cantgetin

You don't have to buy bingo cards to attend the show.

Carlos is WAY above the typical Divas that we've had on other sailings. Our first Diva was good, second "just OK," Third good, and then there was Carlos. NO comparison to the other.

And some of us got that April transatlantic for just over $2K for 2 sailors in a Sea Terrace after all discounts (MNVV, PIF, etc). We booked it for $2400 and then were able to rebook for $2100. Now if I could just convince them that I don't still owe $2......(yeah, my TA is working on it....she gets rid of it and VV puts it back on despite documentation that I am fully paid!)

Status Match and DBE are NOT the same thing. Status Match is one way of qualifying for "Sailor's Club" which seems to be the name of their loyalty program. DBE is the current benefit package being given to members of "Sailor's Club," regardless of whether they qualified thru a status match or thru having completed 2 VV sailings in the requisite time period. The status match program has had probably 5 different ending dates announced, and each time it is extended. The current word on the website is that people who qualify for Sailor's Club, regardless of how they qualify, will get the DBE on all sailings thru 2024. Each time status match has been scheduled to end/extended, the word has been that VV is instituting their new loyalty program.....which we are still waiting for. There was a brief time involving tokens....about Oct, 2022 if I'm remembering right

As Jon said, anything posted in advance of boarding is essentially a rough plan. EVERYTHING posted in the app, even after boarding, is subject to change, although changes after boarding are changed for a reason--rough seas, ill crew member or whatever.

Exactly as above....there may not be a lounge or other area as some terminals are more like warehouses than nice settings....but there will be some sort of area reserved. Barcelona had an area set up with folding chairs for those Rockstars who arrived before the 1:30 check in time, but they were not admitted to the terminal until 1:00. They were then able to go thru check in and luggage screening, then sit and wait till they were escorted onto the ship at 1:30. I'm not sure what happened to people who arrived later than 1:30; prior to that, only Rockstars and Sailor's Club were allowed in and there was no line at all.....one of the nicest check ins ever (this was the WTC terminal). Our last Barcelona cruise was from the big terminal. It was efficient but not as nice.

If you have an on line, social media group, you'll be lucky to get half of your members to attend. People forget and have other things to do. I've been on at least 2 sailings where people contacted VV in advance and were able to organize a special venue for a group activities. In one case, VV requested that we film the event and it may show up as an "open" event on future cruises.

On another line, one of the comedians did a parody of the captain's noon talk.....something along the lines of, "The water is Deep. The temperature is Warm. The anticipated temperature is Cooler. We have traveled A Long Way." It went on, but the parody was about as meaningful as the daily announcement and far funnier. There was only one Captain's Announcement that I really miss....anyone who was on the 2005 Disney Magic Panama Canal crossing CA to Port Canaveral will remember that one. Or again, it was a lot more funny when one of the comedians picked it up.

Embarkation day there is a solo cruisers meet and greet on the pool deck before the sail away party and a 6:30 no reservation needed solo cruiser dinner hosted by Happenings Cast....so that's out. Reality, there isn't a good time on day 1 as people are making reservations, getting settled, doing muster check in, etc. Other days....3pm or 4pm, Dock House (munchies available, bar available, lots of seats) Pick an early sea day. First sea day is ideal. NOTHING after 6pm as you're into dinners, shows, etc. If you don't like the Dock House location, I could suggest others, but this is great.

Prices have definitely gone thru the roof. If you used a travel agent, they can likely help you sell your MNVV. There are a few cruises with decent rates still out there (or at least there were in mid December). but not many. Also keep your eyes open--we are seeing occasional people on FB who need to sell a good booking for various reasons. My TA always posts and tries to resell if one of her clients needs to cancel in order to pass a good deal to someone else; some sailors try to sell their bookings privately as well (I'd be cautious of this!) We are on the April TA on Scarlet. The current price for a Sea Terrace is 4 times what we paid for our booking!

We've been told that they always hold back at least 30% of meal reservations until people are on board...I've read posts saying it is a lot more than that, but that is the lowest and most often repeated figure I've seen. Bottom line, as soon as you board, get on the app and try to make the reservations you want. We play "divide and conquer" where one of us does any dinner stuff needed and the other does activities. Meanwhile, go down to Razzle Dazzle where they have people to help you with dining reservations. If you finish on line before someone helps you...done. If not, they can work things out for you. We've done 43 nights on board and never had problems changing reservations after boarding in situations where we changed our minds after doing the on app stuff. Of course, a lot depends on how full your sailing is and how flexible you are. Another hint--on our sailings, The Galley always had a dinner special that was posted in the paper schedule each day. This was in addition to any lunch specials. The atmosphere in The Galley may leave a bit to be desired, but each time we tried one of the specials, the food was fabulous. Beef Wellington with all the trimmings compared to any fine dining restaurant the one night that was served. We would check the special and sometimes decide to cancel our sit down restaurant reservation.....or just go to the reservation for desert.

I suspect that the shorter cruises attract younger passengers. The median age on VV in 2022 was 43. I saw a TA post info, supposedly from VV that the median was 48, but this was about midway thru 2023 and he did not say what time frame that encompassed. Sailor Services has this info for your cruise--on a transatlantic, we were told that the median age on our cruise was 44. Yes, with the large bar tabs being given as perks, many people do not use all of it, On the other hand, cruise fares did not increase when this perk was added. Actually, our first VV sailing was the most expensive (not by much), and included the fewest perks. The shorter the cruise, the more difficult is is to book shows and restaurants as there are fewer repeat performances.

We liked our first cruise in Oct 2022 so much that we booked 3 more. In fairness, we've seen some inconsistencies in quality across the cruises, most recently for the better.

We've cruised when they had the first shopping supplier as well as the second--no paper receipts either time. And frankly, the merchandise isn't any better. There are a few minor differences, but nothing big. I'd go with the above suggestions.

Price--but that has recently gone up tremendously Basically all inclusive. Better than the packages on some lines that include "some" internet or X number of charged casual dining and X number of specialty dining....or 2 exercise classes per person. What is included is ALL included. NO KIDS--I don't hate kids, but not having them around is so nice! No running in the halls screaming, no one pushing all the buttons on the elevators or trashing the drink stations. Very much a "you be you" atmosphere. If you want to dress up, you can wear a sparkly ball gown or tux...but I can go to the same restaurant wearing jeans and a t-shirt. No, I don't choose to go to the nice restaurants in jeans and t-shirt, but I could and no one would say a word. The only "requested" dress code is "something red" for scarlet night. This can be a red headband, pocket handkerchief, sequined devil costume, or anything you want. I have never seen any PDA or dress on VV that I haven't seen similar on DCL. What I have experienced is yelling (as cheering) to the point that it hurt my ears so I left. The entertainment may or may not be your choice. The passengers, at least on the cruises I've been on, have been great!

We were invited to a mega suite and offered anything in the bar--no affiliation with the people staying in the suite until we met them on board. We each had some wine, and while I have no idea what the official policy is, I took it that as their guests, it was fine. That's obviously different than buying for your 25 newest friends out and about on the ship, but my guess is that unless there is blatant abuse, whatever policy exists will not be strictly enforced.

First, don't get your legal info from contributor web site. I'd suggest the government web site of the country you will be visiting. Secondly, at the very least, bring a photocopy and shoot a photo on your phone.

The entertainment is very unique. If you want Broadway style shows, putt putt golf, climbing walls, a house orchestra....VV is not for you. There are tons of YouTube videos about VV. I would suggest anything by Where's Walter Travels as he is comprehensive, accurate, and not opinionated. Here is a link to one about his first cruise on Scarlet Lady (all the ships are basically the same). He has others about food, etc. There have been some minor changes in menus, entertainment, etc. since day 1 of the line, but really very little.

The above kinda nailed it. Yes, ALL restaurants are included and most are of the quality of specialty restaurants on other lines. What does cost extra--alcohol (many bookings include a "bar tab" or you can purchase in advance and get a bonus added to what you pay), cold pressed juices, smoothies, etc. Your "bar tab" is good on any beverage that has a cost. Water, soda, and regular brewed coffee and tea are "free" with the voyage. Premium wifi is extra if you don't qualify under the loyalty program; basic wifi is included and unlimited. You may be able to book thru a TA who has some "My Next Virgin Voyage" certificates that they can let you use on your booking--this gives you a discount on cost as well as some "Loot" (onboard credit) that can be used for anything purchased on board that has a cost. A few restaurants have one or two items that have an additional charge--seafood tower, tomahawk steak. truffles added to pasta, waygu beef (in Gunbae...and this was not worth it--the marinated beef was far better!) All of my bookings have included loot and bar tabs. We have done whatever we wanted, and the highest credit card bill I had after a cruise was $8 (we had only a small bar tab ) Looks like Jon81 and I were typing at the same time.

Do you really think that if they took one or more bottles to the pool and enjoyed them thru the day that the crew was concerned about where they came from or reported them to the stateroom host? Odds are that they disposed of the empty bottles on the pool deck and didn't return empties to the room. You may be right that if a couple bottles disappear each day, it might be questioned, but would likely need to be pretty often to become an issue.

There will always be a sale. The only question is how they will allocate the "discounts."

I'm not an agent and have no way of answering other than looking up each individual cruise. This rate, per night, is better than any she posted. Here is one of her two posts. I don't know if these prices are before or after MNVV discount as she usually has MNVVs available for her clients. ere's a few more if these are more your style: Aug 18-2024 to August 25, 2024 French Daze & Ibiza Nights 7 Nights Sea Terrace: $3552 Seriously Suite Rock Star: $7048 April 5, 2025 to April 13, 2025 or April 19, 2025 to April 27, 2025 Eastern Caribbean Antilles 8 nights Sea Terrace: $2560 Seriously Suite Rock Star: $7662

The difference for mega is that they restock the bar every day...so if there is something you want, put the existing bottle in your suitcase and another will arrive the next day! Is that abuse? Given what you pay for that suite, a couple bottles of something is minimal. Another hint--some of the very high end liquors exceed the cost limit for mega. However, the casino bar does half pours...and you can easily order 2 half pours, keeping it within the amount permitted. I think the casino bar is the only one that does this.

Normally, people with reservations can enter the area about 10 minutes early. At about 5 minutes (when the reservation line is in), they take people from the standby line. I was surprised to see people lining up 30 minutes early, but I guess it depends on how much control you want over seating. We'd show up about 15 minutes early with reservations and that always worked fine....beyond the shock at seeing the long line.

On our TA in October, if you purchased wine in a restaurant, they insisted they had to open it even if they didn't serve it. BUT if we bought it from room service or at a bar, they would sell us a bottle unopened. (we were mere Sailors) We tried at a restaurant, and got it unopened from room service. That was VV policy on that particular cruise. VV does encourage rockstars to take the remnants of their bar set up with them...and it is a whole lot more than a traditional minibar that you would see in hotels or whatever. How much we could bring in depended on citizenship and number of addresses represented--and that was dependent on the port of disembarkation. US citizens can each bring in 2 bottles of up to 1 liter in size per family. A family is defined as the same address, so since my sailing partner and I don't live together, we would have been allowed up to 4 bottles.....but we were flying, so that presented an issue on how much we could carry. While we did have to go thru Customs on arrival, they didn't look or ask about anything! I have no idea what Australia allows.