cantgetin

Once....good, but way too much food for me.

Yeah, the "potato bar" was difficult as the servers didn't know what some of the toppings were, and as always, they needed to put the topping on or beside the potato (not like a bar where you get the potato and fix it yourself. It was slow, especially at the beginning and there was really no good way to order that item with a server as the servers didn't know what the options were. The only smart thing I did was to get what I wanted and what my cabin mate wanted at the same time rather than each of us getting in the line. My burger today took maybe 3 minutes....not bad at all.

Basically the above. Richard tends to hang out on Richard's Rooftop or private spaces with his entourage other than scheduled appearances. Same for other top level people in the company. Personally, I'd prefer double the cruise nights to a single cruise with a "name," but others have different opinions.

I am currently on Valiant. We have the option of going to the stations or taking a seat and flipping up the flag. Service with the flag is very prompt.

The ones last week were so "crispy" that they were crumbly. When touched with a fork, they crumbled to little pieces. The ones yesterday were moist inside, a little crispy outside.. But we each have our own likes and dislikes.....

got it...on the last day and several others.

The word is that we are making better time than previously informed and will be arriving at Malaga earlier than anticipated. The final work on the bacon in RD--ate there this morning. I asked if it was possible to have the bacon without pepper. She asked if I wanted crispy or "plain." I said I liked the sweet stuff crispy, but with little or no pepper.....and that was exactly what I got. And the waffles were back to normal, not the super crispy/crumbly of last time, leading me to believe that last time they were just over-cooked. Overall, MUCH better experience this morning.

That change was more than 6 months ago....shortly before our previous cruise. whatever....I think we are dropping most of our loot at the spa this time.

The shops on VV are....just peculiar. I'm on board now and they are even more odd than normal. They have about 3 styles of t-shirts and some hoodies along with a very limited selection of notepads, tote bags, etc. in the Logo shop. It is half the size it used to be and really didn't have anything. On my first sailings, they at least had some interesting t-shirts and gift items. Most of the other shops are quite expensive and just not interesting. There are 2 designer purse shops, a store with very limited ladies clothing and high end perfume and makeup, a store with men's clothing, and a little area with some swimwear and misc. And there is the "sundries" shop with drug store stuff, hammocks, some computer stuff, etc....but overall not stuff that I'd be buying.

Sorry my info is out of date then.

The transfer was uneventful. We will hit all the ports scheduled. but times will change. Funchal arrival about noon (rather than 8am), departure 8pm rather than 6. We will make up some time in transit and the next port arrival will be about 2 hours late.

They scan your bracelet. THen they don't charge for the first 2 (if only one in the cabin has DBE) or 4 if both of you have DBE. That's why it doesn't come off your bar tab. It will come off if you go over the limit any given day.

Captain just announced a course deviation toward the Azores in order to meet a helicopter for a medical evacuation which will occur early in the morning. He will advise later as to how or if this will alter our itinerary for the rest of the cruise.

If you have Deep Blue Extras (loyalty), you get 2 specialty coffees per person per day at no charge.

This video will give you a great deal of info and a good feeling for what VV is like. Average age on VV for the past year has been 43 with a range of 18-90s. Our current cruise is a little older with an average of 55....but it is a 14 night cruise. Biggest difference compared to other lines is no kids. Next, no unlimited drink packages, no tipping, wifi included. No main dining room--6 sit down restaurants that take reservations are included in your cruise fare, and THe Galley is like a food court rather than a buffet. Watch the video, then ask questions.