Jump to content

Early sign up list


RMS Olympic
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hi folks....Katie and Suzanne:)

 

So, what is this Virgin Voyages all about? All adult? Sailing to the Caribbean?.....and what does Sir Branson and his team plan to do to make it all special?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last thing I read from Branson is that they may become child friendly in the future. That could mean after additional ships come on line. Child friendly to me means allowed but not designed for.

As noted in comments above, new ship interest has the Edge being booked as well as VV. Could not agree more, but no edge for me, I booked Sagas new Spirit of Discovery. This means I will be xperience a new ship with (Saga) a totally old fashion cruise ship experience to VV at the other extreme...state of the art non traditional. Diversity baby

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Last night I watched a video clip about the funnel design process. The idea that so much attention is being given to the design I think is wonderful. There was a time that ships signature statement was their stack, look at the Italian ships like the SS Michelangelo.

If Virgin is making the effort to design beauty into something mechanical, something that doesn't generate income....wow. Makes me wonder what the interior will look like.

I admit I am hoping for a wide open uncluttered pool deck, an atrium befitting a boutique hotel....maybe 2 decks high, and no repeat no shopping mall size avenues ala Royal Caribbean. One last wish, alfresco dining, especially for breakfast. Breakfast out on deck....heaven just like on Windstar and the Paul Gauguin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why not?

Last night I watched a video clip about the funnel design process. The idea that so much attention is being given to the design I think is wonderful. There was a time that ships signature statement was their stack, look at the Italian ships like the SS Michelangelo.

If Virgin is making the effort to design beauty into something mechanical, something that doesn't generate income....wow. Makes me wonder what the interior will look like.

I admit I am hoping for a wide open uncluttered pool deck, an atrium befitting a boutique hotel....maybe 2 decks high, and no repeat no shopping mall size avenues ala Royal Caribbean. One last wish, alfresco dining, especially for breakfast. Breakfast out on deck....heaven just like on Windstar and the Paul Gauguin������

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Virgin Voyages.....if you are reading this I have a small request. Since the general design of the ship is undoubtedly complete, could you publish the types of cabins to choose from. No specifics, but types. Will there be single cabins ( inside, outside, balconied)? Windowed cabins on upper decks forward? Stern cabins? Types of deluxe cabins and suites?

Many people like to plan and having an idea of what to ask for when the reservation books open would be great. Now a deck plan of just cabins would be perfect, but I expect that late in 2019.

In the meantime I along with the incredible number of sailors that have signed up anxiously await more info and the chance to select our cabin.

Just think we will all be Virgins again

Tom

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi awhcruiser, I love planning probably even more than the actual travel experience. Considering the number of sign ups the phone lines the morning they start taking reservations will be crazy. Perhaps not everyone will be going for either the first sailing or the first out of Miami, but enough to suggest jumping on the phone first thing that morning. I just hope they don't have us booking blindly like Celebrity with the Edge. I originally booked in the blind, offered a cabin category without any details, nor location. So I hope Virgin does better. My personal hope is a crossing even if the bugs are not worked out.....just the thrill of it all. Let's see if VV reads cruise critic like the other lines do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The 'pre-booking' queue on VV seems to be similar to the process we experienced when signing up for our first Smooth Jazz Cruise (charter). Although we had more info on the itinerary, accommodations, etc. -- all our refundable 'pre-deposit' got us was a place in line. When the booking process started, we were advised of the time window when we could book. And yeah -- the phone lines were busy -- but the process went much more smoothly than I could have ever imagined. We were even able to snag one of our favorite cabins on Celebrity Summit, for that one. But, I also am on the edge of my seat, waiting for deck plans and details of the ship's design! :cool:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think there have been as many sign ups as people think. Very little has been done thus far to publicize the fact that you can place deposits, yet no one on CC has reported a number lower than 1000. This leads me to believe they started the counter around 1000 and not 1.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Tim, that's an interesting thought you made. I agree there wasn't a mention of the sign up list prior to the morning it was initiated, and I only stumbled upon the existence by looking at the VV Facebook page that first day. I immediately signed up, shortly after noon time Ang got number 1018. I was shocked to see such a high number but thought perhaps the list had been initiated in the UK earlier or a huge block of spaces was reserved for the travel industry (agents and media representatives). If your right that makes me #18.......an exciting thought. We shall see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Construction time curiosity....

It seems new jumbo ships are being built under 2 years such as the big NCL vessels. Considering this new VV vessels construction has begun in Nov 2017, and is due out in 2020, that's over 2 years. I wonder if she will be delivered in December with an arrival in Miami in early Jan 2020. If the ship does not have all the latest gimmicks i.e. Go carts, rock climbing walls, zip lines, bumper cars laser tag , I wonder why the long build period.

Just wondering

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Construction time curiosity....

It seems new jumbo ships are being built under 2 years such as the big NCL vessels. Considering this new VV vessels construction has begun in Nov 2017, and is due out in 2020, that's over 2 years. I wonder if she will be delivered in December with an arrival in Miami in early Jan 2020. If the ship does not have all the latest gimmicks i.e. Go carts, rock climbing walls, zip lines, bumper cars laser tag , I wonder why the long build period.

Just wondering��

 

 

I think several factors could be at play. It's a prototype ship and the first in class always takes a bit longer. There may be technology enhancements that slow down the build process. I know the ship is supposed to be extremely environmentally friendly, so there may be prototype environmental features that take more time to construct and test. Also the shipyard itself may have some time constraints with multiple builds at the same time, so perhaps they requested a longer build time. Lastly Virgin is a brand new customer, having never operated a ship before. They may have wanted more time to ramp up training, recruit officers and crew, etc. Also more time to oversee the build process and ensure a smooth handover. This is something brand new for them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Ernie, all good points. I asked for a time window on the V V Facebook page and they were kind enough to respond. They said they hoped to start sailing summer of 2020. That's much later than I expected but that means a summer crossing the pond to Miami....count me in. Now that I have a general idea of what to expect I can go ahead with booking the new Sky Princess....bookings start this Wednesday. Hoping for her first Caribbean sailing which should be the first week of December 2019.

Too many new ships coming on line.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for posting that, RMS Olympic! I also was surprised that VV would start their Caribbean itinerary in the summertime -- that being hurricane season, and all. But, I like your thinking, re: that being a GREAT time of year for a Trans-Atlantic take-out cruise! Hope that our place in the 'queue' is close enough to qualify for that one! :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Ernie, all good points. I asked for a time window on the V V Facebook page and they were kind enough to respond. They said they hoped to start sailing summer of 2020. That's much later than I expected but that means a summer crossing the pond to Miami....count me in. Now that I have a general idea of what to expect I can go ahead with booking the new Sky Princess....bookings start this Wednesday. Hoping for her first Caribbean sailing which should be the first week of December 2019.

Too many new ships coming on line.

 

 

Yes a summer crossing would be perfect, and that is what I would book as well.

 

Sky Princess huh? Not really a fan. She will be the same as ROYAL/REGAL/MAJESTIC PRINCESS. Not bad but I'm in no rush to return. I'm more excited about the brand new designs.

 

Next up for me is MSC SEASIDE which I'm super excited about. Brand new design and quite different than anything sailing at the moment. In fact the new Virgin ships and the new NCL Leonardo Class ships seem to be a derivative of MSC SEASIDE.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WWcruiser...as far as the queue....a very good question. From past experiences, I am going to guess...a guess mind you that those that signed up will be given a date when books open up. That start date or possibly a couple of days will be available to book before the general public gets to call in. That first day will probably be a free for all...no actual queue based on the number we received....unless each day within the "window" is assigned blocks of numbers. Me, I think it will be first come first served.

Speed dial anyone?

I'd love to know if the assigned numbers started at 1000 and not 1......as I got #1018, which would get me on the first voyage.

 

Ernie, I agree with you on Princess, but I have a soft spot with this cruise line even if I wasn't wowed by the Royal Princess. But now that I know Virgin won't be early 2020, I want to find something for that time period. I might consider either a New Zealand cruise, but then which line??? The other option would be to consider Viking Ocean cruises....which looks like my style.

Cruising to me was always feeling like a rich man, so special. But today's cruising leaves me less thrilled, so it is becoming more about itinerary and less about the ship. Ships too big, too many wallmart attitudes, lines, rudeness and over crowded outdoor decks. That is why I am not booking Seaside....I sailed Divina, and once was enough. Just my opinion, but as much as I have issues with NCL, I preferred it over MSC. I hope your experience on Seaside is wonderful.

In the meantime, it's Ms Rotterdam next month.....lots of bad remarks after her refit....but service supposedly is still top notch. Next up, either Nieuw Amsterdam or Nieuw Statendam in Jan 2019??.

Tom

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Ernie, I agree with you on Princess, but I have a soft spot with this cruise line even if I wasn't wowed by the Royal Princess. But now that I know Virgin won't be early 2020, I want to find something for that time period. I might consider either a New Zealand cruise, but then which line??? The other option would be to consider Viking Ocean cruises....which looks like my style.

Cruising to me was always feeling like a rich man, so special. But today's cruising leaves me less thrilled, so it is becoming more about itinerary and less about the ship. Ships too big, too many wallmart attitudes, lines, rudeness and over crowded outdoor decks. That is why I am not booking Seaside....I sailed Divina, and once was enough. Just my opinion, but as much as I have issues with NCL, I preferred it over MSC. I hope your experience on Seaside is wonderful.

In the meantime, it's Ms Rotterdam next month.....lots of bad remarks after her refit....but service supposedly is still top notch. Next up, either Nieuw Amsterdam or Nieuw Statendam in Jan 2019??.

Tom

 

 

I have high hopes for Seaside, and we are in the Yacht Club so crowding should not be an issue. I'm a big fan of multiple swimming pools and vast open decks, and this is exactly what Seaside offers plus a very wide promenade deck and a unique design. She will have the most open deck space of pretty much any large new build today, and it's uncluttered which is a huge plus in my book. It's hard for me to tolerate all the crap NCL puts on their upper decks. They are disjointed, crowded, and not enough pools for the passengers. You really have to pay extra (Vibe or Posh) to have a decent experience. That is unfortunate. With the way FDR is running NCL right now they are pretty much off my list for a while. I would rather give my $$ to other companies. I actually enjoyed MSC DIVINA. Food and service left a bit to be desired, but I thought the ship was fantastic and superior to a lot of what is offered from competitors. I actually won my cruise on DIVINA. It was completely free!

 

Hopefully you enjoy ROTTERDAM. I sailed on her from NY to Rotterdam then stayed onboard the hotel ship Rotterdam V, which was a huge treat since I sailed her more than once as a child. Overall though my experiences on HAL have been meh. Just no desire to return. It's also the least diverse passenger mix I've ever experienced. Just not my cup of tea. I do hope you enjoy ROTTERDAM though. They ruined the ship when they added that ridiculous Retreat and those aft cabins. Not sure what happened with the latest refit.

 

I'm with you on Viking Ocean. Very high on my list. I have a feeling it will be similar to my experiences on Oceania and Azamara but even better, because the ships are brand new and I love the minimalist Scandinavian design. Very much to my taste. Also no casino which suits me fine, and adult-only which I love. Hopefully I'll be sailing on one of their ships sooner rather than later!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...