cantgetin

I wrote a rather lengthy survey response as there were several things on our April sailing that were not as good as earlier ones, and specifically mentioned some restaurant issues. I got a response today asking for more information concerning specifically the food item ordered/restaurant and as much detail as I could provide "so we can work with our crew to improve." I was quite impressed as my original comments were not nasty, just factual.

What I can tell you is to NOT believe what shoreside sailor services might tell you. Get the best info you can here, and book what you think is right. Then, go to the restaurant after early on the first evening and adjust the reservation if it isn't what you wanted. We did what shoreside said and ended up moving things as their info was wrong.

I don't think the PM function works on Cruise Critic....or at least I could never figure it out.....

These are transferrable, meaning that you can give or sell it to anyone you wish. If you don't use it, you will lose at least the $300 you paid for it.

We got off Valiant in May, 2023. The cocktails we ordered were generally either $11 or $13, although I did see one at $17 on the menu. A glass of wine was usually $10 or under; again a few were more. THere are some menus posted on line, but do check the dates on them--some prices have increased slightly. Remember that on VV, the gratuity is already included, so the price posted on the menu is the price you are charged unless you are in territorial waters or in port where taxes must be charged. For moderate drinkers, we found the bar tab to cost far less than any beverage plan on other lines. THe last I knew, the bar tab on NCL was over $100 per day, and a gratuity of 18 or 20% was added on top of that. And it had to be purchased by each person in the cabin. You could spend that much per day on VV, but you'd be drinking all day long.

In Miami you do not drip off luggage with VV crew (as their response states.). You drop luggage with the porters who work for the cruise port.

I had great service on the outside deck on Valiant in April also.

It doesn't matter...on our cruise, very few were dressed up at dinner....but whatever works for you.

We had the same experience of Deep Blue charges never showing up on our wallet at all on Valiant in October 2023. Yes, it was a nicer way to do things! Interesting that that tattoo shop on Valiant was over by the hair salon. Valiant used to have 2 logo shops, but one turned into a Louis Vuitton purse shop. Overall, I wasn't thrilled with the new company that is running the shops; there was very little we'd even consider! Several of us on board had a chat about things we would have purchased had it been available!

Also keep in mind that the amount on the menu includes the gratuities. There are cruises/ports where the cruise line is required to charge local taxes, but in general, the menu price is the price you pay--no automatic 18% added like on most other lines. The way I look at it is that if I'm getting a $100 bonus on a bar tab purchase, that's a 25% savings IF I spend every penny. Since we have Sea Rover status, that would be our standard bonus. If we don't spend all of it, the savings would be less. If I "spend" it by purchasing drinks for new friends or buying overpriced bottles to take home, would I have been better off to have just charged our drinking to our folio and ultimately credit card? Obviously, the answer depends on your drinking habits as well as the length of your cruise. Many current bookings got a $600 bar tab free as a booking incentive. That explains some of the bottle purchases.

I've seen some reports on other sites as I have friends on the current Greek Glow. Everything they've posted has been good.Basically they are posting about how much fun they are having and loving the new ports.

THe things we like and use are the $100 bar tab, the wifi upgrade, Grounds Club credit, priority boarding, and laundry credit (we usually do long cruises). The cocktail party, symbol on line, etc. is just fluff. We even forgot about the cocktail party on our last cruise--no great loss. You are right--give me the things we will use and benefit from!

Yes, but the bottle of wine that may cost you $40 at a bar on the ship may cost $12 at a liquor store at home. Also, you need to know the laws regarding what you can bring into the country where you will be disembarking, as well as your home country (if you plan to take it elsewhere) and consider the hassle of carrying it home in your checked luggage.

Yes, since Test Kitchen pairings and bottomless drinks at brunch at The Wake or Razzle Dazzle are billed to to bars in those venues, they are included in the bar tab.

What you are seeing in the above post is correct. Loot is the same as OBC on other lines. If you don't use it by the time you disembark, you lose it. It can be used for almost anything except a My Next Virgin Voyage certificate. Bar tab can be used for anything bought from a bar that has a charge. It cannot be used for things like Grog Walk or Shot for Shot as those are considered activities, not beverages. However, those activities can be paid for using loot. Any time you purchase a $300 bar tab, there is an extra bonus amount added. The standard is $50, but there are sometimes promotions that add $100. Again, the bar tab and bonus are "use it or lose it." Also, if you have loyalty status of Sea Rover, the bonus is $100, Sea Blazer gives you $125 on each $300 purchase. If you have bar tab left over at the end of your cruise, you can choose to buy a round for your new best friends or buy a bottle of wine AT A BAR to take home. If you purchase from duty free shop, it is charged to loot. You must buy it at a bar to have it charged to a bar tab. Quick version--loot can be used for anything including alcohol. Bar tab can only be used for beverages that have a charge, whether alcoholic or not.

The laundry that is free is 24 hour service. If you leave the bag on your bed on Thursday morning, it will return to your room on Friday....you can't send it out the day before disembarkation or you likely won't have it back in time. Not sure where you saw the "one special item." You do get one item dry cleaned and 2 pressed also, Yes, DBE = priority boarding, which means a 1:30 terminal arrival time. The $100 free bar tab is just that--totally free. It replaced the bottle of champagne. You don't need to buy anything to get this. Since you have Sea Rover status, you should get a $100 bonus on any $300 bar tab you buy, rather than the standard $50 bonus. So if you purchase a $300 tab on top of your $100 bonus, you should have a total of $500....$100 DBE bonus, $300 purchased, $100 Sea Rover bonus. And yes, if DBE shows up on your account on line, that means you have it. I always take a screen shot or photo on my phone so I have proof in case the app goes wonky. However, the app was a lot better in April than it was previously.

There is no question that they will have a loyalty program. The only question is whether it will continue to include the status match. They keep insisting that they'll have the best loyalty program on the seas.

If they are on your booking, I'd fuss if you didn't get them! Take a screen shot of your account so that if they don't show up on the app, you have proof to give to sailor services......and consider yourself lucky that you got them! I'm aware of others who booked on point deals and couldn't get any extras. But then, there is little consistency with VV and their various deals.

My understanding is that bookings on points don't qualify for ANY bonuses--loot, free bar tab, DBE, etc. and cannot be combined with any other offers. But, as others have noted, it is an amazing deal even with buying your own drinks, etc.

They've extended the program at least twice already....keep saying that they'll be starting their own program. They actually had a bit of their own program happening in Oct. 22. But don't give up on the status match--at this point, it is happening until they decide that it isn't any more.

That's tough....as long as you have the letter from VV saying that you can cruise without meeting their 6 month requirement, I'd probably go on that basis and renew as soon as you get home. Take along the birth certificate just in case you get some silly check in person who tried to reject your passport based on their 6 month rule and then demands the birth certificate. I know that's stupid, but..... If something were to happen that required you to fly home, your unexpired passport would be fine. If you send it off for renewal and it doesn't come back within the time frame, you could still cruise on the birth certificate, but wouldn't have the passport for an emergency. Yes, there is a method to work with the closest consulate or embassy to get an emergency passport in unusual situations, but that means you are dealing with more stress in an already difficult situation. The other alternative would be to send it in today with expedited service, and if you don't have it back within 10 weeks, make a trip to your senator's office. They have a funny way of making bureaucratic things happen,

The US government does not require a passport at all for a closed loop Caribbean cruise. So, if you have a letter from VV stating that they will allow you to cruise despite their requirements, you will be able to cruise. The only issue would be if a medical or other emergency required you to leave the ship and ultimately fly home, but again, per the US government, your passport is good for re-entry to the US up to the expiration date. So your only real issue is with VV, not with the Customs and Immigration. What are passport renewals listing for turn around now? They were at 11 weeks for regular service when we did my daughter's, and got it back in about 6 weeks.

We go to our cabin and drop our things (takes 5-10 minutes) then go to either The Galley or The Dock and order. While we wait for the food, we do the necessary reservations, and finish up while eating. Yes, there are cold boxes in both The Galley and The Dock to nibble on while waiting for the hot (or take the to go boxes back to your room). Pizza and ice cream are also open. After eating and reservations, we go back to the room and watch the safety drill, then unpack and do the muster station.

You don't get to choose. There is a set drink for each part and a few munchies. There are also set drinks on the grog walk.

Basically as above, however on our last cruise things were creative. Normally, they pour one shot for each person at the table. The loser in each round drinks their shot. Typically they offer another "free" shot to the winner. However, on our last cruise, the server just kept pouring until the bottle was gone at no charge.