Help planning advance restaurant and shows

[tinkr2]

On 3/28/2023 at 12:43 PM, scseas said:

Is there an ideal restaurant to eat at for Scarlet Night? I am thinking the Wake because it is the most formal restaurant from what I’ve read, but I’m open to suggestions.
 

Also, do you have a recommendation on when to eat at Test  Kitchen? I was thinking of eating there on the second and fifth nights so we can try both menus. Given the late lunch on the first night, I did not want a six course meal on sale away, but maybe I am wrong here.

 

Also, does anyone know what the latest happy hour schedule is and times? How big are the deals? I’m asking because this will affect whether we pre-pay a bar tab.

The line was longest on Scarlet Night for The Wake and people were dressed very nicely on my cruise . I saw no shorts and tshirts in The Wake . But agree that you could eat anywhere. 
I loved Gunbae also and it was very fun . Test Kitchen are small plates . I ate there on the first night and ate right after sail away. 

[tinkr2]

On 3/28/2023 at 1:08 PM, jon81uk said:

I would suggest eating dinner early enough on Scarlet Night to be finished and at the Roundabout staircase for 9pm. That way you can see some of the pop up shows and entertainment, then relax with a drink or get a snack before the main party at 10.45pm

Good tip . I had no idea there were early pop up shows . I'll look on my upcoming trip . 

[Travel-and-See]

For Shows, be sure to catch Duel Reality - it's a modern theatrical circus show that is incredible. I watch every performance of it when I'm on board!  Ships in the Night is a good show as well in the main theatre and I would definitely recommend it.  

 

Also- be sure to catch the musicians that play each night at the bar under the main staircase. (The bar is called "On the Rocks") - there are usually 3 artists per cruise.  The ships band which is usually nothing special, and then a guest band, and a guest solo artist.  The solo artist is often a guitarist, I believe Morf is on the Scarlet Lady right now and he's INCREDIBLE.  On my last cruise on the Valiant Lady the Oscar Ornelias band was the guest band and they were also incredible and I watched them every night. They will be on Scarlet Lady as well they said. 

 

If you like to dance - there are regular themed dance nights in the Manor - it's right next to the casino. 

 

Combining Dinner and a show is the Ship Show - it's fun. I'd recommend it for the overall experience. The food is fine, but not as good as the sit-down restaurants. 

 

The Wake, Test Kitchen, and Pink Agave are the best overall restaurant experiences in my opinion. Razzle Dazzle has some of my favorite food and is usually pretty fast to get in and out of.  I liked the food at Extra Virgin (I ate wayyyy too much) but to me it was the most boring of all of the restaurants decor / theme wise. 

[singleflyer]

On Scarlet Lady right now.  Last night was Ships in the Night -- I thought it was really good!  Just finished Bingo with the Diva; which felt like a show too (and a lot of fun... the prizes were pretty big -- the last two games were over $1k).

 

I'm planning tonight to do Extra Virgin for dinner and then the later showing of Ship Show and just not eat.  I've heard the food isn't great plus with only a five night cruise wanted to try all the restaurants.  

[tbmrt]

14 hours ago, singleflyer said:

On Scarlet Lady right now.  Last night was Ships in the Night -- I thought it was really good!  Just finished Bingo with the Diva; which felt like a show too (and a lot of fun... the prizes were pretty big -- the last two games were over $1k).

 

I'm planning tonight to do Extra Virgin for dinner and then the later showing of Ship Show and just not eat.  I've heard the food isn't great plus with only a five night cruise wanted to try all the restaurants.  

How does bingo work?  Usually one card per person? How  many games?  Cost/Can you use your ship loot?

[jon81uk]

1 hour ago, tbmrt said:

How does bingo work?  Usually one card per person? How  many games?  Cost/Can you use your ship loot?

Can use ship loot. It’s something like $25 for one set of cards (three grids per set per game), $35 for two sets and $42 for three sets. I might have got the actual numbers wrong but the first set is $20 something and it gets cheaper to get three sets. 
 

it’s four games with different rules for each such as getting a line, or a cross. Winnings increase each game and depends how many players. Final game will usually be at least $800 but can be $1200+.
 

If you win it gets applied to your room account, then you can go to sailor services and cash out if needed. My husband won around $800-900 and we walked off the ship with $300ish in cash.

[cantgetin]

You can just go and watch the show--a lot of people do.  There were two entry lines, one for people buying cards and one for people watching.

[singleflyer]

3 hours ago, tbmrt said:

How does bingo work?  Usually one card per person? How  many games?  Cost/Can you use your ship loot?

 

Yesterday on Scarlet Lady it was $30 for one sheet (each sheet had 3 boards for each game and 4 games total), $45 for 2, and $55 for 3.  It seemed like the $55 was the best value so I bought it.  I didn't understand I'd be playing 9 boards for each game and that they call the numbers pretty fast!  Plus you have to punch out the numbers on the game sheet -- no blotters.  It was fun but hectic!  I'd suggest just buying the $30 unless you are really into bingo.  

 

Four total games.  First game prize was about $300.  Second game was $700.  Third game was $1100.  Fourth game was $1400.  

 

Lady behind me won the $1400.  She said last time she was on VV she played and also won the final round.  She is doing something right!

 

You can absolutely go in without playing.  Our Diva is a "Woman Named Carlos" and she is fantastic.  Not mean like I've heard some other Divas can be.  Just fun (and of course a bit dirty but not mean).  

 

Not sure about using Loot, but it is definitely charge to your account (not cash like the casino).