Two Mellow Boomers - Is VV right for us?

[Goobaroo]

Very intrigued by VV style, no kids, the included items, and dining variety included. 
Almost seems too good to be true!  😉

We are both in early 60’s, have only cruised 3 times (Carnival and Princess). We are social but not nightlife party folks. Open minded as long as others are respectful.  And we hold our own with younger coworkers. 
But we aren’t gym rats. 

 

We’d be on Scarlet Lady or Valiant Lady cruises. 

 

Questions:

1- Dinner Dining: If not pre-assigned time/table, how is this managed?

Wait times for restaurants?

2- Is the atmosphere “Party Cruise”?  Hubby doesn’t drink so having party scene in his space/face all over the ship might not be fun. 
3- Pool Areas:  Looking at the ships floor plans, it seems like the available pools and outdoor areas on the upper decks aren't adequate for 2700 guests?  Am I misinterpreting what I see?  Hubby loves a good hot tub soak. As long as he doesn’t have to sit on another’s lap.

 

4- Feedback

In summary, we’d like to try something new with cruising. But we don’t want to find ourselves in an environment that feels uncomfortable for all involved. 
 

Thank you!

Edited February 18, 2023 by Goobaroo

[Lustate]

3 hours ago, Goobaroo said:

 

Questions:

1- Dinner Dining: If not pre-assigned time/table, how is this managed?

Wait times for restaurants?

2- Is the atmosphere “Party Cruise”?  Hubby doesn’t drink so having party scene in his space/face all over the ship might not be fun. 
3- Pool Areas:  Looking at the ships floor plans, it seems like the available pools and outdoor areas on the upper decks aren't adequate for 2700 guests?  Am I misinterpreting what I see?  Hubby loves a good hot tub soak. As long as he doesn’t have to sit on another’s lap.

 

4- Feedback

In summary, we’d like to try something new with cruising. But we don’t want to find ourselves in an environment that feels uncomfortable for all involved.

 

1) Just like on land, you pick in the app where you want to eat, what time and make a booking. If your not keen on the tech, you can call them from 45 days out. If you want a walk up, you can do that and most voyages have availability for two people after a ten minute wait. 
 

2) it’s more of a posh hotel feel. Some people drink, some don’t. You can go and have a dance in the night club, or sit in the bar and just listen to one of the many live bands on an evening. 
 

3) they have four smaller hot tubs and one larger one on the ship, plus the ones for the suites in Richard roof top. Depending on time etc, you can get one but it won’t ever be to yourselves. The ships are more of a mega yacht feel that a mass line of many hot tubs from a production line. 
 

feedback - we have been on four voyages with virgin and on every one had people aged from 20’s to 80’s. Some people who have cruised a lot find the whole thing alien, as your not spoon fed what’s happening through announcements all the the time, and you don’t  have to eat when the cruise line says at specific table and at a specific menu. 
 

any other questions (no matter how silly) just ask away.

[raphael360]

4 hours ago, Goobaroo said:

In summary, we’d like to try something new with cruising. But we don’t want to find ourselves in an environment that feels uncomfortable for all involved. 

I'm a long-time cruiser on over 11 cruise lines and after spending most of the last 10 years (250 days) on the 6-star Seabourn line I'm finding Virgin to be a refreshing change to the standard cruise product most other lines are offering.

 

Virgin lets 'you be you' and as Lustate stated, it's more like being at a high-end resort where you can be yourself.  You can wear shorts everywhere the entire cruise, jeans or a tux if you want.  The food is varied and excellent and Virgin offers vegan to carnivore options in most of its dining venues. 

 

As a non-drinker and non-partier, I can find quiet venues to relax and enjoy.  

 

Hope this helps.

[Wildcatllamas]

10 hours ago, Goobaroo said:

 

 

4- Feedback

In summary, we’d like to try something new with cruising. But we don’t want to find ourselves in an environment that feels uncomfortable for all involved. 
 

Thank you!

I think everyone had hit it right on for cruising on Virgin. I'm on the upper end of 60 and fell in love with Virgin. I have another Virgin cruise booked in December. Would go earlier but I have my final cruise on Princess in April and my milestone birthday in Hawaii in May. Since I work in a casino June through September are out for vacations and I don't book cruises in the Caribbean until December. Otherwise I would be cruising with them at least 3 times this year.

 

I sure wish they would cruise out of the West coast because it is so much easier to get to for me. I would probably be on Virgin at least 4 times a year if they were doing the West coast.

[Freelancer3]

My wife and I are avid cruisers. We are in our 60's. We are now huge fans of Virgin Voyages having completed 7 VV cruises so far. We dont party, but really enjoy the attitude of the staff, and the friendliness of passengers. There isn't an expectation of dress, but it just feels "comfortable" on board. Some have mentioned the larger size "yacht" feel- which I agree with. 

 

I think is some of the very best food we have ever found on a cruise ship. It's well thought out and prepared. Personally, I am looking forward to a bit more variety in the Galley, but I have to believe it will come.

 

[CineGraphic]

We are in our 60s, and ex-Princess loyalists.

We had such an amazing time on Virgin, we cancelled all of our Princess bookings while still on our cruise.

Yes, there's a party scene, but only for those who want to partake. Nobody is judging you.

Everyone can enjoy themselves on board no matter what you may or may not be interested in.

It's the greatest vibe we've felt on any ship. The crew is so welcoming.

You'll regret not giving them a try.

[Cloud9 Bob]

It's not a party ship, but you can do as much or as little as you like. Nothing forced...nothing judged. Just good food and a really nice atmosphere. The crew is happy and you will be too!

[cantgetin]

Mid 60s, 45 cruises--Princess, Celebrity, Disney, Premier, and I'm missing one.  We liked VV so much that we booked 3 more while on board.

Dinner--reservations on the app or by calling VV starting 45 days before your cruise.  We booked in advance but found it very easy to change reservations while on board.  You can also do walk ups, which we did.  Our longest walk up wait was 10 minutes.  There are 6 main restaurants, each with a different theme and type of food.  We were surprised at what ended up being our favorites.  Best food on any line, and each restaurant would be "specialty dining" on any other cruise line.  

Party as much or as little as you want.  The atmosphere is VERY different from Carnival.  There are no drink packages; rather there is what they call a "bar tab."  You can pay $300 before your cruise and depending on the current special, they add a little sweetener.  The current booking deal is a FREE bar tab of $300 or $600 based on length of cruise.  The deal is that you can share your tab with anyone and adjust it so that everyone in your cabin can use it (not just the person it is assigned to).  If you have funds left on the last night, buy a round for your new best friends or buy a bottle of wine to take home.  Bar tab is good on smoothies, specialty coffee, cold pressed juices, and alcohol.  Unless you choose to go to the late night party scene, VV is WAY calmer than Carnival with no ugly drunks running around.

 

There are several hot tubs and 2 pools.  The pools are not big enough, but if you stop at Bimini there are 2 huge pools at  the Beach Club.  The hot tubs were not full, although they often had a couple of people enjoying them.  

What we liked about VV....the price was right.  Loved the "mostly inclusive" idea (much better than Princess Plus or NCL Free at Sea).  Best food of any line we've cruised.  Friendliest crew. No kids trashing the drink stations, screaming in halls at night,  or stealing from host carts.  Shows vary....some are definitely adult oriented while others could be on Disney.  There is a lot more innuendo than anything real.  Guest behavior on the ship was friendly, I've seen more PDA on Disney.  I didn't see anything that bothered me in any public area, and I'm pretty conservative.  If dyed hair, piercings, or tats bother you, choose another line.  Our first cruise had 1400 passengers (sailors), so nothing had a wait or was crowded.  I think the most booked sailing so far has been about 2200.  

Negatives (all minor) some of the food hours were weird. THere is always something open, but not always what you might want.  Wifi in the middle of the Atlantic was not good.  Some "similar interest" activities were scheduled on top of each other.  For instance, "mind benders" and "book club" were both sort of intellectual  activities, and both were always scheduled at 10 am.  Any liquid we got from Sailor Eats (water for tea, broth for soup) was served in a thermos that had been used for coffee.  I'm not a coffee drinker, and the smell and taste seeped into the liquid, making it not able to be used.  The soup got tossed, the tea I saved for the morning and got water from THe Grounds Club.  As I said, all minor.

 

Best recommendation--we booked 3 more on board during the first one. I only planned to add 2 till my cruise partner found another and asked if we could add that.

 

Hints--current bar tab deal for booking is a good thing.  No one knows what the special will be in March, but the current one ends 2/28.  Book with a TA (wish we could name good ones here, but can't.)  They will often sweeten the deal with a little "loot" (obc).  If they have hosted a Zoom meeting with VV within the previous 10 days, there is a bonus from VV for bookings during that short period.

[Goobaroo]

Wow!  Thanks everyone for your feedback, enthusiasm and vote of confidence!

We are going to do it!  😎

[Goobaroo]

18 hours ago, cantgetin said:

I didn't see anything that bothered me in any public area, and I'm pretty conservative.  If dyed hair, piercings, or tats bother you, choose another line.

Heh heh!

We lived 14 years in SF Bay Area, then moved to Oregon.

Got over hair, tats and piercings years ago!

But I do appreciate your feedback!  😎

[_tacocat_]

On 2/18/2023 at 7:24 PM, cantgetin said:

Some "similar interest" activities were scheduled on top of each other.  For instance, "mind benders" and "book club" were both sort of intellectual  activities, and both were always scheduled at 10 am.

i think they do this to avoid overcrowding of any one thing (or the pool deck) during the day on sea days.  i would love to do everything they offer, but everything always conflicts haha.

[cantgetin]

3 hours ago, _tacocat_ said:

i think they do this to avoid overcrowding of any one thing (or the pool deck) during the day on sea days.  i would love to do everything they offer, but everything always conflicts haha.

Yeah, but I could see other sorts of activities overlapping rather than those that might attract the same people.  For example, it is less of an issue that the intellectual ones and the exercise ones overlap.  We had 1400 on our cruise, and the only times I saw the pool deck crowded were sail away and Scarlet Night.  Actually I was surprised at how empty it was. Weather was great.

[CruisingWalter]

On 2/18/2023 at 1:48 AM, Goobaroo said:

Questions:

1- Dinner Dining: If not pre-assigned time/table, how is this managed?

Wait times for restaurants?

2- Is the atmosphere “Party Cruise”?  Hubby doesn’t drink so having party scene in his space/face all over the ship might not be fun. 
3- Pool Areas:  Looking at the ships floor plans, it seems like the available pools and outdoor areas on the upper decks aren't adequate for 2700 guests?  Am I misinterpreting what I see?  Hubby loves a good hot tub soak. As long as he doesn’t have to sit on another’s lap.

 

4- Feedback

In summary, we’d like to try something new with cruising. But we don’t want to find ourselves in an environment that feels uncomfortable for all involved. 
 

Thank you!

 

1- Dinner Dining: If not pre-assigned time/table, how is this managed?

Wait times for restaurants?

 

Exactly the same as any restaurant. You have a reservation, you're seated and well cared for by the servers. We had no wait with our reservations for any of the dinners.

 

2- Is the atmosphere “Party Cruise”?  Hubby doesn’t drink so having party scene in his space/face all over the ship might not be fun. 

 

Only if you want it to be. The Manor is your party spot every night and the DJ will do sets at the main pool each day, but otherwise, the ship is quite chill. I compare it to Celebrity honestly, very casual lux vibe. Scarlet Night is an insanely awesome party but that's just one night and even on that night, you can find plenty of quiet spaces around the ship.

 

3- Pool Areas:  Looking at the ships floor plans, it seems like the available pools and outdoor areas on the upper decks aren't adequate for 2700 guests?  Am I misinterpreting what I see?  Hubby loves a good hot tub soak. As long as he doesn’t have to sit on another’s lap.

 

They are VERY small lounge pools and that's it. Honestly for us they are the worst part of the entire ship, along with the net in the back. But if you want 'pool time' go out early in the morning, later in the afternoon / early evening or on a port day. Every other cruise has better pools, especially Celebrity and Princess, but even with the weak pools, we're still booked on VV cruises 2 and 3 this year because the cruise line is so good. 

 

4- Feedback

In summary, we’d like to try something new with cruising. But we don’t want to find ourselves in an environment that feels uncomfortable for all involved. 

 

If you enjoy cruising, you enjoy good food and good cocktails, this is the cruise line for you. It truly is 'come as you are' and as long as you're ok with that, you'll have a great time. Nobody has the food quality of VV, even some of the specialty restaurants on other cruise lines can't touch what's included on VV. They are very unique ships that all about catering to you and your needs, not trying to be something you're not. We've been on 8 cruise lines and at the moment, VV is our fave. We're back on Scarlet in April and Valiant in November. 🙂

 

I have a 14 part Scarlet Lady vlog and I honestly thought we were going to be 'one and done' before we sailed. So some of our episodes may help you with insight.

Our Food Tour: https://youtu.be/pBolzKvXjMU

My overall Review: https://youtu.be/-R0imB73ajg

And our Cheeky Corner Suite: https://youtu.be/Dy04dQH5abI