crazycatlady11

5 hours ago, onechaiguy said:

I just returned from Valiant's NYE sailing. I was also on Valiant 9 months ago. The crowd this time was a lot different - many cruisers from Carnival and Royal Caribbean. I heard a couple go on and on about how much they miss Royal Caribbean and how much better it is. I met another couple who told me they were only there because they got a free casino offer. 

 

On the first day (4 hours into the sailing), the men's bathroom by the Galley was covered in vomit. I also saw a woman vomiting on the pier in St. Croix. I saw multiple people walking through the galley without shoes and/or a shirt. I also saw people smoking all throughout the pool deck. Not to mention people were vaping everywhere. 

 

I still had an enjoyable time, but the overall vibe was a lot different this time around. I am sincerely hoping this was due to it being a NYE sailing. I will avoid NYE sailings in the future! 

It's always interesting how different people have different experiences on a sailing. We are a late 50s/early 60s couple and also just returned from the NYE Valiant sailing. We didn't spend time by the pool, so we didn't experience the atmosphere there. But everywhere else we were on the ship we didn't see the shirtless/shoeless crowd or anyone getting sick. We met straight/gay/lesbian couples from a variety of age groups and demographic backgrounds and almost everyone was already a loyal VV fan. This was our second VV sailing -- we also sailed Valiant in early December 2022. We didn't notice a difference between that cruise demographic or "vibe" and the NYE one. 

We'll be back on VV in May for the short four-night Key West itinerary, and I wouldn't be surprised to find a different atmosphere on that sailing since shorter cruises often have a ramped up party crowd. . 

On 2/23/2020 at 3:44 AM, Jonkingskey said:

 

This dismissive attitude (of the posters not you) is why those who might now be attracted to Virgin have never wanted to cruise before, with people who think they sit higher than all others that don´t conform to their view. That they think that everyone of a certain age / lifestyle buys into the goop rubbish shows they know nothing of anyone outside their own circle.

 

I´m mid to now later 30s (oh no) and this is right up my street to try a cruise for the first time. 

 

I am new on this website but the amount of people bashing Virgin is weird. No one is forcing them to sail with Virgin, in fact it´s better they don´t then the fun open minded people can be together. 

 

I agree. I originally came to this board occasionally because I was excited by what VV was offering. We booked the first day open to the general public, and I was hoping to find other fellow travelers booked on this new line. But the constant bashing and "I told you soing" and the overall attitude of superiority of those who wouldn't deign to set foot aboard such a crass ship have pretty much driven me away. The whole, "Well, I'd never sail on that piece of crap, but hey, if you think it's appealing, then the rest of us will have fun belittling you by our not-so-subtle insinuations of how classless you are" comments ... whatever makes people feel better, I guess. 

4 minutes ago, eroller said:

 

 

I think one thing to understand is that some of us on CC have more of an interest in cruise industry than just being an average cruiser.  I'm a ship enthusiast have been since I was a little kid.  I'm into ships just like some people are into cars, trains, and planes.  There are many like me (although fewer than the car, plane, and train enthusiasts) and CC is an outlet for us to discuss ships.  There are also several FB groups we belong to.  I follow the construction, fitting out, design, and technology of most newbuids, but especially prototypes.  I'm into the history of passenger ships as well, mainly from the early 1900's onward.  The cruise line doesn't matter and I'm not loyal to any one line.  I do try to cruise on as many prototype ships as possible.  

 

So VV is of special interest, as not only is it a new ship, but an entirely new cruise line with a concept that hasn't been done in the industry before.  There has been a lot of hype and build-up to the line, and it's going to attract non-cruisers and cruisers alike.  Along with that there is going to be praise and criticism.  I'll call out what I think is a huge WOW but also voice my opinions on perceived shortcomings.  I don't make any apologies for being a realist.  So that is where I'm coming from and others like me.  I wish VV all the success in the world and I'm ecstatic to have Virgin join the cruise industry, but I'm going to voice the pros and cons.  

 

Being that VV is so high profile it's going to attract a lot of attention on CC even from the average cruiser that may have no intention of sailing on the ship.  Curiosity.  Those people are going to voice their opinions whether it's good or bad.  That is just the nature of CC,  We are all critics on here, hence the title of this site.     

OK? Wasn't calling you or anyone else out. Critique away. I'm still excited to sail. Despite the fact I'm a lowly average cruiser. Happy sailing on your ship of choice.

I guess I have no taste. I think the ship looks gorgeous. I'm so excited to sail her. I still don't understand the very pointed negativity to VV. I understand that no cruise line will appeal to all people, but I've seen ships and lines that don't appeal to me as well. I haven't felt compelled to go those lines' threads to tell everyone sailing on them how much I think their ships suck. But whatever. I'm not even the demographic VV is shooting for, but I'm still happily anticipating my time aboard.

I'm waiting for someone with no plans to sail VV to drop in with comments on how much worse the bar tab with bonus is than any other beverage package.

What is it about VV that evokes such rabid negativity from people who don't want to cruise on the line? There are cruise lines that don't interest me, and I have no desire to go to those boards and rag on the lines and the people who sail on them. It's so strange to me. 

I'm always puzzled and somewhat amused by those who have a derogatory view of people who have or want tattoos and/or piercings. Where do they live and what are they afraid of? Do they really equate character with body art/adornment? I'm in my 50s and have an ear conch piercing, so I guess I'm a bad element lol. If I condemned everyone I know and interact with who has tattoos, piercings or both, I'd be losing out on knowing so many amazing people. And some of the most self-righteous, narcissistic people I've known are tattoo- and piercing-free. If I meet someone on our cruise who has visited the tattoo/piercing parlor, I'll be interested in seeing the results. I've been wanting a new ear piercing for awhile and might splurge while onboard, and I love seeing cool tattoo art. Guess I'm riff raff. Beware, fellow passengers ...

3 hours ago, TBBucman said:

Both Carnival and RCCl have made very generous offers to those affected by this Cuba policy. Just waiting to see what Virgin offers. Crossing my fingers and would be happy if we can get our $900 non-refundable deposit back. Definitely do not want to spend $5,000 to visit Key West or Nassau.

We actually would keep the booking if Key West was subbed in, as we love that island and would enjoy revisiting some of our favorite non-tourist spots. Nassau -- no way. Not worth it to us.

2 hours ago, stitchcreek said:

We were due an overnight too, booked on Richard’s Birthday Bash.

 

It’ll really depend on what the new itinerary is for us... if it includes somewhere we’ve not been and would like to go, e.g. Key West, we’d probably still be interested, but if it’s somewhere we’ve been multiple times, e.g. Nassau, then we’d probably seriously think about cancelling.

 

Part of our justification for going ahead with a pricier cruise was the overnight in Havana though, so another port, even if a new one for us, might not feel like it has the same “value” for us...

 I tend to agree. I very much want to sail with VV, but what made us sign up the day sales opened to the general public was the Havana overnight. The Bahamas definitely wouldn't hold the same appeal. I would consider one of the other two itineraries, as we haven't been to either. But not if we had to jump to another sailing date. We like the cabin location we have now.

The drama and judgement directed toward a ship that hasn't even sailed yet really amuses me. I'm far from a millennial or an orgy enthusiast (lmao that that particular accusation was even thrown out there) and I can't wait to sail the beautiful Scarlet Lady. Guess I'm a middle-age rebel lol. 

People who don't get sarcasm are the best!

On 4/22/2019 at 9:09 AM, RMS Olympic said:

My comment on a dedicated bar was being funny. Dedicated does not mean restricted, Discrimination is serious. Myself, I don’t care for segregated areas on ships restricting where you can go based on what cabin you paid for. 

I think some people would like to go back to the days when people who book a lowly inside or window-only cabin would be confined to steerage lol.

My husband and I sail Sept. 23,  2020, and we'll be 55 and 59 at the time. We'll be skewing the demographics for sure on our cruise lol.

My husband and I are in our 50s and jumped at the chance to book on the Scarlett Lady. I love the concept of a mid-size, innovative ship, and going to Cuba has been a long-time goal. We might be the oldest people on our sailing, but I'm so looking forward to the trip regardless. If we're outcasts, we'll take our experience and move on. But in the meantime, I'm hoping to snag a reservation for the drag brunch ...

Just saw on another thread that the ship will be "one giant orgy," it has no class and certain posters will never set foot on it. An old Billy Joel lyric is going through my head: "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than die with the saints. The sinners are MUCH more fun." All that pearl clutching is going to ruin those expensive necklaces 😅.

19 hours ago, AdoraBelle said:

 

 

They had me at "cat" lol.

7 hours ago, AdoraBelle said:

"People have sex on cruise ships!?"

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2631801-no-real-beds-except-in-suites/?do=findComment&comment=56827711

Only on VV. Not on the respectable cruise lines

Oh, and it's not just tattoos people are afraid of. It's VV's signature color of RED!  It's so garish. How dare they?? Seriously, wth? 

15 minutes ago, AdoraBelle said:

 

I’ve been hanging around here a while (though not nearly as long as many). This place is basically in a permanent state of pearl-clutching outrage. 🙂

 

I really like my solo NCL cruises, and the occasional cruise on other lines with H, but I’ve been stoked about VV ever since it was first announced. That feeling has only increased with ongoing news (YAAAS I will be in line for Drag Brunch reservations). I can’t believe I’m actually booked now. Still a long while, but it’s getting real now!

 

I’ve already got a sailing in Oct 2020 booked with the hubs, but tonight I found myself looking at the solo accommodations for sailings closer to launch. So tempting.

Pearl-clutching outrage just made me lol. My confirmation booking email from VV arrived at 8:03 on Thursday morning, so I definitely bought what they're selling. Cuba has been on my bucket list, and to have a chance at that plus an innovative ship and concept: Yep, I'm in. And I'll also be online as soon as reservations open for dining on our cruise to grab 2 spots for that drag-queen brunch. Heck, I might even get a new ear piercing on board lol. We're booked for September 2020 and it seems so far away. If you go earlier, reports are mandatory! Oh wait, we're just stupid Fyre Festival wannabes ... we'll never actually sail. Silly us 😏

Since I'm new to these boards, I've been browsing through some of the other cruise line threads, and the dismay that some cruisers of other lines are expressing about VV is actually kind of amusing. A tattoo parlour? Quelle horreur! Once they find out "that place" will also do piercings, they'll probably demand a revolt. It's OK, folks, I don't think the VV vibe will be contagious if your ship happens to pass the Scarlet Lady in the night. 😘

I saw somewhere that there will be two drag-queen brunches per cruise. They also are supposed to have a champagne brunch in another restaurant. I would happily go to either -- or ideally both. But I'm guessing demand will be high.

5 hours ago, SC_GAY_Cruiser said:

Crazy.......I agree with you.     People should not be allowed to book and cruise on VV due to the craziness of the differences between VV and other cruises!!!      

 

I have to believe Mr Branson is in this to make some money.    He has hired people who know the business and know exactly what the average person pays for.    They know the statistics of what 20somethings buy and do on a cruise, and every age group going up.    I would expect there to be a lot of differences.   I dont expect a daily schedule advertising every Diamonds Intl .    I don't read them anyway.    just think about the number of employees and printing paper saved by just eliminating this one little cruise ritual.   And buying so called "art" on a ship......c'mon!   Just think about what the space on a cruise ship can be used for once you rid of this extra usage of space.    Maybe more cabins......maybe more passenger revenue.

 

And I am very excited about booking a cruise with VV once the Nov 2020 schedule is out.   I am even thinking about doing a B2B, Dominican and then Havana

 

dave

I'm super excited too. Booked a Havana four-night for September 2020. Hoping we'll love it enough to rebook on board. Would love to do a longer cruise if they add one down the line.

The weird vitriol thing surprised me. I would never book Cunard, even though I know I would love the classic ships. I just don't want forced formality on vacation. But I wouldn't go on the Cunard board and make disparaging comments about the line or those who book it because they have different priorities for their vacation. 

I've never done a back-to-back but would love to!

2 hours ago, AdoraBelle said:

The dates also matter. It sounds like you're comparing either off-season prices (like your MSC cruise) to the first couple of months of a totally new cruise line that opens during high vacation season. The prices fall a lot after summer of 2020, and not many sailings have even been released yet. 

 

I'm sure that 4-day Princess cruise is also one of their older ships and doesn't include things like wifi, grats, sodas, specialty dining, etc. So it's not really apples to apples.

 

In any case ... choice is good, and the market will sort it out in any case. 🙂

I agree about choice. I'm excited about this ship because it's different than a lot of the offerings out there. And price is relevant. I'm happy choosing an off-season trip on VV at a higher price because I want to experience this particular ship, and Cuba has been on my must-do list for a long time. For others, a longer cruise to different destinations at a comparable/lower price fits their needs better. I'm not quite sure why some posters (not the poster you're answering above) seem almost hostile about people choosing to spend their money on this particular line. But I'm new here, so I could be misreading the vibe.

1 hour ago, GW248 said:

Does anyone know if they allow transferring a direct booking to a travel agent?

Yes, according to their Q and A:

Yes, Virgin Voyages will gladly transfer a reservation to your travel agent within 30 days from the creation date when a reservation is not paid in full.

1 hour ago, LisaAtlCruiser said:

I booked today!  I logged in just after 9am ET and was all booked within 5 minutes.  So excited to try something new.  I am "loyal to Royal" but the appeal of an all adult line was too much to resist.

 

For my time zone, my confirmation email came in at 8:03 a.m. I'm so psyched for this. Waiting 18 months will be excruciating lol.