cantgetin

Interesting....Barcelona was where we didn't have to get off the Disney Magic on a B2B.

The rules for B2B are largely determined by Customs agents at the port where the turn around occurs. I've even had it differ on the same line, same port from one year to the next. This is the current Miami experience on VV. On the last night, you'll get a letter in your cabin with all the details. If you are changing cabins, pack up all your stuff and leave your suitcases in your cabin--they will appear in the new cabin "magically." You will be instructed to meet at a particular lounge toward the end of the normal disembarkation process. This was Sip, but could vary based on number of people doing B2B. You will be escorted off the ship when the people leaving are done/almost done at Customs. All you'll need are your ID and boarding documents. You go thru Customs and back onto the ship. If you are in the same room, you have stateroom access right away. If you change rooms, you may have a wait before your room is ready, but have access to public areas. Very easy. Just remember your documents. You do have to do check in again after Customs, so you'll need proof of vaccination or negative test again. NOTE....these things change, and anything could be different when you cruise, particularly if the covid rules change.

I don't know--he could have added rooms with more than one person in them. In that case, each person in the room would show up on your list. The person you referred could have multiple people in the room. Sailor's Loot for referrals are per cabin, not per person. As far as I know, there is no way to look at the number of faces that show up on the app and figure out how many rooms used your referral info.

The strangers showing up are in the cabin that you referred or that referred you. My app is completely crazy. The amount of Sailor Loot I should have has always been wrong on the app. It was right on the website until 2 days ago when I got another referral that didn't show up. I have a screen shot of the website from when it was correct, have called VV and was told that what their computer shows agreed with my view on the website...and I've decided that if I get the last $50, that is great...if not, I'm tired of fighting with them. But we will have an issue at the terminal/on board if they can't manage to find what their website shows! Of course the app has been crazy about other things as well.

Don't know, but our FB group has planned our own for the cruise before your's.

Same experience here--first night showed up, the rest I couldn't do without calling VV and having them do it for us.

Thanks! Yes, I've talked to my TA about the fact that I can't see it on the app, and have been assured that it can be straightened out on board if necessary (that person will be on board as well), but I'd feel much better if we had it "fixed" ahead of time. I do have screen caps of the web site to prove what we have.

Hard to say which is worse--permanent hold or using the call back feature and not getting a call back!. In fairness, my last call back only took about 30 minutes. Calling at 8am EST seems to work well too. But yes, we had to call in to make dinner reservations as the app was non-functional.

Thanks to all three of you above for the comments on the beef. That is really helpful. As to staff compensation, one young woman commented that she makes three times as much on Virgin as she did in her previous job. She has worked 2 other cruise lines, at least on of which was a tipped position. She also said that she'd never work any other line than Virgin, but then laughed with something like a "never say never" comment. She basically gave her list of reasons why VV is the best line for crew that she's ever experienced.

Yeah, not sure I like the idea of sharing dinner with 4 new friends. In Japan and Korea, Korean BBQ is served at tables based on your party size; we had a table for 4 with only the 2 of us at one place and a table for 2 in Tokyo. The other thing is that we want to try Waygu beef, which is the "treat yourself" at Gumbae....maybe I'm cheap, but I don't like the idea of paying for it to share with the table, but not sure how to make it for "just us." That's especially a problem as we want to have the server cook it so that it is done correctly.

Another vote that the food quality and service is most similar to Celebrity of the lines we've cruised. While it sounds strange, there are a lot of similarities with Disney during DCL's best years. Unfortunately, we've seen a lot of ups and downs on that line.

You can look up the Sailor's Loot program on the VV website. Basically, the idea is that after you book, you get a code that you can share with friends or new on line friends. If they book, you each get $50 in onboard credit (VV calls it Sailor's Loot). The thing is that you really don't have to know the other person--they can be your new on line friend. Each person can only be referred once, but you can have up to 16 referrals tied to your reservation. The referrals can be added at any time. The easiest way to do it is to have your TA process it for you. If it is being done after the fact, you need the name and booking number of the person you are referring. A few months ago there was a special where they increased the referral credit to $200--at that time, ONE of the bookings had to be made while the special offer was in effect. Another hint--their onboard booking program is great and it IS transferrable. That means that if you have a trusted friend or your travel agent on a cruise, that person can buy a placeholder or do an onboard booking in your name--they'll need your credit card information, name, date of birth, etc. The placeholder is usually easier because then you can change it to a real cruise when you are ready. The normal deal is you get the $300 that you paid for the placeholder applied to your booking plus an extra $300 for the rebooking on board AND $300 in Sailor's Loot. BUT...on some cruises they offer a special that is $600 in Sailor's Loot. And you can add booking referrals on top of that.

Yes, crew gets free wifi. And while it may sound silly, they also get free toiletries, and laundry products. They can eat FREE in guest areas provided their schedules allow and space is available. There is only one crew mess, not a crew and a separate officer's mess, which leads to a lot better interaction (according to one crew member). It seems that it is a lot of little things, but the one they always mention is the wifi.

You can get paper daily programs at Sailor Services, but you are right that the app is the most current way to know what's happening.

I don't know when you are planning to cruise, but there is a great deal currently--50% off second person in a cabin or no single supplement for solo cruisers. No, I don't work for VV and I'm not a TA. There is always some sort of "deal," but this is one of the best I've seen.

I'm in my 60s, somewhat conservative, and VV is my new favorite cruise line. It is definitely different than what I had surmised from the ads. In their first 6 months, the average age on board was 47, 50% of sailors were married couples. A very high percentage of sailors book another cruise within a year. My agent says that 90% of his bookings have either cruised again or booked again, although the VV stats aren't that high. Comments from others before I booked--"It's a cruise company for people who don't want to stand in line or be told what to do." "I feel comfortable in my own skin because no one judges anyone else." "If you're going to be offended by tats or piercings, it probably isn't the line for you." THings I really like--the bar tab rather than a drink package. The bar tab lets you pay $300 in advance of your cruise, and for ever $300 you pay, VV adds a bonus of $50-125 depending on the current special (right now it is $100). You can use your bar tab for any paid beverages--alcohol, specialty coffee or tea, fresh squeezed juices. You can share it with anyone you'd like. If in your cabin, bands can be programmed so you both have access; if not in your cabin, you can buy a drink for them. There are no refunds on the tab, but on the last night you can buy a round for your new best friends or purchase a bottle of wine to take home if you have extra money left. WHY I like it...I've never seen any ugly, nasty drunks on VV or people trying to max out their beverage package. The drinks on VV are reasonably priced (cheaper than a lot of other lines) and tips are already included. If the menu says a glass of wine is $10, you pay $10, not $11.80 like on most other lines (taxes must be added in some port areas). VV has lots of small areas that are set up to encourage conversation or quiet--your choice. There are lots of small seating areas, many quiet (no piped in music) There is a wide variety of live music, but certainly not all genres are represented....that's a like or dislike depending on your taste. What you won't hear is 47 renditions of YMCA or Sweet Caroline. The entertainment is different. Some I like, some I don't like. If you want a slimmed down Broadway type show, this is not the line for you. The crew are the happiest I've seen on any line. They are given a lot of perks that they wouldn't get on other lines, and seem like they want to be where they are. I'm told that early on there were some training issues, particularly involving service in The Galley, but that seems to be largely resolved. I like the almost all inclusive concept. We are light drinkers, so the bar tab is better for us than any beverage package on other lines. The "inclusives" on VV are what I'd pay extra for on other lines--soda, water, wifi, gratuities, and all dining (eat where you want, all restaurants are included). Fitness classes and access to workout equipment is also included, as are things like use of a karaoke room, vintage arcade games, etc. Almost all food means just that. Some restaurants have one or two upgrade items for a cost, but there are plenty of other things on the menu--no need to order an upgrade unless you want that item. For example, at The Wake steak/seafood place, there is one upgrade steak but there are 4 or 5 included steaks. All snack type items are included--ice cream, etc. All food outlets on the ship are included with the exception of those few "treat yourself" items. Basically, you'll pay extra for spa, shopping, shore excursions, and alcohol/specialty beverages. You could literally cruise and not pay a penny over the booking fare if you made that choice. My opinion....Food is better than any other line we've cruised. Entertainment is different, not "beige" like some lines. It is my "new favorite" line. True confessions, I have 3 cruises booked right now.

Rep on phone told me that their goal was 65% occupancy. At that time (about Sept. 1 because I called when I couldn't book restaurant reservations on the app), he said that they were about 50% sold in terms of cabins, but about 45 % in terms of number of sailors because with the "no single supplement" deal, many solo cruisers were in 2 person cabins. The 65% occupancy goal was also what they told me about 8 months ago when I booked the cruise.

8 months ago, they were mailing them to your home about a month before the cruise. Now it seems that everyone is getting them at the port. No worries about luggage tags either--the porters will take care of that issue at the terminal as well.

Hope it is there! Yes, I'm anticipating that I might have to have a "chat" with them on board, although I've been assured by shoreside sailor services that it is what is in the online account that matters and that they have it correct on what they can see.

The rooms you show are the fully accessible cabins. As you noted, they are much larger than the standard sea terrace cabin and have the fully accessible bathroom with a roll in shower and plenty of room for a wheelchair transfer in the bathroom. The wheelchair will also fit under the sink. The bed cannot be made into a sofa bed. Not sure what you mean by "layout." You have everything that a standard sea terrace has with a lot more floor space. Everything is the correct height for transfers or for the chair to fit under the desk, sink, etc. The built in shower bench folds up if not needed. The door to the bathroom opens and closes with the wave of a hand in front of the sensor. THe only odd thing is that the outer door to the cabin is not automatic.

Yeah, I figured out what we need. I can give you cabin numbers if you tell me what type you are looking for (sea terrace, window, or inside). Sailor Services tried to put us in an ambulatory accessible, which will not meet my travel companion's needs. Fortunately I found a web site that had the info I needed and was able to see that we were not in a fully accessible cabin, so I called VV and got us moved. Wish there was a way to PM thru CC, but there is not.....I think the real issue is that they started with the fully accessible and made some changes to those that guests told them were needed. But they also realized that most ships have far too few accessible cabins, so came up with the concept of ambulatory accessible and were able to add a good number of those as well. It's actually very helpful to have both types as there are a lot of older people who need bars or an elevated toilet seat, but don't need all the features of a fully accessible cabin. That saves the fully accessible for those who need one!

I've researched this in great detail as it affects my travel companion. I could not get decent info from Sailor Services shoreside. I ended up speaking to two people who have cruised on VV several times with someone who needed the special facilities. A fully accessible room is larger. The bed is a large bed that CANNOT be split, and it the appropriate height for transfers from a wheelchair. The bathroom and shower area are large with sufficient room to manipulate a chair as well as having a roll in shower, all appropriate bars, and an emergency call button. If it is a suite or Sea Terrace room, there is a ramp that allows full access to the balcony. This is/was the more typical type of accessible room on most lines, and VV made some alterations early on based on feedback from individuals needing mobility assistance--for instance, the original beds did not allow for easy transfers. The room is appropriate for someone who may need assistive devices all the time (in room as well as out and around the ship) An ambulatory accessible room is a normal size room that has been modified with the addition of bars. The bed is the same bed as any "normal" cabin that can be split in the L shape. The bathroom has been modified with the addition of bars, and the shower has a small step in (not roll in). These rooms are designed for people who can walk (hence the word "ambulatory") but may not be able to walk the distances involved in the ship atmosphere...they may opt for a scooter or chair when on the ship, but can handle walking inside the cabin, using the toilet by walking to it rather than transferring from a chair, etc. A shower seat is available. VV does not specify who can book which type of room or make any comments on what type of mobility issue is appropriate to each. They also have TTY conversion hook ups available for hearing impaired individuals, etc which will be provided on request; I cannot address other than mobility issues. I believe that you have them exactly reversed in your definition. 8 months ago, VV was using the terms "accessible" and "ambulatory." They are now using "fully accessible" (can be used by person in a chair at all times) and "ambulatory accessible (can walk short distances but needs assistive modifications). The ambulatory accessible has the convertible to the L bed, the fully accessible does not.

The issue is not that you can only EAT dinner in each specialty restaurant once. It is that on short cruises, you can only make advance reservations in each restaurant once. You can make additional reservations after boarding or you can do "walk up" and see if/when you can get a table. Given that there are 6 restaurants and this is the policy on cruises of 5 nights or fewer, it doesn't seem like a problem. It has been reported that the shift to 3 advance reservations per restaurant occurs when the cruise is at least 6 nights long. I cannot confirm this, but on our 14 night cruise, the policy was 3 advance dinner reservations at each restaurant. You can also have breakfast and lunch at The Wake and Razzle Dazzle, in addition to your dinner reservations in these locations.

They keep saying that they're going to meet their goal for passengers on board, and it seems they continue to add Sailors. I didn't think people would book this close to cruising.

It depends....if you look at the cost of each of the items individually, the price of the package is good. If there are items in the package that you wouldn't use or don't care about. then not so much.