Cloud9 Bob

I will give them a call and see if I currently have Sea Rover and If I sail in 2023 a third time I will do the same with Deep Blue. I’m still foggy about one thing though…does Sea Rover or Deep Blue expire or once you have them or do you enjoy the benefits for the life span of the company?

I sailed VV once in June of 2022 and again in June of 2023. Am I eligible for any loyalty benefit and is it automatic or must you sign up somewhere?

Thanks Chengkp75...just what I wanted to know.

The starboard wing station also has an array of video monitors that would allow the person controlling the ship to get a close up video feed of the starboard side of the stern. I'm sure it has a substantial zoom ability, as well as low light level capability. It hangs over the side just past where the teeter totter area is and even has its own windshield wiper. I wonder if there will be an NTSB report since it happened in US waters and was technically an accident. I'll leave that question for those more well versed than I in these matters.

I also noticed that after the roundabout spin that the ship was lined up closer to the concrete dolphin and at an odd angle that looked like it was off. This is only a guess but I saw that the blinking warning light for the end of the concrete dock is in the center of the structure. Is it possible that the person in charge mistook the placement of the light for the edge of the dock and failed to see the remaining part of the dock that was in shadow?

Makes sense. Thanks! Is there anyone here that was on the ship when it bumped its tush? Did you hear anything or feel it?

I'm curious about something and maybe someone with a maritime pay grade higher than mine can answer this. Who would be responsible for this? Would it be the Harbor Pilot or the ships Master or Staff Captain? Just a fun fact to add in, I visited the SL bridge last year and asked all the officers there which port was the worst to negotiate and they all said Port of Miami at night due to it's narrow apporoach.

l have wondered that so many days. I first sailed TSL in June of 2022 with a 1200 passenger load. I purposely chose the basic Wi-Fi onboard. With the occasional phone reboot, I got along pretty well and even made successful Face Time calls home. Fast forward to June of 2023 with a 2800 passenger load and ship basic Wi-Fi was choppy, bogged down, stalled and was barely usable. Obviously they made zero improvements and also were having difficulty handling a full ships IT requirements. All this should have been worked out before the ship was christened. The tech is there. VV for some reason didn’t use it. They also began their journey into the cruise industry hawking the line to Millennials and what’s the first thing Millennials require? Reliable fast Internet! 😀

After reading this Walter, I decided to try it too. You were spot on. The names only seem to work if they are common. I tried some unusual, but not totally far out derivations and Jenny reverts to calling you sailor. The program runs choppy and frequently stalls. So funny because IT has never been a VV strong suit. They have enough trouble keeping their sailing app running smoothly. So what do they do? "Hey guys and gals...lets create something that taxes even a well managed IT system. " LOL.

I found it overly complicated and busy to the eye. Millions spent and the message missed. I'd rather see a pretty skating pro glide backwards.

I have never used a TA to book a cruise. I have always been in the camp that I wanted complete "control". The older I get, the more I have been thinking about trying one, but I'm afraid to just pick one randomly. Then there's also the aspect of compatability with my expectations and personality. Your post regarding questions to ask is very helpful and I will do that. Maybe the gmail TA fairy will visit me? I too wish we could talk about agents here. CC won't even let us message privately. It's all good though. I have learned a lot in my time here and recently especially from you Catgetin. 😁

It identified me incredibly fast too. I put my bag down, raised my head to the scan zone. It identified me before I was even standing up straight. I would guesstimate 1/4 second.

I just disembarked in Miami from Scarlet Lady June 04 and it was facial recognition. Never touched my passport and got waved right through.

I tried ot about a week after I booked and got an immediate confirmation reply that I was in the running.

I have two solo cruises on the Scarlet Lady and will tell you that you have picked a perfect line. The fact that they have many solo insider rooms is indicative of their dedication to solo cruising. You can do as much or as little with others as you like. With the exception of Gunbae, you will be seated by yourself, but there are always tables around you to chat with if you'd like. This is assuming you don't meet people and alter your reservations to dine with others (which is certainly an option). You can choose to interact or just look at your phone and enjoy your own company. You can do as much or as little with others as you want. Nobody forces or judges you. I've never done the solo meet ups, but it may be an option for you. Go and have fun, you will love it. If I can help more, just ask.

You might also try to speak to a manager during the time when they are closed and level with them about your desire to experience the restaurant, but have anxiety issues. Everybodys different, but you may just find someone that will bend over backwards to accommodate you. With rare exceptions, most staff I've met on my 2 Scarlet Lady cruises have been very concerned that I have a good time. FWIW, I have avoided Gunbae for some of the same reasons you mention.

I believe my cabin on TSL had an ESPN feed.

Once you've been on TSL, you'll get a good chuckle while thinking "What was I nervous about?" It may actually be the most "sane" ship you've ever been on...except maybe for the late Scarlet Night pool party!

You will find that the crew is more interactive with the sailors than on some other lines. They get free perks (ie. wifi) and can mingle with the guests more. They get to eat in the same restaurants, etc. They're happier and you will be able to sense it. That staff "military hierarchy" is downplayed on VV. I even ran into the Captain just as he was finishing lunch and we had a great conversation about the Calabria region of Italy and also the ships radar arrays. 🙂

I chose to skip Gunbae, as all of the other restaurants were more interesting to me. But to be totally honest, the sitting with strangers aspect didn't particularly work for me. Don't get me wrong, I love talking to others on a cruise...just not while I'm eating. You see, whether I like to admit it or not, I feel a need to be "on" when talking to others as I would HATE to ever appear rude or disinterested to anyone. Combined with dinner, I wind up not enjoying either. Now I separate the two and fully enjoy both.

The adults only aspect. Getting the hot tub all to myself. Getting the best seat in The Wake at dusk…twice. The food and presentation at Test Kitchen (except the fishy, ceviche like scallops) 😆

Sorry to hear your experience was less than stellar. Test Kitchen was my favorite. So much so that I had dinner there twice in five days. Tried the regular and the alternate menu. Service was top notch too. I hate to hear anyone didn't enjoy their vacation. 😔 k

I really thought your review was well witten and spot on and I totally agree with you, except for two minor points. Social Club hours for me, were not an issue and (former NY'er here) I found the pizza to be the closest thing to a traditional NY style pie that I have ever tasted on a cruise ship. 😊

No, it wasn't quite that bad. I watched the video and decided I didn't want to go to my muster station, so I didn't. I got a knock on my cabin door at around 9 PM. It was Captain Giovanni himself !! He threw a velvet hood over my head and I then found myself in the ships chain locker. I was there for hours with nothing to eat but day old sushi. Next cruise I'll be sure to attend muster. I can still taste that fish.

The ship docks near town, but I would definitely book an excursion. I did the one through VV where you ride the cable car and also get lunch. It was great. We had a nicely air conditioned small bus of about 20 and it even had wifi. Our guide was very interesting and enthusiastic. It was reasonably priced too.