jon81uk

Yes, ask the housekeeping attendant, or tap in the app or in-room tablet and it will alert them to bring some.

There was a difference on this Celebration voyage. The CEO was present with a short thank you speech and they had canapés available. Still the same sangria and sparkling rose though, but held in the Manor (on the Portsmouth voyage).

9 hours ago, little britain said:

Today they are scheduled for IJmuiden again today but looks like that was a cunning trick as she’s now heading up into Amsterdam! Having Branson on board pulls strings? !

or just no planned action by Extinction Rebellion on a Wednesday compared to a Saturday.

Did you go to the talks or events by the VPs etc?

3 hours ago, little britain said:

@doconner

 

At the drinks now: beer or sangria or champagne only, someone singing, not an officer to be seen… no speeches or anything, no nibbles. Very understated. 

Except for the captain’s announcement about 5.30pm on the first day you’ll never hear from an officer unless there is a safety issue, safety drill or medical emergency. Don’t expect them to take part or make speeches, that’s what the cast is there for. 
Personally at the drinks party I like the relaxed atmosphere with the solo performance.

For musicians I’ve preferred the busker style soloists more than the bands, Daniel Parks, Selki and Matthew Lennox have all been good. I may not have seen them for long enough as more often was in the Manor late night but no band has really stuck with me. I didn’t really like Madison Grace.
 

For the festival stage acts;

Tape Face was as good as expected, lots of silly fun.

Lucy Darling magician was great and despite the Red Room being almost empty put on a great show and happily roasted our drunk friend.

Tom Crosbie Performing Nerd is great with a perfect show of comedy magic.

Andre Vincent is a good northern British comedian. 
There was a good acapella group I can’t remember the name of.

Michael John was a terrible magician who the audience were actively trying to ignore, I was surprised he didn’t get a boo.

Ben Price was an OK magician.
 

I can’t recall all the acts I’ve seen onboard but there have been a few other reasonsble British comedians.

9 hours ago, bundtkate said:

Test Kitchen is easy enough to get day of so maybe we just book something else and cancel + walk up to Test Kitchen if we decide to go back.

We missed a reservation as I got the time wrong and for a walk up we had to come back in half hour, so it is possible but not always immediate.

9 hours ago, bundtkate said:

Would it be safe to book night 1 and the last night in Test Kitchen if we want to try both menus on a 7-day sailing? I know it's not most folks' favorite, but we love a tasting menu so I'm actually most excited about Test Kitchen and want to make sure we try all menus available.

Previously they did 4 nights of one menu and three nights of another so unless things have changed that strategy should work.

4 hours ago, babalooo said:

Great question! We are on an October Dominican Daze and I want to experience the new C menu so I am hoping they rotate two days of A, two days of B, one day of C, or something like that. But unless someone else is on a five night cruise and clarify what they’re doing right now, our best bet is to ask as soon as we get on the ship.

From what I’ve read they will only be serving two menus, it will either be A and B or A and C in rotation.

4 hours ago, cantgetin said:

If you are sailing in Europe, it will be European Diet Coke which they usually market as Coke Zero but is different than US coke zero.  I'm not a purist.  All I know is that my family doesn't like the European variety if they have a choice,

 

Europe does have Diet Coke, it’s just called Coke Light. We’ve had it on VV. But in general (not on the ship) a lot of bars choose to only stock regular Coca Cola and Coke Zero and don’t bother ordering Coke Light.

VV of course also often has stock issues!

Onboard the only diet option is Diet Coke.

the soda available is

Coca Cola 

Diet Coke 

Coke Zero 

Sprite

Fanta orange 

Seagrams ginger 

Mainly on deck 8, they are the light pink colour on the deck plan (slightly smaller balcony) https://vvinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Virgin-Voyages-Brilliant-Lady-Deck-Plans.pdf

On the other ships the deck 8 cabins are limited view but on Brilliant Lady the lifeboats are closer in so the ship is allowed through the Panama Canal which means the balconies on deck 8 are smaller, so no other furniture except the two hammocks.

26 minutes ago, KKB said:

This is the 2nd leg of a B2B…all booked 1st leg but just added this one.

Will there be times available when we board?

 

The good thing about b2b is you’ll be first on the ship for the second leg so you can start booking things onboard.

34 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

And I'm still curious what he means by the "good slots." That could mean anything. My wife and I prefer European dining times, but some people like the earlier ones, so it's all subjective.

The first times to fill up are 7-7.45pm so that’s what I think most people consider as the “good ones”. I’m British and normally aim for 7pm dinner at home.

Booking dining 60 days would mean they are in a suite.

your travel agent should be able to sort out linking the bookings so you can book for them and vice versa.

They only open up about third of the slots in advance, make more bookings, or change what you have once onboard the ship WiFi.

24 minutes ago, doconner said:

Thanks for that info.   So are Sangria and Rose likely to be the only two drink options?

Yes, I’ve done the party three times and it’s always been the same drink options.

4 hours ago, rebeccac said:

Personally, I was not a huge fan of Richard's Rooftop.  Not enough shade.  Too windy when the ship was moving.  I spent less than two hours there on a five night cruise the one time we travelled as a Rockstar.  

It’s got more shade umbrellas than most of the rest of deck 16 and the pool area. We found it a good option to have a pick of spaces to sit at when the other sun decks are busier. But as you say the big downside is it’s often very windy.

We spent a lot of time there for happy hour of course, but otherwise maybe an hour or two each sea day, especially in the hot tubs which are much quieter than the others.

It’s an hour of sparkling rose wine and sangria being served and drinks constantly being topped up.  There will usually be an acoustic guitarist or similar artist performing. Often takes place around 5pm and you’ll get an app notification or letter in the cabin telling you exactly what day.

14 minutes ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

Exactly the same time, but TAs don't use the app. They use the Virgin Voyages booking engine that is much faster to grab your dining times. 

Which is why it’s frustrating that they haven’t made a customer facing webpage you can book through.

37 minutes ago, Maisyboo said:

Ok  question for you all . If reservations open up 45 days ahead for regular cabin categories. When does the booking window open for TA?. We have one & would like to have everything ready to send to her . 

Exactly the same as it does if you were to do it yourself. Main advantage is the agents have a website view not app.

1 hour ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

Yes, you would think between 2019 and now they could have come up with an app that works as well as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, Carnival and others.... 🙂

From what I’ve read other cruise line apps are just as bad. But VV have a new one coming in the next year. I still think there should be an option to make bookings on the website for everyone though, not just the app.

2 hours ago, GVM said:

Since Virgin (the brand) is British, does anyone knows, if the cashier in the casino takes GBP banknotes and coins?

Virgin Voyages the cruise brand is American. I don’t think they accept anything other than USD cash, but I’ve not tried myself. 

1 hour ago, Tyler414 said:

I had a 2:30 arrival time, showed up at 2:15 and were allowed to go into terminal. Stood in there for an hour.  Went straight to cabin at 3:45.

That is weird then. The two times I’ve boarded at Barcelona after we did check in we walked directly into the ship.

1 hour ago, Tyler414 said:

Stood in the hot terminal for over an hour waiting to board, no clue what the issue was, but it was far from a good experience.

Out of interest, what arrival time did you have, what time did you arrive at the terminal and what time did you actually board?

53 minutes ago, KKB said:

Have a good deal for another one on Radiant Lady. 

Is it just going to be the same thing again?

Resilient Lady has 3-4 different shows compared to Scarlet/Valiant.

VV Insider has a good list of what shows are on each ship.

https://vvinsider.com/on-board/events/

1 hour ago, CruisingWalter said:

The app will work much smoother for Rockstars because there are so few people trying to login. When the full reservations open at 45 days, that's a completely different experience. That's when working with a TA is so helpful. Just send them your requests list of dining and they take care of it for you. Much easier for them than guests trying in the app. 🙂

they really should have a system so everyone can do it on website or app.