Flying with Virgin

[peteukmcr]

Virgin are adding more capacity from Manchester to Barbados, Las Vegas and as expected, Orlando. This is is no doubt as a result of the loss of Thomas Cook in Manchester. 

[purplesea]

Returned yesterday from Barbados with Virgin flights, and as promised here is what we experienced.

 

On the outward flight we asked the P&O rep at the airport is the luggage would be transferred direct to the ship or if we would have to collect it at Barbados. We were told that they had agreed with Virgin to have the luggage put into separate containers and it would be transferred to the ship.

 

On our return we put our luggage outside our cabin as usual the night before, but had to go ashore at 8.30 and claim it and then check-in in the terminal (the shed next to the ship) as you would at the airport, it was then loaded into vans and transported to the airport for us to collect at Manchester.

 

Muster drill was held in the Live Lounge with just a small number of passengers. After going through the normal procedure the crew then led groups to their various muster stations.

 

 

 

Edited November 25, 2019 by purplesea

[mickey89]

We unfortunately had Virgin Atlantic as our Charter aircraft, Gatwick to Bridgetown.  It was one of their ageing Boeing 747-400 aircraft both ways. The problem is they use the same single aircraft to  Barbados and with a short turnaround goes back to London.  Delays are inevitable, we were 3 hours late on the outbound and again 2 hours late on the return.  It is common for flights to be delayed for just less then 4 hours as any longer then the EU compensation kicks in, so expect delays. That why the ship's departure time is always 5 hours after the last scheduled flight arrival time, to allow for the delays.

 

Don't compare Virgin Charter to their normal Schedule service - it is miles apart and No Airmiles on a charter.

Edited November 26, 2019 by mickey89

[wowzz]

8 minutes ago, mickey89 said:

It is common for flights to be delayed for just less then 4 hours as any longer then the EU compensation kicks in, so expect delays

EU261 applies to the scheduled arrival time,  not the departure time. 

[mickey89]

21 minutes ago, wowzz said:

EU261 applies to the scheduled arrival time,  not the departure time. 

 

Agreed, that's why the flight seldom arrives later than 4 hours behind schedule to avoid compensation.  

Remember the fated VIRGIN ATLANTIC flight from Barbados to Gatwick VS610 that arrived nearly on time but passengers were delayed by nearly 5 hours due to Virgin Cabin Staff contracting norovirus whilst partying in Bridgetown the night before.  

It was all the passengers that suffered and Virgin used the excuse that it was a medical restriction not of their making to avoid rightfull compensation to their passengers.

Travel with Virgin Charter at your peril...........choose Thomas Cook if you can. 

[wowzz]

1 minute ago, mickey89 said:

.....choose Thomas Cook if you can. 

Ha ha! You are a little behind the times!

[mickey89]

2 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Ha ha! You are a little behind the times!

 ........Exactly !

[wowzz]

1 minute ago, mickey89 said:

 ........Exactly !

Sorry, I didn't realise the TC reference was a joke.

[mickey89]

You have little choice both MSC and P&O use Virgin as their preferred Charter partner Gatwick to Barbados.  It is pot luck what type of service you get......you need to cross every , but he assured it will not be the best.

[wowzz]

1 minute ago, mickey89 said:

You have little choice both MSC and P&O use Virgin as their preferred Charter partner Gatwick to Barbados.  It is pot luck what type of service you get......you need to cross every , but he assured it will not be the best.

Let's face it, there aren't many options available to the cruise companies for flights to the Caribbean. From a charter point if view it's really just TUI or Virgin.

[mickey89]

The one good thing of flying Virgin out of Gatwick whether it's scheduled or P&O Charter is that they offer Twilight checkin. You are able to drop off your checked luggage bewteen 5pm-9pm the night before your flight, it makes the morning more leisurely.

[brian1]

TUI do the same,at least for morning flights.

[Rob1966]

On 11/25/2019 at 9:27 PM, purplesea said:

Returned yesterday from Barbados with Virgin flights, and as promised here is what we experienced.

 

On the outward flight we asked the P&O rep at the airport is the luggage would be transferred direct to the ship or if we would have to collect it at Barbados. We were told that they had agreed with Virgin to have the luggage put into separate containers and it would be transferred to the ship.

 

On our return we put our luggage outside our cabin as usual the night before, but had to go ashore at 8.30 and claim it and then check-in in the terminal (the shed next to the ship) as you would at the airport, it was then loaded into vans and transported to the airport for us to collect at Manchester.

 

Muster drill was held in the Live Lounge with just a small number of passengers. After going through the normal procedure the crew then led groups to their various muster stations.

 

 

 

 

Did they weigh the baggage for the return flight?

 

[purplesea]

No, it wasn't weighed at the dock side.

[Inca38]

 

Received this email following an enquiry  a few weeks ago re seat selection:

I can confirm that you will be able to pre reserve your flight seats approximately 30 days prior to your departure.   We will be sending communications out to advise you of the Virgin Atlantic booking Locators that you will then be able to manage on their website and also perform online check-in.  I can also confirm that all your hold luggage is bonded and will be transferred securely from Barbados airport to the ship and delivered to your cabin.

 

 

[Manx buoy]

On 11/26/2019 at 2:58 PM, wowzz said:

EU261 applies to the scheduled arrival time,  not the departure time. 

And it’s after 3 hours not 4