resstation

Shhhhhh! Please don't bring up the Yacht Club. It is hard enough to secure space as it is. Please, everyone, just disregard the last post! 🤣

3 hours ago, mnocket said:

Perhaps a bit harsh?  I and several others have posted here that we have been following VV with great anticipation, hoping it would be a great alternative, only to conclude that it doesn't look like a good fit.  Is this a discussion forum that is open to all or an echo chamber for VV cheerleaders only? The ability to present opposing views is essential to meaningful discussion.  After expressing my view, I found it interesting that several others have come to the same conclusion.  One reason people post on forums is to get a sense of.... "am I the only one who feels this way?".  I'm sorry our posts irritated you and you wish we would simply go away.  However, I will continue to monitor this forum, and dare I say even occasionally post, as my impressions may change with additional information - especially once reviews start being posted.  

No. No. You totally misunderstood my post and I apologize to those who did. I was referring to a recent post where someone announced their departure. Simply that. I LOVE that we all have different opinions and that we can voice them here. What does irritate me is the drama. Why is it necessary? Did I  misunderstand that post? 

10 hours ago, kgelner said:

 

So far everyone who has posted here is about as far away from being an "influencer" as you can get, I would guess not a single poster here matches the colorful hip marketing images Virgin is putting out.

 

Everyone posting here so far is too individualistic to make for a good "influencer".  Virgin will be very lucky indeed to find any influencers actually aboard the ships with all of the individuals just wanting some escape from a few common aspects of cruising, that Virgin has accidentally tapped into.  My instagram account for example has fewer than 20 followers, and I post maybe once every few months there.  Not like I'm going to be setting off a firestorm of booking by choosing any one cruise line.
 

Right? Not only that but there is no need to announce your departure. If you don't like the ship, the vibe, the marketing, the lack of drink packages, the square footage of the closets, the material the bed linens are made from, the shade of red used for the promotional materials - WHATEVER- and you've decided you no longer want to sail on this line - just go. Be well. Enjoy the things you enjoy. Move on. (Reminds me of the people who announce their departure from their Facebook accounts. Why? Stop posting. There. Done. No drama.)

I have no idea if I will really love it or hate it, so we're giving it a try, but if there were things I knew I would not enjoy then why stay and make an announcement. I rather like that it is a truly unique product. There are so many generic, "made for everyone" cruises these days. We'll see. I'm interested in seeing the reviews after a couple of months of sailing. That will give us more real world information.

33 minutes ago, YYC F/A said:

Add me to those surprised that VV isn't planning a beverage package offering.  Of course there will be the usual CC contingent whom bemoan beverage packages, sloppy drunks etc. or whom pre-judge folks whom value craft cocktails and decent wine as part of the vacation experience.  VV isn't Carnival and the guest demographic will be very different - I don't see it as a "booze cruise".

 

But add me into the contingent that prefers to have an upfront price, and then relax and enjoy onboard, not wondering how much your bar bill will be at the end of the trip.  It's not about drinking to excess, so much as a mindset - one that All Inclusive resorts fostered, and which has been highly successful for lines like Celebrity and NCL.  Budget and pay up front, relax onboard, no hidden costs or surprises later.

 

If "mixology inspired craft cocktails" are priced at hip & trendy New York pricing, it wouldn't take many $15-$18 USD (+ gratuity?) cocktails, a few glasses of wine at dinner, and a few espresso to quickly have something clost to $150/day bar tab per person. Hardly an excessive amount of alcohol, but a significant daily cost that could easily put VV total pricing per diems well above brands like Celebrity - and perhaps higher even than some of the true luxury players like Seabourn.

We won't know for sure until they start sailing, but maybe that is exactly the type of cruiser they want - the ones who wouldn't blink an eye at paying New York hip and trendy pricing for as many drinks as they want each day. There are many types of people in the world and there is a hat for every head, so we will see. It can't be all things for all people - too many cruise lines are doing that these days and it is just so generic and boring. We've booked a 4 nighter and we will either LOVE it or it will be the first and last time we sail, but we're open to finding out what it is all about. I'm OK with not loving it and leaving it for folks who do. Can't wait to find out.

Hello - I have friends who are supposed to leave on the NCL Bliss this Saturday but the wife can't go at the last minute. The husband is still going (they have friends going in other cabins) - I read somewhere that they shouldn't cancel for her because of supplements added to cancellations but will they still get her taxes etc refunded if she's a no-show and doesn't formally cancel? No insurance on the booking. I would really appreciate information from those who have experienced this and not just informed guesses. Thanks so much in advance!

I hope we are!

I feel like they would make a TON of money on quality temporary tattoos. I have a permanent tattoo but wouldn't dream of getting one on a cruise!

Call it what you will, my money is on LOADS of complainers on the VV boards who didn't bother to research before booking. I often wonder how people like that get around in the world, but they do, surprisingly. It will be entertaining reading for sure.

29 minutes ago, AdoraBelle said:

 

Instead of Mardi Gras beads we can all wear (for me it’ll be fake) pearls to recognize each other. 😉

 

All together now ... clutch!

YES!! The Virgin Voyages Pearl Society. 😁

Pearl clutching outrage  - SPOT ON!

6 minutes ago, Adventuresofmsrobinson said:

It crossed my mind but if he wanted his birthday to be private I don’t think they would have advertised it as his birthday bash. I’m sure he will make appearances but I’m guessing there will be special extras like guest performances and such but it’s pretty vague. 

I’m sure he will have private parties but the overall vibe I think will be great. I’m sure the staff will pay special attention to Richard but since he’s also present I doubt they will ignore guests.

i also booked cause my birthday is the day before his!

You will have a FABULOUS birthday!

11 minutes ago, Adventuresofmsrobinson said:

We just booked a suite for Richards birthday bash July 15 2020! Cannot wait!!!

We were considering it but decided to get a suite in September and save the extra few thousand dollars. I'm sure he and his VIP guests will have staff falling all over themselves to impress them, have venues, restaurants, lounges closed for VIP parties etc. I would rather have the staff trying to impress me. I'm making it all up in my head, of course, but just the possibility, the weather and the extra savings made us book in September. I hope I am very wrong and truly hope it is EXTRA special for those who book it! 

9 minutes ago, GW248 said:

Hopefully this is slightly on topic...

 

Just on-line chatted with VV and got the following info:

 

Q:  I just booked a SCB and I see it comes with a "fully stocked in-room bar" - what does this entail? Does it include beer, wine and liquor? Is it re-stocked throughout the voyage?

 

A: As of right now it is to be determined. You should find more info closer to the cruise. I do know it will be a mixture of liquor. No beers as of right now.

I either read or was told, can't remember, that the in room bar will be liquor, not the tiny bottles, and it will not be refreshed.

4 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

@resstation thanks for coming to my defense. I didn't feel attacked by the other posters. I fully understand that some people prioritize drink packages in their cruise choices and some people don't. I was surprised that Virgin is not going to offer any, because I felt that I was initially their target demographic, and I know it is a priority for us. They have clearly made a calculated decision that may or may not pay off for them. I was very much looking forwards to kid-free cruises with interesting food and entertainment. I was very happy about the inclusion of the "drag bunch". But for us, having to stress about a "drink budget", constantly think about every decision to buy a drink, paying close attention to drink menu prices, and potentially having to sign for every drink is just not our idea of fun. I would happily pay MORE up front to not have to think about every tiny decision on a vacation. That's one of the things we truly love about cruising. It allows us to truly relax.

 

Between the lack of drink packages and the short cruises, Virgin just isn't for us right now. Maybe down the line if they make some changes, we will reconsider. I hope that all of you who do decide to cruise with Virgin had a wonderful time and it meets all of your expectations!

There should be no explanation necessary for asking a pertinent (TO YOU) question. We all learn from the answers. We either learn about the topic at hand or we learn that some people just want to judge others and feel superior. It is tiresome. You didn't feel attacked by other posters YET, give them some time. That being said, I LOVE these boards because I have learned so much from the people who truly want to share their experiences, knowledge, pictures. So helpful. 

I can see it now - after the first few cruises and the reviews start coming in -

"My cruise was ruined by _______."  (insert some new innovation never seen before)

"This is not like the other cruise lines I've ever been on and I hate it."

"The Drag Queen Brunch was too over the top, I mean, I just wanted to have a nice quiet meal."

"The other cruisers were so young, mostly in their late 20's and 30's! I thought this was an adult only cruise line."

Prepare yourselves. Read and watch everything that is being promoted by Virgin Voyages. This will not be your momma's cruise line. You have been forewarned by a multitude of video and print advertising. You can EASILY decide if this kind of vacation is or is not for you. They have been showing us who they are all along.

Personally, I can't wait! It is about time someone stirred up the cruising landscape. I also can't wait to be dumbfounded by some of the reviews I know are coming. 

Answering the poster's question with facts about the ship and what has been seen in the FAQs on VV.com is great, but questioning, assuming, labeling... why? So we don't all prefer the same things on vacation. There is no right and wrong and the poster is trying to decide if this is the right cruise line for her by asking pertinent questions. Isn't that what this is for?  Some of you need to go to the doctor and get your knees checked from jumping to conclusions so readily.

I wouldn't mind drink packages, but I think they are trying to stay away from the vibe of other "party" cruise lines - trying to make their own mark on the cruise industry. Those who prefer a drink package would probably choose a different cruise because purchasing individual drinks can be spendy, even if they were "reasonable" in price. Although I do believe VV will definitely be a party cruise line from what I've seen and read so far.

Patience. They haven't officially "opened" yet. Not sure if it is 8 or 9am EST when they will begin.

I'm not finding the Virgin Voyages Roll Call and I see the post by CC:

• Our Roll Call Tool is experiencing technical difficulties; new Roll Calls are not being added to the tool.  Please go "old school" in locating your Roll Call by browsing the specific ship Roll Call forum.

What does that mean? I don't see the Scarlet Lady listed in the Roll Call forum. Am I missing it or hasn't it been added yet? I know. Patience is a virtue. I wasn't gifted with it. 

16 minutes ago, twodjs said:

Look carefully at the picture Lloyd posted in the "news about" thread above. #179. Your cabin does not go in (each deck sticks out slightly more than the one below) and you have solid walls on both sides - but you have a huge overhang above you with a cutout for the trampoline on deck (I think) 16. Certainly no sun during most of the day.  

Oh wow. That doesn't look like anything I've seen before - and it is an actual photo. I don't mind not having sun on the balcony. Not sure how I feel about a trampoline above us 😆

Now that I have been able to see the location of our cabin on the deck plans, I am even more concerned. We always try to book aft facing cabins as that view is tremendous. We booked the "Sweet Aft Suite - Biggest Terrace", were given the 14th floor, and upon looking at the plans it is dead center aft. This would be PERFECT, except for the design of the ship. From the pictures I've seen the back of the ship is "shorter" at the top floors AND the middle goes IN, it is not straight across. So from what I can gather our immediate view will be the cabin balconies to the right and left of us, the overhang of the floor above us and the area of the ship below us...THEN the water. 

Thanks - I found the deck plans but didn't know how to post here. Now I am even more concerned about our location. I'm going to put it in a separate post.

15 minutes ago, TITISSA said:

I've booked a Seriously Suite and had to pay an extra deposit of $220. This is for the Dominican Daze Sept. 18. We've been to Cuba already and we don't want to go back. It was so sad... Don't want to go to Costa Maya (we were just there for New Year's Eve). I have to say the itineraries are pretty blah! But I'm looking forward to something new in cruising.

I agree about the ports. Been to all several times except Cuba, so I booked it but I really am not that interested in going. I think the ship will be where I will be spending most of my time. Who knows where this secret location will be? By the time we go, September 9th, there will be much more information out and changes are easy with Virgin as long as there are cabins available.

14 minutes ago, SuiteLiving said:

 

I guess I'm just used to Disney where they allow wine or beer.

Because beer AND wine are NEEDED on a Disney cruise!! lol

1 hour ago, TITISSA said:

Why would I want a champagne table if I have to pay premium price for a bottle???

Because some people don't care about paying premium prices for items on vacation. Everyone is different. 

1 minute ago, TITISSA said:

I'm think about the Seriously Suite (I only like mid-ship). Is the champagne bottle included? 

Champagne TABLE. A place to put champagne bottles. The table is on the balcony. I don't think champagne is included, but I could be wrong.