Cruise Critic Awards

[jon81uk]

Virgin Voyages has just won every category except first-time where they came second. Best overall cruise line, best value, best cabins and best dining according the CC readers. 
 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/7328/

Edited March 28, 2023 by jon81uk

[cantgetin]

I'm surprised to see VV categorized as "large ships."  Most sources consider them as medium.  They have a good product. and I guess most CC readers/voters agree.

[Tyler414]

Seems weird that CC readers voted this way based on the way I see the CC boards.  For example, on the Celebrity boards it seem VERY busy with non stop comments about EVERYTHING, all with the great, good, bad, ugly, Karen's, ext....   I set up a Roll call for a upcoming VV cruise I'm going to be on and I'm the only one on it. lol

[cantgetin]

Roll calls on CC are not very popular.  They are much more active on other social media platforms

[rebeccac]

The roll calls here used to be pretty active, but that started to diminish around ten years ago and now most have very little activity.  I miss them being more active as I am not on any other social media platform. 

[karmamule]

20 hours ago, Tyler414 said:

Seems weird that CC readers voted this way based on the way I see the CC boards.  For example, on the Celebrity boards it seem VERY busy with non stop comments about EVERYTHING, all with the great, good, bad, ugly, Karen's, ext....   I set up a Roll call for a upcoming VV cruise I'm going to be on and I'm the only one on it. lol

 

We just finished our first Celebrity cruise in January and I was on the Celebrity board constantly. Yes it's more active because they have so many more ships and cruises, but there's LOTS of complaining going on there about the decline in food quality, buffet dinner options, service, etc. 

[CineGraphic]

2 hours ago, rebeccac said:

The roll calls here used to be pretty active, but that started to diminish around ten years ago and now most have very little activity.  I miss them being more active as I am not on any other social media platform. 

 

The Roll Calls are other lines are still pretty active, but I think the average Virgin cruiser doesn't even know CC exists.

[rebeccac]

I have found most of the roll calls to be far less active than they used to be.  True, some lines have more activity than others, but it is nothing like it was in the past.  

[CruisingWalter]

On 3/28/2023 at 1:10 PM, Tyler414 said:

Seems weird that CC readers voted this way based on the way I see the CC boards.  For example, on the Celebrity boards it seem VERY busy with non stop comments about EVERYTHING, all with the great, good, bad, ugly, Karen's, ext....   I set up a Roll call for a upcoming VV cruise I'm going to be on and I'm the only one on it. lol

 

Roll calls used to be really popular on CC before the pandemic. Now too many folks set them up on Facebook and other platforms. I ignore them all honestly because the system here is in one place and better quite honestly. 

[CroozFanatic]

Given enough money, I could build a cruise line that would win every award.

 

But, I couldn't build a cruise line that wins every award and is profitable.

 

See Crystal Cruises for similarities. Good luck VV, hope your fate is different then that of Virgin Orbit.

[Cayman1]

One word... rigged!

 

[cantgetin]

26 minutes ago, Cayman1 said:

One word... rigged!

 

Essentially every magazine or website award I've seen is rigged, whether supposedly based on the voting of their readers or whatever.  I've seen cruise lines send emails to their customers with a link for the voting site (I didn't get one from VV).  They are popularity contests based on the voters at best....and involve an exchange of money at worst.

[Tyler414]

The Motor Trend car and or truck of the year goes to the highest bidder. 

[Cayman1]

22 minutes ago, Tyler414 said:

The Motor Trend car and or truck of the year goes to the highest bidder. 

Exactly. CC has essentially sold themselves.

 

I haven't seen anyone elated with VV, and most are negative on them. There are also several people on YouTube that are getting free, or discounted cruises lately to help promote them. If you watch the videos, there are barely any people on their ships. And they have 2 more ships coming out this year? Yikes!

 

[jon81uk]

20 minutes ago, Cayman1 said:

Exactly. CC has essentially sold themselves.

 

I haven't seen anyone elated with VV, and most are negative on them. There are also several people on YouTube that are getting free, or discounted cruises lately to help promote them. If you watch the videos, there are barely any people on their ships. And they have 2 more ships coming out this year? Yikes!

 

there are plenty of good reviews on here as well as some where it is obvious that Virgin Voyages product isn’t for them, but that’s fine other cruise lines offer other styles of cruise.

 There are always vloggers getting things for free, that’s not unique to VV.

 

For me, I’d never done a cruise before I went on VV summer 2021 and I’ve done three more since with two more booked. Six cruises with the same line in three years for me so they are doing things right for me. Great hotel style service, no constant announcements, no tips, great food and a fun inclusive atmosphere, without it feeling like they are trying to get even more money out of us. 

[cantgetin]

13 minutes ago, Cayman1 said:

Exactly. CC has essentially sold themselves.

 

I haven't seen anyone elated with VV, and most are negative on them. There are also several people on YouTube that are getting free, or discounted cruises lately to help promote them. If you watch the videos, there are barely any people on their ships. And they have 2 more ships coming out this year? Yikes!

 

Sorry, but I have to disagree.  We did our first VV sailing about 6 months ago.  Prior to that we had cone 45+ cruises on at least 5 other lines.  VV is our "new favorite."  We got off the ship with 3 more booked.  Yes, VV has a hard time launching the line due to covid issues, not really knowing who their passengers would be, etc.  Their marketing is no longer geared to "20 year olds sailing on Daddy's money"; their average cruise age is 47 with a range of 18-90s.  I think that surprised them!  Our first cruise was approximately 50% booked.  Our upcoming cruise has been taken down from the website, along with at least 4 other dates because VV has deemed them to be "sold out."  We know that doesn't mean the max number of passengers are on board as some double rooms have only one passenger.  

 

Things I like about VV--best food on any line I've cruised at no additional charge (NO specialty restaurants).  Wifi, brewed coffee and tea, soda, juices from concentrate , all gratuities, etc. included in cruise fare.  The happiest, friendliest crew I've encountered, even better than DCL.  NO kids.  The hammock.  The fact that I can find a seat by the pool even on a "full" cruise.  Again, NO KIDS.  No water slides, climbing walls, race cars, childcare programs, etc. which inflate my cruise fare even though I don't use them.  Oh, I checked costs for the closest cruises I could find to my next VV on NCL, Celebrity, Princess, and DCL.  The lowest price was double what I'm paying on VV for 2 of us in a balcony.

Most of their cruises are now at 75% occupancy or above.  They do offer casino rates, but they are no longer hading out free cruises to travel writers, TAs, etc. other than their program where if an individual TA does their training program, they get a discounted cruise in order to experience the product. If they don't do the training, they can't sell VV.  This is different than other lines in that it isn't if someone in their agency trains.  It is that the individual selling it has to have trained (or at least have an internal way to hide the booking under a different name/number.

 

What I don't really like--the entertainment.  in fairness, on my next cruise, only 2 of the shows from my previous cruise will  be repeats, and one was the best show.  I've been on cruises where the entertainment hasn't changed in 10 years!  That tells me that either VV is "working on it," or they are premiering things that will be moving to the new ships.  

Have you sailed on VV or are you just repeating comments you might have heard or seen?

[Back to school]

4 hours ago, Cayman1 said:

Exactly. CC has essentially sold themselves.

 

I haven't seen anyone elated with VV, and most are negative on them. There are also several people on YouTube that are getting free, or discounted cruises lately to help promote them. If you watch the videos, there are barely any people on their ships. And they have 2 more ships coming out this year? Yikes!

 

Sore losers?  

[nimbex1970]

On 4/6/2023 at 2:23 PM, Cayman1 said:

Exactly. CC has essentially sold themselves.

 

I haven't seen anyone elated with VV, and most are negative on them. There are also several people on YouTube that are getting free, or discounted cruises lately to help promote them. If you watch the videos, there are barely any people on their ships. And they have 2 more ships coming out this year? Yikes!

 

I don't see this at all.  When you look at the reviews here, VV scores tremendously high, except for the family question, which is skewed, as this isn't a family line.  I have watched endless youtube videos of regular folks sailing with VV who give honest reviews.  I really question that you have sailed with them, and wonder what's up with your reply.

[leisuretraveler223]

"cruise critic awards".  Now there's a prestigious title!  No chance those are manipulated by marketing factors by cruise critic.  Remember, CC is at it's core, simply a travel agency.  Sure, there's lots of distracting bells and whistles, but it's all about sales.  And these "awards" are pretty much a meaningless marketing item.