CineGraphic

It's been hinted to me that attitude has a lot to do with it. How you treat the crew may be more important than you think.

At this point I don't think it matters how many people have been status matched because once Virgin sets the prices where they want them to be, and we all know that's higher than what we've been used to paying, those higher prices will weed out a large number of folks. People are already complaining about the 2025 pricing and saying that can't continue to sail with Virgin, or will sail less.

Short answer: You can't https://vvinsider.com/guides-and-faqs/guide/sailing-club/club-485c/

# of sailings isn't always the factor in being granted membership into 485c....and they've already expanded membership numbers past the original 100.

I don't want to burst anyone's bubble, but I don't see Virgin giving us much more than they already do. Multiple boarding times would just complicate operations for them. As it is now, they can't even get the app to show the correct boarding times for those of us with Deep Blue Extras, or Splash of Romance. I don't see roof top access happening based on # of sailings either. It takes away from the exclusivity. Virgin loves points.....so I see a future program based on points, redeemable for things like excursions, discounts in the shops, bridge tours, etc.

Just because they've extended the status match program doesn't mean they won't roll-out a loyalty program.

They didnt charge you just for the helluva it. Call them on Monday if you're worried. The app and website are notoriously wonky.

If they've charged you, your'e set. You may want to check your spam folder, but I'd just show up at the VIP check-in at 1pm.

Don't worry about it.....you're a Mega Rockstar now! Ignore your original check-in time, and cruise on in to the VIP entrance at 1pm Enjoy your cruise!

We became friends on board with some rockstars, and they invited us and another couple to dine with them the last two nights. One of the rockstars spoke with the hostess at the wake, and she was able to get us a table for six at both Extra Virgin and the Wake. No agent needed. Rockstars are denoted as VIPs on the laptops they use for reservations.

I saw a post in one of the countless Facebook groups this morning that it has indeed been chartered, but I forgot to bookmark or screen shot it.

I panicked for a second, as we're booked on the Portsmouth to Barcelona sailing, and that's our replacement for the previously cancelled San Juan to Lisbon.

Enjoy your cruise and don't worry what a handful of judgemental gas-bags think. They can get up and leave if they don't like what they see.

Yes, but they could have charged me if they wanted to. (This was on Scarlet and Valiant)

The rule is there, and can be enforced at any time, but on our 4 sailings, it hasn't happened to us yet.

I may be wrong, but I don't believe they can do activities like bingo or lotteria while in port as it's considered gambling.

There was a live thread as well on the HAL forum, but I didn't see much of it "live' as I refused to pay $150 for 7 days of internet, but a few of the HAL loyalists on board were even complaining about the food & service in the Club Orange Dining Room, which is supposed to be a better dining experience. Cruise vloggers Ben & David ended their most recent cruise review with this important reminder: https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxz9yxioGLwORBKmnrzvITIVfANdpYjioG?si=nw3pMz4wq6hq2bJn

That's because the dimmer dial is set to "off"

You should be able to tap on ambient, and desk to the right of the dimmer

There is an option, although not obvious, where you can use the dimmer to dim main lights, ambient lights. or all lights. I wish I had a screen shot to show you.

It’s a great show. I hadn’t laughed that hard in decades.

I am finally off the Nieuw Statendam, waiting to fly home. They’ve given me an offer for another free cruise, and I’ll have to take into account all of the nonsense I experienced and witnessed others going through before deciding what to do. Yesterday I ordered a pizza and was told it would be ready in 15 minutes. After 30 minutes I checked and was told to wait until my buzzer buzzed….another 30 minutes went by and they finally checked and couldn’t find my order anywhere, but said they could make me another one in 30 minutes. The food quality was simply not good. I’ve had better food at rest stops along the turnpike. I’ll have to learn to lower my expectations.

Yes, although the casinos are smaller compared to other lines, and the smoking section is in a completely different room behind two sets of doors so the smoke doesn’t leech out.

I’ve heard a lot of people being told, “we don’t have that”, or “we’re out of that”, and it’s for things like white bread and tomatoes at the sandwich station or horseradish sauce for the prime rib. I feel sorry for the crew, as I’m hearing very little “thank yous” from the guests. Some poor guy was about to lose his ____ because the stir fry station had no broccoli. Food quality as been “meh” at best. If last night’s crab cakes had any actual crab in it, this former Maryland lad couldn’t see or taste it.

If there was any real crab in the crab cakes last night, it’s a surprise to this Maryland lad. Pure mush.