cantgetin

The list above is just a start.  There a may types of bagels with your choice of toppings, various hot and cold cereals,  (the place that has salads during the day has nice breakfast choices as does the dessert daytime place!) Walk around and hav e a look on the first or second day.

4 minutes ago, Eric&Pam said:

 

Level Airlines (somehow related to Iberia) has had direct flights for LAX and BCN for a few years. Their premium economy is better than domestic first class.

https://www.flylevel.com/

thanks....if we book another, I'll remember this.

Also, check Southwest Airlines for flights to SJU.  They often don't show up on flight searches, have great sale prices, and all prices include up to 2 checked bags.  They have non-stops to SJU from Miami and MCO....likely others as well.

In addition to the above, our transatlantic had hosted  solo activities on all or most sea days.

Obviously the airline does not see the business value in flights to San Juan.

For a real odd one, we could not get a direct flight from BAR to LAX for the transatlantics we did....checked Google Flights as well as others.  We had about a dozen selections for layover cities.  NOW, Iberia has a direct.

5 hours ago, madmedic said:

Another question for the sea terrace. How much space is there under the bed to store suitcases? About 4 weeks to go before our first VV cruise and wondering if we need to buy smaller cases. 

If you can't fit the closed suitcase under the bed, you can open it and slide it under that way.  And we found a cut out by the closet that would hold a suitcase.

There is also a HUGE drawer that will be under the L bed if you separate them that can hold anything that won't fit in the closet (we did 15 nights and still had enough storage).  Sometimes the host uses this for bedding if you split the bed, but even then it is so big that there is additional room for "stuff."  However....it is low to the floor, so not the most friendly on your back when getting stuff in or out.

Just FYI, an ambulatory cabin is basically a regular cabin with some extra safety bars added.   They free up the fully accessible cabins for people who really need them but providing spots for people who just need a little help, particularly in the bathroom. 

 It is NOT a fully accessible cabin which has many alterations from the standard cabin.

I suspect some things would have been done differently had they not ended up launching the ships so close together.....didn't really have time to sort out what was working and what wasn't prior to starting construction on numbers 3 and 4.

On 6/15/2024 at 8:23 PM, steve thfc said:

I am considering a cruise on VV and would like to know generally how people dress onboard…other than theme parties?  I’m a casual, coordinated person but I do like to dress up on occasion.  EM

Any way they want.  Daytime, mostly shorts and ts, evenings, a little more "dressed up," but suits/jackets or evening  dresses are rare.  Overall, it is more casual than other lines.

You can choose a specific cabin by using a travel agent (First Mate), by calling VV, or by doing a rebooking on board.  You can also book on line, then call VV to change the cabin you were assigned to.

39 minutes ago, jon81uk said:

There is one time when you do need to ensure you have the correct band, getting on and off the ship at port. It would probably be fine if both are together getting off at the same time and can just swap back, but one at a time may be more of an issue with security!

true.....

Check out the videos by Where's Walter Travels.  Here is a link to one of them.  The ships are all similar enough that the info applies to all.  There have been some minor menu changes.  Walter was an award winning Hollywood film maker so his stuff is very well done.  It is also accurate not "look at me" or "here is my 10th drink of the day." stuff that some others post.

B2B depends on the port.  Usually you will be required to disembark at the end of the queue so they can clear the ship legally, and will immediately be able to check in again and reboard IF you are in the same cabin.  But essentially nothing will be open--you can enjoy the open decks, etc.  Everything will reopen at 1:30.  You also have the option of getting off at any time you wish and going into town or whatever, but if you do that, you cannot reboard until 1:30.

On other lines, we've had varied experiences depending on port and how many B2Bs there were, as well as Customs regulations.  
 

We didn't have to use the appropriate band, BUT when I sent my band to the laundry (don't even ask how....) and got a new one, the "link" disappeared and had to be re-instated at Sailor Services,"

No experience at Portsmouth, but at Barcelons, Miami, and Athens self disembarkation has usually started about 7:30, sometimes a tiny bit earlier.  It can be later if there are any legal or medical sailors who need to be disembarked first.  And, of course, there are always situations where the ship may arrive late.

4 hours ago, madmedic said:

Now two hammocks would be a great idea.

From the announcement, it will be limited to certain cabins....but they will be Sea Terraces.

17 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

The standard wristband can easily be removed. My suggestion is to bring a marker with you so you can mark one so you know who it belongs to. The DBE bands are a one and done.

I remove the bands right after boarding.  The ribbon band for DBE is only needed until you are on the ship.  For stuff like the cocktail party, I put it in my pocket "just in case" but they have a list on their tablets and can let you in by verifying your regular wearable.  Same for Splash of Romance band--not needed normally.  You can also ask that they put these on loosely so that you can put them on and off (put on for a function....again, not needed)

The regular wearables go on and off as often as you wish.  A marker is a good idea;  We deal with it by each having a  separate place in the cabin where we put ours when not in use.  And since we checked the little "I am responsible for all charges" box when signing in on the app, it doesn't matter if we somehow mix them up.  Bottom line--you don't have to WEAR them at all, but you need to have it with you to make a purchase or unlock your door...or to get in to some activities. I don't like wearing it, so I carry it in pocket.

No nightlight in bathroom or elsewhere unless you bring one.  No plug in bathroom unless in a suite.

Barcelona definitely has better port people than Miami.....both baggage handlers and the people in VV outfits who work at the terminal on VV days.n We've done multiple times at each location.

We never really use the seats on the balcony other than the hammock.  I do find the table useful when in the hammock--put my glass of tea and book there when not in use.  The new ship will have some sea terraces with 2 hammocks.

10 hours ago, babalooo said:

The pool is #1

 

Those cabanas you rent that take up  one side of the ship’s deck…I’ve been on 3 cruises and never saw even one of those booked. Totally empty and a waste of space.

I saw a couple of the in use on our 14 night cruise and got to look inside one.  Totally not worth it.  They have a mini fridge, a couple of seats, and a crew member who checks on you periodically.   Oh, and some fans .  I wouldn't even want to spend a day in one; there are lots of better public spots and I can fetch my own beverages.

3 hours ago, Cloud9 Bob said:

I recently (June 02) checked in with DBE for the first time. I got there well before 1 PM. I had everything filled in on the app previously. I asked someone in front what my first step with DBE should be? They had me go inside and check in. The agent at the podium checked me in. Then I was asked to go back outside into the DBE line in front of the building. There was someone out there giving out water from a cart BTW. After a short wait we were allowed back in and directed up the escalator. We waited upstairs some more and eventually went through security and boarded Valiant Lady. Is this the process now or does it change slightly each time?

It has varied on each of our cruises.  On our first cruise, we arrived at 12;45 and were politely told to "go away" and come back at 1.  At 1, the same guy tried to send us away again, but a supervisor let us in.   We have never gotten in and then had to come back out again,  Each time, we were allowed in at 1 or shortly thereafter, and remained inside until boarding.  Sometimes that was virtually immediately (check in, security, board) while other times it was "hang out for 15-30 minutes  till 1:30."   

Your June 2 is more recent than my April, but I suspect you were handled a bit differently as you arrived "well before 1."  We have always been advised to not show up before 1 as they wouldn't be ready for us.  

Seating  in many public places that is totally uncomfortable. It seems to be designed for photos, not function.

1 minute ago, Essiesmom said:

Except for the kiddie pool, pools on MSC are usually 2 meters deep.  Keeps people from standing around in the pool drinking.  EM

Good to know.  I've never been on MSC.

I've certainly seen pools on ships that are much bigger than on Virgin, but I've never seen a "full size" pool on any ship.  Princess had several, one of which was rarely used, so if I wanted to really swim, that was the place.  But again, it wasn't anywhere near really "swimming laps."  Also, most cruise ship pools are a max of 5' deep. VV had the smallest pools I've seen.  If your cruise goes to Bimini, there are nice pools at the Beach Club.

5 minutes ago, Maisyboo said:

To add to the question .We have DBE ( showing in app)with a boarding time of 3:00pm. Is that something I need to sort out before embarking or just show up at 1:00pm?. First VV cruise😃

Nothing to be sorted.  The boarding time assigned reflects what was available when you went onto the app.  DBE over-rides that.  When you get to the terminal, there will be a check in spot for DBE.  They will take care of everything from there.  The exact procedure has varied slightly over the last 2 years, but the bottom line is that if you have DBE, you are allowed to enter the terminal and get in a line there.  Then, as soon as check in starts, this line is moved quickly to the MANY check in stations.  

Those without DBE line up outside in roped off areas by their arrival time.  They will be taken in order after DBE and Splash of Romance have been checked in.

Waiting inside is better than waiting outside. But....realize that depending on the cruise, there may be 1000 people with DBE status (I've never seen this, but have heard that it happened).  I've seen several hundred.  What I'm saying is that DBE status will mean a short wait inside if you show up at 1.  Check in and boarding starts promptly at 1:30.  DO have your check in info competed on the app prior to arriving at the terminal; most of it can be done months ahead but the health form is limited to 24 hours ahead.  If you have not completed the app check in, you will be redirected to a "help" area until that is done, thus slowing your check in process.

Bottom line, just show up at 1.  I always take a screen shot of my DBE status as one time they "couldn't find me" but found my cabin partner.....very odd since I'd signed up for both of us.