cantgetin

A lot seems to depend on who your agent is.

I' ve done a total of 12 TAs, but figured the question applied to Virgin Voyages. I've seen huge increarses on other lines as well. THe good thing on other lines is these cruises are typically when schools are in session so most of the kids on board are infants and toddlers--not the ones who can run around without parental supervision.

I've been on all 4 of the TAs between Barcelona and Miami. October 2022--1300 sailors April 2023 1500 October 2023. 1851 April 2024. 2100 I'm sure the round numbers are not exact, but they are what we were told. We could definitely tell a difference on the April 2024---too full for my liking!

Yes, people often report getting upgrades at all sorts of bid levels. It is totally a matter of what is available and how many bidders are trying to get them. On our last cruise, there was a suite available that could have been an upgrade at the terminal--must have been a last minute cancelation. In that case, VV has determined a price based on the type of cabin you originally booked and what you are upgrading into.

Surely you have read on the website what is included, so are just looking for hints. Be at the port at 1, check in thru the rockstar entrance (if in Miami). BCN did not have a separate entrance but did have a separate waiting area. You only get the one bar set up, but you can request all the mixers, cans of soft drinks, etc. that you want. Rooftop every night will have a happy hour with drink choices. You basically shouldn't have to wait in any lines. You an be escorted off the ship at all ports and at the end of the cruise. Shows that don't have reservations, your rockstar agent will move you to the front of the line. Let them know of anything you want; worst they can do is say No>

Well, I never saw anything good from her....we were boarding the ship on a day when she was on board filming a commercial. This was after she changed the date. Boarding was delayed by more than an hour, large areas of the ship were closed off in order to complete the filming, and we departed late after her limo picked her up outside the terminal. I think I saw that commercial run once, then they didn't appear to be using her any more. I never understood her purpose.

The old bands had sayings....there were 4 or 5 available. Prior to that, they were sending them to you in advance with your name on them, but that stopped (I'm guessing because too many people were either not receiving them or forgetting them). Most recent ones are plain red for us normal people, black for people who have access to Richard's Rooftop, and purple, I think for 485c. Note, not all people with black bands are staying in suites--they give Rooftop to others that they consider appropriate--content creators, some First Mates, etc.

As above, somewhere between 35% and 50% of dinner reservations are held back until embarkation. You can make reservations as soon as you can log onto the ship's wifi using the app or you can go to the restaurant that has a help team--normally Razzle Dazzle, but on our most recent cruise was Pink Agave. As you said, you won't starve. There are also nightly specials in The Galley ...some of them are really good.

It is EASY. No, you won't get a print out. You will get a medical form on the app 24 hours before your cruise. If you have completed everything on the app, you will just need to show your passport and credit card at check in. If there is any problem that can't be quickly resolved at the check in desk, they will send you to a help desk...but this is mostly for people who have not checked in on the app. They once had a problem with my photo--it took all of 10 seconds for them to take another one with their tablet. You will not get any luggage tags. The porters will supply those when you get to the terminal.

Any increased port charges show up under the taxes. I think price differences are based on the real or anticipated popularity of a cruise. For instance, the first few times of a new port are likely to be quite popular and increase costs. I don't remember which one I looked up for 2025, but the price was double what we paid for 2024....and that was enough for me to decide to not do it. IF you know you are doing a TA in each direction 5-6 months apart, you can often book round trip plane tickets, which can make the international portion of the flights far less costly.

Respectfully disagree. Why organize an area with 50 or more uncomfortable seats? Example--The Dock has 3 styles of seats, only one of which I can sit in at all comfortably. Yes, the area could hold more people if they got rid of those day bed things, but they sometimes can't keep up with orders now. Some decks which are obviously walkways lined with seats are such that if your back is against the back rest, your legs hang straight out (unless you are some sort of giant).....so you sit forward in order to bend your knees in a normal sitting position meaning no back rest. In some exterior spaces, the designers did not consider the temperature of the materials when sun is shining on them! As in "sit here and any bare skin will be burned."

As others have said, prices have increased greatly. I was surprised to see your price as it was a lot more than what I paid....but I had taken advantage of every available discount that I could find, some of which are no longer available and I had a sea terrace, not an XL. Bottom line, prices on VV have increased greatly. The days of serious bargains are gone. On the other hand, the prices are still good when compared to other lines. And TA prices increasing has happened on other lines. People learn how good they are, bookings increase, and prices go up. Could you have done better? Maybe, but only a little. For instance, if you found an agent who had some MNVV certificates to sell you, you would have saved $300 and gotten some onboard credit.

Deep Blue Extra qualifies you for priority boarding which begins at 1:30. VV asks that you don't arrive more than 30 minutes prior to that time....and if you do, you'll be standing around.

This was a special one night only appearance on a TA cruise...I don't know where she was going afterward, but it wasn't likely to be another ship. Cher's wigs sounds like a hoot.

We happened to be near the atrium on another cruise line when the lobby was filling up with a luggage all labeled 1 of 41, 2 of 41, etc. and a crew member was busy placing everything in numerical order. There was a tiny, unremarkable blonde at the desk. This was a port day, and she was our entertainment for the night. It made sense when I saw her on stage that night. She literally got on the ship in the afternoon, did 2 performances (6 and 8:15), presumably got something to eat, and got off the ship before we pulled out at 11pm. I have no idea where she was coming from or heading after she performed for us, but 41 cases and several crew members as well as one guy who appeared to be her "caretaker" seemed ridiculous.

I don't remember if I had to complete the entire registration on the app to choose a time for terminal arrival--I don't think so. I've had HORRIBLE times downloading the passport photo and info at times. Closing the app has helped, and more than once I have had to do it with family member's phone rather than mine. Turning off the phone, closing all apps, and trying again has also worked. I've been able to upload my photo on the app and then had it rejected at the port...but they fixed that in less than 10 seconds. VV tech stinks until you get on board. It improves greatly after that. Yes, there are a wide variety of mocktails available. You can more bar tab up to 3 days prior to cruising if you think you'll need more. BUT, bar tab is a "use it or lose it" situation and the bonus amount is the only advantage to booking it prior to cruising. If you spend more than your "bar tab," it will roll over to any "loot" (onboard credit" you might have and after that to a charge on your folio.

I'm not sure when the loyalty status match is scheduled to end....maybe Dec 2024. In any event, if it is still available and you have loyalty status with Celebrity, sign up for it on VV. You'll get a small perks package. As noted, you can bid for an upgrade close to your cruise date, but that's not anything you need to do now. The "do now" is download the app, sign in, and reserve your terminal arrival time. Again, can't guarantee 2025, but in the past we have been able to do this as soon as we booked, even when 18 months out. If you didn't book thru a First Mate (VV speak for travel agent), you can do that within 30 days of making your reservation. I use one of the top tier, award winning ones who give me a lot of service and sometimes financial perks depending on what VV is offering, Sorry that we can't name agents here. Then sit back and read the boards until nearer to time to make reservations, etc.

The 2 groups on Grog Walk visit the same places but in different order and with different members of Happenings. It is essentially the same experience no matter which one you do.

This situation has changed multiple times over the last 2 years, both in terms of cost for a single 3 hour block as well as whether or not there are multi-day passes available. I think the price increases we saw were just that--an increase. I don't know whether the availability of "length of cruise" passes relates to how full the ship is or some other factor. All I can tell you for sure is that we've done many several cruises over the last 2 years and have not seen any consistency in thermal suite passes.....which is probably why you see so many different reports on line.

You will only lose your current slot if you select a new one....so you see what is available and select it KNOWING that it is better than what you originally had.

The beverages are perks if you have the Deep Blue Extras....I'm not sure about "Blue Extras," but you can see it on the VV web site. If you don't qualify for the 2 free per person per day, it can be charged to you bar tab. The pastries and cookies are free; the drinks have a charge of $4-$6 each; maybe a bit more if they add alcohol. The regular coffee and tea at THe Galley is actually quite good also.

That is called the Grounds Club. The location on 7 serves free pastries, cookies, etc. as well as premium coffees and teas with alcohol if desired. They also have hot chocolate. The one outside The Galley serves the beverages only. Quality is in the eye of the beholder. IMHO it is a lot better than Starbucks.

Yes, same price whether alcoholic or not. It wasn't my "thing" although others love it. I drink very little, and found the games to be not to my taste. On the good side, meeting some of the Happenings Cast was a positive and can lead to some special interactions throughout the cruise.

That's fair.....but we have sailed out of Miami and the European ports ad found the setup to be very similar. There was a little difference based on the layout of the terminal (in Barcelona, security was first, then check in, then boarding. In Miami, check in was first, then security, then boarding). No real differences, just what worked best in the space they had, I guess.

The app booking works the same, but as Walter said, it crashes....often.....We send our list of dining choices (night, restaurant, approximate time) to our TA a couple days early with a note that I will try it and notify her if I have trouble. TAs have a different portal and can book for you and mine does stay up to do it. You can also call shoreside guest services the next morning and they will do it for you. My normal experience is that I get 2 or 3 nights booked and the app crashes....so I send a PM to my person and she makes it work.