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Scarlet Lady Review: October 28-November 2, 2022 5 Nighter Dominican Daze

mizLORInj

By mizLORInj,
in Virgin Voyages

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mizLORInj Great Review Rare

mizLORInj

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We are two friends who have cruised many times on various cruise lines.   We wanted to check out Virgin Voyages.  Flew to Miami the evening before cruise departure and stayed at the Holiday Inn Port Miami.  Comfy bed, nice room; old worn out bathroom, though the toiletries were nice.   They offer a breakfast buffet which was good.  Across the street, the Bayside shopping area was a good place to wander and get a drink or eat.   Enjoyed the Mojito Bar and had an awesome lobster roll at Mason's.  Note the gratuity is built into the bill you will get at some of these restaurants. Hopefully next time in town we can do the ferris wheel for about $20 per person.  Many touristy things like boat rides are here.   Liked this area a lot. 
 
Took Uber to the port for about $10 including tip.  Our check-in time was 1:45 and we arrived just after 1:30.   Walked right up to the door (no line) and a lady asked if we are on the VIP list.   Did not know if we were, so she checked and our names were there!  This was due to cruise line loyalty level matching--we are diamond on Royal Caribbean so we got VIP Sea Rover status on Virgin.  (You needed to provide proof of your level in advance, which we did.  I believe this perk is only valid through this year-end.)  Went up the escalator to a check-in desk, then through security and up to the waiting area which was full by this time.   If people would put their luggage aside, there would be seating for more people.  Called boarding group 1 (Sea Rover perk) at 2pm and onboard we went.  Dropped our carryon at our sea terrace cabins on deck 13 port side aft.   Our two side-by-side cabins were between mid and aft elevators.   
 
Cabins were nice and pleasantly appealing.  I think this was the smallest bathroom I've yet seen on any ship.  More eye-level storage shelves and a place to hang hand towels would have been good.  Yet, I was thrilled there was no "toilet paper helmet."  You know, the metal piece many places have on the toilet paper roll.  So unsanitary.  Yuck.  The shampoo, conditioner and body wash were surprisingly good.   There is a rain showerhead and also a hand-held that shoots such a hard spray it could cause injury.  Not to mention get all over the bathroom.   Back in the cabin, hangers and some shelves can be hidden by a curtain, and there is a safe and some more shelves and some rather useless shallow drawers too.   Our fabulous cabin stewardess, Batania, showed us how everything worked.  It was disappointing that my balcony had one peek-a-boo partition, but we were told these are all being replaced to be solid for privacy.  We were able to have the partition between our balconies open for some of the cruise.  The hammock was great!   Tablet in my cabin did not work a few times.  Many movies on the tv and a few news channels.  We missed having a navigation channel showing where we are, where we're going, wind, temp, etc.  Also we missed the bridge cam to watch while coming into port.  I  heard my neighbors' tv several nights which I don't usually hear on other ships.  Did not like that we could not turn off balcony lights at night!  Way too bright out there.  Also could not tell if what I was seeing through the curtain was daylight in the morning or balcony lights.   
 
We were told my several crew members that this sailing had around 1,000 passengers.  We learned from chatting with people that many were first time cruisers.   
 
We did have occasional wifi connection issues with their app, so Virgin has not resolved that ongoing issue. 
 
Wandered the ship and found a few places we really liked.   Soon it was sailaway time so we headed to the pool area to get our champagne, and found a cute spot to sit for the cruise out of the channel.  
 
While I don't recall which shows were which night, we went to Never Sleep Alone which is run by a sex therapist we were not familiar with, Ashley something.  It was entertaining to the point where my face hurt from laughing.   We chose to be "not adventurous" so we were not seated in the area from which she chose audience participation.   I did learn to use "2 statements, 1 question" to speak with people, so I did learn something!  
 
The other shows were just ok.   A production show is missing from this ship.   No comedians either.   The acrobatics show in The Red Room was very good.  I heard that people enjoyed the parties by the pool various nights.
 
Lots of cool places for picture taking around the ship.   Love their unique spaces.   Walk each deck from 6 and above from bow to stern to check everything out.  
 
Service for the most part was good and most crew seemed happy.   A few at Sailor Services were not very helpful.  Wrong position for those people!
 
We ate at all the restaurants except Pink Agave.  Test Kitchen was the one we were most unsure of, yet it was the one we liked best.  Our server Valentina was excellent.   We were not dazzled by Razzle Dazzle.  The servers tried but it just wasn't to our taste.   Extra Virgin we had heard negative comments about the service, but our server (so sorry I forgot her name) was really good.   The potato gnocchi was the best gnocchi I have ever had, but the pasta I thought should have been more tender and the bolognese sauce was scarce in the dish.  Sea bass was delish.   The Galley was good for breakfast items and even has breakfast all day.  Best bacon at sea.  Be sure to check out all the stations so you don't miss anything.   Loved the ice cream place and had a cone every day.  Pizza was good too.   Different bars have different drinks, and all of the cocktails I ordered were $11.   Some places close at odd times like mid-afternoon which is unlike other cruise lines that always have a few food venues open.   Check the daily paper that you can pick up from the Galley or Sailor Services for timing, or check the app, which may or may not be working for you!   The paper is not left in your cabin like other lines do. 
 
There are lots of great outdoor spaces at the stern (aft).   The only forward viewing area is part of Richard's Rooftop, so for anyone not in a suite, you have no forward viewing, which I did not know or like.   Lots of seating spaces along deck 7 on port and starboard, and a great outdoor place at the stern.  Also had very good small plates you order from a server.   
 
The officers wear regular crew clothing, so make sure you read their nametags to see their position.  We chatted with a few and all were nice and quite informative.  I did miss seeing what country crew come from as that is not on their nametags.
 
I had heard about all these secret parties, so I asked one of the entertainment staff we ran into about them, and her response was "ooh, the best way to NOT get invited is to ask about them" which I thought was a rather guest-unfriendly response.  Never mind, we didn't care.  
 
There are no broadcast announcements.  Nothing that tells you the ship's cleared in the ports or to leave.   Also, we noted that several people who debarked with us did not know they needed to keep their ship bracelet out for their final scan.   That kind of info would be helpful--maybe a First Time Cruisers event to inform them how it works.  
 
Ports.  
Puerto Playa in DR.   We took a ~15 minute taxi to Playa Dorada for $35 r/t per person, and taxi stayed with us a few hours till we wanted to go back to the ship.  Very nice beach, and on this Sunday it was full of family get-togethers which was nice to see.  Cheap drinks and eats at a few places here.   2 chairs and an umbrella were $20. 
 
Bimini.  Wow.  Took the ship-provided shuttle for the short (couple miles) ride to the resort.  2 huge pools, tons of seating, loungers and umbrellas on the beautiful beach.  There was some seaweed early in the day, but such soft sand.  Would love to go here again.   It was a unique lunchtime menu that I liked with a few curried dishes, but I heard others' comments about beach fare.  (Royal Caribbean does a great job with food options on Coco Cay.) There was also a 3pm barbeque which I forgot to check out so I cannot comment on it.  Bars here and you can use your cruise bracelet to pay, as well as water and self-serve soda.  Small hammocks were so nice to relax in.   Really liked it here.  Next time will make a later dinner ressie so I can stay on the beach longer. 
 
Missed having a sea day before the cruise ending.   Love that last sea day.  
 
Debarkation began a bit after 7:30am and we made our way out.  There was a line at passport check though which we are no longer used to since Bayonne (Cape Liberty in NJ) and NYC both use facial recognition.   Got an Uber to the airport and luggage was checked by 8:30am!  
 
We really enjoyed the cruise.  Wanted to try out this new line for ourselves and we are glad we did.  Virgin does a great job in some ways.  We thought their nightly entertainment was a little lacking--at least compared to other cruise lines.   Food was superb.   Ship was beautiful.   Could have used some doors that were sensor-opening as a few times both guests and crew had a hard time with plates or carts opening the doors.   
 
We will sail with Virgin again.   We will also keep sailing with other cruise lines because we like variety!
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rebeccac

rebeccac

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Two things:

 

Most restaurants all over Miami build in the gratuity to the bill, so you always have to be careful to make sure you aren't double tipping.

 

I thought the gnocchi in Extra Virgin was the worst gnocchi I've ever had.  When we were there in July, the sauce was very tasty, but the gnocchi themselves were so overcooked, they were practically mashed potatoes.  Hopefully, your review indicates that things have changed.  

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mizLORInj Great Review Rare

mizLORInj

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2 hours ago, rebeccac said:

Two things:

 

Most restaurants all over Miami build in the gratuity to the bill, so you always have to be careful to make sure you aren't double tipping.

 

 

Yeah, we don't do this in NJ except for larger groups.  That's why I noted it in the review -- for people who may not realize it.   Like me!  🙂  

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silversneakers

silversneakers

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On 11/2/2022 at 8:06 PM, mizLORInj said:
We are two friends who have cruised many times on various cruise lines.   We wanted to check out Virgin Voyages.  Flew to Miami the evening before cruise departure and stayed at the Holiday Inn Port Miami.  Comfy bed, nice room; old worn out bathroom, though the toiletries were nice.   They offer a breakfast buffet which was good.  Across the street, the Bayside shopping area was a good place to wander and get a drink or eat.   Enjoyed the Mojito Bar and had an awesome lobster roll at Mason's.  Note the gratuity is built into the bill you will get at some of these restaurants. Hopefully next time in town we can do the ferris wheel for about $20 per person.  Many touristy things like boat rides are here.   Liked this area a lot. 
 
Took Uber to the port for about $10 including tip.  Our check-in time was 1:45 and we arrived just after 1:30.   Walked right up to the door (no line) and a lady asked if we are on the VIP list.   Did not know if we were, so she checked and our names were there!  This was due to cruise line loyalty level matching--we are diamond on Royal Caribbean so we got VIP Sea Rover status on Virgin.  (You needed to provide proof of your level in advance, which we did.  I believe this perk is only valid through this year-end.)  Went up the escalator to a check-in desk, then through security and up to the waiting area which was full by this time.   If people would put their luggage aside, there would be seating for more people.  Called boarding group 1 (Sea Rover perk) at 2pm and onboard we went.  Dropped our carryon at our sea terrace cabins on deck 13 port side aft.   Our two side-by-side cabins were between mid and aft elevators.   
 
Cabins were nice and pleasantly appealing.  I think this was the smallest bathroom I've yet seen on any ship.  More eye-level storage shelves and a place to hang hand towels would have been good.  Yet, I was thrilled there was no "toilet paper helmet."  You know, the metal piece many places have on the toilet paper roll.  So unsanitary.  Yuck.  The shampoo, conditioner and body wash were surprisingly good.   There is a rain showerhead and also a hand-held that shoots such a hard spray it could cause injury.  Not to mention get all over the bathroom.   Back in the cabin, hangers and some shelves can be hidden by a curtain, and there is a safe and some more shelves and some rather useless shallow drawers too.   Our fabulous cabin stewardess, Batania, showed us how everything worked.  It was disappointing that my balcony had one peek-a-boo partition, but we were told these are all being replaced to be solid for privacy.  We were able to have the partition between our balconies open for some of the cruise.  The hammock was great!   Tablet in my cabin did not work a few times.  Many movies on the tv and a few news channels.  We missed having a navigation channel showing where we are, where we're going, wind, temp, etc.  Also we missed the bridge cam to watch while coming into port.  I  heard my neighbors' tv several nights which I don't usually hear on other ships.  Did not like that we could not turn off balcony lights at night!  Way too bright out there.  Also could not tell if what I was seeing through the curtain was daylight in the morning or balcony lights.   
 
We were told my several crew members that this sailing had around 1,000 passengers.  We learned from chatting with people that many were first time cruisers.   
 
We did have occasional wifi connection issues with their app, so Virgin has not resolved that ongoing issue. 
 
Wandered the ship and found a few places we really liked.   Soon it was sailaway time so we headed to the pool area to get our champagne, and found a cute spot to sit for the cruise out of the channel.  
 
While I don't recall which shows were which night, we went to Never Sleep Alone which is run by a sex therapist we were not familiar with, Ashley something.  It was entertaining to the point where my face hurt from laughing.   We chose to be "not adventurous" so we were not seated in the area from which she chose audience participation.   I did learn to use "2 statements, 1 question" to speak with people, so I did learn something!  
 
The other shows were just ok.   A production show is missing from this ship.   No comedians either.   The acrobatics show in The Red Room was very good.  I heard that people enjoyed the parties by the pool various nights.
 
Lots of cool places for picture taking around the ship.   Love their unique spaces.   Walk each deck from 6 and above from bow to stern to check everything out.  
 
Service for the most part was good and most crew seemed happy.   A few at Sailor Services were not very helpful.  Wrong position for those people!
 
We ate at all the restaurants except Pink Agave.  Test Kitchen was the one we were most unsure of, yet it was the one we liked best.  Our server Valentina was excellent.   We were not dazzled by Razzle Dazzle.  The servers tried but it just wasn't to our taste.   Extra Virgin we had heard negative comments about the service, but our server (so sorry I forgot her name) was really good.   The potato gnocchi was the best gnocchi I have ever had, but the pasta I thought should have been more tender and the bolognese sauce was scarce in the dish.  Sea bass was delish.   The Galley was good for breakfast items and even has breakfast all day.  Best bacon at sea.  Be sure to check out all the stations so you don't miss anything.   Loved the ice cream place and had a cone every day.  Pizza was good too.   Different bars have different drinks, and all of the cocktails I ordered were $11.   Some places close at odd times like mid-afternoon which is unlike other cruise lines that always have a few food venues open.   Check the daily paper that you can pick up from the Galley or Sailor Services for timing, or check the app, which may or may not be working for you!   The paper is not left in your cabin like other lines do. 
 
There are lots of great outdoor spaces at the stern (aft).   The only forward viewing area is part of Richard's Rooftop, so for anyone not in a suite, you have no forward viewing, which I did not know or like.   Lots of seating spaces along deck 7 on port and starboard, and a great outdoor place at the stern.  Also had very good small plates you order from a server.   
 
The officers wear regular crew clothing, so make sure you read their nametags to see their position.  We chatted with a few and all were nice and quite informative.  I did miss seeing what country crew come from as that is not on their nametags.
 
I had heard about all these secret parties, so I asked one of the entertainment staff we ran into about them, and her response was "ooh, the best way to NOT get invited is to ask about them" which I thought was a rather guest-unfriendly response.  Never mind, we didn't care.  
 
There are no broadcast announcements.  Nothing that tells you the ship's cleared in the ports or to leave.   Also, we noted that several people who debarked with us did not know they needed to keep their ship bracelet out for their final scan.   That kind of info would be helpful--maybe a First Time Cruisers event to inform them how it works.  
 
Ports.  
Puerto Playa in DR.   We took a ~15 minute taxi to Playa Dorada for $35 r/t per person, and taxi stayed with us a few hours till we wanted to go back to the ship.  Very nice beach, and on this Sunday it was full of family get-togethers which was nice to see.  Cheap drinks and eats at a few places here.   2 chairs and an umbrella were $20. 
 
Bimini.  Wow.  Took the ship-provided shuttle for the short (couple miles) ride to the resort.  2 huge pools, tons of seating, loungers and umbrellas on the beautiful beach.  There was some seaweed early in the day, but such soft sand.  Would love to go here again.   It was a unique lunchtime menu that I liked with a few curried dishes, but I heard others' comments about beach fare.  (Royal Caribbean does a great job with food options on Coco Cay.) There was also a 3pm barbeque which I forgot to check out so I cannot comment on it.  Bars here and you can use your cruise bracelet to pay, as well as water and self-serve soda.  Small hammocks were so nice to relax in.   Really liked it here.  Next time will make a later dinner ressie so I can stay on the beach longer. 
 
Missed having a sea day before the cruise ending.   Love that last sea day.  
 
Debarkation began a bit after 7:30am and we made our way out.  There was a line at passport check though which we are no longer used to since Bayonne (Cape Liberty in NJ) and NYC both use facial recognition.   Got an Uber to the airport and luggage was checked by 8:30am!  
 
We really enjoyed the cruise.  Wanted to try out this new line for ourselves and we are glad we did.  Virgin does a great job in some ways.  We thought their nightly entertainment was a little lacking--at least compared to other cruise lines.   Food was superb.   Ship was beautiful.   Could have used some doors that were sensor-opening as a few times both guests and crew had a hard time with plates or carts opening the doors.   
 
We will sail with Virgin again.   We will also keep sailing with other cruise lines because we like variety!

Nice review.  What was the age span of the passengers?  It seems geared more to younger people rather than seniors.  Any topless areas on the ship?  

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cantgetin Great Review Rare

cantgetin

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4 hours ago, silversneakers said:

Nice review.  What was the age span of the passengers?  It seems geared more to younger people rather than seniors.  Any topless areas on the ship?  

Not OP, but got off less than a week ago.  There are no "topless" areas on the ship, other than perhaps your balcony.
VV's CEO did a recording where he said that the average age on VV cruises as of that recording date was 47 with a range of 18-90s.  50% of cruisers are married couples.  That said, the age on any given sailing will vary.  In general, cruises longer than a week tend to skew a bit older while 4-5 night cruises tend to be a younger crowd.  On our recent trip, I'd guess that the average age was somewhere in the 50s, likely due to our voyage being 14 nights.

It is also worth noting that VV did bring on additional entertainment and activities for the longer sailing.

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cantgetin Great Review Rare

cantgetin

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3 hours ago, _tacocat_ said:

There actually is, but they do a good job of not advertising hah- the perch on deck 17 only on sea days

I thought of going up and checking that out (didn't know it was topless)....but never made it that far.

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