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The only way to ensure a 100% chance that you’ll get “good” wine is to bring your own. You can’t trust Princess to have anything these days. They’ll try to claim that it’s a supply chain issue, yet there is no shortage of fine wine in retail shops. Pre-order your faves from Total Wine, as they have a location just blocks from the port. You can pick it up before embarkation.

I was in the wholesale biz in Miami/Palm Beach in the 80s. I know the game. There is plenty of wine to be had. Especially in the "plonk" price range known as "Princess Plus". Princess is either not working hard enough to secure it, or they don't have the money to buy it.

If quality is important to you, you're better off bringing your own wines. The shortage of wine on board is Princess' fault. There is no shortage of wine on land.

Here's a much cleaner link: https://vvprod.secure.force.com/SubmitLoyaltyProofOfStatusForm

I believe all of their menus can be seen here: https://profcruise.com/virgin-voyages-restaurant-menus-2022/

They go on to say: Dress Up. Dress Down. Just Dress. At Virgin Voyages we’re all about Sailors feeling free to express who they are and we know personal style is a huge part of that. Prescribing formal attire requirements just isn’t our style. We put a lot of trust in our Sailors to have some basic respect for each other, and to not show up to a full service restaurant in only pasties and earrings, a dripping wet bathing suit, a pair of sandy flip-flops or a fully mesh jumpsuit. We know, you know, that wearing shirts, pants and footwear is just the gracious way to dress in places where food is served. It also can’t hurt to glam up, which is encouraged, in all eateries, especially our gorgeous full service restaurants like the Test Kitchen or The Wake. Your casual threads are probably nice enough to pass for dinner in any eatery, so come as you are, just not as you “were” when you got out of the shower please. Basically, please wear clothes in our eateries. Cheers!

"Premium" drinks is everything that's not included in the basic drinks which are: Filtered still and sparkling water, non-pressed juices, sodas, tea bags, and drip coffee are always on us. Specialty coffees, fresh specialty juices, cocktails, and wine are all covered by the bar tab.

We own 100 shares, so we would normally get the shareholder's OBC. $100 for 7 days, $250 for 14 or more. To my knowledge, Virgin does not have a shareholder's benefit.

Neither of us were ever in the military.

Found this on the VV forum from 2021 We always want all of our Sailors to feel comfortable. We encourage you to wear more than a bathing suit if you go to a restaurant and kindly consider shoes, but your style is your style. Who are we to judge?

I'll be the first to admit that Virgin is not for everyone. Clearly, anyone who is conservative, uptight, or closed-minded will have a hard time enjoying themselves. As for dress code, there is none.

Matzoh Ball Soup. The matzoh balls were dense and rubbery, and resembled the small bouncing balls kids buy in vending machines.

Any OBC you purchase is always refundable.

The base fare on virgin includes free wifi, and grats. If I can't convey the numbers in a way you understand, feel free to visit VirginVoyages.com and compare numbers for yourself.

I just gave you a comparison for two balcony cabins Since the basic fare from Virgin includes grats and wifi, I felt it was easier to compare to the plus package. I then factored in the cost of drinks on Virgin, and it's still cheaper. Another factor will be the meals, which are pretty much cooked to order on Virgin. Every dinner is basically specialty dining without the cover charge. Yet another savings.

We don't board until the 19th, but thanks.

made what!?

I thought you were being snarky. Sorry if I was mistaken.

Memories are so short here. Some of the same folks who claim all I do is complain about Princess labeled me as a Princess apologist. Go back a few years and see for yourself before you start slinging muck. The Princess product has changed a lot in 10 years, and not for the better. Opinions change too.

You are correct, the Virgin fare doesn't include drinks, but it does include gratuities and wifi. But Virgin is still a better deal. With a $300 future cruise deposit, I'll get $600 of OBC to use towards drinks. If I also purchase a $300 bar tab pre-cruise, they'll give me an extra $100 due to their status match program on top of any other bonuses (currently $100). That's $500 for $300. All in, I'll have $1100 to use for drinks and everything will still cost $600 less than Princess.

How will be be any different from comparing Princess vs Celebrity or HAL? All 4 lines are considered "premium".

That's wild. I've always been able to use wifi calling with my iphone while on Princess.

Including taxes & fees for 2 passengers

Whoops.....I meant Virgin.....the Virgin phone rep had both cruises booked in just a few minutes. Year? 2022. We sail next week.

I can't see any Caribbean sailings available for October with Princess, but here's an October 2023 TA Virgin: 14 days Barcelona - Miami (balcony) $3073 all-in. Princess: 14 days Southampton - Fort Lauderdale (balcony princess plus) $3906 all-in Virgin's price does not include alcoholic drinks, but the drink prices are lower than other cruise lines, closer to land-based bar pricing.