What Happened??

[yarramar]

I have just read a couple of reviews for a September voyage on Valliant Lady. They were an absolute shocker! I am sure that more will come in but I wonder what went wrong?

https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=690715

https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=690701

[CruisingWalter]

It's hard to believe the ship would be that bad. Almost looks like the same person created two profiles to write essentially the same review. Have not heard anything remotely like that, though it does seem Scarlet scores consistently higher than Valiant for some reason.  But this person sounds like they were on the same cruise and their experience was wholly different. 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=690766

 

As with all reviews, you have to take them with a grain of salt and go back to see what else they have contributed to the community to get a sense of who they are and the type of information they share with the community. 

 

Edited September 17, 2022 by WheresWalter

[cantgetin]

My friend was on Valiant last week and posted multiple pictures of them having a great time.  I can't make sense out of these reviews beyond that they seem to be written by the same person.  There are reviews of the same cruise, including the one linked above, that do not sound anything like these two negatives.  I think that the individual who posted the negatives has some sort of grudge against VV.

[neverendingcruising]

We are on Valiant currently and have not yet seen any fruit clogging the pool or spilled drink wall art work. 😁

 

This is our 3rd sailing (first on Valiant) and there are certainly things that need work. We were not invited to the Sailing Club cocktail party (they made it up to us with a nice bottle of sparkling rose), our "free" shake for champagne had to be manually adjusted off our bill, and The Galley definitely needs a lot of work. 

 

I still think overall the experience is still great and we actually prefer the small spaces design of the ship and getting to explore. Tired of the DJ at the pool? Head to the very quiet and relaxing Dock. Want to play a card game? There are some lovely out of the way spots. 

 

Regarding internet on board, the connection seemed suddenly more responsive Thursday morning and a quick speed test showed Starlink as the ISP so it seems they have started using it in place of the traditional satellite connection. 

[cantgetin]

1 hour ago, neverendingcruising said:

 

 

Regarding internet on board, the connection seemed suddenly more responsive Thursday morning and a quick speed test showed Starlink as the ISP so it seems they have started using it in place of the traditional satellite connection. 

I certainly hope this is true on our upcoming cruise!

 

One review mentioned tax being applied.  In some Med ports, the ship is required to charge VAT on any purchases made while the ship is in port or in waters belonging to certain countries.  We've encountered this on other lines as well.  The shops are closed while in port, but various beverage outlets may be open.  The ship people will know exactly when they no longer are required to charge the VAT.  On another line, we received a letter telling us exactly when the tax would no longer need to be applied so we could plan any shopping accordingly.  They also supplied us with the necessary forms to get a partial refund at the airport when we left the EU....but the amount wasn't much and it was a pain to process even with the paperwork from the ship.

 

 

Edited September 17, 2022 by cantgetin

[_tacocat_]

12 hours ago, WheresWalter said:

though it does seem Scarlet scores consistently higher than Valiant for some reason. 

I think part of that is provisioning- they're HQed in FL, and they seem to have better relationships with purveyors there vs. Europe.  They definitely need to figure that out though because they're in Europe for the long haul!!

[_tacocat_]

7 hours ago, cantgetin said:

In some Med ports, the ship is required to charge VAT on any purchases made while the ship is in port or in waters belonging to certain countries.

I think that's in all ports - in the Caribbean, if you're in port or not yet in int'l waters, you pay tax.  Rule of thumb is that if the casino's closed, you're paying tax.

[godzukihop]

On 9/17/2022 at 7:19 AM, yarramar said:

I have just read a couple of reviews for a September voyage on Valliant Lady. They were an absolute shocker! I am sure that more will come in but I wonder what went wrong?

https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=690715

https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=690701

Agree with others that the same person wrote both reviews. Probably from another cruise line. I cruised Scarlet Lady in 5/22 and it was the best ship/cruise ever for me. 

[cheeseheads4ever]

Look at the name on each of the they both end in 12345. Coincidental?? 
Just a thought?