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If you can't get it to work on the app, you can call VV.  If you are able to get thru to  a live person, they can book the reservations for you. It looks like the app is working again....at least for now.

The VV web site says that the $100 bonus is valid until August 31, as is the new special on bookings for the remainder of 2022.  I have read, but have no personal experience, that if you have a bar tab with the $50 extra, you can call VV and request to have it adjusted to the new special...and it is happening for at least some Sailors.

I just read some interesting stats from VV.  The average of cruisers is 47 (with a very wide range), over 50% are married, and only 25% identified themselves as "first time cruisers."  And from my travel agent, 90% of his clients who have cruised VV have already booked a second cruise with them.  

No, you don't have to be young to enjoy VV.  You do need to be willing to "go with the fun," and you'll get more out of the cruise if you do a little research in advance so you have an idea of what to expect.  There are areas that I would place them at the top of any of the lines I've cruises....and some that need improvement.  Just don't expect it to be like other lines--it isn't.

You'll find roll call groups on various social media sites.  The one here for my sailing isn't very active, but another one elsewhere is.  I just booked my second VV.  Yes, there are incentives for rebooking on board.  Per my TA, there have been 5 different "deals" since October 2021.  The current one is $300 off + $300 OBC (Sailor's Loot) on the new booking, and this can be combined with any current offers.  They had a better one that just ended a few days ago, supposedly for "Richard's birthday," but now it is back to the standard one.

The current sailing has about 1200 Sailors on board, so less than 50% full.  I've read very mixed reports of people asking and getting or not getting upgrades.  Good luck!

Current cruise, 1200 Sailors on board Scarlet Lady

Currently VV does not do any of the "add ons" that some other cruise lines do.  Hotels in Miami have gotten expensive, but that's another story.  VV does not offer hotel bookings, shuttles (unless you are in a suite),etc.  They will help you find air, but what they found and quoted me was higher than what I'd already found on line!  They are a separate company than Virgin Airways and have no tie ins or benefits to using that company.

They have had 5 different offers since they started cruising in October, 2021.  Most recently was a Richard's Birthday special which was a better deal than the standard placeholder or booking while on board, but that has now expired.  And yes, you can combine with any current promotion when you select your date.

No limits on US departures.  There were limits on European departures; I'm not sure whether those have been lifted or not.  

Sorry--I see what you guys are saying.  Yes, you can use the Sailor's Loot for excursions "Shore Things" after you board.  Technically, the money isn't in your account till you check in at the port.

Yes, you can.  NCL must be odd.....I've been able to on every line I've cruised!  (40+ cruises on at least 5 different lines....I may be forgetting some!)

If the 1100 number is correct, that's about 40%...which is consistent with what we've been seeing on both ships.  The VV rep on the phone told me that their "target" for my cruise  later this season is 65% but that they are no where near that yet.  However, with the new testing/vaccine regs as of yesterday, we may see a surge in bookings.

Actually not the first US line to do so, but that's really not relevant to those of us on VV.

Other lines include "perks" like complimentary wifi or specialty dining in their loyalty programs.  Since VV includes that in all cruise fares, I'm not sure what they would add....maybe some Sailor's loot or a merchandise discount.  I agree that colored lanyards or cards are dumb, but I don't object to being offered a nice dinner.

The only thing I'm aware of on VV is a rebooking while on board program which has supposedly changed 4 times since October 2021 per my "First Mate."

Some people have reported asking about upgrades at port and getting them, others have been told "no" at the port.  No logic seems to apply.

You can get 1/2 portions at the restaurants just by asking.

VV does not show which cabins are available.  If you are interested in a particular location, you can call them and ask whether it is available.

There are solo cabins available in several categories, making cruising solo much more affordable than on some other lines.  There are various social media groups for most cruise dates, and these often organize on board activities from simple "meet and greets" to group excursions or on board parties.  The sail away party on the first day is a great time to talk to people.  I've never had trouble meeting people to talk with or spend time with, whether on VV or any other line.  On the other hand, if you are looking for a lot more than conversation, VV isn't The Love Boat.

My TA has cruised VV several times and was happy to book my trip.  VV calls them "First Mates."

It doesn't make sense to have 2 ships in the Caribbean in the winter, especially at current occupancy numbers....so maybe.

We've done about 10 cruises on Princess, most recently in a "window suite,:  VV is different, and in my opinion, better.  But then, I feel that the best thing about Princess is the different itineraries.  We've done 2 cruises in Japan (B2B) and Alaska B2B that wouldn't have been possible on any other line.

Frankly, I find Princess to be "beige" in more ways than the color.  The suite dining was nice with Sabatini's breakfast and 2 specialty dinings each week.  But on one of the specialties, the lava cake was raw and the service was nasty...and we were too tired to care.  I've never experienced anything like that on VV.

Things I love about VV...the "all inclusives" are just what I end up buying on other lines....soda package, wifi, tips.  The dining is amazing.  The restaurants are the equivalent of a "sit down" on all other lines, but are totally included.  The pizza is like it was on Princess before they changed their recipe.  We don't drink much, so drink packages are a waste of money for us.....VV doesn't have them.  The biggest perks of a suite on VV seem to be alcohol and a larger room.  You might be happy with an XL Sea Terrace, which is a lot less than  a suite.  There are other suite perks, mostly at the Mega Rockstar level.  Honestly, I'd start in an XL on a short cruise, and then move to one of the smaller suites in future cruises if the XL wasn't large enough for you.  Princess regular cabins are tiny.  VV are not huge, but are adequate.

Spa is Steiner, same as on Princess.  Thermal suite is a little more fancy, but same idea.  Shows on VV are like nothing you've seen before.  Definitely NOT boring, third rate singers.  The ships are bright, lively.  Food is amazing, wether in the galley (food court, not buffet...stuff is fresh made when you order!) or restaurants ALL food, with rare exceptions of 1 item in a few of the restaurants, is all included.  Service is top notch.

I would cruise Princess again for an itinerary I wanted.  I'll cruise VV again for 100 reasons.  And start with NO KIDS.  Princess isn't kid heavy and most of the kids are OK, but there are still some unsupervised trouble makers.

As a mega rockstar, you can get any bottle up to $90 sent to your room at no charge,

Yes, there are roll calls here and on multiple social media sites.
I'm not aware of any professional photographers around the ship like other lines do, but Virgin does have photo machines--like the old fashioned machines where kids made funny faces with friends.  I don't know what they cost, sorry.

You can start making reservations for entertainment and fitness classes (as well as adding dining) as soon as you can log onto VVMiami wifi in the terminal.  You don't have to wait to board the ship.  Great way to use any down time while waiting to board.  There will be a big red table on (I think) deck 7 after boarding.  They will fix up your dining reservations.  There are also walk in reservations available usually with only a 5 or 10 minute wait.  On a 4 night cruise, you can't eat at all 6 restaurants for dinner.  Consider doing brunch at Razzle Dazzle and/or The Wake so you can experience more.  4 nights is not really long enough, but better than nothing.  Bring something red for Scarlet night (can be a simple an a handkerchief in a pocket, a red t-shirt, or a crazy red formal dress!  Anything goes.  Also, bring PJs for the PJ party on the first night.  There are lots of good reviews on social media as well as places you can view all the menus.  Perhaps watching one or two would give you an idea of what to expect.  You will get your bands at the terminal--no worries there.

VV is A LOT different from Celebrity or Royal.  I think you'll find the VV crowd older than you might expect.  There are some quirky things, but there is SO MUCH good (and I'm a lot older than I used to be!)

18 hours ago, torontominnie said:

Does anyone know if it's possible to eat in stages? Ie could I get appetizers at one restaurant then wander over to another for the main course (or another appetizer for that matter)? Thanks!

You could, but it would be awkward at best.  If you want to eat in all 6 on a 4 night cruise, do brunch in Razzle Dazzle and The Wake and dinner in the others.

US has released all regulations, so ships departing from US are welcome to book at full capacity.  Now they just have to get people to book!  Many of the more well established lines are cruising at or near  100% capacity.

The other thing that will always make VV capacity numbers look lower than some other lines is the way it is calculated.  Very few VV cabins will sleep more than 2 people, while on some other lines, most sleep 3 or 4.  "Capacity" is calculated based on 2 persons in each cabin that will hold 2 or more, 1 person in each solo cabin= 100%.  If there are 3 or 4 persons in cabins, that raises "capacity" above 100%.  It is not unusual for a line like Royal or Disney to sail at 150% or above.  VVs current ships can't get to those numbers.

1000 sailors on board puts you at a bit over 35%....so numbers are increasing, but still quite low.