CineGraphic

1 hour ago, Liao said:

Do you happen to know if VV TA’s generally sail at or near full capacity?

They are popular. We sailed Barcelona to Miami, Oct. 2023, and although I don’t think the ship was full, I think for some reason they limited capacity to around 1800.

I can tell you that the suites for TAs tend to sell out before anything else.

16 minutes ago, jon81uk said:

sounds like mega rockstar is a great experience though, the laundry sounds a great perk and getting coffee delivered each day so easily. I’m looking forward to trying it next year.

Initially, I think our agent and stewards were a little nervous, as I’ve heard some people let this status thing go to their head, and want all sorts of special treatment, but I assured them at the beginning that I have in fact been around many rock stars, both kind and demanding, and that I would never subject them to some of the things I’ve seen or heard. I believe in treating everyone right. I don’t know how anyone could spend their vacation demanding things just because they think they can.

These are wonderful, hard working folks and we were very appreciative of how we were treated.

I've always tipped musicians when making requests.

23 hours ago, paddingtonbear said:

That is so sad.  I wonder if they know the consequences of their actions?

I could understand if they were Ukrainian males.

A few months ago, the Ukrainian embassies and consulates around the world stop processing passport renewals for men over the age of 18, forcing them to return to the Ukraine, where they will ultimately end up in the military.

6 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

How about solos?

Solos are the easiest to accommodate.

It all depends on your party size.

Please note: The suites have real Queen/King mattresses, and cannot be separated.

9 hours ago, mattR said:

What is the number 12 on the Free 8X10 Photo Studio Print?  

It's indicating a footnote, usually with terms, exceptions, shipping costs, etc...

Just know that not only does the photographer get special training for these sessions, they also get trained in sales.....and they are on commission. Don't think that they'll let you walk out with just the free portrait without a lengthy sales pitch about these buying multiple prints of these once in a lifetime photos for you and your loved ones.

If you can afford a suite, the suites all have normal sized beds.

2 hours ago, SCX22 said:

On a cruise ship with auto CA (and I don't have problem with this system), the crew doesn't get such statistics.

I haven't sailed with Princess in two years, but I clearly remember seeing our room steward or a supervisor with a spreadsheet noting who pre-paid grats, and who didn't. I've also been thanked by staff for pre-paying. They know....and they also know who goes to Guest Relations and has the grats adjusted or removed.

8 hours ago, TRLD said:

In my over 90 cruises on various lines I never worried about who was getting paid on any of the lines, after all that is between the employer and their employers

With the countless threads on the subject over the years, it's obvious that many on here worry about who's getting paid what.

17 minutes ago, JJNorsk said:

Yes, that's sort of what I thought. Have fun, have friends! What songs did you sing?

My first reply on page 1 of this thread has a video.

Just now, memoak said:

Remember Virgin is not cheap and believe me you are paying gratuities even if they don’t say so it is built into the price. 

Yes, we're paying something towards gratuities as part of our fare, but it's cheaper than you think when you don't have a ton of add-ons to pay for at the end of the cruise.

It's so nice to cruise and not worry about who's getting paid and who's not. That's the last thing I want to think about while on vacation.

This is a big reason why we've sailed solely with Virgin Voyages for the last 2 years.

We don't have to worry about who gets what. There's nothing to pre-pay or a large bill to settle at the end of the cruise, and there's no 18% gratuity added to your bar tab either.

The crew gets paid the same whether the ship is full or not.

They also get free internet and laundry, and can eat in any of the dining venues.

It's not rocket science: Happy crew = happy customers.

1 hour ago, JJNorsk said:

I think they really don't want the best singers. I think they want those that they think the audience will approve of winning. So if you are older....just have fun and be warned. It's not a singing contest. It's entertainment. 

You can be the worst singer and win, all you need is a lot of friends in the audience.

Another factor is song choice.

I'm now in my 60s, but only participated when I was in my 50s. Out of five sailings, I made it to the finals all 5 times, and won 3 of them. One time I was beaten by a woman in her 80s. She was clearly having fun, and the audience ate it up.

Here's the official Instagram page for "Squid Ink" this ship's tattoo parlor.

https://www.instagram.com/squidink.vv/?hl=en

24 minutes ago, HesterMofet said:

Can you get a two top in most restaurants?

Yes, there are plenty of 2 tops, except for Gunbae, the Koren BBQ.

24 minutes ago, HesterMofet said:

Are they good with allergies if you inform them?

You will always be asked about allergies when ordering. They seem to be more conscientious than any other line we've sailed.

24 minutes ago, HesterMofet said:

Is a cabana worth it?

That's a personal choice. Personally, I don't t feel $500 is ever worth a few hours of shade that I can get with an umbrella for free.

25 minutes ago, HesterMofet said:

do you need swim shoes

Short answer: No

I can just imagine everyone with Diamond status from Carnival on a Cunard sailing. 🤣

3 hours ago, BamaVol said:

MSC goes even further.  They will match status with other lines they don’t own.  Even hotel status. I got top tier with MSC to match my Hilton Diamond status.

But only for a period of 2 years......if you don't sail within those 2 years, you lose the status, and they match it only once. Virgin also has a status match program, although the current benefits are not as good as those that they initially offered.Thankfully, those of us who signed-up in the early phase have been grandfathered in and get the original set of perks.

https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club#status-match

As much as I dislike my old go-to line, Princess, their move-over offers are MUCH better than this. Free sailings, refunds, OBC, etc....

Not that I know of.

We were in a Gorgeous Suite, and it was a wonderful King sized bed, not 2 doubles pushed together.

5 hours ago, surfjock27 said:

I intend to go, but needed to wait until the 1st of the month to make that payment and will lose the opportunity in 24 hours.

In cases like this, it doesn't matter what anyone here says, call Virgin in the morning.

53 minutes ago, zabs said:

I have to be honest and say I wasn’t happy that (most) of the public restrooms were gender neutral.

Where were all of these gender neutral restrooms?

I know I've seen one or two of them across the ship,but for the majority that I saw were clearly marked Male or Female, especially near any of the main venues.

We left Princess in 2022 and have not looked back, with six Virgin sailings in the bag, and 4 more on the books.

We are both in our early 60s,and recently returned from our 6th cruise with Virgin, and I our first time as rockstars. We had a Gorgeous Suite which makes you "Mega Rock Stars".

The service from our "Agent" was perfect. She made sure that we were taken care of.

Lots of great perks, and charming personal service.

We're sailing again this Fall as regular Rock Stars. It will be nice to compare the two experiences.