The Virgin Voyages Weekend | Nov 23 - Nov 25

[DV8]

Two-night "cruise to nowhere" from Miami.
Anyone going or heard more details yet?

[Essiesmom]

I have my doubts this will happen.  Cruises to nowhere became illegal a number of years ago when it was decided if the ship did not call at a foreign port, the crew were deemed to be working in the US and needed different visas.  EM

[Roel94]

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

I have my doubts this will happen.  Cruises to nowhere became illegal a number of years ago when it was decided if the ship did not call at a foreign port, the crew were deemed to be working in the US and needed different visas.  EM

Jones Act

[Essiesmom]

5 hours ago, Roel94 said:

Jones Act

Not necessarily.  And it would be PVSA, Jones Act is cargo.  Cruise lines used to do CTN frequently, but then the visa thing for the crew came up, and they were no longer legal.  EM

[CruisingWalter]

Special event cruises can 'sail to nowhere' with special permission. My guess is that this will predominately be a press and media cruise and they're selling a certain allotment to the public. Resilient is making her Miami Debut so VV will want as much press as possible on that ship. 

[Eric&Pam]

 

8 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

I have my doubts this will happen.

 

There is another 2 day sailing to nowhere right before this one 11/21-23. (Invite only)

[1025cruise]

The ban on cruises to nowhere actually has nothing to do with the PVSA/Jones Act (simplifying). US Immigration determined that the crew would require a different type of visa if the ship didn't actually go anywhere than what they have currently. This was based on a casino cruise company trying to use the same visa that cruise ship crew have for their few hour trips (versus multi day). 

[cantgetin]

I've seen pricing for a Sea Terrace for two--$1100.  I'd be fairly certain that all the legal boxes were ticked before they made the announcement.

[babalooo]

Does anyone know if this 2-nighter can be grouped with Pay in Full (is it only 5% now?) and Florida Resident discount (is it also only 5% now?)? If so, this could be a fun quick getaway for "cheap"er.

[MeganGC1983]

On 9/3/2024 at 7:21 AM, Eric&Pam said:

 

 

There is another 2 day sailing to nowhere right before this one 11/21-23. (Invite only)

Are you going?

[Eric&Pam]

11 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

Are you going?

 

I RSVP'd and am still waiting for confirmation.

The word is that they are sending them out in small batches.

 

If it doesn't work out, no worries. I already have 3 sailings booked between now and November, including 12 days on the Resilient later this month.

[MeganGC1983]

1 hour ago, Eric&Pam said:

 

I RSVP'd and am still waiting for confirmation.

The word is that they are sending them out in small batches.

 

If it doesn't work out, no worries. I already have 3 sailings booked between now and November, including 12 days on the Resilient later this month.

I heard there were 4000 RSVPs for 1000 spots. I got locked in yesterday. I’ll sail her again Dec. 6 from San Juan. 🤞🏻 for ya. Would be great to meet in person. 

[babalooo]

9 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

I heard there were 4000 RSVPs for 1000 spots. I got locked in yesterday.

So is the first two-nighter that is invite only for travel agents or industry people only?

[CruisingWalter]

On 9/2/2024 at 11:25 PM, Essiesmom said:

I have my doubts this will happen.  Cruises to nowhere became illegal a number of years ago when it was decided if the ship did not call at a foreign port, the crew were deemed to be working in the US and needed different visas.  EM

 

Oh it's happening alright. 🙂 They're billing it as a music weekend.

 https://www.virginvoyages.com/ahoy/stories/weekend-cruise-music-event

[Wildcatllamas]

On 9/3/2024 at 6:21 AM, Eric&Pam said:

 

 

There is another 2 day sailing to nowhere right before this one 11/21-23. (Invite only)

I got the invitation but had to pass. That is the gear up time frame for the holiday season at the casino I work at. I sure wish I could sneak away.

[Eric&Pam]

12 hours ago, babalooo said:

So is the first two-nighter that is invite only for travel agents or industry people only?

 

Top 100, and Gold Tier agents.

[babalooo]

4 hours ago, Eric&Pam said:

Top 100, and Gold Tier agents.

Curious if there are that many agents to fill that ship? Or maybe after that round there will be others able to get on?

 

To answer my own question after I booked, this one doesn't allow for Pay in Full since it's less than the 180 days out. 

 

I am guessing a lot of locals will take advantage of the quick trip. Not needing to take any PTO is a win for me. I booked it before they changed the marketing to it being called a "DJ Sam Feldt" or music weekend (I live under a rock apparently, I never heard of him). I hope maybe there are more "celebrities" on board as it gets close that I may have heard of. 😄 

[Eric&Pam]

4 minutes ago, babalooo said:

Curious if there are that many agents to fill that ship? Or maybe after that round there will be others able to get on?

 

To answer my own question after I booked, this one doesn't allow for Pay in Full since it's less than the 180 days out. 

 

I am guessing a lot of locals will take advantage of the quick trip. Not needing to take any PTO is a win for me. I booked it before they changed the marketing to it being called a "DJ Sam Feldt" or music weekend (I live under a rock apparently, I never heard of him). I hope maybe there are more "celebrities" on board as it gets close that I may have heard of. 😄 

 

There is more than enough agent to fill the ship. As posted earlier, 4000 RSVPd for 1000 cabins.

This sailing isn't available for booking by the public.

[MeganGC1983]

And if you look on that page we can’t mention… agents are losing their minds to go. 

[Wildcatllamas]

3 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

And if you look on that page we can’t mention… agents are losing their minds to go. 

I really wish I could go. Guess I will just have to make do with my Portsmouth to Morocco and Spain. Oh darn 😁

 

[Eric&Pam]

1 minute ago, Wildcatllamas said:

I really wish I could go. Guess I will just have to make do with my Portsmouth to Morocco and Spain. Oh darn 😁

 

 

Same here. lol

Then I'm on the Valiant for Halloween and later that week onto the Rotterdam for 9 days.

"Tis the season! 😎

[crusinthrough]

There are other Valiant Lady sailings before this one with decent pricing.  I don't see the value in this sailing especially if you have to add airfare.  Pricing starts at $964 for 2N with no added promotions. It's not even worth using one of the older MNVV.   Makes more sense if you add the 5N Valiant Lady on Nov 17th.  It will be interesting to see how many people book.  

[DV8]

1 hour ago, crusinthrough said:

There are other Valiant Lady sailings before this one with decent pricing.  I don't see the value in this sailing especially if you have to add airfare.  Pricing starts at $964 for 2N with no added promotions. It's not even worth using one of the older MNVV.   Makes more sense if you add the 5N Valiant Lady on Nov 17th.  It will be interesting to see how many people book.  

It's Resilient's US debut, not Valiant.

[crusinthrough]

1 hour ago, DV8 said:

It's Resilient's US debut, not Valiant.

You are correct.  I incorrectly typed Valiant Lady but meant Resilient Lady.  Resilient Lady has a 5N sailing on Nov 10th and a 6N sailing on Nov 15th.

 

A Sea Terrace on the Nov 10th sailing was as low as $1500 taxes included for two back in June.