Gretchendz

On 7/15/2024 at 9:55 AM, cantgetin said:

Check in is very quick and easy.  And to answer Essie's question, yes VV requires that everyone have a passport.

THe help line for people who have not completed the on line process really speeds things up for those who were able to do it as they don't have to wait behind  people who need help.

Actually VV recently loosened the requirement for passports on closed loop cruises, but they still STROBLY encourage it.

Just now, cantgetin said:

I gave up.  I have a great TA, and it is her job to know all the current regs.  I used to know them all, but no way now.

Totally!  When I began as a TA, I tried to book everything, now I focus on a few lines that I know inside and out and make my partners do the others 🙂 

Most TAs, if you used one, will work to get your reservation price lowered if the price dropped. No need to cancel and rebook. It is easiest before final payment date, but it can be done after.

It's more tricky, but still doable, with the use of an MNVV as those can only be changed once.

As usual, @cantgetin is correct. The new bar tab bonuses began on the 17th. The new FL resident discount is not combinable with MNVV (although the previous ones were).  There are still TAsa with stockpiles of the old "good" MNVVs.

As also alluded to, TAs who belong to some large travel consortia can add $100 OBC,even with MNVV use.  Applies to around 140 sail dates, but not all. If you have a TA, ask!

The rules change frequently, it is full time work keeping up 🙂

On 7/10/2024 at 3:11 AM, Tatra603 said:

I just applied for a status match for me and my wife.

Does anyone know how long it takes to be approved?

I have received nothing from VV, not even an email acknowledgement.

 

 

Most people get it back within 24-48 hours recently. Check your account and see if it has been added to your booking. If it is not there, and you used a TA, ask them to nag for you.

I love the value of the huge laundry bag and have never personally had any issues. However, lately one of my clients had her laundry returned spotted and blotched and I am seeing more reports of similar. Bottom line, if it is a piece you treasure, perhaps leave it out of the laundry.

The Cunard ones are thinner than those for Princess, etc. However the wider ones work fine. 

Here's a tip.  If you have nearby wedding/formal wear rental shops, they often will sell good condition used tuxedos. The price can be lower than renting.  Buy a classic one and it will last you for every voyage. My husband's has been used for on son's proms, and for more cruises than I can count.  He is very proud that he can still squeeze into it 🙂

If they end up not allowing it, it will be confiscated and returned at the end of the voyage.

You should have no problem. The menus typically denote gluten-free, vegetarian, or wellness foods.  

Be sure your wait staff know about your dietary needs.  Typically, they are willing to bring your the menu for the next evening so you can make decisions.  If they don't offer, ask.

If you used a travel advisor, ask them to make sure it is noted in your reservation. There will also be many good options for you at the buffet.

Have a wonderful voyage!

On 6/2/2024 at 12:42 PM, DarrenM said:

You know this whole simgle gender toilets thing.

 

I honestly thought this was just a media thing tryong to make people angry about it.

 

I didn't realise people actually cared.

I care...passionately...when my husband leaves the seat up in our gender neutral bathroom in our home 🙂

1 hour ago, Flafun888 said:

I adore drag shows and pretty open to just about anything! But I will say I'm not one to participate! Not in karoke, nor as volunteer from the audience. I read that Virgin's shows and entertainment heavily involves the audience? Just want to be prepared to sit waaaay in the back or avoid those shows! I prefer to watch vs be pressured to join in.

Me too. Although the private karaoke rooms are fun 🙂

I don't think they require audience participation more than any other cruise ship. Honestly some of the "volunteer" game shows on other lines can make me cringe.

Well, one caveat, do not be the person in bingo who calls bingo, then is wrong when they check the card, because the diva will be merciless 🙂

31 minutes ago, DarrenM said:

Well I never thought this would happen but next years cruise is booked on Virgin.

 

A long story but celebrity seem to have reduced their sailings the med for summer 2025 with edge ships only doing 6 night cruises.

 

So it's goodbye celebrity and hello Virgin voyages.

 

Should I be worried?

You should be happy 🙂

3 minutes ago, cantgetin said:

Interesting.  I consider myself rather conservative, but what someone else is doing is not any of my business.  I'd take it as treat everyone decently, as you'd want to be treated, and you'll be fine.  

Fair enough. I just have a few clients who I know would not enjoy themselves on Virgin. No worries!

True, but I use that as a gauge as to whether or not someone would be uncomfortable with the whole vibe of the ship.  Open, accepting, welcoming and fun is not eberyone's thing 🙂

On 5/16/2024 at 9:17 AM, little britain said:

I’ve matched to DBE but I don’t seem to have a membership number??

 

It also says my DBE match is good for 2024. Does that mean if I book another VV cruise in 2025 I won’t get DBE?? 

Your membership number is your sailor id which is usually prominently displayed on your booking confirmation from Virgin.

If you status matched to DBE before Dec. 31, 2023, then you will have the DBE benefits on any sailings through December 31, 2025.

Anyone status matching now will get the lower tier Blue benefits.

You should be able to see the DBEs if you have them if you go into your Virgin booking using your account on the web.

3 hours ago, cantgetin said:

Royal vs. Virgin would be a "no brainer" for me.  I'm a 60 something with no body embellishments and not a partier.  In fairness, I have no loyalty status on Royal, but have done more than 50 cruises on various other lines.

VV--no kids, free wifi, essentially all included except alcohol.  No drink packages = no people trying to max out their package.  We do have Deep Blue Extras (loyalty on VV), so get some freebies there.  They are offering a status match to the intro loyalty level, I believe. You can get any food served without the sauces. etc.  There  are more "plain" things being offered--for instance, The Galley has a grilled chicken breast plain at lunch and dinner.

I don't hate kids.  I hate the 10% of parents who allow their kids to run wild, trash beverage stations, push every elevator button, run thru the halls screaming, etc.  Don't talk to me about "adult only" areas unless there is a cruise line that really enforces ALL such areas.

If you want Broadway style shows, climbing walls, race tracks, ice rinks, etc. VV is not for you.  But I'm old and don't use those things, so see no point in paying for them.

100% this.

The only caveat would be if you would be uncomfortable with drag shows.

3 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

Meh.  When you put numbers to it, it becomes pretty clear that this isn't true.  At the end of the day, if a person spent $1,000 to be on this cruise to nowhere, they will have spent $250 for 7 days enjoying the ship's food, drinks and entertainment.  Assuming that there isn't one other single redeeming factor of this cruise, that comes to $35 per day for only those things that I mentioned.  Of course, during the course of that week, there was angst, anger and uncertainty, and that surely eats into the overall enjoyment, but those are intangibles.  And as they say on TV...But wait!  There's more!  That same person gets to book a replacement cruise that presumably will hit all the places that this cruise did not and their $1,000 cruise will cost them $250 of new money. Add it all up, and that is 14 days on a ship with full use of the ship's services and entertainment, of which around 7 days are sea days (some on this cruise and some on the next cruise) and around 7 days are spent enjoying the ports on this itinerary.  All this for $500, or $35 per day.  Yes, there is the inconvenience of having to travel all the way back to Alaska, but if that is a hardship, the replacement cruise can be to any location.  I truly feel for the people who are missing out on this cruise, but it's not as if they were spending it on a ship that was dead in the water with no electricity, plumbing or food.  When the 75% refund and 75% FCC is overlaid on top of this, I'd say that this is pretty good compensation.  

I have clients on this sailing who are satisfied with the compensation...they are already planning an expensive sailing to Japan with the offer.

10 minutes ago, Lustate said:

Not the only change coming with them either. Not valid with circles for the bonus loot either. Going forward could mean much fewer group bookings for TA. 

I mean the perk for having a circle and setting them up is basically not there. 

True. From now on people using MNVVs get no additional benefit for moving their booking into group.

Virgin announced today that from now on (May 15)

• A sailor can only buy 4 MNVVs while onboard. This was previously 10.
• If a booking using an MNVV is placed into a Circle (group) it can no longer get the additional Circle loot, just the MNVV loot.

28 minutes ago, Xandar said:

Yes I have, and different computers.

Wow.I'm out of suggestions other than calling or emailing them.

33 minutes ago, Xandar said:

We have not been able to get the form to complete, the blue dots just keep spinning. 

Try a different browser?

I have a client on board who told me this:

On 5/8/2024 at 1:36 PM, Cruise Raider said:

I have heard rumor, but from a reliable source, the Grand might be sold.  
it’s past time for her to move on .. 

 

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

1 hour ago, skynight said:

Very comfortable, nicer than my bed at home.

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

4 hours ago, happy42cruise said:

I would add that if you order something & you do not care for it you can ask for something else & it will be graciously replaced.  You may also order more than 1 entree (in the MDR) if you are undecided on what you want.  You can always find something to eat on a cruise ship!

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.