7680

One of my most pressing concerns is that if we aren’t on the ship early, our specialty dining reservation preferences will be filled up. I am shooting for 8:00-8:15, but there are 6 of us 

Thanks so much everyone. We will hope for the best!

I am usually very on-top of everything. This one slipped thru the cracks, darn it. I just checked all of us in for 12:30, which was the earliest available. I have already arranged private transportation for a 10:30 arrival. I have seen comments that alluded to the fact that people with later boarding times were arriving and getting on early. Not saying that is right, but is this true? Thank you 

Thanks All. Perhaps $50 for 6 of us at the more upscale dinners. $25 at lunches. I don’t have any $2 bills! 😁

We are a family of 4 and two companions, traveling on Wonder, 4/20/23. We purchased the unlimited specialty dining package. What should hubby and I be providing for a group of 6 at each meal? I realize it’s not necessary to leave extra, but these people work so hard and I have been in the service industry in the past. Thanks!

Great, thank you! I just hope that we can get the venues and time

(8:00) desired. There are 6 of us 

Would we have to go to each separate venue? Or will there be a central reservation point? Are we allowed to do a particular venue, several times? Thanks again 

Can I book dining reservations ahead of sailing, if I have the unlimited specialty dining pkg? Thank you 

Just booked 6 shows (6 ppl each) for Wonder 4/23/23 

….and love the idea of the wine discount 😊

I will def check out  Black Friday promos. Have it on my calendar!  The drink packages are SO pricey compared to the great deal we received for premium all-inclusive drinks on Celebrity. Thank you all!

Thank you both! I am aware of the Starbucks being separate. Since we can bring wine on board, it may def not be worth it for husband and I 

Hello! We are sailing on RCCL Wonder of the Seas in April. I imagine that the  $207.99 7 day dining package is the best deal to expect? It is listed at that now, so wondering if I should jump on it.  DH and I much prefer Celebrity, but doing this cruise for our young adult kids and their significant others. We were not at all impressed with the MDR on previous RCCL trips (it has been quite a while). Now to figure out the drink packages. What is the best price that I should be on the lookout for? How are the wine selections? Still not sure I will go with the drink pkg for hubby and I. The kids do the smoothies, coffee drinks, etc. (plus alcohol of course 😀) I’m mostly wine/cocktails and Starbucks. Thanks for any advice!

We were on the Edge in March. It was absolutely phenomenal. Loved the ship, food, service, etc. Would go back on her (or an Edge class ship) in a heartbeat. They were still at reduced capacity at that point. We were to set sail on Valiant Lady with our kids and their significant others yesterday. After reading the many negative comments about Virgin (seems like they just don’t have their act together quite yet), along with the booster requirements in Europe, we cancelled.  We will still hope to sail on Virgin at some point. We have loved all of our Celebrity sailings. Good Luck!

By the way, we will go with the 5 of us, if we decide on the cruise route 😊

Hello All,

I posted this same question on the Celebrity forum. This was most of my response to the feedback received:

Hello All,

I posted this same question on the Celebrity forum. This was most of my response to the feedback received:

We have one person in our party of six who is unvaccinated. I see that you may do cruises from FL without a vaccine (as long as there is not a stop in Bahamas). Wondering what the on-board experience is like, from anyone who may have sailed in this manner. Thank you 

I absolutely understand that. The problem is that when I was trying to explain to the Virgin rep that we would have a problem going on our cruise, due to the booster requirement in Barcelona, he wasn’t understanding anything that I was saying. He was insisting that we would be fine without the booster. I explained that we would need to fly to Barcelona and be IN Barcelona, prior to stepping on the ship. He became belligerent and just hung up. 

Our travel agent was able to contact them and I believe that they have started the process of issuing a refund.  Very sad about the entire thing. Had also booked flights and an air bnb in Barcelona. I can’t believe that Virgin never even contacted me after relaying my experience with “customer service” to them. Speaks volumes 

Thanks Don. I will be 1 year post-vaccinated, at date of cruise. This is causing a real quandary for our family trip. My daughter and her BF want to go and will get the booster if they have to. My son and his GF will not. It appears that anyone going on a European cruise will have to have the booster. Virgin (and other lines) should be making this very clear to those booked. For Virgin’s rep to insist we don’t need the booster (and to hang up on me as I was trying to explain the situation TO HIM, is extremely unacceptable)

Will cruise lines be giving refunds to those that don’t want to follow these recently announced protocols? I’ve also e-mailed Virgin’s customer service. So far, no reply 

A week ago, I spoke to a very understanding and professional Virgin representative. I explained that we are concerned about the new protocols requiring boosters in Europe (primarily Spain…we will be flying into Barcelona prior to the cruise..…which is a must, of course!). Our son begrudgingly was vaccinated, getting quite ill after each shot. There is no way that he will get another shot/booster. She told me to call back in a week. I just spoke to another rep, who was incredibly rude and belligerent. He continued to say that the cruise (French Daze and Ibiza Nights, June 19th), is a “closed loop cruise and these protocols don’t apply”. I said that is ridiculous, as we will need to fly into Barcelona prior and won’t be on the cruise at that point. He continued to insist that it won’t matter and that the other ports (Ibiza, etc) will not matter either. That makes zero sense. He then hung up on me. Unbelievable. I have been on hold with Virgin for over an hour, after calling back. Not an 800 number. A long distance call to Fort Lauderdale.  Last week and on my first call this evening, I was able to leave a callback number. Not this time. This is all leaving me feeling very negative towards Virgin. Can anyone shed light on these protocols or provide thoughts? Thank you 

Would love to hear your thoughts on Virgin! We just returned home from our Celebrity Edge cruise, a few hours ago. Will be taking our adult twenty-something children and their significant others on the French Daze and Ibiza Nights in June. The Edge was a fantastic ship in every way. Food, entertainment, service, amenities….every accommodation. We also had the premium drink package. A bit concerned about some of the things I’ve read, re Scarlett Lady (App frustrations, “sparse” rooms with little storage, chaos at embarkation/debarkation, very small pool, etc). Celebrity was a well-oiled machine. We thought that Virgin might be a bit more happenin’ for the kids, but concerned about being disappointed after such a great experience at a reasonable price on Celebrity. Any feedback appreciated. Thank you!

Hello! We are on the Edge, Mar 6th. There are 6 of us. Should we book specialty restaurants now or do they offer better “deals” on board? I believe the Magic Carpet can only be booked on board? Would appreciate feedback, if you happen to know. Thanks so much!

Can anyone post a menu of the specific brands of liquor included in the premium package?  Even more important to us, would be the wine offerings.  A copy of the Classic package would also be greatly appreciated!!