First interview with Virgin's new CEO.

[CanadianCruiser21]

I think there is a huge logistical and cost reason why VV, and every other cruise line, does not bring staff on board just to clean the cabins between sailings. Cleaning between sailings isn’t even an issue they currently have. There are over 1000 crew already on board, and it’s common for cruise ships to repurpose crew members to where they are needed most. 
 

A lot of cruise lines focus on making a lot more money off passengers after they board. While VV should not start charging for things that are currently included, they can add more gambling type events, paid activities such as more cooking classes and more excursions. 

[cantgetin]

1 hour ago, CanadianCruiser21 said:

 

A lot of cruise lines focus on making a lot more money off passengers after they board. While VV should not start charging for things that are currently included, they can add more gambling type events, paid activities such as more cooking classes and more excursions. 

One of VV's strongest points is their "nearly all inclusive" model.  I'm fully in favor of adding more special paid activities or gambling events, but if they started charging for things currently included, I think it would severely damage their brand image and potentially discourage some of their current customer base.

[jon81uk]

1 hour ago, CanadianCruiser21 said:

A lot of cruise lines focus on making a lot more money off passengers after they board. While VV should not start charging for things that are currently included, they can add more gambling type events, paid activities such as more cooking classes and more excursions. 

There already is significantly more paid-for activities compared to two years ago. Most of them do include alcoholic beverages but it’s gone from about three different classes/activities to about eight or ten.

 

Although it’s not as bad as the terrible insole sales pitch that is listed as a fitness workshop.

[Chrish2]

5 hours ago, CanadianCruiser21 said:

I think there is a huge logistical and cost reason why VV, and every other cruise line, does not bring staff on board just to clean the cabins between sailings. Cleaning between sailings isn’t even an issue they currently have. There are over 1000 crew already on board, and it’s common for cruise ships to repurpose crew members to where they are needed most.

 

But they do bring staff on during turn around day, or they did last year.

 

When I was on a back to back in Miami in 2022 they had a sizeable team of day staff that boarded to help clean. They are all dressed in the usual Virgin staff uniform but had masks and lanyards on. They mostly supported with prepping rooms. By the time boarding of new passengers happened later in the day they had mostly disappeared. I assume this is how they can have such a late final disembarkation time.

[cantgetin]

1 hour ago, Chrish2 said:

 

But they do bring staff on during turn around day, or they did last year.

I assume this is how they can have such a late final disembarkation time.

The normal crew is also made aware of which cabins have requested early disembarkation and they can start on those cabins as soon as the computer indicated that those sailors have vacated the ship.  They aren't trying to do everything between 10:45 and 1:30

[-The-True-North-]

They could save 16+% in commissions if they provided additional loot for those not wanting to use a Travel Agent.

 

I never in my life used a TA until sailing on VV. I would prefer not to, but because a TA will add loot, I'm going to.

 

Seems counter intuitive.

[CanadianCruiser21]

3 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

They could save 16+% in commissions if they provided additional loot for those not wanting to use a Travel Agent.

 

I never in my life used a TA until sailing on VV. I would prefer not to, but because a TA will add loot, I'm going to.

 

Seems counter intuitive.

16% plus a free cabin for every 10 cabins booked on that sailing! TA’s also go a long way in promoting and marketing VV though. I am part of groups for other cruise lines and don’t see the same level of cruise pushing or community support. I don’t recall how I came across VV, but it was definitely TA marketing that somehow got me to book 45 nights across 4 sailings. VV really needs the extra marketing, not only because they are new, but because their sticker price can easily turn people off who don’t realize the price includes wifi, gratuities, specialty restaurants, and more. I’ve said this all over Reddit and CC, but VV really feels like a secret for a value for dollar shopper like me. Stacking MNVV, 10% PIF, 10% DBE makes the price on par with other cruise lines (except maybe MSC), but VV is even less than MSC after paying gratuities and wifi, and MSC has a crappy experience. All this to say, once word gets out, VV can increase prices by 20% and still do quite well. 

[-The-True-North-]

5 minutes ago, CanadianCruiser21 said:

16% plus a free cabin for every 10 cabins booked on that sailing! TA’s also go a long way in promoting and marketing VV though. I am part of groups for other cruise lines and don’t see the same level of cruise pushing or community support. I don’t recall how I came across VV, but it was definitely TA marketing that somehow got me to book 45 nights across 4 sailings. VV really needs the extra marketing, not only because they are new, but because their sticker price can easily turn people off who don’t realize the price includes wifi, gratuities, specialty restaurants, and more. I’ve said this all over Reddit and CC, but VV really feels like a secret for a value for dollar shopper like me. Stacking MNVV, 10% PIF, 10% DBE makes the price on par with other cruise lines (except maybe MSC), but VV is even less than MSC after paying gratuities and wifi, and MSC has a crappy experience. All this to say, once word gets out, VV can increase prices by 20% and still do quite well. 

Well as the new president has said, they spent the last 3 years marketing, not it's time to focus on the P/L and EBITDA.

 

However, I'm all for TAs giving me a MNVV to book with them. $300 off the cruise plus all the perks. I never leave money on the table.

 

But at some point VV will lower that commission. Just like how they got rid of the $50 referral code for sailor loot.  People were just posting codes here and rolling up with $1800 Loot.

 

I still post my code for free champagne. Again, never leave money on the table.

[Lustate]

My perception of what VV has done so far has been to offer a lower-than-expected price (below market value) as a way to get people who have cruised before to try something new but also to get people who have never cruised before to give it a go. Moving forward, they will be aiming to charge what is market value for the service and quality offered. If you ignore the cheap rates of the past and look at what the new itinerary will cost, you then go "yep, that's about right for that". 

 

Without sounding (too) snobby, when we have been on a voyage where they have thrown a lot of stacking options together, a different type of sailor appears. They tend to be heavier drinkers, wanting to flash cash about in the casino or boast loudly at dinners etc. That does not really scream luxury liner, so VV are aware they do not want to become a budget-priced brand with sailors who get known for that type of behavior. 

[CineGraphic]

16 hours ago, -The-True-North- said:

They could save 16+% in commissions if they provided additional loot for those not wanting to use a Travel Agent.

 

They already save 16% when people book directly with them vs with an agent.

[-The-True-North-]

14 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

They already save 16% when people book directly with them vs with an agent.

Correct, which is the point I was trying to make. VV pretty much forces people to book with a TA because a TA will give you an extra $100 or $200 in loot for no cost.

 

If VV also let those who book online with no TA get the same offer, you'd have less people booking with a TA.

 

I never use on on any trips, except for VV, because why would I screw myself out of a hundo or 2.

[CineGraphic]

7 minutes ago, -The-True-North- said:

Correct, which is the point I was trying to make. VV pretty much forces people to book with a TA because a TA will give you an extra $100 or $200 in loot for no cost.

 

If VV also let those who book online with no TA get the same offer, you'd have less people booking with a TA.

 

I never use on on any trips, except for VV, because why would I screw myself out of a hundo or 2.

 

The only difference between VV and the other lines in this situation is the commission rate.

[jon81uk]

1 hour ago, -The-True-North- said:

Correct, which is the point I was trying to make. VV pretty much forces people to book with a TA because a TA will give you an extra $100 or $200 in loot for no cost.

 

If VV also let those who book online with no TA get the same offer, you'd have less people booking with a TA.

 

I never use on on any trips, except for VV, because why would I screw myself out of a hundo or 2.

That additional loot is the agent giving you part of their commission, effectively cashback from them, not all agents do it, it’s their decision to try and attract more business. If VV said book direct and we will give you $100 then TAs wouldn’t be happy as it makes it look better value to book direct.

[-The-True-North-]

13 minutes ago, jon81uk said:

That additional loot is the agent giving you part of their commission, effectively cashback from them, not all agents do it, it’s their decision to try and attract more business. If VV said book direct and we will give you $100 then TAs wouldn’t be happy as it makes it look better value to book direct.

I don't believe the base $100 is commission. As this would violate terms for Travel Agents in Canada. This is just agreements between VV and Travel Agents.

 

There are some TA who will give additional $100 as a portion of their commission, you are correct.

 

I'm just saying, should VV worry about the P/L the easiest fat to cut is the very generous commission. So if they wanted to funnel people to book online and save a huge chuc, they should offer the same base loot.

Edited October 3, 2023 by -The-True-North-

[cantgetin]

16 hours ago, CanadianCruiser21 said:

 VV really needs the extra marketing, not only because they are new, but because their sticker price can easily turn people off who don’t realize the price includes wifi, gratuities, specialty restaurants, and more. I’ve said this all over Reddit and CC, but VV really feels like a secret for a value for dollar shopper like me. Stacking MNVV, 10% PIF, 10% DBE makes the price on par with other cruise lines (except maybe MSC), but VV is even less than MSC after paying gratuities and wifi, and MSC has a crappy experience. All this to say, once word gets out, VV can increase prices by 20% and still do quite well. 

So far, I've found VV to be cheaper than other lines when I add the things that are included that I'd have to pay for on other lines.  I've tried to run the best "apples to apples" comparisons I could, finding the package or way to include tips, soda, internet, specialty dining, fitness classes, and entertainment on other lines, and it often comes out to be double the price of VV BEFORE accounting for the bar tab and loot that may be part of my VV booking.  And good food, good service.

 

[Travel-and-See]

47 minutes ago, cantgetin said:

So far, I've found VV to be cheaper than other lines when I add the things that are included that I'd have to pay for on other lines. 

What lines are you comparing them to? Last time I checked (and things may have changed) Celebrity all included and Virgin were pretty close for similar sailings.

[CruisingWalter]

3 hours ago, jon81uk said:

That additional loot is the agent giving you part of their commission,

 

Maybe, but most likely if you're getting $100 Sailor Loot for a Sea Terrace or above, that means you're working with a Gold Certified First Mate who automatically gets to award you $100 Sailor Loot for your sailing. On top of that, they can add as much as they'd like. Good agents do offer a portion of their commission back to the clients in the form of a gift of OBC. 

[CruisingWalter]

27 minutes ago, Travel-and-See said:

What lines are you comparing them to? Last time I checked (and things may have changed) Celebrity all included and Virgin were pretty close for similar sailings.

 

Except it's not "All Included"  As of Oct 4 it will only be drinks and WiFi, Gratuities will be removed. Not much "All included" when it's only WiFi and drinks up to $10.  No meals are included with the "All Included" package so any specialty restaurants you want to enjoy are extra. 

[cantgetin]

2 hours ago, CruisingWalter said:

 

Maybe, but most likely if you're getting $100 Sailor Loot for a Sea Terrace or above, that means you're working with a Gold Certified First Mate who automatically gets to award you $100 Sailor Loot for your sailing. On top of that, they can add as much as they'd like. Good agents do offer a portion of their commission back to the clients in the form of a gift of OBC. 

I don't define a "good" agent by how much of their commission they are willing to give up to me in the form of "loot,"  I prefer to define "good" based on their level of service, knowledge of the product, personal experience with the product, etc.  I DO expect that if they get a "circle" for a given cruise, we will each see the "loot" associated rather than the agent taking a free cabin for themselves,  

[CanadianCruiser21]

3 hours ago, cantgetin said:

 I DO expect that if they get a "circle" for a given cruise, we will each see the "loot" associated rather than the agent taking a free cabin for themselves,  

The $100 loot for each sea terrace+ booking is in addition to the free cabin they get for every 10 rooms. I think the gold level agencies get to give the $100 loot per cabin automatically though, even if they don’t have 10. 

[cantgetin]

2 minutes ago, CanadianCruiser21 said:

The $100 loot for each sea terrace+ booking is in addition to the free cabin they get for every 10 rooms. I think the gold level agencies get to give the $100 loot per cabin automatically though, even if they don’t have 10. 

The deals may have changed.  Initially gold tier agents didn't get to give $100 no matter what, and as of today, I believe it depends on when you booked.  We have an upcoming cruise that was booked a year ago and it doesn't include nearly the perks that we could get if we booked it today, but our price is a lot lower.  We don't have the $100 on this one, but TA said we would get it on the next one where she has more than 10 cabins booked.  I, of course, will check with agent before we cruise to be sure we are getting everything we are qualified to receive.

Good to know that the $100 per cabin is in  addition to the bonus  the TA gets of a free cabin for a circle rather than instead of. 

[CruisingWalter]

3 hours ago, cantgetin said:

I DO expect that if they get a "circle" for a given cruise, we will each see the "loot" associated rather than the agent taking a free cabin for themselves,  

 

It's not an 'either or' thing. Circles get $50 / $100 / $200 Sailor Loot and a free cabin can be awarded for every 10th cabin that is booked. However, that free cabin cannot be booked / claimed until after final payment. If the cruise is sold out by then, no free cabin.  And the free cabin is not a bonus for the TA, it's for whomever they want to assign it to, namely the Circle Leader if it's an Affinity Group. Or the TA can take extra commission % instead of handing out free cabins. 

Edited October 4, 2023 by CruisingWalter

[Chrish2]

Wasn’t circles intended to be a marketing scheme separate from the TA side intended to bring in group bookings? Are TAs creating group bookings to give customers an OBS boost and claiming the free cabin for themselves? 

[-The-True-North-]

Greasy 

[cantgetin]

2 hours ago, Chrish2 said:

Wasn’t circles intended to be a marketing scheme separate from the TA side intended to bring in group bookings? Are TAs creating group bookings to give customers an OBS boost and claiming the free cabin for themselves? 

I can't address the intent of "circles" that existed before the "book your friends" thing that started.  Circles existed before our first cruise as I learned about them after we booked our first....and that "circle" was done by a TA who pretended on FB that he was just a good guy helping people get loot.  What I do know is that TAs love to get at least 10 bookings on the same cruise and that everyone gets goodies that way.