Rare Essiesmom Posted July 13 #1 Share Posted July 13 I’m a first timer on Virgin, definitely not the demographic Virgin is seeking…I am a solo female who just turned 80. Below the Salt is a medieval social status term and basically means I am not sailing in a suite. In fact, I have booked a solo inside. My bags are packed and sitting by the door to the garage. Early tomorrow I will be driving to Jacksonville and flying to Miami, staying overnight near the airport. Following this cruise I will mosey on down the pier at POM and board MSC Magnifica for a three day cruise. I have been limiting myself to cruises I can drive to, but fitting these two cruises in B2B for a total of 8 days made flying to Miami reasonable. I have no idea how I will fit into the VV vibe, but am giving it a try. I’m not a foodie…after 11 years of type 2 diabetes I eat to live, rather than living to eat. I’m not an adventurous eater…not much seafood, no shellfish. I like music and shows. I will not be getting off the ship in Costa Maya, as I was just there last month on MDC Seashore. I might get off at Bimini because the on,y potential call there was cancelled. A bit about Essie of Essiesmom…years ago I was a collector of Lee. Middleton dolls, and Essie is the cheapest they ever made. She has traveled with me since 2002. Her first overseas trip was to Iceland in 2003 and her first cruise was Greece in 2005. She has a substance abuse problem which she acquired in Iceland…she likes beer. She also likes the casino, mostly the flashing lights as she is unable to gamble with Monopoly money. If you happen to see us around the ship, give her a fist bump. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric&Pam Posted July 13 #2 Share Posted July 13 Don't worry about fitting in. The vibe on board is that of acceptance. We love staying on the ship in ports like Costa Maya. You will have a fantastic time, and Essie will have plenty of beers to choose from. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus1 Posted July 13 #3 Share Posted July 13 Please report back after your cruise on VV and let us know your thoughts. I havent booked VV yet but Im thinking about it and I will be in an inside cabin so Below the Salt as well:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liao Posted July 13 #4 Share Posted July 13 1 hour ago, Essiesmom said: I’m a first timer on Virgin, definitely not the demographic Virgin is seeking…I am a solo female who just turned 80. Below the Salt is a medieval social status term and basically means I am not sailing in a suite. In fact, I have booked a solo inside. My bags are packed and sitting by the door to the garage. Early tomorrow I will be driving to Jacksonville and flying to Miami, staying overnight near the airport. Following this cruise I will mosey on down the pier at POM and board MSC Magnifica for a three day cruise. I have been limiting myself to cruises I can drive to, but fitting these two cruises in B2B for a total of 8 days made flying to Miami reasonable. I have no idea how I will fit into the VV vibe, but am giving it a try. I’m not a foodie…after 11 years of type 2 diabetes I eat to live, rather than living to eat. I’m not an adventurous eater…not much seafood, no shellfish. I like music and shows. I will not be getting off the ship in Costa Maya, as I was just there last month on MDC Seashore. I might get off at Bimini because the on,y potential call there was cancelled. A bit about Essie of Essiesmom…years ago I was a collector of Lee. Middleton dolls, and Essie is the cheapest they ever made. She has traveled with me since 2002. Her first overseas trip was to Iceland in 2003 and her first cruise was Greece in 2005. She has a substance abuse problem which she acquired in Iceland…she likes beer. She also likes the casino, mostly the flashing lights as she is unable to gamble with Monopoly money. If you happen to see us around the ship, give her a fist bump. Love your attitude! I hope you have a great cruise and will be following along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cantgetin Posted July 13 #5 Share Posted July 13 Ah for the days of no single supplement....I love my hammock on VV. I'm convinced that there is no demographic on VV, certainly not the one they were originally marketing to. On our last cruise, the average age was 53, but the typical average is mid 40s. Longer cruises tend to run a bit older. At 70, I wan't one of the "young ones," but certainly wasn't anywhere near the oldest. Enjoy your cruise. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBCABob Posted July 13 #6 Share Posted July 13 FYI, looking at the map of the Port of Miami, the Terminal V is at one end and the new MSC Terminal AA/AAA is at the other. A very long walk but getting a Taxi/Shuttle/Uber between the two may or may not be possible. I have a similar plan for my next trip, except it will be B2B2B (some say S2S2S as 3 different ships) starting with a HAL cruise that uses Terminal D or E (in the middle) and have researched getting from ship to ship with just a BP and a SRB. BTW, if you have some time between leaving VV and checking into MSC, there are food options at the Seamen's Center and at the Port Admin Building. The Royal Terminal A reportedly has a cafeteria but do not know if non-Royal pax are allowed into the building. Perhaps this link will work: Port of Miami Map Bon Voyage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 13 Author #7 Share Posted July 13 1 hour ago, LBCABob said: FYI, looking at the map of the Port of Miami, the Terminal V is at one end and the new MSC Terminal AA/AAA is at the other. A very long walk but getting a Taxi/Shuttle/Uber between the two may or may not be possible. I have a similar plan for my next trip, except it will be B2B2B (some say S2S2S as 3 different ships) starting with a HAL cruise that uses Terminal D or E (in the middle) and have researched getting from ship to ship with just a BP and a SRB. BTW, if you have some time between leaving VV and checking into MSC, there are food options at the Seamen's Center and at the Port Admin Building. The Royal Terminal A reportedly has a cafeteria but do not know if non-Royal pax are allowed into the building. Perhaps this link will work: Port of Miami Map Bon Voyage! Thanks, but the new MSC terminal isn’t open yet. Up by 0530, on the road by 0600. Trip is just about two hours, with an unplanned pit stop at Darien before joining I95. I hate the interstate so travel country roads until exit 48. Traffic was nicely light, guess that’s what happens on a Saturday morning very early. Checked into daily parking garage, up on deck 5 aisle C, not far from the elevators. Took the elevator down to level 3 and across to the terminal. I could have curb checked my bag, but too cheap to pay the $3 fee, so I checked it inside. I usually do carryon only and my bag is that size, but decided to check so I can carry my purse as well as my backpack. Now, I have plenty of time to waste as flight isn’t until 11:19. I like to allow plenty of time as you never know…. Last time I took 95 south I was heading for Port Canaveral and there was an accident just south of Brunswick and it took 1-1/2 hours to go 1-1/2 miles. I’ll be staying in Homewood Suites by the airport tonight. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBCABob Posted July 13 #8 Share Posted July 13 1 hour ago, Essiesmom said: Thanks, but the new MSC terminal isn’t open yet. Excellent point. My trip is in 2026 so I must have ignored any mention of its opening date. Glad to learn you are well on your way. Take Care! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 13 Author #9 Share Posted July 13 (edited) On the plane. Supposed to be a full flight Edited July 13 by Essiesmom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted July 13 #10 Share Posted July 13 Enjoy your cruise. My take is that you won't know if YOU like a cruise line until you sailed it. So go in with an open mind, and enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liao Posted July 13 #11 Share Posted July 13 29 minutes ago, 1025cruise said: Enjoy your cruise. My take is that you won't know if YOU like a cruise line until you sailed it. So go in with an open mind, and enjoy. Exactly and that’s why I will be excited to follow along on moms cruise. I decided to go all for my first VV cruise and booked a 15 night TA. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_fh_mets Posted July 13 #12 Share Posted July 13 13 hours ago, Essiesmom said: I’m not a foodie…after 11 years of type 2 diabetes I eat to live, rather than living to eat. I’m not an adventurous eater…not much seafood, no shellfish. Some tips: - Almost everything is cooked to order, so if you see a menu item you want to try or are unsure about but need minor adjustments, they are happy to accommodate. - There is no limit on how many plates you can order, so if you don't care for something, you can just order something else. - You can also request smaller portions of many items if you aren't sure what you will like. - Worst case, there is always food in the Galley and a variety of grab and go options are available in several places around the ship. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 13 Author #13 Share Posted July 13 Made it to Miami. A few children on board, when we started to descend the youngest couldn’t handle it, and it was a noisy landing. I haven’t flown to a cruise since 2021, but I seem to remember we got on the sky train to get to baggage claim. But this time it was what seemed like a long walk. Got my bag and got to the exit, to discover I now have to go upstairs to departures, and to specific doors for hotel shuttles. Got there, no place to sit while I call the hotel. Memorize the number, it rings 30 times and cuts off. Three times. So I try the reservations number and I am on hold when I see the van pull up outside. I rush out and stop the driver from closing the door. A family boarded with three children. They had been waiting 40 minutes and the vehicle had gone by once without stopping. Not a good start or system. We get to the hotel and miracle of miracles, my room is ready. It’s a one bedroom suite. Don’t need that much but it’s what was most affordable among the Hilton hotel family when I was booking. Living room/kitchen with couch and TV. Separate bedroom also with large TV. Bathroom. Bed is wonderful, best I’ve had in years, including the one at home. Pulled up Wimbledon tennis on TV and went looking for ice. Apparently not on this floor, too pooped to go ask. Took a nap instead. There is an oops in my bedroom…the carpet by the side of the bed next to the closet is soaking wet. You can’t see it, but your bare feet sure feel it. I’ll be sleeping on the other side of the bed. MY windows face the lagoon and I can see the airport. But not hear it. Well, usually not hear it. On the way to the hotel we passed the 94th Aero Squadron restaurant. Love that place. Glad to see it is still going. Might go there tonight. I think I have been to this one twice, but many, many years ago when I was stationed in Denver we visited one often. Now watching baseball. Orioles and Yankees. Time to think more about dinner. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric&Pam Posted July 13 #14 Share Posted July 13 22 minutes ago, Essiesmom said: There is an oops in my bedroom…the carpet by the side of the bed next to the closet is soaking wet. Cover your ____ by telling the front desk about it, so they don't try and blame it on you later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 13 Author #15 Share Posted July 13 (edited) There is a mirror by the door from the bedroom into the sink area. You have to go through that door to get to the living room, but several times I have nearly made a face plant into that mirror. Edited July 13 by Essiesmom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 13 Author #16 Share Posted July 13 So far I have three pizza places slip menus under my door: I just wish one would have a Greek salad… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 14 Author #17 Share Posted July 14 So I went to the front desk and asked if there were any of the pizza places they would NOT recommend. Of course they wouldn’t recommend any but a fourth place. I also reported the wet carpet. Back upstairs maintenance came with a shop vac, and then came back with a big orange fan. I finally called their favorite pizza place. A pizza bigger than I can eat, plus six garlic rolls were $19, delivery minimum is $25. Add a salad. Suddenly the total is $45. No way Jose. I went down to the hotel store for a nutritious snack. Has to wait for some young folks to pick out drinks, as they didn’t want to drink faucet water. Maintenance was supposed to come back in an hour for the fan. Two hours later I unplugged it and dragged it into the hall. This morning the carpet still feels slightly damp, but you probably wouldn’t notice if you didn’t know it had been wet. Went to bed before 11pm and awake by 0500. Six hours is decent for me. Lots of families in the hotel. When I asked about pizza there was a lady with eyelashes that wouldn’t stop making arrangements for the shuttle to Carnival. I wonder how busy the breakfast buffet is at 0700. Time to find out. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 14 Author #18 Share Posted July 14 It was t real busy when I arrived, but by the time I finished it was getting slammed. I didn’t find the selection as varied as other hotels, but also a bit different. Shredded chicken instead of bacon or sausage. Only apple juice. I had some eggs and cantelope. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric&Pam Posted July 14 #19 Share Posted July 14 (edited) 38 minutes ago, Essiesmom said: Shredded chicken instead of bacon or sausage. Only apple juice. I had some eggs and cantelope. One thing's for sure, that's the last bad breakfast you'll have to eat for the next week. Edited July 14 by Eric&Pam 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 14 Author #20 Share Posted July 14 Discovered the people clogging the lobby are half cruisers waiting to go to the port, and half just got off cruise and waiting for rooms to be ready. It has now cleared dramatically as rooms are ready. One couple filled a cart with three big cases, two carryon size, and six backpacks and totes. Wonder how long there cruise was. Two men just fired up the grill on the back patio. It appears they are for guest use, two roasts. And a table of fixing’s. I had my potato chips and a cup of hot tea for lunch. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 15 Author #21 Share Posted July 15 (edited) I hung around at the hotel, leaving in a cab to the port about 2:20. Driver was Oscar, from Cuba. We had nice conversation. Got to the port about 2:40, dropped off my duffel and though my time was 3:30, the baggage guy said to go right in. There was a line of people waiting, and I asked why, and they said they had later times. Things get fuzzy here, but inside the terminal you go right and up the escalator. There you find two lines, one for people who have completed everything in the app, and others who were missing something. I had all completed so went green lane. Line moved fast, lots of checkin agents. Scan passport and get bracelet and done. Seemed like everyone I saw had a passport…does VV require that? Then off to security ( I think it was in that order) and onto the ship. I came straight up and found my cabin, unpacked my backpack and purse. I watched the wacky safety video when it came on the TV and at 4pm went down to the muster station to get checked in. Back to the cabin, then up to the solo social. The champagne was flowing. I got a glass of ice water. When that ended I came back to the cabin until time for solo sailors to meet for dinner in Razzle Dazzle. There were at least two long tables of us. I was not impressed with the menu. I had the green goddess salad, fried green tomatoes, and the lamb shank. They took a long time to come take our orders, and then the. Aims were a long time. I left after more than two hours, no dessert. Nothing on the dessert menu I wanted so I went to find the ice cream place and had a cone. After that I wandered around a bit, then came back to the cabin for my bottle and went up to the Galley to fill with iced tea. Apparently they have a meeting every morning at 1000 for solos, and they decide on where to eat that evening. So ,Albert I can get away without making any reservations. Now it is time to hunt up some pain pills. My back has had a workout the last two days. Edited July 15 by Essiesmom 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1025cruise Posted July 15 #22 Share Posted July 15 I remember the checkin/embarkation process being very quick and easy. That was one of the things I liked about VV. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cantgetin Posted July 15 #23 Share Posted July 15 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Essiesmom Posted July 15 Author #24 Share Posted July 15 A successful night of sleep, possibly the first time in years I got 8 hours. I had to linger and charge my watch for a time before venturing out for breakfast. I went up to the Galley and looked around . I picked up a quiche, an egg muffin, and a croissant. And some OJ. No complaints about the quiche and croissant but the cheese, tomato and sausage kept sliding off the egg, which turned out to be egg white only. So partial fail. After breakfast I went looking for a location to wash my hands. Couldn’t find a bathroom nearby, lots of hand sanitizer stations…surprised there are no sinks. I did find a sink just inside Gunbae. Then I wandered around until Solo Social. Met some of the same people as at the table last night, had some good conversation. Then wandered around taking pictures, even wandered through the Wake. Walked down the starboard side of deck 7, coming back inside at The Red Room. I’ve seen a couple wheelchairs and walkers, and one young person with a leg brace and crutches. One fellow was pushing his wheelchair, sort of using it like a walker. And one scooter…on the landing at the top of the stairs at The Wake. They were starting trivia as I walked about, and it seems to be very popular. Picture dump time. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Miller Posted July 15 #25 Share Posted July 15 You're rocking some great photos Mom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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