Gretchendz

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I have a client on board who told me this: : The captain just updated us and told us Ketchikan and College Fjord will be skipped on this cruise. We are also not cruising the entire Inside Passage. He also said he will update us tomorrow on whether we will be late in Juneau. We left Vancouver just after midnight. The TV has been spotty, but at least it was up for awhile today. Captain also mentioned there will be some compensation issued to all passengers. The Starboard propeller has been the issue and it still looks like it is not at 100%, compared to the Port side propeller.

They have announced she will be deployed to the Caribbean,but it doesn't mean you're wrong I guess 🙂

Me too. When I have trouble falling asleep at home, I imagine I am in a Princess bed.

We have a family member addicted to pasta. Every night she ordered an entree and an order of the fetuccine alfredo. Several times, more than once, we would order one for the table to share as a side. My husband and I picked up on the idea of ordering it as a side to share years ago when our table was near an Italian family. Every night they had the fettucini as a side.

I love their beds and we like soft mattresses.

I have not sailed the Rudy lately, but I did recently come off the Emerald. The food was the best I have ever had on Princess in 30 years. I spoke to a maitre d and told him that. He said that right after Covid, they had cheaped out (my words not his) and the customer complaints were huge. So, in recent months, they have upped their game. I would seriously discount complaints that are more than 6 month's old. Not saying they were wrong, just saying things may have improved. We though the MDR food was so good, that the specialty dining did not seem to be much of an upgarde. Full disclosure, we almost never go to the buffet, so these comments are for the dining rooms. I will say that MDR breakfast was weak, but lunch and dinner were great. By the way, as a certifiable coffee snob, they did away with the coffee made of syrup that Princess customers had complained about for years. It was actually drinkable now! Hoping your experience was like ours!

For those of you who wanted more details. They posted the terms and conditons today: 1. Alaska Front(ier) of The Line Offer Updated: May 8, 2024 1. Offer Terms. The Alaska Front(ier) of The Line Offer is available for placeholder purchases made after 12:01 a.m. local US east coast time on Wednesday, 08 May 2024 while supply lasts (inventory is expected to be exhausted near the beginning of September 2024) (“Offer Period”) for voyages onboard the Brilliant Lady during her 2026 Alaska Season. Pricing is as followed: $500 Sea Terraces and below $1000 RockStar Quarters $2500 Mega Rockstar Quarters See Section 2 below for Eligible Voyages. This "Alaska Front(ier) of The Line” Offer is subject to all restrictions and exclusions set forth in Section 3 below. 2. Eligibility. Eligible Voyages are voyages to be released aboard Brilliant Lady 2026 Alaska Season that fall within the offer terms, subject to availability on a first come basis, and does not guarantee a spot on the MerMaiden voyage. 3. Caveats. 3.1 "Alaska Front(ier) of The Line” Offer is not available for, or combinable with, Virgin Voyages’ Incentive and Contracted Circle Programs, Chartered Voyages, or Tour Operator bookings. 3.2 We are unable to apply the "Alaska Front(ier) of The Line” Offer to existing bookings (no cancellations or rebooking allowed). Application for placeholder will only be applicable for these Alaska sailings. 3.3 Deposit is fully refundable up to twenty-four (24) hours prior to the last voyage departing Seattle in 2026. Any unused placeholders will be auto-refunded after the final voyage of the 2026 Seattle season. 3.4 We reserve the right to modify this Offer at any time.

This is very annoying. They used to provide distilled water. To verify, I reached out to Cunard because this is a change. They responded: Distilled water is NOT available on board and guests must determine a suitable alternative or carry their own supply. Any additional required supply can be arranged through the port agent at the guest's cost. Pre-cruise messaging advises the same as above to guests.

From Virgin: All perks are per eligible Sailing Club sailor. Bar Tab, Wi-Fi, laundry service, and coffee charges may appear on the Sailor’s account, but will be waived before a credit card is charged at the end of the voyage. $100 promotional Bar Tab: a Bar Tab credit applied to the folio of the eligible sailor only Unlimited premium Wifi: provided where available Priority Boarding: early boarding time and dedicated queue in Terminal V and where available globally (cabin mate of Sailing Club sailor will be permitted to join when arriving together) Dedicated Sailing Club Sailor Services Support: pre-voyage dedicated phone option for Sailing Club members. Onboard Sailing Club representative at the Sailor Services desk Cocktail Event: invitation to 1 x Sailing Club cocktail reception per voyage (cabin mate of Sailing Club sailor will be permitted to join) Laundry service: - Blue Extras: includes one bag — express service is not included and laundry service is unavailable on the voyage's final day - Deep Blue Extras: includes two pressed items, one specialty-cleaned item, and one bag — express service is not included and laundry service is unavailable on the voyage's final day Specialty Coffee Credit: - Blue Extras: One specialty coffee per day at bars or restaurants. Not available through Ship Eats. Alcoholic coffee cocktails not included. - Deep Blue Extras: Two speciality coffees per day at bars or restaurants. Not available through Ship Eats. Alcoholic coffee cocktails not included. 3. Qualification details. Blue Extras and Deep Blue Extras are available to Sailors who have earned these perks on all voyages until 31 December 2025. --- Notes from me: They won't check whose laundry is in the very large laundry bag 🙂

Hoping this can clarify some of the differences people are experiencing. Last year, with Virgin, you could status match to many cruise lines and they gave you Deep Blue Extras (the better package). That opportunity ended December 31, 2024. However, if you did status match during that time, you will continue to get DBE until December 31, 2025. After December 31, 2024 we don't know if they will extend or not. However, once you get four sailings with Virgin completed, you will earn DBEs the regular way. Under the new program in 2024, you can status match but only to Blue Extras. They also changed which lines and levels qualify as many people with MSC status were using a big loophole to get in.(No judgement on this, I coached many of my clients through how to do it.) In terms of sharing benefits with your cabin mate, it is benefit dependent. You can both early board together if you have priority boarding. No one checks whose laundry is in the bag. You can certainly share the bar tab. Technically these go to the qualifying sailor only but if you have your cabin accouts set up to one account, you can both use it. You can invite a +1 to go to the cocktail party. Blue Extras: Dedicated Sailing Club Sailor Services support Cocktail Event Laundry Service (1 bag of laundry) Speciality Coffee Deep Blue Extras: Sailors who are part of the Sailing Club who have completed four (4) eligible voyages will unlock Deep Blue Extras perks and will receive these perks per qualifying sailor on their fifth lifetime voyage. $100 promotional Bar Tab Unlimited Premium Wifi (where available) Priority Boarding: a dedicated embarkation queue Dedicated Sailing Club Sailor Services support Cocktail Event Laundry Service (2 pressed items, 1 specialty cleaned item, 1 bag of laundry) Speciality Coffee Credit The coffee credit used to be $10 per day now it is: - Blue Extras: One specialty coffee per day at bars or restaurants. Not available through Ship Eats. Alcoholic coffee cocktails not included. - Deep Blue Extras: Two speciality coffees per day at bars or restaurants. Not available through Ship Eats. Alcoholic coffee cocktails not included. https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club

Just adding that if you want the $500 Alaska Fron(tier) pass--basically a $500 deposit that gurantees you early booking when the Alaska itineraries come out, on May 8 there will be a form you or your TA completes.

Virgin is very different (in good ways IMHO) from other cruise lines. However, I do not recommend it to people who are not into an open and accepting atmosphere. People who are offended by drag shows should not sail Virgin. If you are offended by the fact they call theirfree gelato place "Lick Me Till Ice Cream" you should not go.

There are two sizes of the plastic luggage tag holders...Cunard uses the skinnier ones, but you could certainly manage with the wider ones. Besides using the plastic covers makes you look like a veteran knowledgeable cruiser 🙂

Congratulations! That will be a very special experience! We sail the QM2 transatlantic at least once a year. It looks like others have covered the sheltered balcony question. Cunard does offer insurance, but honestly you are likely to get more for less money with a third party insurer as Cunard will only cover the cruise itself, not all the other expenses that go with such a trip like hotel, flights, etc. (Unless you buy them through Cunard) Any good travel advisor can quickly get you some quotes and help you choose one that is right for you. There are a number of travel advisors who book Cunard and sail it themselves. They can answer a zillion questions for you. It costs no more than if you book it yourself directly. Many will add some on board credit for you as well. Incidentally, if you do decide to use a TA you can transfer the booking to them if it is less than 60 days from when you made the booking. Generally buying a precruise hotel is more expensive through cruise lines. But you are right to plan to come in at least a day early! Normally, with Cunard you will pay a 25% deposit, typically refundable (unless you booked with a nonrefundable deposit, which I do not recommend, especially this far out). The typical final payment date should be 120 days precruise. Of course, the good people of Cruise Critic will have your back as well. Hopefully you got your questions answered! There so many special secrets and fun things about QM2. The history, the magnificent library, and Homer Simpson, among others.