$600 in Free Drinks new promo. No indication in booking process?

[WIBadgerFan]

Wow, this is huge!  As their marketing materials state, they have indeed listened to customer feedback regarding the lack of a drink package.  Having sailed with them in May, it was not a huge deal to me but it was annoying since I don't sail without the deluxe drink package on other lines.  Maybe they will add music that isn't techno... oh wait, that is a different feedback subject.  🙂 

 

Has anyone been able to see any reference to the amount of credit in your booking information on their site?  I see the information on the link below, but when checking out, nothing about that credit is displayed.  How do we know it is applied to our sailing?  By comparison, I cannot imagine their competitors missing an opportunity to remind you on every single click that you are getting this new discount.

 

https://www.virginvoyages.com/l/cruise-discounts-2023

[FFMilesJunkie]

1 hour ago, WIBadgerFan said:

Wow, this is huge!  As their marketing materials state, they have indeed listened to customer feedback regarding the lack of a drink package.  Having sailed with them in May, it was not a huge deal to me but it was annoying since I don't sail without the deluxe drink package on other lines.  Maybe they will add music that isn't techno... oh wait, that is a different feedback subject.  🙂 

 

Has anyone been able to see any reference to the amount of credit in your booking information on their site?  I see the information on the link below, but when checking out, nothing about that credit is displayed.  How do we know it is applied to our sailing?  By comparison, I cannot imagine their competitors missing an opportunity to remind you on every single click that you are getting this new discount.

 

https://www.virginvoyages.com/l/cruise-discounts-2023

 

This is for new bookings only.  $300 Bar Tab for sailings 6 nights and less and $600 for sailings 7 nights and longer.  If you have an existing booking and you haven't made final payment, you can try to get it repriced to include the new promo, but I have to warn you that Virgin has raised the prices for most sailings to make up for this give away.  

 

It's a smart move and I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a permanent thing. It takes some of the anxiety away from those who don't like to sail without a drink package.  You start out with $300 or $600 and you can always purchase more ahead of time or pay as you go if you run over the budget. 

[cantgetin]

I repriced my booking today.  If I were to cancel and rebook in order to get the new promotion, it would cost me more than the price of the drink package!  In fairness, I thought I got a very good deal when I booked.

 

It is a better deal for me to keep what I have and consider paying for adding a drink package, either now ($50 bonus) or wait for a higher bonus.  

 

I'm not saying this would be the result for everyone, but my "first mate" (travel agent" did warn me several days ago that most people were seeing price increases of anywhere from $100 to more than the cost of purchasing the drink packages.  

[bearsbacker]

Also checked my sailing for June $500 more. So I’m just gonna keep my booking as I’ve paid in full. 

[WIBadgerFan]

Interesting that they increased the base price.  Good to know, thank you.  I was able to get $100 match on $200 bar tab when I sailed with them on a 4-day in May.  It seems to be a moving target.

I am looking at a new booking, which is why I was surprised at the lack of confirmation of this change when trying to book on their site.

[Wildcatllamas]

I booked into the promo since I had gotten a a "Lasting Glow Holiday Edition" certificate. When I sailed on Virgin a year ago the promo on board wasn't that good, $300 down and no onboard credit or discount. It was something like $50 added to Bar Tab.

 

So, since I had this certificate it made it feasible to book. I will be on the December 3, 5 night Scarlet Lady. My yearly escape from the casino I work at before the really holiday chaos hits.

[purpleally]

I started to go thru a booking but it never indicated the $300 in drinks, so I stopped

[cantgetin]

1 hour ago, purpleally said:

I started to go thru a booking but it never indicated the $300 in drinks, so I stopped

If you book thru an agent, they will be able to see all the discounts and perks associated with your booking.

[misguy]

20 hours ago, purpleally said:

I started to go thru a booking but it never indicated the $300 in drinks, so I stopped

It won't indicate anything till you are booked, but it will be automatically applied.  Also, if you have friends that might like to sail, you can send them a referral code and you both get $50 if they book.