Sea Rover Sailing Club is over (almost)

[raphael360]

I just got off the phone with VV sailor services who confirmed the only perk left for Sea Rovers, after April 30th, is the $100 bonus bar tab with a $300 bar tab purchase.  Also some mention of getting tokens for onboard spending towards future cruises.

 

 It is what it is. It was a good program to reward frequent sailors and one of the main reasons I booked cruises 2-6.

 

"We have taken a deeper dive into your booking and we do sea you are sailing on May 3,2023 is not eligible for our Sailing Club, as you must sail by April 30,2023. "

[cantgetin]

The token thing was happening in October 2022 and I used it for a booking. But then VV repriced the cruises and gave better loot/bar tab.  I had to give up my $200 from "tokens," but I got $374 off the fare and added $600 in free bar tab (in addition to the $600 loot that carried over).  Let's think....$200 in loot vs. $374 in cash....seemed like a no brainer to me.

[sid_9169]

On the website it claims that I'm a Sea Blazer (sailed the very first cruise out of Miami) and I also status matched for Sea Rover status, but it's still only offering me $50 on the Bar Tab... 

[jon81uk]

6 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

On the website it claims that I'm a Sea Blazer (sailed the very first cruise out of Miami) and I also status matched for Sea Rover status, but it's still only offering me $50 on the Bar Tab... 

once you actually purchase the bar tab you will get the correct bonus, the text on the website isn’t specific.

[jon81uk]

2 hours ago, raphael360 said:

I just got off the phone with VV sailor services who confirmed the only perk left for Sea Rovers, after April 30th, is the $100 bonus bar tab with a $300 bar tab purchase.  Also some mention of getting tokens for onboard spending towards future cruises.

 

 It is what it is. It was a good program to reward frequent sailors and one of the main reasons I booked cruises 2-6.

 

"We have taken a deeper dive into your booking and we do sea you are sailing on May 3,2023 is not eligible for our Sailing Club, as you must sail by April 30,2023. "

that doesn’t sound like over, just that your May 3rd cruise doesn’t qualify for the current extras. I don’t think front like Sailor Services know what’s happening in May yet. 

[raphael360]

13 minutes ago, jon81uk said:

that doesn’t sound like over

Hoping your right 😎

[chefchick]

Regarding the status match….they claim they will match (or better) the other line’s perks, but if they get rid of the deep blue extras, I don’t see that happening.

[cantgetin]

2 hours ago, chefchick said:

Regarding the status match….they claim they will match (or better) the other line’s perks, but if they get rid of the deep blue extras, I don’t see that happening.

But the status match is scheduled to end April 30 and be replaced by VV's loyalty program.  I do't expect that my top level loyalty on another line will equal 29 nights on Virgin.

[sid_9169]

I'm sailing in a couple of weeks for the fourth time with VV, and I called yesterday to try and clarify a couple of things. On my website badge it says I'm a Sea Blazer. I also sailed twice last year, which also makes me a Sea Rover, but that badge doesn't show on the website. 

 

In addition to that, I also did the status match last year, and was approved. My question for them was regarding the status match, and the customer service agent said that ends on April 30th. BUT, then she went on to say that I will be enjoying the Match and Sea More Deep Blue Extras on my sailing, even though it doesn't show up anywhere on the website OR the app... She said that I'll "just have to trust" that it'll be there. Apparently, this includes expedited boarding, another $100 in free Bar Tab, an exclusive cocktail party, free laundry, and a $10 per day credit for coffee... 

 

Of course, I'll believe it when I see it, and I asked the rep to send me an email stating these benefits. When I received the email, it was just a basic over view of the program, and doesn't indicate that I'll actually be receiving anything. I guess that I'll find out a a few weeks...

[raphael360]

10 hours ago, chefchick said:

but if they get rid of the deep blue extras, I don’t see that happening.

According to VV sailor services: Sea Rovers are getting nothing on my upcoming May 4th cruise.  No DBE, no priority boarding, no premium wifi.  Nothing. (I know, I know, there is still a bonus $100 bar tab when purchasing a $300 bar tab for Sea Rovers but this is not much of a perk for a non-drinking solo passenger).

 

Sea Rover perks were a wonderful surprise when I arrived at my first VV cruise in January. 'Good job Virgin!' And Sea Rover perks were absolutely the primary deciding factor for booking cruises 2 - 6.  (The WPT poker room was another factor.)

 

With that said, can I live without DBE and/or any other Sea Rover status perk? Of course I can.  Can I live without taking any more VV cruises in 2023?  You bet ya.  The food is so-so and the only good show, IMHO, is Duel Reality which I've seen 7 times.

[raphael360]

2 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

Apparently, this includes expedited boarding, another $100 in free Bar Tab, an exclusive cocktail party, free laundry, and a $10 per day credit for coffee... 

I've been told, by a supervisor at VV sailor services, DBE (including the above items you mentioned) will NOT be offered starting May 1st.  I will be shocked and pleasantly surprised to get them when I board Scarlett next Wed.

 

FYI, the badges on the website do not accurately represent one's Sea Rover status.

[jon81uk]

16 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

I'm sailing in a couple of weeks for the fourth time with VV, and I called yesterday to try and clarify a couple of things. On my website badge it says I'm a Sea Blazer. I also sailed twice last year, which also makes me a Sea Rover, but that badge doesn't show on the website. 

 

In addition to that, I also did the status match last year, and was approved. My question for them was regarding the status match, and the customer service agent said that ends on April 30th. BUT, then she went on to say that I will be enjoying the Match and Sea More Deep Blue Extras on my sailing, even though it doesn't show up anywhere on the website OR the app... She said that I'll "just have to trust" that it'll be there. Apparently, this includes expedited boarding, another $100 in free Bar Tab, an exclusive cocktail party, free laundry, and a $10 per day credit for coffee... 

 

Of course, I'll believe it when I see it, and I asked the rep to send me an email stating these benefits. When I received the email, it was just a basic over view of the program, and doesn't indicate that I'll actually be receiving anything. I guess that I'll find out a a few weeks...

are you sure you have Sea-Blazer, the badge is in colour of you have it, you need to have done a cruise with them in 2021 to get it. There is currently no other badges. 
 

if you are sailing before the 30 April you should see the Deep Blue Extras I. Your add-ons.

[sid_9169]

45 minutes ago, jon81uk said:

are you sure you have Sea-Blazer, the badge is in colour of you have it, you need to have done a cruise with them in 2021 to get it. There is currently no other badges. 
 

if you are sailing before the 30 April you should see the Deep Blue Extras I. Your add-ons.

 

54 minutes ago, raphael360 said:

I've been told, by a supervisor at VV sailor services, DBE (including the above items you mentioned) will NOT be offered starting May 1st.  I will be shocked and pleasantly surprised to get them when I board Scarlett next Wed.

 

FYI, the badges on the website do not accurately represent one's Sea Rover status.

Like I said, I'll believe it when I see it... Like everything else I've ever experienced with VV, their customer service mostly gives out erroneous information. I was on THE very first cruise from Miami on October 6 2021, and also sailed twice last year, which also makes me a Sea Rover. 

 

I just wish they'd be consistent with SOMETHING, rather than just making it up as they go. I don't expect to receive any of these benefits, but it'd be nice if I did... I wish they'd quit jerking me around and quit moving the goal posts...

[jon81uk]

5 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

 

Like I said, I'll believe it when I see it... Like everything else I've ever experienced with VV, their customer service mostly gives out erroneous information. I was on THE very first cruise from Miami on October 6 2021, and also sailed twice last year, which also makes me a Sea Rover. 

 

I just wish they'd be consistent with SOMETHING, rather than just making it up as they go. I don't expect to receive any of these benefits, but it'd be nice if I did... I wish they'd quit jerking me around and quit moving the goal posts...

You can’t be Sea-Blazer and Sea-Rover as the Sea-Blazer benefit is better. We’ve got $125 bonus bar tab for life as Sea-Blazer, Sea-Rover only gets the bonus for two years. 
 

when the new loyalty program comes in sometime this year it will be based on amount spent so if you have done a lot of sailings you should get better benefits once the full Sailing Club launches.

[CineGraphic]

1 hour ago, jon81uk said:

You can’t be Sea-Blazer and Sea-Rover as the Sea-Blazer benefit is better.

 

He's a Sea Blazer.

[LibratPDX]

I think they are still working on their rewards package and that there will be benefits for Blazers and Rovers, but it clearly remains to be seen.  They may again extend the benefits expiration date.  However, I was told that if you got a killer deal (free cruise or deeply discounted) that the benefits would not apply.  The website DOES say that the bar tab bonus for both extends through 2024 at least.

Edited April 28, 2023 by LibratPDX

[CineGraphic]

I'm grateful for whatever we get.

[cantgetin]

True that if you got a casino rate or free cruise, the benefits do not apply.  If you are a Sea Blazer, you get the Sea Rover benefits except on the bar tab---there you get the higher Sea Blazer deal. Botton line, anything we get is so much to the good.  

[raphael360]

4 minutes ago, cantgetin said:

if you got a casino rate or free cruise

Does anyone know how to get a free or discounted casino rate??

[raphael360]

1 hour ago, jon81uk said:

if you have done a lot of sailings you should get better benefits

I've done 6 cruises this year so hoping for the best....

[CineGraphic]

8 minutes ago, raphael360 said:

Does anyone know how to get a free or discounted casino rate??

 

Talk to a casino host while you're on board.

[cantgetin]

20 minutes ago, raphael360 said:

Does anyone know how to get a free or discounted casino rate??

Lose a bunch of money in the casino.  6-9 months ago, VV wrote that the new loyalty program would be based on what people had spent on cruise fares as well as what they spent while on board...but no one has a clue what they've done since then.

[_tacocat_]

4 hours ago, raphael360 said:

I've been told, by a supervisor at VV sailor services, DBE (including the above items you mentioned) will NOT be offered starting May 1st.  I will be shocked and pleasantly surprised to get them when I board Scarlett next Wed.

fwiw, someone in a VV FB group that i'm in posted a screenshot of their DBE status matching email that they just did.  the end date for the program in that email was 12/31/23.

 

not sure if they just updated the email prematurely, or if something else is going on, but it seems like they're leaning towards extending to year-end (i'd heard whispers of this a little while back but took it very much with a grain of salt!). 

 

Honestly, at this point it wouldn't surprise me if they just scrapped the actual loyalty program altogether and made DBE their version of a loyalty program (2 cruises in 2 years or whatever criteria gets you the perks for the next 2 years, and would need to be re-earned every 2 years)

[benjaminnicholas]

As long as they honor their lifetime commitment to SeaBlazers and the added $125 bonus for every $300 bought, I'm good.

 

They do need to get the new program rolled out.  They've had awhile now.

[sid_9169]

3 hours ago, _tacocat_ said:

fwiw, someone in a VV FB group that i'm in posted a screenshot of their DBE status matching email that they just did.  the end date for the program in that email was 12/31/23.

 

not sure if they just updated the email prematurely, or if something else is going on, but it seems like they're leaning towards extending to year-end (i'd heard whispers of this a little while back but took it very much with a grain of salt!). 

 

Honestly, at this point it wouldn't surprise me if they just scrapped the actual loyalty program altogether and made DBE their version of a loyalty program (2 cruises in 2 years or whatever criteria gets you the perks for the next 2 years, and would need to be re-earned every 2 years)

I talked to them on the phone yesterday, and they claimed April 30 was the end of DBE, but then again almost everything they've ever told me was incorrect...