JP82

If this was this evening, I think there is something going on as it's happened to lots of people with upcoming Virtuosa bookings.... I think it may have been a mess up with the IT on their side? Have been on hold but given up for now. But lot's of Facebook posts about it.

Have currently been moved from my chosen Aft Facing Balcony to one practically at the front of the ship.

Just came off the September 13th Sky sailing, and have to say other than the app occasionally logging out (but easily logged back into) it worked fine for us... In terms of drink ordering at least. I didn't like the layout and how much scrolling you had to do to see events. But for the drinks and dining functions, it worked a treat.

I just disembarked Sky this morning, and I actually enjoyed a lot of evening drinks in the Crown Grill bar, a good selection of seats, and the live Pianist each evening was great.

I was booked on the TA back with you on Harmony, but have given up on that now.

It also seemed like B&D were over critical of Iona on their recent vlogs, this was in the same video where they ranted about paying for the cruise etc, and always being honest. Which I found jarring, as I'm sure they have been on paid cruises by some of the lines and definitely blown smoke up their Afts.

20 minutes ago, Couple-Somerset said:

(groan) just as I thought - Rikki Jay and Soul Sisters appear to be doing the whole season as community service for crimes against entertainment.

A bit unfair as Soul Sisters weren't too bad, other than some of their wardrobe choices.

 

And - the good news is that with Rikki Jay appearing virtually every night, John Bishop will be able to catch his show too this week (err maybe not, I think he'll be re-whitening his teeth instead).

 

It's going to be interesting to see how many get to see John Bishop though as even with only 1,000 onboard, it would involve 4 reduced-seating theatre shows to get them all in.

 

Need to be quick with the pre-booking on your stateroom tv to get him booked !!

We get it. You didn't like what they wore.... Move on.

3 minutes ago, pmd98052 said:

 

Yup exactly - its clear how they plan to pay back some of that debt! I don't think drink prices in my local pub have gone up quite as much though (£5 to £5.50 maybe?) and they've also been closed for a long time.

But MSC will be looking at their (I would imagine) huge overheads, and that captive audience once they're aboard, and pushing the limit as far as they can.

I'm not mad at it, and all the more reason for the drinks package!!!

19 minutes ago, pmd98052 said:

 

Yes it does - However normally that is quite an expensive add on for a long cruise if you only want the odd drink. MSC drink prices were never this high before from looking at 2019 menus.

I guess they also didn't have over a years worth of stationary ships and non revenue generation to make up for before though.

Thanks both.

Am thinking of a (relatively) last minute booking for the June 12th sailing, just the 3 nights from Southampton to Liverpool. I would be booking an interior for myself alone, and joining two friends. With all the restrictions, does anyone know if there is the option for me to dine with them, by linking bookings or anything? Or is that against the current rules? We would be travelling together, and arriving as one group. Just not sharing a cabin.

7 minutes ago, MX-Drew said:

I was interested to try MSC but felt their website misadvertised, it stated for a 4 night cruise prices from £499pp fully inc (for one cruise in particular) then I clicked on book and the cheapest cabin was £629pp + £500pp to get the package that includes the fully inclusive package. I have a suit on Britannia for less and a fully inclusive package on Princes for less. As for the port calls, well I'm one of the few who is not interested in them, rather be at see.

Okay it's confusing because they are still offering you the option to add Fantastica/Aurea etc. But the initial price DOES include drinks package for the Virtuosa sailings from Southampton..... They just explain it really badly on the website, and naughtily leave the option on the website to still add these kind of packages on.

1 hour ago, Britboys said:

With such a range of choices now becoming available, if you hadn't already booked and cost wasn't the primary factor, which line would you choose and why?

If I was sailing solo, it would probably be Fred Olsen, for the smaller ship and more interesting itinerary. If I was sailing with one of my cruise buddies it would probably be Princess for the value of the Princess Plus fare.

All points of view equally valid and hopefully no negative posts...😄

For me, it would be MSC, as I think their modern ships are breathtaking, and I am keen to try one. I like big ships, so Virtuosa ticks the box.

Also Disney, as I have done one cruise with them, and this current offering does seem like a one off (unless it proves to be a valid business model and it sticks for a few years) and I don't want to miss out. Also I want to complete my collection of Disney model ships as I have the Disney Wonder from my first cruise with them. Also the on board experience is pretty much one of a kind.

MSC now confirming Magnifica will be replaced by the all new (and much sparklier) Virtuosa for their planned UK Sailings. A much bigger ship and she offers The Yacht Club!!

What an exciting time for the UK Cruise industry this last few weeks!

37 minutes ago, yorkshirephil said:

Probably because we got all the hype over the last year or so and our vera is the new ship. There is a lot of info on Iona on the P&O website and here on cruise critic among other sites.

For a ship that is floating around in relatively local waters and is already on sale I would expect more info and pictures than we have.

I still can't quite fathom how it seems P&O have given us more info and hype already about the Arvia than they have on Iona. Which is built and sailing and tantalisingly close to having passengers on!!

Not to read too much into it...But Antwerp is a lot closer to the UK.... And I'm sure the Magnifica could use the back up on the announced UK Port sailings?? 🤣

7 minutes ago, MacH said:

We in our early days of cruising we got upgraded on Cunard to a junior suite.  Unfortunately, it was right at the very front of the ship and we thought we had been very lucky.  Unfortunately, we couldn't actually stay in the cabin for several days as we sailed down through the Bay of Biscay due to extreme swell (the cabin was rising and falling several feet).  We vowed never to sail again without knowing exactly where our cabin would be.  So, no dining choice and no cabin choice means no cruise choice.

Well if you vowed......

9 minutes ago, Purdey16 said:

We also booked a princess 5 night one , wasn’t even on our radar too as we did want to try out Iona but since we are booked on her in February to canaries next year we will wait, but we are quite looking forward to the sky princess one all new for us , I did fancy the Belfast 7 day one but husband wants to stay on the ship and enjoy the spa and have 5 days to ourselves (almost) with not being carers and rest 

Yeah have been watching a few YouTube videos on here this afternoon. She seems really nice, and still like new in some ways as she was new before the lockdown.... Exciting!

After a bit of back and forthing. Have just booked a 4 day on Sky Princess in September. Princess had never been on my radar prior to all this, so quite excited to try something (a little) different.

Will see what happens over the next month or two as am buying a house, but may still book something on Iona.

Have booked a 4 day on the Sky in September, working on the theory that Mine and my travel partners vaccine should have been completed by then (both in our thirties), and the shorter itinerary seemed like the perfect excuse to try a new line as we have never sailed Princess.

Best part of the booking process was when my Sister facetimed me just as I was finishing. So I hit the pay full balance option instead of the deposit!!! 🤣

Very much on the same page!! Have just been on the Princess website doing dummy bookings and hovering over the confirmation button. But keep stopping myself from booking anything because I want the confirmation what MSC are doing.

Plus I have seen rumours now for NCL, and one of the ships mentioned there was Encore, which would be pretty cool!

2 hours ago, BigRoger said:

I rashly said to DW that if MsC put Virtuosa in Southampton this summer I’d treat her to Yacht Club...... errr now thinking I may have misjudged that statement... she is contacting travel agents to see if they know anything......

I said the same thing... Albeit to myself.... I'm sure I will regret it when the time comes round. But if I'm not flying anywhere this Summer/Year, so that's how I will justify the extra cost! 🤣

Now let's hope they come out with some announcement and details soon. The Princess "Seacations" launch tomorrow. I have so far managed to resist booking Britannia/Iona from P&O, but not sure how long I can hold out! 🤣

9 minutes ago, stuart2468 said:

Yeah, I don't think I will be fully vaccinated before August, and already have a cruise booked for the September dates on Virtuosa, so can't really book Iona for that period. But not needing a vaccine, only a test to board MSC makes it more favourable. I am happy with which ever ship it is just so we get to have a break away, and I haven't yet done that class of ship. 

 

Will be interesting to see if they schedule more than 1 ship though. Not needing a vaccine means demand for these sailings could be huge and I suspect a second ship would be required. 

Exactly! And a few people seem to be thinking Virtuosa will not go ahead with her sailings from Northern Europe.

I just responded to a comment about it on Twitter and said that if MSC lay on a Meraviglia or Seaside class then they have a sale. And MSC liked it.... Which means absolutely nothing, but I took it as a sign! 😄

4 minutes ago, davecttr said:

Iona single balconies now sold out. i am surprised it too over 2 hours

On all her itineraries?

1 minute ago, stuart2468 said:

Thanks JP. I hadn't seen any announcement of dates thus far. good to know we don't have to wait too long.

 

I took a look at Iona sailings today, all 3 of them lol. Prices weren't to bad though but would much prefer to sail MSC as I prefer their continental product. Britain on a boat doesn't really do it for me

Agreed! I said I would willingly do the P&O options if they announced Iona or Brittania on them, and that's exactly what they did 😄. I've been on the P&O website this morning, but really I don't think I will book until I know I am getting my Vaccination. So for now MSC has become my better option!

(Zero interest in Magnifica thought tbh, so waiting for them to come through with that announcement on a bigger (and better) ship)