FetaCheese

Deposits are recorded on general ledger as liabilities. That said, all cash is cash. A prudent corporate financial officer should not allow most, if not all, of it to be spent down. IMO, most newbuilds are financed with long term notes, also liabilities. Since V is a private corporation we do not know their sources of funds, nor their accounting principles. IMO, I also believe Mr. Hagen knows very well how to properly operate a cruise line.

Agree, if majors do it, many will follow, and also agree that lines have lots of cabins to fill, so IMO, not likely. Not relevant to O, but, Have a booking on V. Contract says they can add a $9/day pp fuel surcharge prior to final pmt, if oil goes above $50. At time of booking, oil was well over $100. Paid FP a few weeks early, just in case. None was added. See below for fuel and USD/EURO surcharges. (Right now USD is strengthening against Euro). Copied from V contract: This Passenger Ticket Contract applies to cruises which begin, end or include a stop at a port in the United States or its territories. 2. FUEL SUPPLEMENT/EXCHANGE RATE SUPPLEMENT. We reserve the right to, and you expressly agree we may, impose a surcharge for significant increase in our fuel costs. An additional charge of up to $9.00 USD per passenger per day may be assessed at any time prior to your payment in full of the Cruise Fare in the event that the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) is greater than $50.00 USD per barrel of oil. We also reserve the right to, and you expressly agree we may, impose an additional charge, based on significant changes in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Euro. Specifically, we may assess a surcharge if, between the time of your payment in full of the Cruise Fare and time of scheduled embarkation, the exchange rate (as published in the Wall Street Journal, US eastern edition) of the US dollar fluctuates by more than 10% against the Euro. The surcharge may reflect the entire percentage difference in exchange rate between the time of your payment in full of the Cruise Fare and time of embarkation. For residents of Canada, please see the amendment provisions in the Canadian Addendum to this Passenger Ticket Contract.

Saw a large group of people onboard on a R ship. I speculated to wife, that they were TA's, even though I could not really see their badges on lanyards (Was in the business many year ago). I was correct. They had lunch in GDR, while we were also in GDR. They really had a wonderful time!

I love Blue Fish, roasted with chopped onion, celery, carrots, tomato. Greek style -- fish Plaki. Must be well done. If you can find it now -- hardly ever -- they are very small. A decent size Blue is 4 to 5 pounds or larger, whole. Yes, a little fishy and somewhat oily, and a little dark -- but cooked as above -- just delicious. Don't know why so few people like it. (Guess I'm weird too!) Summered at South Jersey shore as as kid thru teens. Neighborhood deep sea fishermen would give it to Grand mom, so plentiful and large.

Booked Palacete suite. From website, Looks real nice for us. Old world style hotel, bkfst included at 24 buffet, and beer/wine included. Read reviews from independent sites, most positive, a few neg, but everyone has their own opinion. Great location. Found many recommendations on CC topic in Hotels in Barcelona, and topic hotels in Madrid/BCN. Also Las Ramblas hotels. Looked at all of them. Many were modern/ultra modern, and bkfst extra. Palacete rate for suite, I thought was good value. Only had 2 suites, so if you want it, book early, no pre-payment req. Just GTY it.

Just checked again. Still not updated.

Thank you for your detailed posts, photos, and commentary. And so quickly after a long journey home. Really enjoyed reading it. Did you have a prior CC Live from... ? Seem to recall enjoying that one, but have not found it now. Biz class...What a treat! Never found it as inexpensive as you!

Thanks, Clay. IMO, after 3 days, I think that this program has ended, and also think it's not like V to "forget" something this important. Holiday weekend, so V reply may take awhile.

Thanks, have been checking blog since yesterday.

V has been updating the pre-embark doc. almost daily. As you said, will be changing before our next cruise.

The Greek lamb shank was my absolute best dinner December 2021, Greek Odyssey. Am sure your chateaubriand and fish were equally delicious. On that voyage, the taste of Greece buffet was a lunch. Was terrific! Hope you tried the 3 varieties of Baklava.

Received a V brochure a few days ago. "Independence Day Sale". Has same offer: JUL4. Rivers, Oceans, Exp. Has $25 dep., and many cruises featured. Some have free air, others list air price. V had been offering free air on some river itins for a couple months, Grand Euro Tour among them. I do hope, and expect, an excellent TA would have access to all current offers. From another CC topic, I learned about TA consortiums, or consortia. Searched net, and learned about them, what they are, and can do. (Also learned both terms are correct)! Discovered my online TA belongs to a very large one, and is highly rated. Now I understand how they can offer such generous OBC and perks. Thank you to that poster (FlatBushFlyer?) who discussed it. Think it was topic about using/not using TAs.

Thanks Joe. The RFG gave me confidence to book the TA, and my V cruise Dec. 2021 (1st V). Just checked V website, and it has not been extended; it still says for bookings through June 30, 2022.

Andy, really appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge re: all things nautical/marine ! Would you be able to explain the above abbreviations/terms for us ? Thanks

Also using TIS for several years. Thank you GeezerCouple. You had recommended them on a CC Ins. Forum. 1st policy -- purchased from TA. TIS had same policy -- same Administrator -- same Underwriter -- but, with much improved liability limits, and some other extra coverages. Was within time limit to cancel TA policy , so cancelled that, and purchased from TIS -- and have never looked back ! Have spoken with Steve a few times -- always polite -- answers all questions -- takes plenty of time to explain things -- never rushes conversation -- points you to the correct policy -- helps to avoid having to spend extra premiums. Also, the above comments apply to Deanna, Kim (and Becky -- not there anymore).

On V website, RFG expires 30 JUNE 2022. Anyone with further information ?

Thank you to all who made suggestions. Checked them all, and chose Hotel Continental Palacete. Thank you jmfdr. Will really suit our style. Booked the 2nd of only 2 suites avail.

Will be on a Spain voyage, so maybe thy will have one.

Of course, I would love to have a Greek menu ! And many others, as well.

Thanks, Joe. Didn't know they were 2 different types.

Same experience. Have found that, since I look at CC - V board, V marketing ads follow me around on various websites I use. Yahoo Finance, for example, had a V River ad, offering a $25 deposit, and maybe free air on some offered sailings. Clicking on a "special offer" ad, will take you to that promo. May or may not have received a direct V email for that offer.

WN,. Thanks so much. 1st 3 Bourbons are very fine. Never tried last 3, but would not be on SS pkg. Will be very satisfied with anything on SS Pkg.

Would like to see your PDF, but I get a danger warning, (on phone), so I didn't open it. Would you be able to possibly post it another way? Have not been able to find it on V site, or MVJ. Thanks. A Bourbon drinker

On Greek Odyssey December 2021, 1 night MDR had braised lamb shank (slowly--the right way). Absolutely the best one ever! So tender, falling off the bone, perfectly spiced, and a huge one--hind quarter. (Don't remember if it was on the "destination focused" part of menu at top). Mouth is watering just thinking about it ! So very satisfying.

Had cabin #6030 on O--R ship, was listed as obstructed, but only partially, by a similar small life boat. Really could see well out of large rectangular window. Really like that cabin (also same as #6033). I like to refer to that small size boat as a "commander's boat". Andy, any thoughts?