jon81uk

Allow 90 minutes for most meals, two hours for Gunbae and Test Kitchen. It’s possible to be done in 60-90 minutes when it’s not so busy though but it’s worth allowing a little more time. Generally we see shows at 10pm, that way have plenty of time after a 7/8pm reservation.

I think they are now changing the entire Happenings Cast as a group and it generally is about a five month contract (as they have some rehearsal time before getting on the ship). For example on Resilient the cast boarded the new ship to rehearse in April, for sailings starting early May and they left in August. The current Valiant Lady cast did rehearsals in Orlando late May and started on the ship in June through to October.

There already is significantly more paid-for activities compared to two years ago. Most of them do include alcoholic beverages but it’s gone from about three different classes/activities to about eight or ten. Although it’s not as bad as the terrible insole sales pitch that is listed as a fitness workshop.

Decks 9-13 don’t have any public spaces above or below so there is no noise issues to consider.

For Valiant Lady you can see the cast on their Instagram https://instagram.com/valiantladyhappeningscast?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== The current diva is Gila Moonstar. https://instagram.com/gilamoonstar?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== But the next cast change is 22nd October for Valiant. Dont think the Scarlet or Resilient Lady casts have set up a similar Instagram page but you can find their individual profiles. Carlos left Scarlet Lady in July https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu-Pfa1xLUH/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== from a bit of searching on Instagram, Scarlet Lady is on Happenings Cast 7 and has Kara Kature as the diva https://instagram.com/thekarakature?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

They claim it’s like a hotel; they just assign the best room in the category at the time of booking. Almost all hotels don’t allow guests to select rooms at time of booking. But for people who have been on before and know what they like then many do like specific rooms. In general though any room on decks 9-13 will be fine.

What room category are you trying for? Deck five is all sea view and there are only a handful of those on other decks and all at the very very front in the nose of the ship. If you want a higher deck and midship you need central sea terrace.

I’ve just got off Valiant Lady and the old record store never opened, they just had a tiny selection in the essentials store.

Virgin Voyages is almost all Americans and Brits. More Americans from Miami and then probably 60% Brits from Barcelona or Athens. Less than 10% of guests are non-English speakers (ie not UK, USA or Canada), just a few Italians and Spanish. It’s definitely an American cruise line. 7pm or 7.30 does seem the most popular time to dine and then see a show at 10pm. I think 8.30-9.30 reservations are less popular. Most tables seat two or four, so as a solo you’ll get a 2-top for yourself. Some nights there are organised solo meet up where they have a group table for dinner though. The only restaurant that seats strangers together is Gunbae as the tables round the grill seat 6-8. Although at most places the tables for two are close enough together that you can make conversation!

Don’t think you need to book, just first come first served so arrive a little early for better seats. No charge but there will be servers for drinks in the Manor.

Should be able to see them here https://www.virginvoyages.com/shore-excursions but need to use the app to actually book them and see exactly what is available for your dates.

It will appear in the app at 45 days out anyway.

Currently onboard a busy Valiant Lady apparently with 2200 sailors and we’ve not had any problems with dining. I did make reservations at 45 days out but have been able to change the time of some without problems and also turned up late at Test Kitchen so my reservation had been automatically cancelled but they were still able to seat us. I have seen people report they are being turned away at the Wake for walk ups, that seems to be the hardest place to get into. If you want the prime 7pm slots you need to get in quick as soon as booking opens in advance or onboard. But getting 8pm or 6pm isn’t difficult.

I’m currently on Valiant Lady and had zero issues with the WiFi.

Per cabin and only voyages seven nights or longer.

In the app it’s possible to state that you are covering their onboard spend, then drinks come from your bar tab and then your credit card when it’s gone. Or can see sailor services onboard to get the two accounts merged.

major show times will appear in the app at 45 days out, then change in the week before and once onboard. descriptions of the main parties and shows are here https://www.virginvoyages.com/cruise-entertainment#valiant-lady Miss Behave Show and Duel Reality are don’t miss.

Took two hours for luggage last Sunday on Valiant Lady. Think that’s the slowest I’ve ever seen it.

We just took the rest of the bottle with us and kept drinking it through the evening.

Major events appear in the app at 45 days out, then about two weeks before a few more but it won’t be exactly correct until the day before or even once onboard. same applies for the link and the app. no one has found that link for Resilient Lady.

Once seated you can ask your server not to bring the food and I think they can just not bring it to you. Initially some people reported you got the food even if you didn’t want it but now I think they can hold it back.

I think it might have improved now they aren’t giving it for free with deep blue extras so they aren’t getting as many orders, but we waited around 40 minutes I think.

The issue could be that it can take 20-60 minutes for the champagne to arrive after shaking.

I generally value Virgin points at 0.5-1p (in British pence) per point. So 80,000 points could be worth £800. For flight redemption we can fly London to Miami in economy for 45,000 plus taxes. Cheapest price for a sea terrace on that Melbourne to Hobart is £1960, so you are saving around £1000 by using point. yes I’ve used pounds for the examples as I’m British, but the logic should be the same. Unless you can see a flight you want to spend the points on, the cruise is a pretty good use of them. Your only other cost will be alcoholic drinks onboard.

Standard well spirits are $8 with regular mixers, I think you get Buffalo Trace for that price. They don’t show the well/house spirit on menus. The menu for On The Rocks does have a large listing of all the whisk(e)y they might have, but prices did go up on a few at the beginning of this year (well/house spirits went from $7 to $8).