SC_GAY_Cruiser

I have done both. What is the purpose of your cruise?    Meaning where will you be most of your waking hours?  In the cabin or out and about on the decks enjoying being with people.  For me personally , a cabin is for sleeping and showering.   Yet on my next cruise in May, I am getting a balcony for mt first VV cruise and my 70th bday celebration!

Just booked last minute for the Valiant Lady.   May 10 to Puerto Plata, Bimini.  May 15 Key west, Bimini.  

Any others?!

Also remember if you go to Coz, there is always the option of a ferry to Playa del Carmen and spend the day there with lots of fine places to get authentic mexican food and margaritas.

I have been monitoring and looking at a 5 day or possible B2B in Nov 2020 on the Scarlet Lady.    Has anyone noticed the website changes?   Prices have increased and pricing is now per person, NOT per cabin.    I assume this reflects the "special deal" that is being offered.

dave

So looking forward to our B2B cruise.

Anyone else?

dave and lorenzo

even living 800 miles from Miami, thats why we are going to do a B2B in November 2020

OK!!!   Here we go!  Nov 2020 through April 2021 bookings are now available !!!    

Yes it is more expensive.   Oct 2020, inside cabin $170/person/night.  No specialty dining, no buffets, includes gratuity. No one under 18 yrs of age.

When defining something as overpriced, what do you compare it to?   Are you comparing Carnival rates, HAL rates, RCL or a more premium line like Seabourne, Azmara?   Everything has value and each of us determine that value whether its a new ship, new experience, new food options,   ship amenities, etc etc  

I realize I am comparing apples to oranges, but it does apply.   I am going to NYC and staying in Manhattan in October this year with the sole purpose of going to a Broadway show.    My hotel is going to cost $340/night in the heart of Manhattan.    I have the option of staying in NJ, or outside the city for probably $120/night.   But then all I am doing is riding the subway or public transport all the time of getting into and out of the city.    But it has value for me that I am staying in the heart of the city.   Does it kill me that I have to pay that much for a place to sleep and change clothes......of course.    But I choose to because for me, its all the experience.

I look at the experience on VV the same way......and based on their advertising,  its going to be an experience that I don't want to miss.

10 hours ago, Mojogurued said:

 

I'd like to try Virgin Voyages at some point but many of the folks on our next cruise won't be able to afford the prices. LOOKS EXCITING though!

you do realize the pricing is per cabin, not per person.    I think the pricing is very comparable.

6 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

 I wish VV well and am considering booking a cruise with them. 

Oh I am definitely booking with them as soon as I see some new schedules.    Since I live at the beach here in Myrtle, I prefer to cruise during the winter months.    Looking to book a cruise, possibly B2B in Nov 2020 or Jan 2021.    I can't wait!

dave

i think everyone needs to take a nap and get some rest.

😴

7 minutes ago, Don'tNeedAName said:

 

This all ignores the fact that there will be a lot more to VV than just the fitness side of things as well.

It's all in the journey.........and the experience.   A "free perk"  that is not mentioned much, free WIFI........I could care less.   But for others its their life......and I understand that.   I do hope from my personal bias, that I am not sitting at the pool or in a dining venue and hearing the person next to me talking on their phone and sharing their personal life with me.  My phone and computer will be off when I am on a cruise.    But at the same time, if the WIFI is good, it does allow people who need it for work or emergencies at home or at their business 

But for me, a vacation is a time to relax, unwind and not be reminded about the problems in the world.   

Wow, I just don't understand.   I have taken 11 cruises with Carnival, Holland, Princess and NCL as well as charters .   I have taken many land based vacations to Mexico and the Caribbean.    The above 4 cruise lines were all different and there is nothing wrong with that.

So with that said, I have NEVER expected a cruise line to keep me entertained.  Yet each and every cruise I have taken was a wonderful experience. That is not their job.   Its my job to know what is offered via the daily schedule and make a decision whether to attend a yoga class, a drag queen brunch, get a piercing/tattoo, or just lay my ass on the sun/pool deck and unwind from what is going on in the real world.   But if you choose to go to a wine tasting, climb a rock wall, zip line across the deck, or go to a "art auction".......knock yourself out doing those things.    

All the ads you're seeing on VV, havent you seen the ones from NCL, Pricess, and others?    They are all the "beautiful" people having dinner and wine on their balcony that 95% of the sailors/cruisers will never experience because they can't afford a suite.

Yet the main cruise lines never show the real world ......the dreaded Lido buffet where there is pushing, scrambling for the last 10 pierces of bacon.  If they did, do you really think you would gladly hand over $1000/person and pay to experience this bit of humanity?   Hardly!

Sir Richard Branson has a good record with businesses he has begun.    Don't bet against him.

dave

May 31, 2020 out of Miami, to Cancun, Costa Maya, Key West and Bemini.    7 days

17 hours ago, crazycatlady11 said:

If I meet someone on our cruise who has visited the tattoo/piercing parlor, I'll be interested in seeing the results. I've been wanting a new ear piercing for awhile and might splurge while onboard, and I love seeing cool tattoo art. Guess I'm riff raff. Beware, fellow passengers ...

Hi riff raff (crazycatlady)   Well said!

Hopefully our paths will cross someday and we can compare "holes and ink".

dave

20 hours ago, twodaywonder said:

How stupid. tattoo and body piercing parlor, is this telling me they type of travelers Virgin is wanting?

More reasons not to book it.

then DONT!

Just checked out the website and there are some changes!    I am hoping and waiting for Nov 2020 cruises to be announced.   Well, November is not, but there are two cruises for Dec 2020.   And yes, they are 7 days cruises!   Dom Rep, Bemini, and San Juan Puerto Rico.    I am all for the 7 day options, but will still wait for something in Nov 2020.

dave

3 hours ago, crazycatlady11 said:

 

I think some people would like to go back to the days when people who book a lowly inside or window-only cabin would be confined to steerage lol.

hmmmm, i didn't know that inside or window cabins were lowly?

my favorites are Cruise with Ben and David......they are based in London.   They do very funny cruise related videos of all lines, not just a select few.   

Whether or not you are disabled, Cruising with Wheels also do some crazy vids and will sometimes focus on cruisers with disabilities.

Both of these you tubers do not solicit at all and will give you good info on each line from their viewpoints.

dave

Same reason for us......the drive from MB is about 11 hours.    If we dont do a B2B, the other option would be a couple days in Key West pre cruise to get in vacation mode.     We were just in Costa Maya in November so would do Dom Rep and Havana for our two cruises.    Also trying to get some friends to join us for one or both cruises.

And with 20 restaurant options.......4 or 5 days is just not enough time to check out the ship and relax and eat our way through the cruise!

HIya Mandy.......Im excited for a bit sooner than that.   I am waiting for Nov 2020 to open up.    Assuming VV is keeping with the current 4/5 days, we are going to do a B2B.   I called VV last week and the was told the rumors in the office were expecting the next schedules to be offered in the June time period.  So yes, the excitement is building!

dave

Hi Thom.....we were on the Getaway for a W. Carib cruise in Nov 2019.     All cruises are different as far as clientele, there were 60 gay men from all over the world on our particular cruise and we had a great LQBT meet up every night.    As far as nightlife, there are dance parties every evening weather permitting.   The big event is the White Party.

If their are saunas, we didnt use them.

As far as specialty restaurants, I would suggest you make reservations once you are within 90 days of the sail date.

If you have any further questions, will try to answer.

dave

Definitely interested and will book most likely a B2B once Nov 2020 schedule is released.    I just dont have any desire to go to the Caribbean during the hot/humid summer months.

dave

The next cruise offering.......no private islands I dont think.......

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/22/richard-bransons-virgin-galactic-sends-first-test-passenger-on-spaceflight.html

so just an interesting note.......I went to VV.com to dream about booking one of their future cruises and was surprised that instead of cruises available from April - Oct 2020, now they are only available through June 2020 on the website.    Interesting......