Deep Blue Extras extended thru April 30

[rebeccac]

2 hours ago, def0715 said:

Thanks. I was wondering what, for example, Diamond on Carnival or Diamond on MSC might match to on VV for those that have gotten the VV match. 

 

Go to the VV website.  Then "Why Virgin Voyages", then 'loyalty program", then scroll down until you get to the info on "match and sea more program".  Click on the link for "your current loyalty status" and it will show you a list of what VV matches to their program.  And basically, you either match into the program or you don't.  At the moment there aren't any levels to it.  

Edited March 28, 2023 by rebeccac

[def0715]

I uploaded my match information and submitted it last night. Will be curious to see if it means anything eventually. 🙂 Excited to try VV, though my booking is still a year out.

[cantgetin]

We can't rely on any dates they announce (everything seems to get changed), so I won't even try to guess what they might have in mind for unannounced things.

[curlstravel]

Deep blue just showed up on our account. Yay we are leaving Sun

[cantgetin]

We can't rely on any dates they announce (everything seems to get changed), so I won't even try to guess what they might have in mind for unannounced things.

My deep blue is not showing up yet, but my TA recommends chilling out for a few days.  If it isn't added by then, she will see that it happens.  She said it should be automatic, but....who knows?

 

Edited March 29, 2023 by cantgetin

[Chrish2]

I've set up alerts with a tool called https://www.followthatpage.com/ to monitor two pages on Virgin's site

• https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club and
• https://www.virginvoyages.com/promotional-terms-and-conditions

 

It seems as well as extended deep blue extras they have also:

1. Added a number of cruise lines they will match to the official list (Azamara, Disney, Holland America, Oceania, P&O, Windstar)
2. Deleted details about Red Hot Booking Months along with details how tokens work for bookings that had made during that period

 

It should also be noted the earnings tables for tokens had also been removed in an earlier update to the Saling Club page. It still has reference to earning tokens for $ spend. 

 

 

[def0715]

Are the Deep Blue Extras the same for everyone? I have read what’s at that first link but am still trying to figure it out. Thanks.

Edited March 29, 2023 by def0715

[cantgetin]

2 hours ago, Chrish2 said:

I've set up alerts with a tool called https://www.followthatpage.com/ to monitor two pages on Virgin's site

• https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club and
• https://www.virginvoyages.com/promotional-terms-and-conditions

 

It seems as well as extended deep blue extras they have also:

1. Added a number of cruise lines they will match to the official list (Azamara, Disney, Holland America, Oceania, P&O, Windstar)
2. Deleted details about Red Hot Booking Months along with details how tokens work for bookings that had made during that period

 

It should also be noted the earnings tables for tokens had also been removed in an earlier update to the Saling Club page. It still has reference to earning tokens for $ spend. 

 

 

 

30 minutes ago, def0715 said:

Are the Deep Blue Extras the same for everyone? I have read what’s at that first link but am still trying to figure it out. Thanks.

Disney has always been listed as a match for the Sea Rover status which  gives Deep Blue Extras, not an additional line.

Deep Blue Extras are the same for everyone who qualifies.  You either have them or you don't.  There are no tiers or levels to these perks.  The benefits listed are all "per cabin" rather than "per person except that each person in the cabin gets priority boarding and cocktail party.

[garycarla]

On 3/28/2023 at 8:05 AM, rebeccac said:

 

Go to the VV website.  Then "Why Virgin Voyages", then 'loyalty program", then scroll down until you get to the info on "match and sea more program".  Click on the link for "your current loyalty status" and it will show you a list of what VV matches to their program.  And basically, you either match into the program or you don't.  At the moment there aren't any levels to it.  

 

Or just click here > https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club

[def0715]

Thanks. Seems I matched, but now I need to book a cruise soon to take advantage of the perks. 

[cantgetin]

3 hours ago, def0715 said:

Thanks. Seems I matched, but now I need to book a cruise soon to take advantage of the perks. 

Correct....or cross your fingers and they might extend it beyond April 30.

[Wildcatllamas]

On 3/28/2023 at 7:02 AM, CruisingWalter said:

Folks on the West Coast of the U.S. have been asking about a ship. Folks have been asking about Asia itineraries. Sending one of the ships through the Panama Canal for a 2 month West Coast season that includes Hawaii trips would be awesome

I would so love them to sail out one of the West Coast ports. So much cheaper and easier for me to get to. The chatter I have been hearing is that Scarlet is due to go into dry dock in late 2024 and that she may "possibly" move to the West Coast. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[garycarla]

38 minutes ago, Wildcatllamas said:

I would so love them to sail out one of the West Coast ports. So much cheaper and easier for me to get to. The chatter I have been hearing is that Scarlet is due to go into dry dock in late 2024 and that she may "possibly" move to the West Coast. Keeping my fingers crossed.

There is a reason not many ships sail from the West Coast.  They MUST visit a foreign port on each cruise.  That means Mexico or Canada.

 

Apologize in advance if this is derailing this thread.

[cantgetin]

If West Coast cruises were popular, more ships would be based there.  With only 4 ships, VV will put them where they believe they can get the most bookings.  Many lines are currently discounting West Coast cruises as the sailing dates near.  

The problem is two-fold. The Mexican ports leave a bit to be desired and Canada is far away from the southern ports and not really ideal except in summer.

 

[def0715]

The match to Sea-Rover turned out to be an exercise in futility. When I called I was told people on casino promotions don’t qualify for the Deep Blue extras. If I buy a $300 bar tab I would get an extra $100 sort of regardless of whether I sail by April 30 or during my currently booked sail date in March 2024. Not sure if that’s a normal deal or some other promotion. I have a lot to learn about VV it seems!

[cantgetin]

16 minutes ago, def0715 said:

The match to Sea-Rover turned out to be an exercise in futility. When I called I was told people on casino promotions don’t qualify for the Deep Blue extras. If I buy a $300 bar tab I would get an extra $100 sort of regardless of whether I sail by April 30 or during my currently booked sail date in March 2024. Not sure if that’s a normal deal or some other promotion. I have a lot to learn about VV it seems!

Correct--the fine print on Deep Blue Extras is that it is only available to people booking on standard rates, which include rebooking on board or monthly specials.  Casino promotions are FAR cheaper than normal rates, so I can see why they won't give you any further benefits.

 

THe current alcohol bonus is $50, so if your casino rate includes $100, that's a good thing,

 

[def0715]

Thanks. Makes total sense. That just didn't occur to me. Doh!

[CruisingWalter]

4 hours ago, Wildcatllamas said:

I would so love them to sail out one of the West Coast ports. So much cheaper and easier for me to get to. The chatter I have been hearing is that Scarlet is due to go into dry dock in late 2024 and that she may "possibly" move to the West Coast. Keeping my fingers crossed.

She's definitely going into drydock in 2024 after the Winter season. Valiant Lady is going to stay in Miami and Scarlet is going back to the Med for her dry dock. 

[jon81uk]

11 hours ago, CruisingWalter said:

She's definitely going into drydock in 2024 after the Winter season. Valiant Lady is going to stay in Miami and Scarlet is going back to the Med for her dry dock. 

Scarlet Lady is doing the summer season with Barcelona as the home port. What happens in October 2024 we don’t yet know though. 

[TYCruise]

22 hours ago, Wildcatllamas said:

I would so love them to sail out one of the West Coast ports. So much cheaper and easier for me to get to. The chatter I have been hearing is that Scarlet is due to go into dry dock in late 2024 and that she may "possibly" move to the West Coast. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

I hope so too!  However after talking with some of the crew that I made friends with, they said that there are no plans to go to the west coast at this time.

20 hours ago, cantgetin said:

If West Coast cruises were popular, more ships would be based there.  With only 4 ships, VV will put them where they believe they can get the most bookings.  Many lines are currently discounting West Coast cruises as the sailing dates near.  

The problem is two-fold. The Mexican ports leave a bit to be desired and Canada is far away from the southern ports and not really ideal except in summer.

 

I don't know about LA, but here in San Diego, ships have been sailing at or above the capacity for all of this season.  My friend does security at the port and is briefed on the numbers two days before sailings. 

 

Virgin's "Vibe" is very SoCal.  I think they would do great.

[cantgetin]

3 minutes ago, TYCruise said:

 

I hope so too!  However after talking with some of the crew that I made friends with, they said that there are no plans to go to the west coast at this time.

I don't know about LA, but here in San Diego, ships have been sailing at or above the capacity for all of this season.  My friend does security at the port and is briefed on the numbers two days before sailings. 

 

Virgin's "Vibe" is very SoCal.  I think they would do great.

If they think they can make money and attract new clientele, I'm sure they'll put a ship there eventually.  At this point, we only have a schedule part way into 2024, leaving a lot of options open.

When I was finishing my cancer treatment, I was in LA and was dreaming of a cruise for "when this is all over,"  I did many searches out of LA and San Diego (I was being treated in LA) but nothing seemed to work.....and ended up on Virgin.  Good choice.

[YXU AC*SE]

How does DBE work for boarding?   We have a 14h30 slot, but should be to POM by 13h30 -- we're coming in from FLL via Brightline.  Should we look to lay-up somewhere for an hour, or ...     TIA   Scott. 

[greenenvy]

1 hour ago, YXU AC*SE said:

How does DBE work for boarding?   We have a 14h30 slot, but should be to POM by 13h30 -- we're coming in from FLL via Brightline.  Should we look to lay-up somewhere for an hour, or ...     TIA   Scott. 

For Deep Blue - show up around 1:30 regardless of what the time says in the app. Go to the VV sailing club banner and tell them your name. You should be on the sailing club list and can get in the first line to go in the terminal (besides Rockstars and behind Splash of romance). You should get boarding group 1. You will wait in the terminal upstairs for 20-30min and then group 1 will board the ship around 2. Truthfully if you arrive anytime after 2p you should be allowed to board immediately. 

[cantgetin]

1 hour ago, YXU AC*SE said:

How does DBE work for boarding?   We have a 14h30 slot, but should be to POM by 13h30 -- we're coming in from FLL via Brightline.  Should we look to lay-up somewhere for an hour, or ...     TIA   Scott. 

How it worked for us last time.....we had a 1:30 time slot, so showed up at 1:00 (the app says no more than 30 minutes before your assigned time).  At the entrance, they looked up our name ad directed us in and right to a check in desk.  At the check in desk, we got our DBE ribbon bracelet as well as the standard bracelet that lets you into rooms,, etc.  Then we went to a holding area with seating.  At a few minutes after 1:30, the woman supervising the area excused herself saying that she should have gotten an OK to board us by then, but needed to call her supervisor.  We could see that Rockstars were already boarding.  She came back in a couple minutes with the OK to board, so we moved to the boarding line.  At the ship entrance, a man said they needed to retake my security photo.  This took 15 seconds and we didn't even have to get out of the line.  We were in our cabin by 1:45.

Bottom line is that Deep Blue can board right after Rockstars.  If you arrive after boarding has started, you'll be able to board as soon as you have checked in.

And......we got our Deep Blue added today for our April cruise.

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by cantgetin

[Travel-and-See]

On 3/30/2023 at 7:28 PM, YXU AC*SE said:

How does DBE work for boarding?   We have a 14h30 slot, but should be to POM by 13h30 -- we're coming in from FLL via Brightline.  Should we look to lay-up somewhere for an hour, or ...     TIA   Scott. 

I take Brightline to the Cruises in Miami as well and so I just wanted to mention that Brightline has a very nice station / waiting area with a bar / snack bar and plenty of comfortable seating with charging ports. It's a great place to hang out while waiting to head to the cruise terminal. 

 

On my past Virgin voyages I didn't have DBE (although my next cruise should have it!) - so I just waited for my later boarding time at 3:00 / 3:30.  I gotta say... waiting until 3:00 is nice - no crowds and no lines. Just stroll right in!  But I'll look forward to the early boarding on my next VV. 🙂