tbmrt

I read this today, but didn't realize this was necessary:

You’ll easily be able to book all your additional dining, shows and classes as long as everyone in your cabin has watched the entire safety video for the app to unlock the ability to book. Many just proceed to the dock house or Galley and miss the safety video and by 5 pm everything will be booked up.

I read that both Grog Walks on 1st day visit the same bars, but in different order.

Does anyone know which bars are visited? 

Which one was your favorite bar during Grog Walk (other than PJ Party/last stop)?  Least favorite?  

I ran across someone in another group writing this: (Excursion several months away).  I'm worried about this happening to my group.  What would I do if this occurred?  Contact TA? VV? Just wait til we board to hopefully get more spots added??  Keep checking app?

" We got together as a group and booked excursions together. While we all were booking at the same time, the excursion sold out and two of us didn't get it."

13 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

I’ll need to look for it in the Galley. I have to admit, I’ve never noticed the daily specials. My sailing on Resilient, after the menu change, the only sea day, I had a brunch I had to attend. I’ll be watching in Feb. on Valiant. Thanks. 

Where are the specials in The Galley Listed?

I had conflicting notes in my files.  Some said needed...Others said not.

Tx

On 10/30/2023 at 10:39 PM, scubagal44 said:

 

The fried chicken is currently on the RD menu, so you're in luck! I had the Pink Agave steak last week and it was perfection, and hubby also got the tacos and he loved them!

 

Hubby also got the aforementioned watermelon at RD during brunch, and yes, it's for real! His pictured below. 🥰 Don't miss the bacon at RD, either! It's to die for. 

On 10/30/2023 at 10:39 PM, scubagal44 said:

 

The fried chicken is currently on the RD menu, so you're in luck! I had the Pink Agave steak last week and it was perfection, and hubby also got the tacos and he loved them!

 

Hubby also got the aforementioned watermelon at RD during brunch, and yes, it's for real! His pictured below. 🥰 Don't miss the bacon at RD, either! It's to die for. 

I know everyone raved over RD's bacon, but I then read it had brown sugar....Not sure I'd be a fan.  Is it really sweet?  I love regular bacon.

9 minutes ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

The event would actually be better up on Deck 16 aft to be away from the lights. Yes they do turn down the lights on the Dock itself, but with so much light spilling from the ship itself, it does cut down on the enjoyment. If they were up on the top deck, and turned down the lighting up there, that would eliminate the light pollution. But The Dock is a lovely area to gather. 

 

We did a stargazing event once on Celebrity I believe and they brought us to an area of the top deck where they turned off all the lights. That was really effective and allowed to see both the stars and the laser pointer's beam. 

I did that one on Celebrity also....Remember it took place in the wee hours of the morning...forgot the reason why.  Some very knowledgable expert did this with the laser and yes, it was amazing.

20 hours ago, rebeccac said:

Virgin is the only cruise line that I know of that does allow you to make direct payments even if you have booked through a TA.  

I also found that VV will chat with you directly even though you have a TA.  Never experienced that on other cruiselines.

Do you get to see the stars as neverendingcruising mentioned or just reading?  (We'll be on VL from San Juan in Feb.)

I happened to run across something about stargazing activity in  Split.  Does VV have this on all their cruises?

Looks great!

1 minute ago, cantgetin said:

Again, all I can do is share my own experience....and things on VV do seem to change as well as sometimes depend on who you talk to.

For instance, we have had DBE for all of our cruises.  On the previous cruise, we got premium internet as a DBE benefit on 2 devices and were able to keep the other 2 on "standard" internet which is free to everyone.  On this cruise, we did not get the option of standard, but have been assured that since we both have DBE, we EACH get 2 devices on Premium.  I'm not complaining, but I can also live with my phone on standard.

 

I've had way too many issues where shoreside sailor services was wrong.  Fortunately, both the app and sailor services on the ship are much better than shoreside.

I have to say on our June cruise I was absolutely amazed at how great Sailor Services was when I called from our cabin for anything!

2 hours ago, cantgetin said:

Our experience--if you book in advance, your CREDIT CARD is charged as Loot is another word for "onboard credit" and you can't spend it until you are on board.  But if you book for other cabins in advance, it is all billed to the credit card of the person making the booking.  

If we book on board for ourselves and another cabin, our loot is charged for all 4 reservations.

If you want each person to use their own loot for their own reservation, they can stand at the big red desk and book at the same time you do. In advance, they can book and charge to their credit card or have you do it and pay you back.

 

The above reflects our experience only.  Our experience is that shoreside sailor services is often wrong.

Thanks...So confusing when Sailor Services is incorrect!

I am so confused....I got (#1 below) today from Sailor Services, but was under the understanding that it was as I wrote in #2 red ink below.  Which is it?  

Thanks for giving us a wave!

1. While a sailor can book bookable experiences for her party in another cabin, the charges for the events will be deducted per cabin and not from the Sailor Loot of the one who booked them. 

2.  I read elsewhwere: If you book when onboard for all the friends in your linked cabins,  your loot will be charged.

If you have any questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reply to this email or drop us a line at 954-488-2955 (US), +44 (20) 30034919 (UK), or +61 (1800) 491708 (AUS) and we’ll be happy to help.

Cheers, 

Sailor Services Crew

Totally agree...There are some really great people on this board..More than on many of the others.

For our last VV cruise in June I stayed up to book restaurants night before as well.  Saw the restaurant listings but could not book til about 11:40 or so.  For our Feb trip I couldn't book or see the excursions until exactly midnight! 

Two of our friends are sharing one cabin.  How is the bar tab and loot handled?  They would like to split it evenly.

1 hour ago, neverendingcruising said:

Onboard it all charges to the person making the booking. 

Best way to handle 3 different cabins wanting the same excursion taken from their individual cabin's loot?  Perhaps best to go to Sailor Services immediately upon boarding?  OR if we book immediately individually and one couple cannot get that excursion, is there a chance Sailor Services could add it for them?

Started watching VV app to book excursions last night....Kept getting the message about come back 10/27 to book, etc.

At exactly midnight, I was able to book the excursion we wouldn't want to miss for the 3 couples in our group.  As I was told, all were charged to my credit card.  (Jost Van Dyke...many memories there!)

My TA offered to book for us, but didn't say anything about trying this night before excursion booking window opened so I was a bit nervous that we'd miss out on the opportunity to book the excursion we were most excited about.  I felt funny asking her to book the night before.

Will the loot for any paid activities that I make for our group when we first board the ship be charged to me or to their individual loot balances?

A very tired lady here this morning!

On 10/23/2023 at 8:57 PM, conandrob240 said:

 Couldn’t  agree more. I hate when people say that!

 

I’d look into filing a complaint given the lack of soap and that they knowingly had this issue week before. You deserve some compensation.

Totally agree

I've never cruised VV with others.  We are going from PR with a group of 6 and we'd really like to do excursions together.

When window opens for making excursions (night before) I intend to make reservations for all of us for an excursion we would not want to miss.  I understand this will get billed to my cc and I will collect for other couples. 

It would be alot easier if we could each make our own that evening, but I'm worried that some of us would snatch the excursion reservation and others may not.  

Our TA offered to make our reservations for this excursion, but probably wouldn't do so til the morning the reservation window opens.  I understand she has the same ability as us to get the reservations so I'm a bit worried about her being able to do so.

Best way to handle?

On another note......RE: Other excursion reservations made onboard from loot...If I make these for all does the cost get taken from each couple's loot or all from mine?

Thanks everyone in this wonderful board!

Meant Galley instead of Gallery!!  For some reason could not edit

Did things change?

I've been reading that Valley Church and a few other beaches have drop offs which can be a bit dangerous for seniors. Suggestions for other nice beaches near cruiseport? Deep Bay Beach??

Curious if vendors in the market or near the ships will take $$ instead of Euros.  

On 10/10/2023 at 8:14 PM, Sasksilver said:

I'm curious as to whether anyone has visited the Memorial ACTe - "a cultural center dedicated to the Memory and History of Slavery Trade." I'll be in Guadeloupe in March; it sounds as though this is about a 20 minute walk from the port. If you've visited, can you let me know whether you enjoyed it and might recommend a visit?

Thanks!

Also interested.