cantgetin

Their next date to release flights is Sept 14. Yes, their schedules can be odd. For our last cruise, we had to fly into FLL as they weren't doing anything from my daughter's home airport to MIA on the days we needed. We were flying from different home cities and meeting up in Florida, so FLL didn't make any real difference. It was just rather odd.

Check SW if they serve your home airport. If prices go down, they allow you to re-fare and the excess becomes a non-expiring credit. Also, 2 bags at no cost. They DO serve SanJuan.

Do you know how many sailors were on your cruise? We've cruised with 1300, 1400, and 1800. and I honestly couldn't tell a difference. They seemed to space us out really well. Just for your info, the average of VV sailors in 2022 was 43 with a range of 18-90s

Prior to my first VV cruise, my TA said that the best way to reach the US call center was to call at 8am Eastern time. Yeah, I was in CA, so was getting up to call at 5am. And yes, it should logically be automated. The frustration of dealing with VV shoreside is one of the best reasons to use a TA.

RD was a mess on our Bimini day; we were told it was because the normal RD team handles the island and we had a "training" team. All the normal breakfast and lunch venues are open of port days. The Social Club and Arcade will be open. and, like the pool, there will be little or no waiting. The "adult playground" will be open for basketball, swings, teeter-totter, etc. If you have an overnight port, many things will open in the afternoon.

Of course all embarkation times are subject to change for any number of reasons--medical situations, problems with the ship, visits fro JLo, etc.

VV has a policy as to what crew members are allowed to be or eat where depending on how full the ship is. If you do the "behind the scenes" tour you can see the color coded signs alerting the crew. They aren't as happy as when the ships were sailing with 800 "sailors" and crew was allowed to be anywhere on their off time. For instance, when it is busy, only passenger facing crew can eat in the restaurants and only after 9pm. THey have also been instructed to always allow sailors to go first. We had a cute situation in The Galley where a nice young man was trying to get a salad. He started out about third in line and by letting people go ahead was quickly at about 10th. I was near the front and commented that he'd never get that salad if he kept letting people go ahead. The lady at the front told him to come up and tell her what he wanted and she'd get 2 salads, which would keep him within the rules! I suspect that the rules were instituted because there were guest complaints of being told that a restaurant was full when there were multiple tables of crew members. Each cruise we've done has been more full than the time before. But don't feel too bad. They reportedly have the best crew mess of any line.

I can't say I'm thrilled with all things VV, but they have enough right to make it my current favorite line and only the second like I've said that about in our 50 cruises. Yes, we love the "nearly all inclusive" concept. Each time, we've gotten off the ship with a credit card payment in the single digits, and that was only because we opted to spend the remainder of our loot on the last night. We've done everything we wanted to and had "free money" from one or another sort of perk to cover it. The best parts are the crew and the "no tipping" concept.

THe only person I've encountered in that normal customer service area was Raoul. The rest of the....yeah well....they are pleasant but rarely solve an issue. THat's why I let my TA deal with them.

There were several pushy vloggers on our last cruise who could be identified by their cameras, tripods, and way too much other equipment and their total lack of regard for fellow passengers around them. We sat in Extra Virgin one night and watched a couple filming each other eating and showing food inside their mouths after getting a table for 4 when there were 2 of them (needed room for all those cameras, I guess. Seriously, we sat there talking about how rude they'd been on the cruise. I can't put Walter in that group at all. He's not a "hey look at me," full of himself reporter. He is accurate in his reporting. While I'm sure he knows how to get the "deals" that are available to any cruiser, I've never been aware of any special perks that he gets. He's the one that I suggest to anyone who asks me about VV--watch his videos then decide or ask me your questions. No yelling, no flash, just facts.

Valiant had a sunglass store, but during the April 2023 TA it was closed while they did the changeover to the new supplier. It reopened on the last night of the TA. We were eagerly waiting because we had loot and wanted to get some good sunglasses. It even seemed like the same brands...but from a different place.

WRONG. Loot can be used for anything purchased on the ship. The only thing not included is future cruise certificates. Loot can be used on excursions booked after you board, not on those booked in advance. Bar tab can only be used on beverages that have a charge, but is not limited to alcoholic beverages (good on smoothies, specialty tea and coffee, cold pressed juice, and non-alcoholic bar drinks). Bar tab can be used on pairings in Test Kitchen or Bottomless brunch in Wake or RD but cannot be used on activities that include alcohol as they are billed as activities, not bar. (like grog walk). Bar tab must be purchased 3 days before embarkation (cannot be purchased after boarding). But....when ordering a drink, it will be first applied to bar tab till that is used up, then to loot, and when that is all gone, to your credit card.

Yes, but you can't make two advance reservations. We have done it....you make the early reservation, then you do a walk in at the later restaurant. You can also go to The Galley (serves till 10:30) or Pizza (till 1:30 or 2am)

Correct, the schedule is subject to change at any time. While many things are fairly standard in terms of times, everything can change for rough seas. In particular, any shows involving gymnastics or stunts can be modified or canceled. Fitness classes can be canceled . These things can also happen if the appropriate crew members are ill, injured, or whatever. And things vary a little based on the length of the cruise

Sorry to hear that another line is decreasing quality

THe last time we did Alaska on Princess, there was a Seabourne that was able to dock at much smaller ports than we had. On one excursions, while we docked at the big port and had to take a ferry to where we caught a bus, the Seabourne peeps were able to get off their ship and walk to the bus location. I know that the system VV uses allows them to use smaller ports...not sure how or if that might impact things.

Per my TA, nothing yet.

I'm confused. Did you write the above or is at a puff advertising piece from VV? Or an ad for your YouTube. It is certainly hype compared to our 2 TK experiences on VV. I may have missed it in your video, but people should be aware that there are at least 3 menus at Test Kitchen; what you showed was menu A. A and B are regular menus served based on what night it is. Then there is at least one vegetarian menu (I've been told 2, but can't confirm that). If you don't like a course in the regular menu, you can substitute the same course from the vegetarian menu. For instance, I don't care for mushrooms, so I substituted the gazpacho for the mushroom pate. I also got to try a bite of the vege coconut chocolate cake--incredible! Wish I could get that without doing the whole meal!

On Valiant, there were previously 2 logo shops. One was replaced by the Louis Vuitton shop. The new stuff for the most part has designer names attached and really high prices. There is another purse shop, a watch shop, jewelry shop, some of the ugliest clothing I've seen, JLo area, makeup shop, etc. The only places I'd shop are Sundries and Logo. The other stuff is either stuff I'd never buy or stuff I can get on Amazon at a much better price. Oh, sunglass shop could have more selection but is overall nice.

Don't know about that. They did Valiant in April and May.

My suggestion is to watch You Tube videos, especially those by Walter Travels (something similar to that). He is very fair, accurate, and balanced. I disagree with some of the answers above. There are no MDRs, and technically no specialty restaurants, There are 6 sit down restaurants where reservations are RECOMMENDED but they do take walk ups. The Galley is a food court set up. There are some "walk up" stations, but for most you sit down and you'll be served. Bar tab; is good on any paid beverages, alcoholic or not. This includes smoothies (with or without alcohol), cold press juices, specialty coffee/tea, and any bar beverages, with or without alcohol. The current bonus for purchase of each $300 bar tab is $50, but I've seen specials where it has been love the bar tab concept. You can share your tab with anyone you want, and no one is trying to max out a drink package. You can share one tab with your whole cabin, share 2 tabs among the 3 of you, or whatever you think you'll drink. It is "use it or lose it." Some of the entertainment is a bit risque, but most is not bad. Some could be on DCL. Use a TA who has at least gold status with VV. THey often have specials that can get you extra "loot" (onboard credit). Many buy future cruise certificates which they can then sell to clients at cost. This will give you $300 off the cruise fare + $600 loot in a Sea Terrace cabin or above. Not good on gty bookings.

Call IT for help or wait till closer to the cruise. Mine goes wonky in a routine fashion, but IT taught me how to "fix" it.

Totally agree that RD on Beach Club day was a mess. I don't know if it was a training crew or people from another restaurant, but they didn't have a clue what they were doing. We had never seen the people before or after that.

My guess would be that they are doing the changeover on that ship. We were in VL when they changed--all shops were closed for about 5 days, shops were locked....then boxes started appearing in the stores and sometimes people working to set things up....and finally, one at a time, they reopened, The sunglass shop opened the last night of our 15 night cruise.

No, I was able to enter the info for both of us and complete the entire check in. In my experience, the app works when it is in the mood and refuses to work when it is tired.