12 noon ET we find out together.

That's why I'm most interested in the Seattle sailings. Will they do something other than the expected Alaska itineraries. Seattle to Hawaii would be cool. Seattle to Mexico would be interesting.

It IS awesome. We did the partial transit on Princess but then took an excursion boat all the way through to the Pacific. I think everyone should do a transit that way as well. With such a small boat, 250 pax, we were coming in to the very bottom of the locks with the walls about 15 feet or so over our heads. When you're on a cruise ship, you're basically on a skyscraper going through. It's still amazing, but experiencing it from the waterline is pretty dang cool too.

Yep, get ready West Coast. My guess is she comes across the pond to NYC. Does a few sailings there. Comes down to Miami, does a few sailings there. Then Panama Canal Crossing to LA. And then Seattle for some Alaska itineraries? That'll be interesting. I'm really hoping Hawaii is at least one of the itineraries.

After working in marketing for 2 years for one of the largest casinos in the world I learned that the house always wins. There's no such thing as a free cruise or a free suite in a casino. The vast majority of 'casino comp' guests pay far more than the average guest who is simply paid for their cruise or resort stay. It's brilliant marketing and I was a big part of that to make sure you felt like you were getting something for free and the company was really glad to have you there. The numbers don't like and those numbers were honestly staggering so I see why the cruise lines keep offering "casino comps" to keep folks coming back. It's the same with the loyalty programs that reward repeat cruisers "free perks" such as WiFi or maybe a few drinks when you hit a certain level. WiFi might cost $200 per cruise but you paid well north of $200k to keep sailing that same cruise line over and over and over and over to get that 'free perk.' Brilliant marketing all around. 🙂

It's easier with a TA, but you just have to call Sailor Services to have it transferred. Keep in mind you are only allowed one transfer. If that person decides they cannot go on the cruise and has to cancel, the benefits of the MNVV are lost, it cannot be transferred to anyone else.

@cantgetin we have a bunch of guests onboard your sailing! If you meet Bethany, Bill & Jill and Barbara and Don, say hello for us! Also Paul Thornton from Joy of Cruising Podcast is on your sailing too. He's a super cool guy, I was a featured guest on the podcast last month. Have an amazing voyage!

No official word from Virgin Voyages on Brilliant Lady. On the Deployment Grid she is shown in Q4 2025 with "Coming Soon." We are expecting some new announcements from VV in May. I would say stay tuned for that release.

I don't know how they do it, but they find THE BEST musicians and acts for all of their venues, especially On The Rocks. Probably the only way to find out who will be onboard is to ask Jeremy Larochelle on LinkedIn. He's the head of Music Strategy for Virgin Voyages and hopefully will be coming on my YouTube live show one Thursday evening to specifically talk acts on VV. He posts a LOT of stuff about VV music on the platform and you can probably drop him a DM. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremylarochelle/

It's no different than any other GTY room. You pay a price, VV decides later which stateroom you get. Personally I would never do a GTY room on any ship, especially the Rockstars on VV. Remember that there are suites directly below both sides of the Gym. I actively avoid those suites when recommending cabins for folks. They are also the suites I usually see still available on the decks plans shortly before the ladyships sail... 🙂

The Galley will be open when you get back onboard, it's 24 hours and Dine and Dash at the very least will be open. It's possible Razzle Dazzle or The Wake will be open for turnaround lunch. You'll get a notice in your stateroom on how the process will work and don't expect to necessarily get right back onboard. There could be a delay of up to an hour depending on the Coast Guard inspection. They have to clear the ship before anyone is let back on. Usually it only takes a few minutes of paperwork, but it can take longer if there are any specific areas they need to see.

I have tried on 5 different cruise lines and it was blocked on all 5 including both Scarlet and Valiant Ladies. Without the VPN, service was fine.

Contact your TA if you have an MNVV. VV is offering an extra $300 off a selection of repositioning and a few Caribbean cruises with the MNVV. So the deal will be $600 off the cruise fare, plus the $300 you already paid to purchase the MNVV and your $300 or $600 Sailor Loot. It a very limited selection of cruises, but reach out to your TA today if you have an MNVV available for 2024 or 2025. The promotion ends in May. Happy Sailing!

I know a bunch of folks who have gone through the process, successfully and not. I have heard that MSC has been removed from the status match in this latest round. That was from an MSC executive who was planning to see what the cruise line was all about. 🙂

If you mean Debarkation Day, you can only make that reservation while onboard, not in advance. Once you're on the Ship WiFi you can make brunch reservations for debarkation day.

You can make brunch reservations in advance through a TA. We do that all the time. In general walk up is not that difficult, but there are some days, especially sea days, where the wait can be a long one without a reservation. Same with Razzle Dazzle.

The pricing on the website includes promotion for a new booking. When you want to 'upgrade' your stateroom, you are not given the benefits of the promotions. You're being charged closer to the 'brochure rate' rather than the promotion rate. All the cruise lines do this process differently. As others have mentioned, you can try to get the cabin through the bidding process. Or work with a TA in the future who can sometimes find ways around that weird policy. 🙂

24/7 in The Galley, that drip coffee in the back. It's not the best but it's ok. It's got a weird flavor, I can't quite place it. I've thought about bringing my AeroPress with me the next time I'm on a Ladyship with my own coffee grounds. Ironically the coffee that's delivered via room service is much better than the stuff in The Galley so perhaps that your 'go-to' for early morning coffee. The night time coffee spot is Sip Champagne lounge with their amazing hand pulled espresso machines. That's the strongest coffee on the ship. 🙂

I'm so glad the info has been helpful!