Suite questions

[travelexplore3]

Hi there. We have been looking to book with Virgin and have never sailed them before. We’ve been on 14 cruises including Disney, Rccl, Ncl and carnival. We did not care for rccl or carnival and the last 2 times on NCl were not so great either. Huge decline in food and entertainment and customer service. So here we are looking to try a new line….Virgin Voyages. Now I see in the suite it comes with a stocked bar. Is all of that included? Or if we use any of the small bottles of alcohol are we charged any fees? What all is included with booking a suite? Do you have someone to help hook excursions and dining and such? thank you all for any advice of info you can offer.

 

[Ekposh]

All the bottles in the minibar are included (and can be swapped out) but the bar is not replenished (unless you are a mega rockstar). 

 

It is also my understanding that Rockstar will get priority boarding, priority booking for restaurants and access to Richards Rooftop. I think (and I hope someone can confirm as I have this question) that this includes a champagne happy hour (not sure on time) every day? 

 

I

[Fogcityca13]

Everything in the bar is included. I’ve heard they have got strict on swapping bottles out. Mega suites may still have that option. Really depends on your agent.
 

You’ll get early access to booking dining and shore things. I wouldn’t wait to book dinning until you board, it’s much easier to have your agent move a reservation if you have a show or event conflict. If you’re super flexible on when and where you would like to eat you could wait to book.
 

You get early checkin and boarding, as well as a separate lounge area at the Miami terminal. The early boarding has you meet your agent and get your shows/events booked. You meet them in the Manor right after you board. That agent is available to assist for the rest of the cruise. They’ll also help set up changes in your room or dining.

 

Access to the rockstar area Richards Roof top. They do an hour of free champagne every night. The area is pretty nice, go if you are looking at a quiet place. It does have two hot tubs, so it’s easy to find a open spot.

 

Mega suites get a few more freebies like upgraded WiFi, laundry, spa access, transportation to/from the port, and lots of booze. 

[cantgetin]

Correct--Megas get their bar restocked with whatever the wish.  Rockstars get what is in the bar when they check in, but no refills. Yes to the nightly champagne reception.  Suites get early access to booking excursions and dining on the app or by calling VV and doing it thru one of their people.n. There is a special waiting area at the terminal and a meeting in The Manor after boarding where they will serve bubbly and you'll meet with the Rockstar agents who will help with any bookings you need, move dining reservations, etc. and be sure you know how to reach them throughout the cruise.

So much is included with VV cruises for everyone that there are no a huge number of Rockstar perks....mainly the in room alcohol and the much larger room and Richard's Rooftop.

[_tacocat_]

On 2/22/2023 at 5:48 PM, Fogcityca13 said:

 

Everything in the bar is included. I’ve heard they have got strict on swapping bottles out. Mega suites may still have that option. Really depends on your agent.

 

We were just talking to some RS sailors who had the same agent we had in October.  She was super weird about swapping anything with us then.  These people told us that she told them there was no more Tito’s so she couldn’t swap,  every other person around said they were able to swap Tito’s in.  It sucks that it’s SO inconsistent.  Either have rules/guidelines or don’t, but when service differs so much between agents, it’s not a great passenger experience!

[RNPJN]

On 2/22/2023 at 4:13 PM, Ekposh said:

All the bottles in the minibar are included (and can be swapped out) but the bar is not replenished (unless you are a mega rockstar). 

 

It is also my understanding that Rockstar will get priority boarding, priority booking for restaurants and access to Richards Rooftop. I think (and I hope someone can confirm as I have this question) that this includes a champagne happy hour (not sure on time) every day? 

 

I

Yes that is all correct  and if you dont drink everything you can take it home with you

 

[cantgetin]

You can take it home provided you don't exceed the Customs limits of the country you are entering.

[CruisinShips]

Afew more questions from a veteran cruiser contemplating VV please:

 

Is Richard's Rooftop a restaurant as well as a bar?

 

Is there a designated suite restaurant like they have on say Celebrity (Luminae)?

 

What are the daytime activities like on the ships (Scarlet Lady in particular)?

 

If one stays in a Mega Rockstar suite, do you pay for drinks in the bars and restaurants?

 

Thanks!

[_tacocat_]

1 hour ago, CruisinShips said:

Is Richard's Rooftop a restaurant as well as a bar?

Not a "restaurant" per se, but you can get snacks up there from i think 12-5, with some exceptions (not on embarkation day or bimini, maybe some other days - can't remember).  they have some small sushi/sashimi plates (different than the galley sushi), sweet/spicy popcorn, plus the bao buns/poke bowls that they bring over from sun club.

 

1 hour ago, CruisinShips said:

Is there a designated suite restaurant like they have on say Celebrity (Luminae)?

Nope.

 

1 hour ago, CruisinShips said:

What are the daytime activities like on the ships (Scarlet Lady in particular)?

There's a site that has the daily lineups posted - i don't have it right now now, but if you search "spark" in this forum or FB/reddit, you'll find it.

 

1 hour ago, CruisinShips said:

If one stays in a Mega Rockstar suite, do you pay for drinks in the bars and restaurants?

You only pay for drinks in bars/restaurants if they're above $25/drink (that's really hard to do! we had to get creative to maximize our value haha) or if you get bottles of wine above your limit (2 bottles per cabin per day up to $90 each).  if you go over, you just get either 20 or 25% off the price - you do not get a $25 or $90 credit against the higher value.

[CruisinShips]

Thank you!

[jon81uk]

Richard’s Rooftop is a sunbathing and socialising space with a bar, sushi is available and the Sun Club Cafe doing Poke is just outside. 
That is the only space exclusive to suite guests, there is no suite only restaurant.

Mega rockstar all drinks under $25 are included in your fare and two bottles a day under $95 a bottle. Plus the in room minibar will be restocked. 
 

daytime there is fitness classes, board games, trivia/gameshows, boyband style dance class, dodgeball, colouring in, pool DJ, summer camp crafts. Plus sometimes bingo (or that can be evening) and other shows in the late afternoon.

[cantgetin]

In the casino (and possibly some other bars), they serve half pours so you can get liquor that would be over the $25 limit still included.

[CruisinShips]

We just booked a last minute Mega that leaves next month.  Very excited!  Pretty much nothing available with the better restaurants, but on the advice of many in several threads, we won't stress and will deal with it when we board.

That being said, I got an email about connecting with an agent to make pre-cruise arrangements.  I called and left a callback number earlier today.  Does anyone know what kinds of things we discuss (and if they do actually call you back!)?

 

Thanks again!

[godzukihop]

15 minutes ago, CruisinShips said:

We just booked a last minute Mega that leaves next month.  Very excited!  Pretty much nothing available with the better restaurants, but on the advice of many in several threads, we won't stress and will deal with it when we board.

That being said, I got an email about connecting with an agent to make pre-cruise arrangements.  I called and left a callback number earlier today.  Does anyone know what kinds of things we discuss (and if they do actually call you back!)?

 

Thanks again!

They will call you back and a Mega perk is transportation to and from the pier. Doesn't hurt to call them back, just have your itinerary number handy. 

[Fogcityca13]

1 hour ago, CruisinShips said:

We just booked a last minute Mega that leaves next month.  Very excited!  Pretty much nothing available with the better restaurants, but on the advice of many in several threads, we won't stress and will deal with it when we board.

That being said, I got an email about connecting with an agent to make pre-cruise arrangements.  I called and left a callback number earlier today.  Does anyone know what kinds of things we discuss (and if they do actually call you back!)?

 

Thanks again!

You can also email them your pickup and drop off info for transportation. You will get an email back confirming everything. The day of the cruise your driver will give you a call before heading to pick you up. Ours wanted to pick us up about an hour early when he called. We were out on a walk, so he ran someone else while we walked back.

[ownedbypets]

3 hours ago, CruisinShips said:

We just booked a last minute Mega that leaves next month.  Very excited!  Pretty much nothing available with the better restaurants, but on the advice of many in several threads, we won't stress and will deal with it when we board.

That being said, I got an email about connecting with an agent to make pre-cruise arrangements.  I called and left a callback number earlier today.  Does anyone know what kinds of things we discuss (and if they do actually call you back!)?

 

Thanks again!

We got a call back today. I was told the email was just to inform us of what is available to us. Since we have our dining and transportation already arranged the only other thin they offered was to take our requests for our in room bar. Everything else has to wait until we get to the port.

[Fogcityca13]

1 hour ago, ownedbypets said:

We got a call back today. I was told the email was just to inform us of what is available to us. Since we have our dining and transportation already arranged the only other thin they offered was to take our requests for our in room bar. Everything else has to wait until we get to the port.

That’s an interesting change about dining and in room bar.

[CruisinShips]

So I received a callback as well.  Absolutely fantastic attitude from the rep...great demeanor and fun to talk with.  Took instructions about our bar requests, arranged our transportation, and assured us we would be accommodated with our dining requests when we are aboard.  Pretty much the same as what @ownedbypets wrote.

 

Confirmation email on the transportation arrived shortly thereafter.  Very impressed by the service so far!

[karmamule]

1 hour ago, CruisinShips said:

So I received a callback as well.  Absolutely fantastic attitude from the rep...great demeanor and fun to talk with.  Took instructions about our bar requests, arranged our transportation, and assured us we would be accommodated with our dining requests when we are aboard.  Pretty much the same as what @ownedbypets wrote.

 

Confirmation email on the transportation arrived shortly thereafter.  Very impressed by the service so far!

 

Exactly the same experience for me as well. The rep had lots of energy and was very personable, and also effective at getting things done. Very good first impression of VV service regarding our first voyage with them!

[Fogcityca13]

That’s really good to hear they have made some changes. I might retry MRS one of these days. 

[CruisinShips]

Does anyone know if Rockstar cabanas at Bimini Beach club open up when you get aboard the ship...or are they really sold out as it appears on the app for me?

[_tacocat_]

1 hour ago, CruisinShips said:

Does anyone know if Rockstar cabanas at Bimini Beach club open up when you get aboard the ship...or are they really sold out as it appears on the app for me?

they may, but they also may be sold out.  there's a chance people cancel too.  personally, i can think of 500 other ways i would like to spend $500, especially if you're a rockstar and have the vip area access.

[rebeccac]

I would agree that the cabanas are not worth the cost.  They are just little stick shacks with nothing really special about them.  

[cantgetin]

If you are in a suite, there is no reason to spend money on a cabana.  There is a special area for suite guests to hang out (similar area near the entrance open to everyone). Also special section of sand.  I can think of a lot better things to do with $500.

[CruisingWalter]

On 2/22/2023 at 4:10 PM, travelexplore3 said:

Hi there. We have been looking to book with Virgin and have never sailed them before. We’ve been on 14 cruises including Disney, Rccl, Ncl and carnival. We did not care for rccl or carnival and the last 2 times on NCl were not so great either. Huge decline in food and entertainment and customer service. So here we are looking to try a new line….Virgin Voyages. Now I see in the suite it comes with a stocked bar. Is all of that included? Or if we use any of the small bottles of alcohol are we charged any fees? What all is included with booking a suite? Do you have someone to help hook excursions and dining and such? thank you all for any advice of info you can offer.

 

 

That full bar is yours to use as much as you want. The only time you will be charged is if you want to restock anything that's not a soft drink. We had a Cheeky Corner Suite and brought a few bitters with us and had our Rock Star Agent bring up some lemons, limes, simple syrup and other things. You have the full cocktail set as well. I have a full Scarlet Lady playlist that includes our cabin tour, food review and here's a quick Cocktail Party we had in our friend's cabin. They had the Cheeky Corner on the other side. https://youtu.be/B4I6YJtueuo