dippyblond

9 hours ago, dukefan94 said:

They (VV) let me combine a single My Next Voyage offer with FCC.

Thats good to know as I have FVC to use also

14 hours ago, _tacocat_ said:

the offer that is typically given now is put down a $300 deposit, get $300 off you next voyage + $300 onboard credit.  you can make up to 4 deposits with this offer (can only use 1 offer per cabin per voyage), but you can do "open deposits" if you don't have a specific date in mind.  you just need to call to book and sail those within 2 years.

 

they offered $600 OBC for those who were on Richard's Bday Bash last week, as well as those who were on the next voyage, but I'm not sure if they'll extend that.

 

the "my next virgin voyage" promo is combinable with other offers - apparently the one starting next monday will be 50% off the second sailor (or 50% off solo cabins).  that's only applicable to standard rooms, not suites.

So .... - I have 2 cruises coming up this year - if I were to put down the $300 deposit on each cruise I would be able to combine that to book a cruise for next year??

And would I be able to use my FVC also for same booking??

Me too at 7am! - same sailing?

Irresistible Med?

4 hours ago, jon81uk said:

It did happen again earlier this year (April/May) with both Valiant and Scarlet Lady offered at different rates.

 

https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/04/14/virgin-voyages-cruise-for-80000-virgin-points/

 

https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/05/16/virgin-voyages-cruise-95000-virgin-points/

Yes I did see that - and it was a real bargain!  unfortunately I was too late but ..... after booking on cancelled resilient lady sailing I am more than happy with reimbursement received 😉

Last year I bagged myself a free 5 night cruise from the UK by paying for the cruise using my Virgin Points courtesy of Virgin Red.  I considered it to be a bargain and would happily welcome an offer like this to appear again.

5 hours ago, HolsAddict said:

Can anyone tell me if the access key only valid on 2022 cruises? If that's the case I won't be able to benefit from ut as already have rebooked on the Valiant in October. 

I have just received my access key (via email) and it clearly states Access Keys are valid for new 2022 bookings on board Scarlet Lady or Valiant Lady in a Sea Terrace cabin only

So, yes I guess thats correct - I'm sure I have read somewhere that you can pass it onto someone else??

6 hours ago, Gonzowifey said:

How were you able to get through? I’ve tried calling and waited on hold my entire lunch hour before I had to hang up. I’ve tried the chat and they are never available. I wanted to book flights through VV but could never get through. We are sailing 8/21-8/28 out of BCN and I would rather test before I leave home than get on an airplane for 10 hour flight and then test.

Phoning from the UK I've got through very quickly when calling in the mornings (GMT)

I'm guessing volume of calls from UK less than USA?

On 7/10/2022 at 11:17 AM, chrischris_2202 said:

I just spoke to VV as I’m sailing on the 7th of August for the Irresistible Med cruise. They said they would have sent me an email on time for me to book the test, but have kindly given me a code to book it myself. You’ll get a parcel with tests, which you can then take whenever convenient for you. You need to download an app but you are supposed to get the results asap without having to book an appointment. Given we will travel to Barcelona a few days in advance this is quite helpful.

 

On another note, happy to meet some people on the same cruise as me, feel free to reply to this post 🙂

Good to know - also sailing on Irresistible Med - but not till Sept - please give us an update - particularly interested in excursions.  Have a fabulous trip

I asked the same question during a phone conversation with VV - and was told No they would not be allowed access to Richards Rooftop

Any advice / experience please - we have been offered the 200% credit as our cruise (greek islands) has been cancelled.  But .... we booked this cruise as part of a package through a tour operator.  Virgin has advised we will get the 200% credit but I'm unsure how this will work with the tour operator.

Am trying (without much luck) to speak to a human from the tour operator.

Sorry - finding it all a bit confusing!

On 8/4/2021 at 9:42 AM, dippyblond said:

I'd simply be more than happy if the weather is even warm enough for us Brits to use the pool on our cruise to nowhere! 😎

Update to above - pool was most definitely warm enough to use 😎 although be it for floating around it - definitely not lengths. But there are plenty of sun beds around and in close proximity to the pool area.  Was very easy to find somewhere to relax in the sun.

23 hours ago, teabear said:

From this report,  I guess things went downhill = took over 2.5 hours to get on board - sat in Park and Ride way past embarkation time and then waiting in line for test, waited again for results (never did get the promised email) and then over to the port,  leave the car to drop the luggage, back in the car and around and about to the lineup to leave the car, CPS fiddling about with their devices which were all apparently running out of battery?? and then finally, through the terminal, on the shuttle and onto a lovely ship, great outdoor spaces, horrendous constant, unrelenting and sometimes overly loud music - everywhere - met dozens of people trying to find somewhere other than their cabin to get away from it!!! 

Wristband which you need to get into your cabin didnt work, kept having to go find someone to let me in, eventually after 3 trips to Sailor Services, was issued a normal keycard.  Wifi horrendous especially since you need to use the app for everything including ordering breakfast, by day 2 saw lots of paper menus appearing.   The ship is interesting and colourful and I would say the best use of outdoor space from all the 12 others I have been on, and given she is built for short fun cruises from Miami, should be great at that , sailing in European waters not so much.   

Maybe we got lucky - we were one of the first on board - after all the reports from the previous Friday I was dreading it but honestly it could not have been more efficient - I would say the most time we spent waiting / queueing was for 10-15 mins max to get test result!  Everything else flowed perfectly.

Never once noticed the overly loud music.

For sure app was frustrating, but it seemed to work better on my I pad.

Bands worked well for most transactions, and if they didnt the staff quickly and easily found you by your name - so no problem.

Loved the experience and the relaxed informal approach to everything.

Will be interesting to see how the ship functions with more people on board - we never waited for anything and always found comfortable seating wherever, whenever we went.

Book via app - but keep checking app if it says fully booked as it occasionally seemed to change - also, if you really fancy a class but cant get booked, just turn up a bit early - good chance you will get in anyway

I boarded last Monday (9th) and it could not have been better organised.

From the moment we arrived (self drive) to testing and parking all extremely quick and efficient.

We were on board just a few minutes after 2pm.

And to add - this was my first cruise - other than poor wifi (not that much of an issue me me) and lack of music from the in room entertainment - could not fault a thing - loved it!

However, not sure what it would be like with double the amount of people on board??

As a first timer don’t really understand this whole bar tab thing?

so we get $200 to spend, I’m guessing this can be spent on drinks?

As we are not huge drinkers ( although do prefer a decent bottle of 🍷)

I really can’t see us spending upwards of $400 on booze - so can we just pay as we go?

presuming we get through the $200 start up 🤔

See below for those arriving in their own car - copied from web

Also - It seems the cruise leaving tomorrow (Monday) possibly will not have as many on board as it did for the weekend.

Arriving at the Testing Site 

• Once you have been welcomed for testing, Sailors can make their way either by their own vehicle or by shuttle to the testing site at W4 Tipner Ln, Portsmouth PO2 8RD, UK (approximately 1 kilometer away from the Park and Ride).
• Once you arrive at the testing site, please be sure to have your passport and proof of double vaccination with you. You must have your original, NHS-issued vaccine card with you in order to come aboard - or the live NHS app certificate on your phone.
• Every Sailor will be tested for COVID-19 prior to getting on the ship. The rapid antigen test results take about 15-20 minutes, and tests are free of charge to all Sailors. 

For Sailors arriving in their own car:

• Once your group is welcomed to proceed to testing, drive from the Park and Ride to the testing site at W4 Tipner Ln, Portsmouth PO2 8RD, UK.
• Park your car temporarily at the site, and go inside to the testing marquee.
• Once inside, you’ll get your COVID-19 antigen test, and be asked to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination
• Testing results will take 15-20 minutes to be received. Once you’re cleared to sail (having received a negative result), you’ll be given your luggage tags, your Band (the wearable), and an additional band to indicate that you’ve met all of the health protocols
• Once cleared from testing, you can proceed to the terminal to check-in and board the ship 

3 hours ago, Cherries Jubilee said:

What activities are offered on the ship? Everyone keeps saying it’s different without telling us what these differences are.

It’s all on the app - I’ve been checking it very regularly leading up to my departure ( this Monday) and it does change!

ive easily booked everything I fancy - and look forward to booking more activities once on board - those that cannot be booked via the app.

as with any holiday - planning g and preparation are the key.

This will be my first ever cruise, so for me even more important to do my homework.

enjoy 😎

Seemed to be rather chaotic! Lots of disgruntled comments on FB from people waiting hours.

Lets hope this is not repeated on Monday!

I do wonder if people were arriving well before their allotted 1 hour slot??

1 hour ago, gumshoe958 said:

The port and the test centre are quite a distance apart. You are meant to drive to the test centre, park there while you get tested, then drive to the port, park, check in and board.

 

The problem is there are probably only around 60 spaces at the test centre and once they’re full you have to wait for someone to leave. Which would be fine if the process only took a few minutes, but it was taking 3+ hours so there were massive queues just to get in as no-one was leaving but lots were arriving.

 

The sensible thing, IMHO, would be to park at the port and get the foot passenger shuttle bus to and from the testing centre. But I don’t know if they’ll let you do that.

Thank you so much for helpful reply - lets just hope things have improved by Monday - however I think many reading this, like myself will possibly aim to get there a little earlier than planned.

Any tips for people arriving by car please (we sail Monday) - Park car first and walk to test centre or go straight to test centre in car as advised??

No idea how long walk between parking and test centre are ...... and if its raining 😡

Ive had this happen several times now - annoyingly!

I now have the app on my i pad as well as phone.

Also - if you have trouble signing in (as I have) try signing in using another method.

Email did not want to work for me but signing in using FB worked fine.

I'd simply be more than happy if the weather is even warm enough for us Brits to use the pool on our cruise to nowhere! 😎

11 hours ago, Quacks the Cruiser said:

I asked Sailor Services if there was  topless sunbathing area.

 

The answer is that there is a sun deck on deck 17 called The Perch where you can sunbathe topless!

 

Hope that helps!

 

Don

Well I would just be very happy if its warm enough and sunny enough to sunbathe!

On 7/24/2021 at 10:28 AM, dippyblond said:

I’ve been using the app, booked everything I needed for summer sailing now app not working!  If I delete it and reinstall it would I lose all my bookings??

Update to above - app deleted and reinstalled - all bookings etc still showing - seems to be working fine again

On 7/24/2021 at 6:49 PM, LifeonMars said:

in case you have not yet found this in the app ------    Quite important

 

All on the Virgin Voyages app , scroll to "A new Wave of Health Measures" then Sea our full plan,  scroll Health and Wellness TO DO's, the details,  then  read item 2 Complete the COVID-19 antigen test prior to boarding.

 

Reading the Embarkation Prep (As Virgin say) as shown 24 Jul 2021

Covid Test will be done at W4 Tipner Ln, Portsmouth PO2 8RD, UK at Virgins expense.

 

Complete the COVID-19 antigen test prior to boarding

 

In order to board at port in the UK, every Sailor will be tested for COVID prior to getting on the ship, and the rapid antigen tests take about 15 minutes to get a result. We will pick up the cost of the tests so that they are free of charge to all Sailors. Testing will take place near the port at W4 Tipner Ln, Portsmouth PO2 8RD, UK, and transport Sailors over to the port afterwards. Please see below for details about arriving at our testing site. No matter how you plan on getting there, Sailors must arrive at the testing site no more than two (2) hours prior to your selected boarding time (selected in the app in Ready-to-Sail). Early arrival at the testing site will not result in an earlier embarkation; so please adhere to your selected embarkation time.

For Sailors arriving in their own car:

• Drive to the testing site at W4 Tipner Ln, Portsmouth PO2 8RD, UK
• Park your car (temporarily) at the site, and go inside to the testing marquee
• Once inside, you’ll get your COVID-19 antigen test, and be asked to show proof of your COVID-19 inoculation
• Once you’re cleared to sail (having passed the tests), you’ll be given your luggage tags, your Band (the wearable), and an additional band to indicate that you’ve been cleared
• Afterwards, you can return to your car and drive to the port terminal where you can park and leave your car for the duration of your voyage

For Sailors arriving by public transportation or being dropped off:

• Arrive at the testing site at W4 Tipner Ln, Portsmouth PO2 8RD, UK
• Head inside to the testing marquee
• Once inside, you’ll get your COVID-19 antigen test, and be asked to show proof of your COVID-19 inoculation
• Once you’re cleared to sail (having passed the tests), you’ll be given your luggage tags, your Band (the wearable), and an additional band to indicate that you’ve been cleared
• You’ll then be transported to the port terminal via bus, where you’ll be able to board the ship

We’ll have additional details to share with you the week of July 19th — after the planned UK Step 4 COVID Response update has been announced. Please check back then for more detailed information.

Thank you very much, so helpful!  I remember receiving an email about this but had forgot all about it!