CanadianCruiser21

2 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

You can use your dining credits for anybody you choose.  They don't have to be in the same cabin.  

Thanks! I ended up getting the premier package and was able to book for both of us, seemingly using the credit. 

hopefully there aren’t any billing issues later. 

Also curious about this. I’ll be solo in my cabin and was hoping to use one of the credits on a friend in a different cabin. Looking online, the rules say it can be used for others in the same cabin.

I don’t want to order the Princess Premier package until I can confirm I can use both credits the same night. I’ve also seen a screenshot from someone else where it shows as 2 x $50 dining credits. Since the crown grill is $39pp, I wonder if I can use the remaining amount on extra entrees. 

The premier package includes 2 speciality dining meals. I only plan to go once and I would like to invite a passenger from a different cabin (who does not have the package). Can I use my 2nd specialty dining credit for them? 
All I could find in the Princess FAQ was that it could be shared with the 3rd or 4th passenger in the same cabin. 

1 hour ago, Wildcatllamas said:

So I reached out yesterday to the TA I used to use when my late husband and I traveled a lot. She reached out to her BDM. They confirmed that this sailing is indeed in inventory maintenance and should be back live and ready to book soon. 

 

So guess I will be checking daily.

Hopefully you, or whoever finds it listed again first, will update us here. I’ll book my flights as soon as it’s listed again. Still have my heart set on going to Lisbon so this has been just really annoying. 

18 minutes ago, diva.diva56 said:

The new promos are out and they only talk about 3 ships in 3 different regions.  No mention of Brilliant Lady. Custom service is still insisting the cruise is going to Lisbon. (Spoke with a supervisor today). "Don't worry if it's canceled we will let you know" I do not have a good feeling on this one.

Lol of course they would let us know. The question is really why it’s no longer for sale online. But it’s too late to book the alternative TA anyway, even if they gave us 200% FCC. And based on based cancellations where they cancelled much closer to the date (for the bachelor charter), it was only 150% FCC, though they threw in a free cruise on a limited number of itineraries when people complained. 

4 hours ago, Lustate said:

I'm sure they will come out with something news-wise soon. 

Just using basic logic they will be looking at budgets for 2024/25 and need to get sales coming in. So a couple more weeks and all these concerns will be a thing of the past. 

A lot can happen in a couple of weeks though, like alternative sailings doubling in price, and reward flights being booked up. 
 

but it’s true, they do need to release their schedules soon because the other cruise lines are already selling their 2025 itineraries. I assume they are trying to figure out where they can find demand.

Did anyone get the 10% from status match (as opposed to sailing 2+ times)?

Ha! It’s definitely not sold out. I think sailor services just assumes a voyage is sold out if they don’t see it. I heard from a TA that this was about 25% sold at the time they unlisted it. 

1 hour ago, notme2012 said:

People are concerned about alternative plans. My suspicion is this: since not one Brilliant Lady cruise is in the final payment period, compensation is going to be less than what was offered with the Resilient Lady.

 

 

Some people booked this cruise for a really good price though (free room upgrade and no solo supplement), so the compensation would hopefully at least cover the equivalent room on an alternate cruise. Prices have gone up so much! 
 

I did some research on sites that list cruise port schedules. Brilliant Lady isn’t listed on any of the port stops on this TA, but Scarlet is listed. Not sure what populates those websites, but it’s another data point that leans towards cancellation. 
 

At this point, I’m already planning for the Miami to BCN TA. I would have really preferred SJ to LIS, but I guess I can fly TAP Air Portugal back and use their free stopover in Portugal program. I would cancel and switch now, just for more booking options, but MNVV only allows for one change and the cruise is still a year away. Plus potential compensation if Virgin cancels. The 2023 TA just ended and it looks like a LOT of pax on that cruise booked the 2024 scarlet TA, which I’m worried will further raise the price of that one. 

I just got my status match approved! I didn’t bother doing it before because I thought the program was ending. 
Question: will I get my 10% off access code? It sounds like the codes have already been sent out to those who were eligible when the offer started. I hope they send out another round of emails! 

Update: MSC Canada website status match went through so it just takes a few more days than the US site 

Just matched Hilton Diamond to MSC Diamond. Tip for my fellow Canadians: use the USA site to do status match. I tried the Canadian site and heard nothing back. Tried the USA site (you may need VPN), and got status matched within a few hours. 

On 5/7/2023 at 1:26 PM, Floridagal2213 said:

Sorry to add… we are so new to this! 
 

we are Marriott platinum and Hilton gold.  Is one better? What are the current matches? Thanks so much!!

Both will match to MSC gold

16 minutes ago, librarylady19 said:

I agree. Can’t book air fare home either as I use points and that usually incurs a cancellation fee. 

Totally! I was planning on using points and reward flights are ideally booked about 350 days ahead, once available. 

 I don’t want them to cancel the TA, but if they do, I hope it is sooner than later. I’m worried they will only offer a refund and 20% FCC, which isn’t enough to compensate for the price increases over the past few months. 
 

Check the sailing you are on to see if you can book any suite above what you currently have via the website. If all suites are sold out, it isn’t really relevant. 
 

if corner is available, watch this video comparing the 2

That’s great news! I’ll still hold off a bit before booking flights. Perhaps until I see some sailings listed after the TA. 

4 hours ago, OfTheSeasCruiser said:

Port bookings suggested Brilliant was headed to Northern Europe, as VV had booked calls in Zeebrugge and Reykjavik. 

Oooh Lisbon to Reykjavik would be awesome 

True, but having 3 of their 4 ships in Europe seems a bit much, especially if they haven’t established a big market there yet. 

Looking at the sailing schedule, it appears both Resilient Lady and Scarlet Lady are in europe all summer, with valiant lady covering the Caribbean. I am thinking the San Juan to Lisbon TA sailing for brilliant lady is less likely now. Probably stay in San Juan or double up in Miami. 

2 minutes ago, cantgetin said:

Alternatively, you could book the Scarlet Lady TA now.  Then, when/if the TA to Lisbon becomes available, you can cancel your TA to Barcelona and move to the one to Lisbon.  That way, you have locked in a price on  Scarlet (which is amazing), and can re-evaluate the situation when the cruise you really want is available.

That’s not a bad idea, but it’s booked with MNVV, which I hear only allows for one change. 

I just hope they make a decision and announce it sooner than later. I know it’s technically still early, but if this gets cancelled, I’ll book the sailing to scarlet transatlantic to Barcelona and fly to Lisbon. I want to do it before the scarlet transatlantic goes up in price!

21 hours ago, jon81uk said:

If you want the transatlantic might be worth calling and asking or seeing if a travel agent can still book it. 

I’m booked on this and TA’s on Facebook said it’s not available for booking through their portal, despite it only being 25% booked. Hoping it doesn’t get cancelled! 

13 hours ago, cantgetin said:

Oh yeah, we didn't buy it from VV after the fact...We found the price was the same thru the company (yellow leaf?) or thru Amazon, but Amazon had shipping included......

 

I thought it was $200 on board? It’s $200 on Amazon but I was hoping to buy on board with sailor loot