warmwinds

Just back from my first... Yes we completed the health questionnaire for both of us in the same app. I don't even own a smart phone so we did everything from the same app When you arrive at the Terminal there is a line for "people with problems" (or something like that) but we had trouble hooking my husband up to my credit card so we got in that line. That line was longer than all the others! 😬

jdacombe, I just thought of something you may or may not know...they are coming out with a new ship that will be based in Portsmouth, UK. I had hoped it would travel around the British Isles, but it seems it will be doing short cruises - one to Amsterdam and Brugges, and another to Bilbao and Bordeaux. That might be a good way to get your feet wet with Virgin without a huge commitment since you're based in the UK?

I had hoped my review here would help others our age decide. While we were in the minority, we certainly weren't the only ones our age on board. Whether you "like" it or not has nothing to do with age...I would ask what cruise lines you've been on before and what you thought of them. I've never been on Carnival and I've never been on Crystal but I know I wouldn't be happy at those 2 ends of the spectrum. Virgin's porridge was "just right" for this Goldilocks.

Yeah, you're right. All hiding in plain sight. We'll be smarter next time.

Will have to go to the Galley outside of breakfast (actually did once, got paninis). Look forward to that salad bar. But I still don't think we got that many vegetables with any of our entrees in the restaurants. Razzle dazzle was great - LOVED the mushroom tartare. But I'm talking about a side of carrots, or brocolli, or whatever with our dinner entrees. We were truly overwhelmed by everything that it will take the next cruise to help us focus better.

Great info! We'll look for it next time.

I was just on Scarlet Lady and really liked our cabin 11102Z - it was midway between the middle and aft elevators, it had an angled balcony which was larger than the norm, and best of all....ta da...when we were walking down the hall we could see our wall jutting out so we knew how much further we had to go...."there's our cabin! I see it!". I would take any cabin that ended with 102, either A or Z, between decks 9-13. Very, very quiet.

ok, another question for those of you who are regulars... We found there to be a big lack of vegetables/salads on board. There was not a "salad bar" option in the Galley (of course we were only there for breakfast), and we did not see in most restaurants that you could order a side of veggies (as you can, say, in a landside restaurant). Were they there and somehow we just missed them?

Thanks but I don't want to risk losing that last 102 cabin. Got a really good deal on the pricing, and $300 credit is acceptable for our own mistake. Next time we will book on board.

Definitely saw a few, but not as many as on other lines.

And kicking ourselves for not booking on board. We weren't "sure", there were things we didn't like as well as many, many that we did. And now 3 days later we've booked another with half the on-board credit. I'll be telling things and asking things, too. For our background we started cruising in 1976 (we met on a cruise, NCL) 😍and in the ensuing years tried Sitmar, Princess, Royal, HAL, and finally settled on Celebrity where we have been for literally the last 20 years. Loved Celebrity, but they started to downgrade and downgrade and quite frankly, we were getting bored with the same old same old - so decided to shake it up. Decided NOT to go high end (Crystal, Seabourn, etc) but to really shake it up - So Virgin was the choice. Great choice. We lucked into one of the angled balcony "secret" cabins from the other thread - 11102Z. Just booked and that's gone, only 02 on either side is 9102Z - we could look down on the lifeboats from 11, will they be in our faces, blocking the rear view from deck 9? We thought the ship was gorgeous, loved all the different areas, so many nooks and crannies. Loved the food - from the lowliest burger to the most gourmet. Ate at the Wake, Extra Virgin, Test Kitchen, Razzle Dazzle, as well as many of the more casual venues (Dock or Dockside mezze were fabulous). Sleeper breakfast? The heart attack on a plate French Toast Breakfast Burger. We got pizza only once because we like different types, so 2 whole ones was too much, wish they had slices. Had drinks in many different bars. Service throughout was outstanding. Loved the pool, it was bigger than what I was expecting based on reviews, but very difficult for seniors to get up that 2 foot wall around it - we're not disabled, just in our 70's and not 22 and athletic anymore. They really need one step on one side somewhere to facilitate that. We are not late night people so missed much of the entertainment, etc., but that's ok, it was a short 4 day cruise and we were happy just to get to know the ship. I can honestly say we did not care for much of the music we did hear, but that's our age and our taste. You can't please everyone, and there were pockets of "oldies" music that we appreciated when we came across it. Loved the super simple embarkation and disembarkation. Got used to the wrist band quickly. Just booked a 6 nighter and will delve more into the entertainment. Really just an unexpectedly positive experience - I knew it would be "different" for us, and it was, but in a good way.

Do all the ships have the exact same layout?

Yes, we now both remember seeing that...but can't recall eating it. How pathetic are we? Thank you so much!

I'll start by saying Yes, I am ashamed of what I am about to admit...😬 Picture this...last day, we still have umpteen dollars in Bar Credit left, we take advantage all day and then order wine pairings in Test Kitchen. We can remember the mushroom, the egg, the scallop, the beef, the blue cheese...but NEITHER of us has any recollection whatsoever of dessert. I remember the dessert wine - took a sip and passed it over to my husband. But what did we get to eat???? It was supposed to be "chocolate" - but was it a cake? A mousse? What? The fact that NEITHER of us can remember makes us wonder if we somehow got up and left without dessert? What did we miss? BTW, we loved Test Kitchen, we loved everything and everywhere we ate, when I recover I'll do a full report from a 70's couple perspective, but if anyone can help with the chocolate dessert question I'd be so grateful.

I'm sweating just thinking about a blanket and duvet and no plain sheet - so happy you mentioned you could get just a duvet cover. If you don't mind, I don't know your age but I'm sure we're closer to your parents, so if you could include their impressions (if you hadn't planned to already) I'd very much appreciate it.

Well besides my Nebraska shirt I realized I have red Christmas socks! Go me!

Uh oh the only piece of red clothing I own is a Nebraska Cornhuskers hoodie (it was a gift from my NE son-in-law's family) 🤣 somehow I don't think that's what they have in mind!

Honestly, food looks terrific. I was panic stricken about the restaurant concept (not getting reservations, eating burgers every night) but it seems there aren't that many people in any of these pictures? I guess since we're old and like to eat early it'll be even easier. Our first cruise with them is only 4 nights, so will have to decide which to pick. Just noticed I'm going to be on another vacation when my window to make reservations opens up - I won't have access to a computer - so it's ok to call in and talk to a rep? I liked the one I had so much who helped me with some other questions I wonder if I should track him down, have no idea how to do that.

I didn't know how to upload so ended up e-mailing them the relevant Celebrity page, and that worked. I asked about my husband, said I couldn't find his number on line, and they approved him, too. Hey, I'm thrilled with another $100 bar tab. But the Deep Blue stuff confuses me....said I had to book a 3rd cruise by March (no thanks) - so what happens if we don't?

Can't wait for more pictures!

Are you sure? I thought EV was the Italian restaurant - I thought I saw those dishes on The Wake's menu, but I'm probably wrong since I've never been.

Thank you all so much, what great info. And those food pictures look great! Which restaurant was that?

Another Celebrity used to be here...just booked not one but two VV cruises - talk about jumping in with both feet. I have a question about dress code, not lamenting the good old days, but want a realistic picture of what VV is like at night. As an extreme question, to get an idea...can you wear shorts to dinner? (men and women). The VV website says "you can wear "anything", we want you to be comfortable, blah blah, as long as it's not a thong and pasties" (or something to that effect) - so, can you wear shorts to dinner or do people dress up at night?

I'm pretty sure we didn't get a free one with our res, so where do you buy the first $300? On board, before you sail, at the first bar you have a drink? I don't think we have any OB credit, either....sheesh, maybe I didn't get as good a deal as I thought! 😄

Thanks. We'll figure out what we need/want. Will try to keep in simple. I'm used to cruises where you had a beverage package and didn't have to think, gotta figure out now about that $300 thing. The mini bar will help.