Alsmez

Just booked Scarlet New Year's Ahoy, December 27, 2023-Jan 2, 2024. https://virg.in/JG52 Happy to share details via PM as well.

This is amazing! So helpful to see the two layouts side by side. The bathroom in the regular room is really, REALLY tiny, especially for two very tall adults. I just put an XL terrace on hold - I think the extra bathroom space is more than worth the cost.

This is great info, thank you! I think the 10% off isn't worth the gamble, given those parameters.

I called, and the phone rep seemed thoroughly befuddled by my question. He just kept repeating their general refund policy and stating that any payments beyond the "20% deposit" would be refunded to original method of payment, even though there obviously isn't a 20% deposit if you pay in full. He also had no idea how they would handle repricing in the event if a price drop - just said "oh, I never see price drops, the prices only go up for the most part." Dude. I sent an email to see if I could reach someone more competent, but honestly I'm feeling like the savings (around $300 on our sailing) are not worth the potential drama in the event of a price drop or need to change our sailing. Get it together, VV!

That is super helpful, Angela - thanks so much!

Hm, this is what I was afraid of (although I suppose it makes sense - why give a discount if they're not getting anything in return?). Not sure it's worth it this far out but will discuss with booking agent once I get them on the phone.

I noticed while browsing websites for pricing on a Dec 2023 Scarlet Lady sailing that Virgin is offering a 10% discount if you pay in full at the time of booking. A good deal, if the fare is still refundable as cash and not as FFC if the booking has to be canceled. I wasn't able to find this information on their website, though - does anyone here have the scoop? TIA!

I'd be interested to know this as well - not a ton of definitive info out there yet. We are considering an XL terrace on deck 12 for a late 2023 sailing but I want to make sure we get a hammock!

I did a pretty comprehensive review of Luminae a few years ago - many of the same dishes remain on the menu to this day. If you want more photos and some details about preparations, take a look: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2667167-the-ultimate-luminae-review-51919-summit-to-bermuda/

I feel the same way about NY - it's more than just the city! Thanks very much for the insider info and the details regarding the glaciers. I am feeling like the X itinerary is going to give us a very nice taste of Alaska (from an aft balcony, no less) even if we don't see Glacier Bay.

Thanks! The excursion I was really hoping to reschedule was flightseeing over Glacier Bay, which won't be possible on the X cruise (as far as I can tell) because most companies only go from Skagway/Haines, not ISP. I have heard that whale watching in ISP is amazing, though, and we could always do a helicopter or flightseeing tour of Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Both itineraries have a full day in Junean and a half day in Ketchikan, though on X that half day is in the afternoon vs early morning on Princess. Good to know that Hubbard Glacier is fabulous - maybe we won't be so disappointed not to see Glacier Bay this time around. I have seen X's Hubbard Glacier Wilderness Exploration (small boat) tour recommended - worth it? Or is there something comparable offered by a private company?

We are long time X cruisers (S-class mostly, last trip was to Bermuda on Summit in 2019). We had an AK cruise on Solstice booked for 2020 that we are just now getting around to rescheduling, but the itinerary we had then (SEA-VAN, 8 days) is no longer an option. The only X itinerary that works for us is Eclipse in late May, r/t out of Vancouver, with stops in Icy Strait Point, Juneau and Ketchikan (plus scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier and the inside passage). However, I also found a northbound VAN-Whittier (inside passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord) on Majestic Princess that is doable. Prices are similar and we don't have any credits on X tying us to the line for this trip. Flight prices are also comparable at the moment. We have an aft balcony on Eclipse but none are currently available on Majestic - we'd either get a higher-level balcony or mini-suite. We have never cruised Princess before, nor have we been on Eclipse (though we are big fans of Equinox, Silhouette and Reflection). While we would love to do a land tour as well, we are pressed for vacation time on this trip and can't fit it in. I am sure we will find time in the future to return for another cruise plus land tour, so this is not our only opportunity to see Glacier Bay, which is the main draw on Princess cruises from what I understand. Given those parameters, WWYD? Thanks in advance for your input!