Would Virgin does price adj after booking

[seapad]

If there is a price drop, can we request a price adjustment, or upgrades after we booked? Similar to what other cruise lines usually permit,?

 

Thanks. 

[cantgetin]

Just now, seapad said:

If there is a price drop, can we request a price adjustment, or upgrades after we booked? Similar to what other cruise lines usually permit,?

 

Thanks. 

You can request anything.  Often this will require that you cancel and rebook under the new deal, but this can be done.  For example, people were able to rebook to get the free $600 beverage package deal, but this often cost an additional $100-150 cruise cost.  Still...$600 bar tab for $150 is a great deal.  I've not heard of them doing cabin upgrades.

[seapad]

I  did not know that Virgin allows for free cancellation....with no penalty? Most other cruise line will incur penalty for cancellation, unless we book a refundable fare. Is that your understanding that bookings are refundable, probably before final payment? 

[_tacocat_]

1 hour ago, seapad said:

I  did not know that Virgin allows for free cancellation....with no penalty? Most other cruise line will incur penalty for cancellation, unless we book a refundable fare. Is that your understanding that bookings are refundable, probably before final payment? 

you can "cancel" a booking, but you only get whatever you've paid already back as future voyage credit - NOT a refund.  AFAIK, VV does not have fares that are refundable beyond the 7-day window after booking. 

[seapad]

Just now, _tacocat_ said:

you can "cancel" a booking, but you only get whatever you've paid already back as future voyage credit - NOT a refund.  AFAIK, VV does not have fares that are refundable beyond the 7-day window after booking. 

Got it, thank you!

[cantgetin]

The above is correct. When I did a "cancel and rebook," I was able to apply everything I had already paid to the rebooking.  It was more a technicality on their part as all I was doing was rebooking to get a better deal.  But yes, every penny I'd paid was credited toward the new booking on the same cruise (and I could have saved it and used it on a different cruise if I'd wished.)  No, they do not give cash refunds unless THEY have made a mistake.  They did that to me once too,  I made the final payment on my cruise and they somehow charged my credit for it twice.  My first mate submitted my screen shot and the extra charge was refunded within 2 days. They told me it could take up to 10 days, but it was less than 48 hours.

[CrazyTrain2]

My experience of trying to "cancel and rebook" with sailor services was not great. Sailor services could not give me a consistent answer about crediting the rebooked voyage.  The answers ranged from you get everything back on the credit card to you get nothing back.  Our voyage is more than 300 days out and they could not wrap their heads around how to apply the policies.

 

I ended up just canceling and rebooking with a TA, letting the chips fall where they may.  My time and sanity is worth more than the difference.

 

If I had to do the whole process again, I would just book with a TA.

 

My suggestion to VV would be to put more experienced services team members on more complicated transactions.  The kids I spoke with seemed to be right out of filling out their employment forms - "What's a W-4??".

[cantgetin]

There is no reason to NOT use a TA....all TAs who are allowed to book VV have to complete Virgin training.  Beyond that, look for one with the "gold award" meaning they have cruised VV and had access to additional training.

 

OK, an incompetent TA can be a pain, but a good one is worth their weight in gold.  I see no point in not using one, and if there is a problem, it gives you someone on your side.

[CruisingWalter]

On 1/20/2023 at 10:09 AM, CrazyTrain2 said:

If I had to do the whole process again, I would just book with a TA.

 

TAs are able to select your cabins too which makes the process that much nicer because you can choose your own cabin from the deck plan, not 'we've selected the best one for you.' 🙂

[CruisingWalter]

On 1/20/2023 at 5:48 PM, cantgetin said:

There is no reason to NOT use a TA....all TAs who are allowed to book VV have to complete Virgin training. 

 

Technically not true. They can book cruises without having completed any training. 

[Lustate]

2 hours ago, WheresWalter said:

 

Technically not true. They can book cruises without having completed any training. 

That might be the case, but they are not "First Mates" which is the training courses VV require the agents who they see as "gold standard" to book for you. I would recommend if your not the best at booking travel or knowing what you want to book via a First Mate for your first voyage. It costs you nothing extra....

[CruisingWalter]

51 minutes ago, Lustate said:

That might be the case, but they are not "First Mates" which is the training courses VV require the agents who they see as "gold standard" to book for you.

 

Again, technically 'not true.' Good TAs take the time to go through the training that all cruise lines offer so they can provide insight and helpful information. Those are the people we look for and they are worth their weight in gold.

 

But in terms of actually booking a cruise on Virgin or any other cruise line for that matter, you just need to access their booking engine.

[Lustate]

16 hours ago, WheresWalter said:

 

Again, technically 'not true.' Good TAs take the time to go through the training that all cruise lines offer so they can provide insight and helpful information. Those are the people we look for and they are worth their weight in gold.

 

But in terms of actually booking a cruise on Virgin or any other cruise line for that matter, you just need to access their booking engine.

 

Yep Walter, Its like going to a non-specialist. I mean if your looking to just "book" something, you can go to just about any agent, but if you want specialist knowledge on the ships, inclusions etc, thats what a first mate is for.

 

Companies do not spend a fortune on in-depth training for agents and sending them to the ships for the sake of it. They do it to manage expectations of sailors and to ensure they get the best experience. I suppose its the difference between watching a hobby video on youtube, and actually having the inside scoop and detailed background when making claims etc.