cantgetin

Not the greatest info, but certainly better than nothing. It goes past some points very quickly and deals only with non-motorized wheelchairs as opposed to including other sorts of mobility aids. It does cover issues for people who can walk a few steps vs. those who are 100% using assist devices.

Stories like this are why I use a TA. Yes, if you post negatives on social media, they get to you within a day or two! I had that happen once.

THe above is correct. Either wait and book on board (hope what you want is available) or book in advance on credit card. After boarding, go to the desk, cancel what you have (must be at least 24 hours in advance of the excursion), and rebook with loot. The only negative is the possibility that someone else could grab the slot while your cancel/rebook is being performed.

This looks identical to what I saw several months ago.....wondering if this is the "end of 2022" numbers or first half of 2023. Doesn't really matter if there are no significant changes. Every set if numbers I've seen has put the median at either 43 or 44. How this compares to Carnival....well, since Carnival allows kids, I'd assume their numbers would reflect lower ages. True, they have grandparents on board, but Carnival would logically be kids, young adults, and parent types primarily.

I've done B2Bs on at least a few other lines, as well as a 7/9 combination of 2 cruises on the same ship. The biggest downsides are repeats of the ports, menus, losing a day (depending on how they do the transition), and sometimes needing to change cabins (which the crew does make easy). nOn a 12 or 14 night cruise, most lines bring on board additional or special entertainment, some have totally new menus for each night while others have assorted "specials." Turnover day may be nothing (the line may check you in for a long cruise as a single thing), a trip to GS to pick up a new card, or 5 minutes to 4-5 hours sitting in a terminal, That is a combination of what the line and customs requires. Every cruise is different, even if it is the same port and cruise line. Also, longer cruises have a different guest assortment, although this is lessening with more people able to work from home. On lines that are not adult only, you see lots of toddlers but almost no school aged kids, and overall the adults tend to be a little older and more experienced travelers. Granted, all these are generalizations and there are always young adults on a first cruise who choose 14 nights. Repeat ports can be a good or bad thing depending on the ports and your plans for the day.

Bottom line is that you weren't guaranteed anything when you booked.....just that this is what was planned as of that moment. Many things can change, sometimes with little or no warning. I doubt that this early departure is financially motivated because if they save on the port charges, many lines refund you the savings. I suspect they have to as it was charged as "taxes and government fees." It shows up as things like $14 credit on your card for a missed port.

That is funny. We said that we had a ghost in our room as the drapes would automatically do things when no one was anywhere near the controls. We were making jokes about it. Then it happened once when a crew member came to our cabin. He saw the tablet on the desk and didn't see our phones in use, so asked if we "did that." We replied that it was our ghost. He was confused, so we explained that it happened randomly whenever the room felt it was appropriate. Our ghost was exorcized the next day. I LOVE the bar tab concept as no one is trying to "max out" a beverage plan that they purchased. I've never encountered an ugly drunk on VV. Yes, there was one man who had obviously had too much, but he wasn't obnoxious. Also, your bar tab can be used for non-alcoholic beverages that have a charge as well--like smoothies, premium coffee or tea, virgin cocktails, cold pressed juices, etc.

I can't address that issue, but I wouldn't believe anything that shoreside sailor services tells you unless it is "We don't know." If you want a Superbowl party and a huge screen and know you can get this on Royal, I'd stay there. They are receptive to showing what is requested on board provided they have the license to show that station.

THey have decent sized TVs in The Social Club, but no mega screen on the pool deck like you'll fin on some other lines.

It never hurts to bid, but you can never depend on getting your bid. Always book a cabin where you will be happy, whatever that means to you. If you don't want to be above a nightclub or below the pool deck, don't book a "lock it in." If you want a balcony, don't book an inside and hope for a cheaper rate on a bid or upgrade at port. As long as you are starting from a point where you will be satisfied if you stay in your originally booking, you are good. Then the upgrade is a "bonus" if it comes. An additional note--on VV, some of the special offers start at the Sea Terrace level and exclude the "lock it in" rates. You need to check the fine print before booking.

Yes, you book your dining. on the app and supposedly (while I haven't done it yet for one of my cruises), brunch can now be booked in advance on the app.

We always appreciate the insight from a true expert. THanks

There's not an emoji on CC for "sympathy." We are vacillating between rain and too darned hot. That green stuff in the yard doesn't get dry enough to mow before it rains again, but it sure is growing.

If you watch the port cam, there were some people on the running track who went over to the side, presumably to try to see what was happening. Why would anyone be out running at that hour of the morning? That's real dedication.

It still looks like the ship lost. The dock got a chip, the ship got a hole! But she went out again looking not quite as good as new, but pretty good.

Just remember to book your sit down breakfast for the last day. Depending on the cruise, those seats can fill up. The Galley is fine (we've done it), but RD or The Wake is better.

Yup, many years ago we were offered the Roy suite on the Disney Magic. When I asked, the CM said that the family who had booked it had a last minute medical cancelation. Maybe I should have taken it as I'd certainly never pay regular price...but it seemed silly to have a suite that holds 7 for 2 people.

12:27, she's pulling away

Last one you know about. TAs can hold a cabin for 30 days without a name....then release it and another TA can grab it.

There are lots of variables that will determine whether the sailing is delayed or not,

As always, Walter has the info right. The "Loot" is also usually from VV but thru the TA. What typically happens is that the TA purchases future cruise certificates that give both $600 in loot and a $300 discount on the cruise and then applies it to your booking, essentially selling it to you for what the TA paid for it. This is totally legit--VV encourages agents to do it. It gives you a cheaper cruise and the loot, and the agent gets the commission for making the booking. Agents are limited in how many of these they can buy each time they cruise. Sailors who are not agents can also buy them for themselves, their friends, etc. Bottom line, it isn't like the agent is "giving" you $600. Agents also have opportunities to conduct special sales programs that include a bit more loot for people who book during a limited time period. Bottom line, if your agent isn't coming up with a bunch of loot, find one who has it available! Some agents try to advertise these "deals" as if they are somehow special for that agent in ways that if the potential clients don't know what's happening, they believe their agent has some sort of special thing with VV. I don't know when the last time I had an agent involved with airfare. Airlines don't pay commission to agents, so most of the agents I've encountered just tell you to look it up on line. Some may give you insight as to specific airlines if they have flown them. I'm not an agent. I usually start my search with something like google flights or one of the other big names to see what airlines do what I'm looking for, but then search specific airlines that I know serve my local airport (such as Southwest). Most airlines increase rates as the planes fill, so the earlier you can lock in your plans, the less costly it might be.

So are you saying that these changes are enough to reduce the width to less than 110 feet to fit thru the old locks? The new locks are 180 feet wide, so 125 on VV ships is no problem. The cost difference to take a ship thru the old vs. new is quite significant, but there is the issue that cruisers want to see the new set up. I'm guessing that it is also easier to get a reservation to go thru the old locks.

This is true, but. the VV ships are too big for the old locks. The old locks are 110 feet wide; the Disney Magic was specifically built at 106 feet to allow her to fit thru the old locks...and I can attest that it is a tight squeeze. At 125 feet in width, the VV ships are limited to the new locks.

Totally agree, but it does happen.

We found the return to port in Puerto Rico to be quite awful....but that was pre-covid. The cruise line was very upset with the Customs service (or lack thereof) and made many promises about improvements. We put this cruise port in the same category as flying thru JFK--if there is no alternative, think about it; if there is an alternative, avoid it. It is totally possible that this view is no longer applicable given the length of time it has been since our very negative experience. Hope your situation is better!