chefchick

1 hour ago, CineGraphic said:

 

Alaska was their #1 request, so due to the demand they will be selling placeholders, dubbed,"Alaska Fron(tier) of the Line Pass" $500 per sailor Sea Terrace or higher, $1K per Rockstar, or $2500 per Mega RS. They will go on sale "this Summer"

Can you expand on that a little more?  Living in Seattle, I would love to take advantage of that.

I’m here as well…I’m no newbie to NCL (platinum) and I knew what I was getting myself into, but the Epic is, let’s say, not my favorite ship.  I got a great fare and a slow boat to Europe so it’s all good, but I’m afraid the crowds and weird cabin are only the beginning.  Have a great cruise 🥂

Can sailor loot be used in the casino?

Maybe I’m just confused, but please reiterate…I’m currently have DBE (was status matched on my first cruise on Scarlet Lady). I will be boarding Resilient Lady next month (and this will be my third voyage overall on Virgin btw) so I assume my DBE perks will be as shown in my current invoice?  But after that?  Does the fact that I booked something in 2024 “grandfather” me in going forward?  Or will I now have to book another 2 cruises to get back my full DBE perks?  Or would it be 3 as the perks don’t take effect until after your 5th voyage?

Does NCL still have Prime Rib in the MDR or the buffet at least one evening?  If not, has anyone ever ordered it from Cagneys?  Prime Rib has always been one of those cruise “indulgences” like a pina colada or escargot so I hope I can still get it somewhere on board.

I am booked on a sold out sailing and was “forced” to take the last available cabin 8294A which is in line with the elevator, right above The Groupie and dangerously close to the Manor 😱.   This is also a limited view sea terrace so not ideal to say the least.   A few cabins have opened up recently (very few) but they are THOUSANDS of dollars more expensive.  We are committed to going and are excited about it, but has anyone had experience with cabins above the karaoke space?  How far does the Manor noise travel?  I’ve tried scouring the internets for info but have found very little.  

Thanks for your opinion, but even you must admit that taste is subjective.  I too am a Culinary trained professional…did Test Kitchen blow me away?  No, but I could honestly eat that mushroom pate dish every night.  I appreciate that Virgin is trying to give its customers many  options for dinner different than just the “standard” fare offered on other lines.   I do have to ask, did you enjoy other restaurants on your Virgin cruise?  And have you found other main stream cruises you thought had better “included” food overall?

Follow up question…best red and white wine choices from the standard beverage package?  Also, do you have a favorite wine to choose from the platinum “free” dinner?  I realize that inventories differ from ship to ship, but what have you maybe enjoyed lately?

For you stay in San Juan, can I suggest the Mezzanine for one of the best cocktails in town.  156 Sol St. 2nd Floor, San Juan.  In old San Juan…on a quiet street.   It’s upstairs from a restaurant I’ve never eaten at but it is worth going out of your way for.

Here is another question for “the experts” …I became platinum not too long ago… my husband who doesn’t always cruise with me is not.  Can both of us sign up for the behind the scenes tour or is that for platinums only?

I have a 12 day itinerary coming up….i don’t always book a speciality restaurant on the first night but did this time….do you think they might offer Prime Rib on night 8 as well?

On 12/20/2023 at 11:09 AM, Daruma said:

Ok, here's another question... when I make my Speciality Dining reservations, wanting to dine solo... do I make my reservation for one? I'm assuming so, but on an NCL Solo Cruiser FB page someone asked essentially the same question, and was told to make it for 4, because it's the same size table used for 2, and this way he could invite dining companions should he wish.

 

I don't want dining companions, definitely just dining by myself... so do I just ask for reservation for 1, and if asked when I show, say "no" to sharing my table?

 

Thanks. 

I often cruise solo and generally prefer to dine alone.  Make your reservations for one.  I have never been asked on NCL if I would prefer to share a table.  I have been asked by others sitting near me in the venue if I would like to join them (I’m sure they were just being nice) but I politely decline.  I really enjoy dining alone…enjoying my meal at MY pace (do I want to see a show and eat quickly, or do I want to savor every bite and take hours…it’s my vacation so I decide) 😎

I sailed the Prima in a Studio (my favorite of all the NCL studios…better set up with the “ separate” bathroom).  The lounge was similar to others….there was a good coffee/espresso machine, water, juice and a pay for wine by the glass dispenser.  Pastries and such in the morning, cookies and fruit in the evening.  Yes, I think there was a hairdryer (I bring my own) but there is no coffee maker in the cabin.  You could ask your steward for one, but I’m not sure they could provide one?  Prima is a lovely ship.  Have a great time

Regardless of what the terms and conditions say, in reality it all depends on the server you get, the restaurant manager, what day of the week it is, which ship you are on 😜…in other words, the only way to be sure is to ask (nicely, of course) before ordering.

Living in Seattle, I have cruised to Alaska MANY times and on many lines. Besides your itinerary (how long in port, are tenders or shuttles used, etc) how the ship is laid out and what is available on board is more important (in general) than in the Carribean for example.  I have sailed Ovation and what I liked was the cabin (larger, even as a solo) and the crew was great.  What I didn’t like was the layout of the ship.  It was much more inward focused, if that makes sense with its main promenade and it always felt crowded.  There were many activities geared to kids so that would be great for you, but so does NCL, for example.  My advice?  Decide YOUR priorities based on your needs and find a SHIP that matches (not just a cruise line).  Alaska cruises are much more about excursions and scenic cruising (and the excursions are very expensive but generally once in a lifetime memories as well).  Hope that helps.  

On 11/18/2022 at 9:11 PM, Host Joe said:

Me too. Atriums are not our thing. Lounges are. There are two. And in each we had to seek out service every time we went. 

Although not technically “lounges” if one wants a drink there is a casino bar, the draft house, the social club, and bars inside Razzle Dazzle and Pink Agave all that are air conditioned comfort.  I enjoy a pre dinner cocktail myself, so I’m not sure why you would need more than two? I never had a hard time getting a lovely seat at either venue.  Yes, at peak times servers were stretched, but not anymore than they are on any other cruise line…you obviously have a lot of experience, don’t tell me you haven’t had to wait for a cocktail on Royal, Celebrity, Princess, etc.?

Midnightopal

i was “upgraded” to a limited view terrace in the bow (9300 block) and yes, it’s all metal, no glass and,unfortunately it doesn’t have a hammock but has an egg chair instead.  Again, I paid for an inside and received a sea terrace so I’m not complaining, but I don’t think I would pay for this category cabin.

6 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

The British press is living up to its reputation.

A crew member who was in the roundabout told me they only saw one person with a life jacket. People were still in line for coffee, oblivious to the situation. There were no horn blasts warnings that they talk about during muster.

It was a non-event for most of us.

 

 

This is ridiculous and why the general public thinks cruises are unsafe or a bad decision.  The worse thing that happened was the app wasn’t working for a little while 😱. We all managed.  I think this “article” was in The Sun (which isn’t the most reliable source) but some idiot on here gave them this info to run with.  

1 hour ago, cantgetin said:

So now I need to figure out how we can talk in person as CC makes that impossible.  We are arriving in BCN at 6pm the night before the cruise and will take the complimentary shuttle to Melia.  I'm fine with sharing a taxi IF we can fit everything.  I think, between the two of us, we will have 3 medium cases and 2 carry ons, as well as a rollator (like a walker....collapses, not usually a problem).  We've encountered 2 different taxi sizes in BCN, so as long as we get the larger one, it should be no issue to add you and a couple more bags.  We don't have any amazing plans for cruise morning--will hang out in the hotel lobby for a while after check out as it makes no sense to arrive at the port before 1:30 (with 2:00 "terminal arrival time."  In the past, when we've arrived early, we just had to wait.  Again, I'm not fully sure how the check in at the new terminal will work. BCN was a little different that Miami, but both were easy.  We actually preferred Barcelona.

 

I guess where I'd be with sharing a cab is to figure that we will; worst case, we can't all fit with our stuff (this has never happened...we are good as making it work), you'd be on your own...and no worse off than if we hadn't planned to share.  Getting a taxi at Melia is easy--they are basically right off the drive just waiting for the desk to call one over.  It is a nice place to stay--not fancy, but totally adequate with decent internet.  We miss the pizza delivery since the new management took over, but no worries...you just have to meet the delivery person in the lobby now.

We are easy to identify...mother and daughter with WAY too much luggage  (kidding...my daughter needs a "medical bag" as well as one for clothes, etc) and a bright blue rollator.  I'd love to try giving you my email, but I think that would land me in CC jail.  Are you on the FB group for our cruise (there are at least 2 of them)?

 

Yes, I am on the FB group (both I think) ….same profile….I am scheduled to arrive late in the afternoon on Sat and have no plans for the morning either…I also have DBE and a 1:45 check in time so I had planned to hang in the lobby till it was time to call a Uber or cab.  I will be on the lookout for you two and hopefully it will all work out.  Really looking forward to this sailing.

Also, does anyone know how tipping works with porters at Barcelona embarkation?  Similar to US?  I know we embarked in Southampton once and the porter shrugged off my tip so I like to be prepared either way.

On 10/14/2023 at 2:44 PM, cantgetin said:

On our last hotel stay in Barcelona (just an overnight before the cruise) we were offered luggage storage in their locked area when we checked it.  This allowed us to just take our carry ons to the room and reclaim our bags when we were checking out.  The hotel arranged a taxi to the port at our request and the cost was less than what the on line reports said it would be!  No one acted like a tip was expected.  

Cantgetin- I believe you and I are staying at the same hotel prior to the TA…Melia (airport)?  Would love to share a cab to the port if you all have room? (I’m traveling solo this time).

On 10/2/2023 at 6:12 PM, CineGraphic said:

 

If you are on the Valiant TA later this month, I'll give you the info for my agent. They are not only one of  the top 100 VV agents, but also members of the super-secret Club 485C which is limited to 99 members, with Sir Richard being the 100th. https://vvinsider.com/guides-and-faqs/guide/sailing-club/club-485c/

I’m on the transatlantic and would love you to spill the tea…my regular TA is great, but when it comes to booking a Virgin cruise, he clearly doesn’t know the secret handshake (or he’s not letting me in on it) 😎

6 hours ago, Tyler414 said:

Other than Alaska, I would have zero interest in any west coast cruise.

I’m going to guess you are NOT located on the west coast?  Some of us don’t appreciate having to start every cruise with a long plane ride…and living in Seattle I love Alaska cruises mostly because I can drive to the port.  (just like the folks from Florida do for most Carribean cruises).

On Virgin America #RIP, they had the same S&P shakers, but they were red plastic….I might have a set in the kitchen somewhere.  God, I miss that airline.

35 minutes ago, scottie99 said:

Off on our first VV cruise on Valiant, 2 weeks tomorrow.

 

We seem to qualify for Deep Blue Extras because of our Diamond Plus status with RCL.

 

Am I reading correctly that we qualify for free Moët and Chandon for first “Shake for Champagne “ order?

 

Surely I’m mistaken, that’s too good to be true!

I believe the “shake for champagne” benefit has been replaced with a free $100 bar tab for DBE…enjoy your free bubbly or whatever floats your boat 😎