Cloud9 Bob

I suppose it could be arranged, but when underway, I found it humid and breezy outside. Fine for lunch but I don't think I'd like to have dinner there. Lighting would come into play for me too. YMMV.

I'll have to play devils advocate here. For me, what works is ginger capsules and laying in the bed of an inside cabin. I listened to the advice of "go up on deck and watch the horizon" and I almost got sick right then and there. I did make it back down to my cabin and immediately felt better when back in bed staring up at the ceiling. Boring, yes, but at least I found what works for me.

Sometimes you will ask 3 different staff members something and you will get 3 different answers. It was funny, when I cruised TSL this June, I had all my dinner reservations booked except the last day which was Bimini. I left it open, but finally decided to try dinner at Razzle Dazzle. The app wouldn't let me reserve a dinner spot. The first staff member said they were probably booked up (highly unlikely for this venue). The second said there was probably a glitch in the app. I then started walking around the ship. I passed a dining manager and asked him. Finally I got the answer I was searching for. The reason you can't book RD for dinner on a Bimini day is because the staff is used at the Beach Club for service. Made perfect sense. Case in point, not everyone has the answer. Some will find out for you and some will guess 🙂

I picked a 10AM disembarkation time and nothing was checked...I was waved right through. I think it may matter more if you want to leave very early.

It's all about the algorithms. Virgin feels that even if every one of the passengers that were screwed on Valient never came back, that it would be worth it for the exposure and new revenue the TV exposure will produce. Personally, if I were Richard, I would have refused to dump those that were showing good faith, and booked my new ship. I would have them cordon off areas to shoot in and that's that. Take it or leave it. He doesn't realize that the good generated by doing that would cement more loyal customers (and excellent word of mouth) than what he'd get from The Bachelorette demo. The ship looks like earth after a nuclear holocaust. It was downright eerie. There are literally thousands of crew just sitting in their cabins doing nothing. Go figure.

I tried the call back option at noon and got a callback at 5 PM the next day! I always try to be flexible, but that's downright unacceptable.

I'll assume you mean a Miami departure. I had a 1:30 PM check in time last month. Arrived to the port at around 11 AM. Bags were checked and I sat around reading until about 1:00 PM when they opened medical line that checked vaccine cards/passport. Was asked at about 1:15 PM to wait in the 1:30 PM check in line. I was in the Virgin Voyages building at 1:40 and on Scarlet Lady at 1:50 PM.

I sailed mid June and the casino was having IT problems even than.

I can so relate to this. It’s one of the remnants of traditional cruising that I have always found awkward too. I think a much better idea would be to have a designated photo corner or actual ships studio. Those that actually want photos could visit and I bet they would make better subjects.

I was in a solo insider and did not have body lotion.

Yes! They give you a nicely scented small bar of glycerin hand soap for the vanity basin and the showers all have Red Flower premium body gel, shampoo and conditioner. You also get a hair dryer.

I sailed TSL about a month ago. There is a certain bar area outdoors where they have this party. It gets moved indoors for bad weather. It was very quiet there almost up until about 9 PM. I went back in a couple of hours, and it was pretty crowded. There was DJ music and it was loud, but not as loud as Scarlet Night. Some people had pajama outfits, but the great majority were much younger sailors than the mix of people on Scarlet Night and most did not have pajamas. It was more of a small summer dance party at a local bar. The people there seemed to be having a ball, but Im in my 60’s and felt more comfortable at the Scarlet Night festivities. The crowd for the pajama night seemed more 20’s and 30’s and I never saw the drag queen there, but did on Scarlet Night which was more of a “performance” event leading up to the dancing in the pool.

That was such a fun night. A couple of sailors asked me what show I was in! 🤣

Having just cruised TSL recently I would liked to have seen a few things changed. Bigger pool, different entertainment (comedian maybe?) and not so much piped in music of one particular genre.

I sailed Scarlet Lady last month solo. Had no problems talking to people. Most were totally friendly and receptive. Like anywhere else, some people are more chatty than others. It's what you make of it. You can be as social or as introverted as you desire. Most people on the ship want to be social and have fun chatting with strangers.

I can also confirm that they were there at 11:30 AM but I would also love to know the earliest time they actually accept luggage.

Thanks...that was me 😄

Was it that crazy guy in the cape?

Let's assume you are on a 5 day itinerary. You could theoretically do that but it would have a downside. I wouldn't recommend it for Test Kitchen as their meal is designed to be eaten in a sequence as it's more of a tasting menu. Then, assuming you made reservations for appetizer, entrée and dessert you would use up three of your allotted restaurant reservations. If you tried it as a walkup and the restaurant was busy, then you might have to wait to be seated. Possible, yes but it wouldn't be something I would enjoy doing, as for me I would enjoy what each restaurant has to offer in its entirety and then move on the next evening to a different ambience.

There is a souvenir shop and restroom on top...and a ton of locals around the statue that will take your picture...for "free" 🙂 My tour also included the city, Independence Square , Umbrella Street, and a souvenir shop in town as well as lunch at a very pretty garden restaurant. All interesting and the best coconut flan I ever tasted at the included lunch. $60 USD booked through Virgin Voyages...but the tours are all independent companies I believe.

I did it last month and loved it. Earlier in the day is better as you may get clouds that obscure your view of the city in the afternoon. Rain forest path on top is longer than you would think. Bring comfortable shoes. Our guide Juan was very animated and knew so many facts about the area. I would recommend it.

Funny you mention that. I met quite a few people on my last cruise that told me they ate at The Galley or Dock at every meal. Go figure. Hope it all works out for V.V. in the end though.

The two answers above give all the info. It's pretty easy while sailing at below capacity. Interesting to see if it stays that way should they ever get to max capacity of 2700 on a future sailing. I had no trouble (June 15, 2022) eating at the Test Kitchen twice on a 5 day itinerary.

I agree with Dalizk, it was empty mostly when I sailed the Dominican itinerary a few weeks ago.

The deck that looks down at the pool was my favorite for sail away. Departing Miami, the ship swings around using its side thrusters and it's cool to move to the bow of the ship for that. Enjoy the moment, you are officially on vacation. 🙂