cantgetin

Yes, there is a shuttle to the main transportation area by the Columbus statue. On our cruises, cost has ranged from free to $5; I'm guessing that when it was free, the cruise line had paid for it. The terminal arrival time that people showed you above is for when your departure port is Barcelona. If I understood, you are boarding in Rome and BCN is a port of call.

As above, check in does not start till 1:30, with boarding minutes after. Baggage can be dropped off any time after 10, but there is nothing to do in the terminal area other than a small coffee shop. We fly in the night before and request a late check out from our hotel--they will usually offer 12 or 1. Boarding is initially rockstars, then loyalty (deep blue extras) and splash of romance purchasers. Then it goes by time. With a 3pm terminal arrival time, my suggestion would be that you show up in the range of 2:15-2:30. You will drop luggage, then line up outside the terminal in roped off areas based on your assigned time. Unless there is some sort of weird event, you will likely be checking in about 2:30 or just a bit later. Check in and boarding go really fast, and those with later times almost alway get in significantly earlier than their times.

As above, the only benefit of a "bar tab" in advance is the bonus that you get. The down side is that it is "use it or lose it." You have the basic prices above. We would each have a glass or 2 of wine at dinner and didn't use anywhere near to our free bar tab. If you don't have a bar tab, the cost goes to any "loot" you have and then to your folio (credit card charged at end of cruise). Remember that VV prices already include the tip, so that $8 glass of wine really costs $8.THe prices above really are correct....the most expensive we got of anything was no more than $2 above what is listed....cocktails were $11-16, $14 is a good average. So....buy a small tab to get the bonus or decide that it isn't worth the risk of not using all the "paid" amount, your call.

We've been on VV in Barcelona 4 times. For us, it has been 2 of each and they have not been sequential. I think VV prefers WTC--it is closer to town, cheaper for us, and VV made a big deal f being one of the few ships that can use it. Reality is that they are about 2 miles apart, but taxis, etc. have an added fee to enter the Moll area and it is too far to walk to pubic transportation or into town.

If you are in a suite, you get the benefits of that suite regardless of whether you booked it initially, got it on a bid, of upgraded to it at the terminal. THe perks are basically a much bigger space and lots of alcohol. You'll have a stocked bar. Depending on your agent, you may be allowed to trade out the contents for what you want. You can attend the nightly reception on Richard's Rooftop which includes alcohol and snacks (mostly sushi and poki bowls). Lots of other little things.

Completely agree. These cabins should also be noted to not have a hammock during the booking process. Yes, there is a list where we can find them, but we shouldn't need to verify. VV should make it obvious. It sounds stupid, but the hammock is one of the things that makes VV better than other lines.

There are a small number of cabins there the attachments are not available to support the balcony. This is due to the curvature of the hull.

It is going to be interesting to see how these points translate in real life. There were TA cruises listed as available on points ranging from 280K to 320K points. Those same cruises for 2 in a Sea Terrace are $3600 - $4500. Various activities were available for 20K-30K points. And yet they say here that 40K points can get me 2 round trip flights. This looks like about a 10 fold "disconnect" to me. Of course, I'm thinking US to Europe flights, while they may be talking about 2 flights from London to Barcelona. It all looks very interesting, and I'm guessing that more info will be forthcoming. We currently have DBE, originally by status match but later qualified thru number of cruises. Obviously no one knows how long that program will last, but if they remove our status, we will be seriously unhappy cruisers.

I couldn't really see the perks (if any). I could see where I can earn points and some ways I can spend them. Mu current "travel" card has no exchange fee, so this would need to be very good for me to switch.

You can find almost any info or mis-information you want on the internet. I'm sure they offered the "no single supplement" because the ships were not full. Even with the sail, there were only 1400 passengers on the cruise I was on where that sale was applicable and there were a lot of solos. Bottom line, a cabin with one person is better than an empty cabin. As the ships are filling more, it is less likely that it will be offered again. But never say never. The ultimate goal is to maximize revenue on each sailing. I'm sure they are strategically looking at each sailing and offering to see what is best--bids for upgrades, "kids free," second passenger discounts, no single supplement, etc. It may be that it is cost effective to offer "no single supplement" for "last minute" bookings on certain sailings only; maybe open that option 60-85 days in advance of sailing. For now, the best deal I can find for a solo is to book a solo cabin and then attempt to upgrade. Or invite a friend to cruise with you (I understand this isn't always possible or desirable.)

In most ports, you can drop luggage as early as 10. Deep Blue Extra and Splash of Romance start check in about 1:30--immediately after Rockstars. At Barcelona, we actually did check in at 1, but waited in a holding area until 1:30 to board. The later the time, the less strict they are because boarding goes faster than planned. With a 4:30 time, you'd typically be able to check in in the 3-3:30 range.

Eric and Pam are too fast....their answer posted while I was typing, and it is to late for me to delete mine. Sorry.....

I don't remember if it is called "Red Glove" or "White Glove" service. You can call the regular Sailor Services number and they can provide the special number or transfer you. There is also an email. Laundry--bag it and leave it on the bed or by the door. Just fill out the ticket.

You will think you are in heaven compared to Carnival.

Yes, Megas have a shoreside service in advance where they will arrange your ground transportation to the cruise terminal, etc. and can take care of special requests. Eric and Pam nailed it. They will go out of their way to meet all of your requests, but it will be much better to come to it as "this is what we like" rather than "what can we get out of this deal and while you are at it, pick out all the green M&Ms." All the crew in senior positions will know who you are and you should never be wanting for anything. The crew will try to make deliveries to your room and do anything needed while you are out of the room so they don't disturb you. That said, I have a friend who has been in everything from an insider to a MRS (for husband's 50th) and she will tell you that we are ALL treated very well, regardless of cabin, if we just show a little courtesy to the crewl

Drive from the airport to the city center or to the cruise terminal is about 20-30 minutes.

About 2 years ago they ran a "no single supplement" sale. On our first cruise, there were many solos in Sea Terrace cabins. Normally, no. As someone said, your best bet is likely to book a solo insider and then hope for a bid upgrade or the ability to purchase an upgrade at the terminal. Upgrades are available at the terminal when cabins are available. That is nice because you know what cabin you are going into rather than just knowing a category

Similarly, we both had DBE and there was no way we'd use the 4 coffee/tea per day. If I saw a crew member in line'd tell the guy at Grounds Club to put the crew person's order on my bracelet. Crew has a similar location in the crew quarters, but pays full price in guest areas. They often don't have time to run back to the crew area while on break. Just a nice little gesture.

Shore things are generally one of the worst things VV does. There are several private companies that do a good job though.

If you will use a lot of alcohol, it could be worth it. The suites are amazing, but how much room do you really need for 2 people? But yes, there is a pretty big difference between rockstar and mega. With Rockstar, you also qualify for the service before you cruise, including transportation from the airport, hotel, or home within a certain mileage range in addition to the other goodies mentioned above. Also, if you are into some of the really expensive alcohol, the bar in the casino serves "half pours" which keeps it under the $25 limit whereas you'd have to pay for a "full pour" at another bar. As far as I know, only the casino bar does the half pours.

You can have your bacon prepared just for you if you find it too peppery. We asked for and got it with "very light pepper." Yes, only had the free OJ The waffle is AMAZING as long as they haven't run out of the buckwheat flour. On our last TA, we got a waffle that was "different," and the server explained that they had run out of the buckwheat mix. It wasn't bad, just not as good as usual.

The only "treat yourself" that we found worthwhile is the tomahawk steak in The Wake. The serving is plenty for 2 (or even more) and very good. THe other "treat yourself" item we tried, as above as we had a lot of loot, would not have been worth spending real money! The waygu beef in Gunbae is a definite "skip it." It wasn't bad, but the marinated beef (Kalbi ?) was better.

Similar--on our first 2 cruises, RD was our "go to" for both the food and the service. Since our shortest cruise to date has been 14 nights, we got to know some of the crew, etc. Cruise 3 was the new menu. While the service was OK, I guess we just didn't "click with any one in particular. Cruise 4 was the first time we've gotten off the ship without another sailing booked. As silly as it sounds, it had to do with a lot of little things. The menus were getting old and a few little difficulties were adding up. For example, we had a repair needed in our cabin that presented a real safety issue. We reported it to both our cabin host (who said it was supposed to be that way) and to Sailor Services (which referred it back to the stateroom host). Toward the end of the cruise, I put it on the app "how is everything" statement and SURPRISE, they got a supervisor up there. She fully agreed that it was a dangerous issue, but as it was the last afternoon of the cruise, we asked that it NOT be fixed until we had disembarked. We had lived with it for 13 days; why deal with repairmen now? There are many things we like about VV, but a few things that need to be "re-worked." THe menus are a big one,

The very few upcharge items have been the same for 2 years now. THe tomahawk steak is huge, but is really the only one you might consider. We did the waygu beef in Gunbae--the marinated beef (Kalbi?) on the regular menu is better! THere is seriously NO need to order the few upcharge items. We are disappointed with the "new" evening menu in RD (about 9 months old now). THey removed our 3 favorite items. Never had old, sitting around food there or elsewhere. The video referred to is on You Tube by "Where's Walter Travels." He has several about VV; one on the ship in general, one on food specifically, etc. Some are a little dated, but as the changes are few, are still very relevant. THe good thing is that they are totally accurate and not much opinion; no "Look at MEEEEEE" like some videos. Walter was an award winning film dude in Hollywood in a previous life.

As above, there is a rockstar waiting area at the front of the line for shows. At boarding, you can go to a rockstar reception where you will have bubbly and they will take care of any reservations you need (dinner, etc). You can make dinner reservations at 60 days prior to embarkation, rather than 45 for the general population. You can do this thru the app, by calling Sailor Services shoreside, or thru your TA. At the reception, they will also do any spa or other reservations you want. A Sea Terrace is a Sea Terrace--central same as standard except for location. XL has the larger bathroom and not all have hammock. Bluntly, I wouldn't stay in one without the hammock. Best part of the cruise! Richard's Rooftop is a nice, quiet place to hang out, but not the equal of The Retreat or other "ship within a ship" on most lines. The biggest suite benefits are the alcohol (mini bar and happy hour) and the extra space in the rooms. And the mostly skip any lines--you will be guided to the front at disembarkation, etc.