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Any way they want. Daytime, mostly shorts and ts, evenings, a little more "dressed up," but suits/jackets or evening dresses are rare. Overall, it is more casual than other lines.

You can choose a specific cabin by using a travel agent (First Mate), by calling VV, or by doing a rebooking on board. You can also book on line, then call VV to change the cabin you were assigned to.

true.....

Check out the videos by Where's Walter Travels. Here is a link to one of them. The ships are all similar enough that the info applies to all. There have been some minor menu changes. Walter was an award winning Hollywood film maker so his stuff is very well done. It is also accurate not "look at me" or "here is my 10th drink of the day." stuff that some others post. B2B depends on the port. Usually you will be required to disembark at the end of the queue so they can clear the ship legally, and will immediately be able to check in again and reboard IF you are in the same cabin. But essentially nothing will be open--you can enjoy the open decks, etc. Everything will reopen at 1:30. You also have the option of getting off at any time you wish and going into town or whatever, but if you do that, you cannot reboard until 1:30. On other lines, we've had varied experiences depending on port and how many B2Bs there were, as well as Customs regulations.

We didn't have to use the appropriate band, BUT when I sent my band to the laundry (don't even ask how....) and got a new one, the "link" disappeared and had to be re-instated at Sailor Services,"

No experience at Portsmouth, but at Barcelons, Miami, and Athens self disembarkation has usually started about 7:30, sometimes a tiny bit earlier. It can be later if there are any legal or medical sailors who need to be disembarked first. And, of course, there are always situations where the ship may arrive late.

From the announcement, it will be limited to certain cabins....but they will be Sea Terraces.

I remove the bands right after boarding. The ribbon band for DBE is only needed until you are on the ship. For stuff like the cocktail party, I put it in my pocket "just in case" but they have a list on their tablets and can let you in by verifying your regular wearable. Same for Splash of Romance band--not needed normally. You can also ask that they put these on loosely so that you can put them on and off (put on for a function....again, not needed) The regular wearables go on and off as often as you wish. A marker is a good idea; We deal with it by each having a separate place in the cabin where we put ours when not in use. And since we checked the little "I am responsible for all charges" box when signing in on the app, it doesn't matter if we somehow mix them up. Bottom line--you don't have to WEAR them at all, but you need to have it with you to make a purchase or unlock your door...or to get in to some activities. I don't like wearing it, so I carry it in pocket.

No nightlight in bathroom or elsewhere unless you bring one. No plug in bathroom unless in a suite.

Barcelona definitely has better port people than Miami.....both baggage handlers and the people in VV outfits who work at the terminal on VV days.n We've done multiple times at each location.

We never really use the seats on the balcony other than the hammock. I do find the table useful when in the hammock--put my glass of tea and book there when not in use. The new ship will have some sea terraces with 2 hammocks.

I saw a couple of the in use on our 14 night cruise and got to look inside one. Totally not worth it. They have a mini fridge, a couple of seats, and a crew member who checks on you periodically. Oh, and some fans . I wouldn't even want to spend a day in one; there are lots of better public spots and I can fetch my own beverages.

It has varied on each of our cruises. On our first cruise, we arrived at 12;45 and were politely told to "go away" and come back at 1. At 1, the same guy tried to send us away again, but a supervisor let us in. We have never gotten in and then had to come back out again, Each time, we were allowed in at 1 or shortly thereafter, and remained inside until boarding. Sometimes that was virtually immediately (check in, security, board) while other times it was "hang out for 15-30 minutes till 1:30." Your June 2 is more recent than my April, but I suspect you were handled a bit differently as you arrived "well before 1." We have always been advised to not show up before 1 as they wouldn't be ready for us.

Seating in many public places that is totally uncomfortable. It seems to be designed for photos, not function.

Good to know. I've never been on MSC.

I've certainly seen pools on ships that are much bigger than on Virgin, but I've never seen a "full size" pool on any ship. Princess had several, one of which was rarely used, so if I wanted to really swim, that was the place. But again, it wasn't anywhere near really "swimming laps." Also, most cruise ship pools are a max of 5' deep. VV had the smallest pools I've seen. If your cruise goes to Bimini, there are nice pools at the Beach Club.

Nothing to be sorted. The boarding time assigned reflects what was available when you went onto the app. DBE over-rides that. When you get to the terminal, there will be a check in spot for DBE. They will take care of everything from there. The exact procedure has varied slightly over the last 2 years, but the bottom line is that if you have DBE, you are allowed to enter the terminal and get in a line there. Then, as soon as check in starts, this line is moved quickly to the MANY check in stations. Those without DBE line up outside in roped off areas by their arrival time. They will be taken in order after DBE and Splash of Romance have been checked in. Waiting inside is better than waiting outside. But....realize that depending on the cruise, there may be 1000 people with DBE status (I've never seen this, but have heard that it happened). I've seen several hundred. What I'm saying is that DBE status will mean a short wait inside if you show up at 1. Check in and boarding starts promptly at 1:30. DO have your check in info competed on the app prior to arriving at the terminal; most of it can be done months ahead but the health form is limited to 24 hours ahead. If you have not completed the app check in, you will be redirected to a "help" area until that is done, thus slowing your check in process. Bottom line, just show up at 1. I always take a screen shot of my DBE status as one time they "couldn't find me" but found my cabin partner.....very odd since I'd signed up for both of us.

Our experience has been the same as at the table seating....sometimes it is full, sometimes not.

Most of the tables on VV are for 2 people. Getting a spot as a solo is rarely a problem unless EVERY table is reserved. Again, depends in part on how full the ship is.

Carlos is absolutely amazing.....worth going to all or his events. I'm jealous--we missed him on our last cruise.

I've definitely been in a smaller room on Celebrity, but that was one of their older ships.

We'd go to the restaurant at 5:45 or 6 (right when it opened) and ask if they could get us in that evening. If they couldn't give us a time, they almost always offered the wait list. There were 2 of us also. Sometimes they could tell us that they had an opening at X time. When we waitlisted, the typical wait was about 30 minutes. If someone doesn't show up, 15 minutes after their slot they are considered a "no show" and their slot can be given to someone on the list. More polite cruisers will cancel on line, which automatically notifies the restaurant of the opening,

As noted, very few ports are tenders, and those that need it will allow you to select a time on the "shore things" page of the app.

If you have DBE, you can show up at the terminal at 1 and board either right after the rockstars (that's our most recent experience) or right after Splash of Romance purchasers (last cruise, they came after DBE). You will be allowed to line up IN the terminal starting about 1, and check in at 1:30. We have usually been in our cabin by 1:45.

Anywhere from no wait at all to "we can put you on a wait list and text you if we have a cancelation, but we are very busy tonight and probably can't get you in," And yes, I have personally experienced both of these. Only once did we have a "we will put you on a wait list" not come thru. A lot depends on how full the ship is as well. With 1400 sailors, we never had a problem. With 2350 we did the waitlist option several times successfully. Not getting into the restaurant does not mean that you'll go hungry. There is a nightly dinner special in The Galley, in addition to the normal offerings, and it is typically excellent. My suggestion is to make a reservation for each night, knowing that you can change it, cancel it, or whatever if you decide to do something else.