CineGraphic

This is also the 2nd annual cruise for Virgin's top 100 agents.

If you decide that you'd like an agent to help you book in the future and get a slightly better deal, you're in luck!

I think you'll find the booze selection in the various bars interesting. Just know that some spirits are only available at certain bars.

Enjoy your cruise!

Our one and ony dinner at the Pinnacle was not good at all.

I knew we were in for an interesting evening when the waitress started spouting some nonsense about the beef being juicy because the cows were only fed wet corn instead of dried corn.

As we left, we asked to cancel our reservations later in the week.

The F&B manager found us a day or two later to find out what was wrong, and invited us to be his guest at Rudi's. We've not bothered with specialty dining on HAL since then.

When you buy them on board, a 3 letter monogram is free.

If you'd like a full name instead of the monogram, there is a slight charge for each additional letter.

Antigua accepts dollars, but may give change back in Eastern Caribbean Dollars.

Currently one Eastern Caribbean Dollar is worth 0.37 US.

6 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

Not to sure how, but if I am not mistaken, someone said they were able to get a great deal using a well know website that sells cruise VACATIONS at prices marked TO GO.

The fare in question was an interline fare....I don't think the sailor in question ever mentioned how they qualified for such a fare. It's for airline employees and their families. How does one prove their father-in-law is a retired airline pilot?

I booked one today....easy easy.

I only paid the taxes and fees for 1 person, and a tad extra to upgrade to Club Orange.

You sent two emails, and haven't given them enough time to respond.

Wait 2 months and then call them back if you really think it's worth it, but don't expect any more than your original $11 back. Customer service everywhere is nothing like it used to be. Sadly, its the new norm.

33 minutes ago, cantgetin said:

If you have an on line, social media group, you'll be lucky to get half of your members to attend.

This is why when I run a group slot pull, I no longer have people sign-up beforehand.

Updating lists is time consuming, and all that really matters is who shows up.

8 hours ago, CruisingWalter said:

. It's nice to hear from the master of the vessel since you rarely see the officers throughout the ship.

The captain doesn't really stand out because he's not wearing the typical captain's uniform.

We saw the captain during the most recent transatlantic at least every other day. One could easily mistake him for a crew member. His boss (commodore/fleet commander?) was also with him on a few occasions.

I was recently on a HAL sailing, and the noon announcements by the captain were more fitting for a resort in the Catskills.

It will be nothing like the terminal Virgin built in Miami.

Just look for the Rock Stars & VIP signage (This is the sign in Miami)

2 hours ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

Nope, MUST be a receipt showing the exact item in question. I've been waiting since the first week in December to get one from VV. My advice, don't buy anything onboard, it's not worth the hassle if you have an issue.  

Wow...that sucks.

If you MUST have a receipt, one would think they MUST give you one.

They shouldn't even be allowed to ask if you want a receipt or not, give\ing you the chance to say "no".

In 4 sailings, I think I've only received a receipt once.

Never during meal times, especially dinner...and that's 5-8:30/9pm

In the afternoon on your first sea day is best.

They only release about 30% of the available booking times before boarding, so you should have little to no trouble getting what you want once on board.

26 minutes ago, basenji56 said:

Bar tab is nice but since I don't drink alcohol, I left the ship with $450 unspent.

This is when you start making new friends and buying them drinks!

5 minutes ago, AndyUK said:

I noted on the restaurant checkin computer we were labelled as VIP, though I assume all rockstar and MRS are classified as VIP on their sailor system.

The are VIP1 and VIP2 designations on the restaurant laptops.

I believe VIP1 is for MRS, but I can't remember for sure.

The shops are contracted out by Virgin. Starboard is already the 2nd contractor for the shops.

You may want to drop an email to sailorservices@VirginVoyages.com and let them know that you routinely don't get receipts, and how this is now causing your difficulty with your return.

I'm not sure if they can step-in, but I'm sure they'd like to know there's a problem.

I suggest keeping it brief, attach a photo of your statement, and a photo of the faulty item, and ask them is they can somehow help you resolve the situation.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Virgin sends a final statement via email after the cruise. That should be enough.

If you didn't save it, you might want to try calling Sailor Services.

26 minutes ago, _tacocat_ said:

Nope- we kept giving our Johnny walker away because we didn’t want it, and they kept bringing us new bottles!

Do you think the same would hold true if they took the entire bar every day, and 2 bottles of wine each day? I seriously doubt it. On board consumption, and filling a suitcase full of bottles are two different things.

Nobody trying to sell you a drink package, no announcements, no art auctions, no photographers to avoid, no cruise director, no "shopping consultant". It's a true vacation.

Let us know how that works out for you.

Enjoy your cruise.

1 hour ago, cantgetin said:

Do you really think that if they took one or more bottles to the pool and enjoyed them thru the day that the crew was concerned about where they came from or reported them to the stateroom host?

No, the crew is a very close-knit community, and they all know who the rockstars are…..it would be very easy for the rockstar’s agent to find out if you were drinking every bottle from your bar outside of your cabin every day.

It will be interesting to see if they can get away with it or not, but the OP’s user name sure checks out.

1 hour ago, Janthere said:

Actually we often take a bottle or two from the bar to the pool to set up a bar there for the day. We have never had an issue with it not being replaced. 

And it was noticed by the crew, they can account for the bottle, but if the bottles simply disappear every day, I wouldn't be surprised if someone to starts looking into it. Sure you can take home what's left over, but for the most part it's for on board consumption. If someone starts hiding/hoarding full bottles of booze to take home, I can see them wanting to stop it.

If there's a bottle missing from your bar each day, and no sign of it being consumed, I think they'll stop replacing them. MRS or not.

1 hour ago, Podie said:

I was on Scarlet Lady out of Miami in October and someone had a drone up for about 15 minutes as we left port.

 

99.9% sure it was someone on land flying it, not someone on board.

2 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

Prices for 2025 are insane now.

Maybe for some of the more unique itineraries, but we booked the 8 day Caribbean for April of 2025, and it's a tad cheaper than the same itinerary we sailed in February 2023.