ceilidh1

Hotel: Last time I was in Miami, I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Brickell and really liked it. I wanted to stay there again, but at $320CAD a night it was a little out of my budget. I really liked the Brickell area and I love the Hilton brand, so I was able to find a good deal on Homewood Suites in the same area. It's a little further away from the Metromover than Hampton, but looks as if it's still walkable to most places. I got one night free with points, and a good deal for the other two nights, so my total stay for 3 nights will be around $600CAD with taxes/fees. The hotel provides breakfast (and I really enjoy the Hilton breakfasts) so that's another expense taken care of. I'm hoping to make it there in time for the Wednesday evening social, but not holding out too much hope on that!

Background: After many years as a loyal Princess cruiser, I started branching out and exploring other lines. I still enjoy the Princess product (not so much their policies or management style these days) and also like NCL a lot! Last year, my cruise buddy and I celebrated my 50th on Scarlet Lady and Virgin Voyages became my new favourite line. Sadly, living on the West Coast tends to limit the number of times I can sail with them, since the flight costs as much (or in this case more) as the cruise! But, here we are again... I booked this cruise well over 1 year ago when there was a great deal on both the pricing and with no single supplement. I was able to get a central sea terrace as a solo for $1800CAD (pricing right now is over three times that amount). I was debating whether or not to keep this cruise (mom guilt at leaving the kids, work guilt at how much I have to do, financial guilt as I really should be saving with the economy the way it is) but,I couldn't pass up the price as I doubt Virgin will ever be this low again! Flights: As mentioned, I live in the West Coast of Canada - Vancouver, to be specific. I'm totally spoiled in that I can walk to the port from my house in 8 minutes. Needless to say, the majority of my trips have been Alaska and the Pacific Coast as it's so easy and cost effective. Flying to the East Coast is not only expensive but is a hassle - the only direct flight is with Air Canada and once per day each way. I stalked pricing for weeks - the first price I saw was around $800CAD roundtrip for the direct flight. I was too cheap to pay that so looked at options with one stop. The price was about $200 less, but with really crappy times and connections, so I kept circling back to the non-stop one. I put a price tracker on with both Kayak and Google flights and constantly got alerts that the price had increased. I started to worry that I should have just booked at $800. At one point, the price was over $2k!!!! After constant monitoring, I finally tried searching for one way rather than roundtrip. Would you believe, there was some kind of promotion on for the Vancouver-Miami portion and it was "only" $370CAD for the non-stop flight I wanted. I snapped it up. So now I had a way to get there, let's worry about getting home later...Now, if you know anything about me, you would know that I'm a little OCD when it comes to having everything organized and prepared, so it was impossible for me to just leave things to chance for that return flight. I set up more price trackers and a checked several times a day on pricing and it finally paid off. I found my return flight for $400CAD and I snapped it up. Lesson learned - I could have just paid $30 more from the outset and saved myself the stress and searching.... I leave on Wednesday 29th at stupid o'clock in the morning, arriving around 6pm to Miami. This gives me all of Thursday and Friday to do touristy stuff in Miami and the ship boards on Saturday. I fly back December 10th (same day) at 6pm, getting into Vancouver around 11pm (ugh). I was too cheap to pay for seat selection with Air Canada so crossing my fingers that by the time check in rolls around I can still find a non-middle seat! I do plan on paying to check a bag - had I not been flying direct I would have done carry on to minimize the risk of my bag not making it. I have already pre-reserved my spot with YVR Express, which allows you to skip the line for security and have my CBP MPC all filled out and ready to submit once I arrive at YVR to skip the line for US pre-clearance. My plan right now is to jump on the first Canada Line train to the airport, which should get me there around 5:20am for an 8am flight.

Here we go again! Hop aboard and join me as I sail solo for the first time ever on the beautiful Valiant Lady!

If you ask for it they will give it to you. Otherwise it’s just out during their cocktail “shows”.

You're going to start getting mistaken for @sid_9169

I've never tried ordering more than two with the app, but 100% found that even after going over the 15, the app still allowed me to order using the package. That wasn't the case at the bar as the bartender could see the number reached - I don't think the app was smart enough to know that at 15 it is meant to cut you off. Worth a shot - maybe they closed the loophole now, but in September it worked!

Should look like this:

Should be - it shows a charge but the package negates the charge so you are left with $0 - unless you customise it in some way....

What? That's included and not part of the 15 drink limit. Weird.

@Saint Greg - just out of interest, if you try going through he process of ordering an alcoholic drink through the app for delivery does it try to charge you? I ask because on our last cruise, we went way over 15 drinks (don't judge) but never got charged for extras ordering through the app (may have been a fluke, but worth a look). You don't have to submit the order if it charges - with the package it should say $0 if the loophole hasn't been closed!

Couple observations: I’m a LONG time elite level Princess cruiser and you’re getting some celebrity status for a first timer! Sparkling wine and strawberries are usually for higher cabin categories than balcony. Congrats. Towel animals have been a thing of the past for a while. Occasionally you may have Stewart who will do one. Most often not in my experience. Robe on day one can be hit or miss. Mine often shows up around day 3. Never had slippers unless in a suite. Enjoy the perks. My guess is the veteran status!

One thing you will learn about Princess - consistently inconsistent. We eat at Crown Grill very cruise (last one was October on Royal Princess) and, other than the potato side, always get the rest brought out - mushroom, spinach, asparagus. Maybe because you are solo?

Yup - except for the potato choice (mashed/Baked/fries)

Every time I have eaten at Crown Grill they have brought all the sides without any need to ask for/order them.

Im not aware of the 2 at a time thing on Princes...test it out?

Do you have your medallion already? There is usually 2 line ups - one for those who have the medallion/green lane and then one for those that don't...

It's an extra $20 per day - also includes photos (but I'm guessing you're not interested in those..lol), and the enormous gross desserts (sugar coma). For me, it was worth it for the unlimited casual dining - Alfredos is the bomb, Ocean Terrace sushi is awesome, the Vines new menu is really good. I went to casual dining for lunch rather than MDR each day...

You could always use OBC to upgrade to premiere package on the ship, then you have specialty dining included (x2) as well as unlimited casual, and the more expensive drinks... Looking forward to seeing your take on Princess - they have always been my go-to line but not so much these days!

I was starting to wonder what I would do all day at work without this to read! Glad you're back. Enjoy the last day on the ship...

I sent an email and got a reply back next day to call them. I then sent it over chat and got an email next day asking for voyage # and access key info. They applied the survey loot the following day!

I might have to get that when I'm at The Wake in December!

Finally caught up and living through you...until I board Valiant on December 2nd!!! Woohooo!

I did the survey, too, assuming I could use it on my sailing in December. I was disappointed to find I need to book another new sailing to use it. I probably will, but not ready to just yet!

I'm trying to figure out if a flight at 11:30am out of FCO is doable? It would be to the US but with a stop in Canada.

Agreed! I'm in Vancouver, Canada and on Virgin December 2nd. My flight over and hotel for 2 nights cost as much as the cruise... From where I live, I can walk to the ship if sailing from Vancouver or have a lovely, relaxing train journey if sailing from Seattle. I sail 3 or 4 times a year from West Coast!