doconner Posted July 21 #1 Share Posted July 21 I'm aware that VV release 30% of dinner reservations 45 days prior to the sailing date. I'm wondering when the remaining dinner reservations get released. Is it the morning of the sailing? Is it when embarkation starts? I know once you are onboard you can go a few areas on the ship to speak with someone, but also have seen that there are new ones released on the app as well. I'm just wondering if I check on the app when I wake up on the morning of the sailing will there be additional seating released for dinner on the 1st evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon81uk Posted July 21 #2 Share Posted July 21 It’s once you are onboard and on the ship WiFi, so as soon as you are aboard. You can either book yourself on the app or go to see the dining reservation team. The dinner show and other activities will also be available to book in the app as soon as you are onboard. Some small group fitness classes though won’t in the event line up and available to be booked until later in the day, sometime around 3-5pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cantgetin Posted July 21 #3 Share Posted July 21 As noted, the bulk are available as soon as you can log onto the ship's wifi. This normally required you to be on the ship, but some people have reported being able to access it from the terminal Additional reservations may become available at any time during the cruise as people do cancel. You can also "wait list" at the individual restaurants by going to the check in desk and asking to wait list. If the restaurant has a cancelation or no show, they will send you a notification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel-and-See Posted July 22 #4 Share Posted July 22 I wonder what the solution is to this? I'm surprised Virgin hasn't tried something, this has to be the biggest complaint they get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon81uk Posted July 22 #5 Share Posted July 22 1 minute ago, Travel-and-See said: I wonder what the solution is to this? I'm surprised Virgin hasn't tried something, this has to be the biggest complaint they get. Solution to what? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel-and-See Posted July 22 #6 Share Posted July 22 55 minutes ago, jon81uk said: Solution to what? Dinner Reservations - it's the most annoying part of the Virgin Cruise experience. You seem to defend everything they do, so I'm guessing you will say it's not actually a problem even though myself and many others on this board are very annoyed with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon81uk Posted July 22 #7 Share Posted July 22 16 minutes ago, Travel-and-See said: Dinner Reservations - it's the most annoying part of the Virgin Cruise experience. You seem to defend everything they do, so I'm guessing you will say it's not actually a problem even though myself and many others on this board are very annoyed with it. The OP was asking about when the reservations that can’t be booked before boarding become available, hence me asking what the problem you were looking for a solution to is because the OPs question is answered, can do it as soon as onboard and the app is on the ship WiFi or go to see the dining team in person. If what you mean is the fact the reservations get booked up too quick and it’s hard to get into some places, then VV have implemented some solutions (although the quality of the solution is for others to decide). One solution VV added is now offering several dinner special in the Galley, typically at least one roast meat type dish and at least one Asian dish. When I was on Scarlet Lady they also set up one section of the Galley with a host stand and full waited service if you want that. Another solution is having a dedicated dining help desk space to make or change reservations, last time I was on Scarlet Lady they did this on Pink Agave every day. They also seemed to have a more robust waitlist system and would message people back if they have a no-show and space becomes available. Whether you view these as solutions is up to you, but it did seem like they were trying to accommodate more people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel-and-See Posted July 22 #8 Share Posted July 22 9 minutes ago, jon81uk said: One solution VV added is now offering several dinner special in the Galley, typically at least one roast meat type dish and at least one Asian dish. I thought they always did that? Either way, that's not a solution to anything, that's providing a common amenity on a cruise line. The dinner buffets typically have specials for those who don't eat in the MDR. I'm talking about an actual solution like making Razzle Dazzle more upscale, ditching Test Kitchen for every night of the cruise and only offer it a couple of nights and the other nights it becomes a traditional dining room with similar menu as the Wake.... things that will actually help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon81uk Posted July 22 #9 Share Posted July 22 44 minutes ago, Travel-and-See said: I'm talking about an actual solution like making Razzle Dazzle more upscale, ditching Test Kitchen for every night of the cruise and only offer it a couple of nights and the other nights it becomes a traditional dining room with similar menu as the Wake.... things that will actually help. They have added place mats to darken the tables and changed the dinner menu at Razzle Dazzle a year ago to make dinner feel a little more upscale. I don’t think removing the more unique offering of Test Kitchen is a solution though. Those who want a more traditional menu can now go to the Galley in the evening though, they have made one section there more upscale and added the traditional dinner items as specials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cantgetin Posted July 22 #10 Share Posted July 22 (edited) The nightly dinner specials in THe Galley started a bit over a year ago. They have always had sit down service available. They also began listing the dinner special in the daily activities. There is a seating section in the evening with a bit more upscale decor and service. They have added a dinner show; depending on the ship, this may be included or have a cost. On our last cruise it was full each night except when the ship was staying late in port. I have no way to obtain any numbers on how many this might remove from the other restaurants each night, OK, I don't like the new Razzle Dazzle dinner menu, but others feel it is a great improvement. They removed my 3 favorite mains. The aim of the new menu was supposedly to make it more upscale. Test Kitchen has supposedly added a new third menu; will have to see how that works and whether it is permanent. I can think of several things that might be done with Gunbae. One idea might be a different type of Asian cuisine each night or some sort of a rotation of three or 4 menus. For us, it is good for one time on each sailing and only if we are into noise. Actually, I'm with Jon on the improvements. Having Pink Agave available each morning as a place to change or make reservations was helpful. We had good luck with the waitlist system as well; only one night did it not work, and we were advised in advance that it likely wouldn't, Especially on log cruises, we tend to change plans despite having booked in advance. As to people who book their cruise less than 45 days in advance and find all reservations filled until boarding, that's a downside to late booking, While they might not get their preferred restaurant each night, they will be able to get seating and won't go hungry. Yes, it is a pain to have to deal with that right after boarding. Our last cruise was the most full VV sailing we've been on. I don't think I want to see one where the ship is totally full although my family member who was on one booked another VV sailing while on board, so it couldn't have been too awful. As the airlines say, "We know that you have many choices when you travel." If you don't like VV, try another line. Edited July 22 by cantgetin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel-and-See Posted July 22 #11 Share Posted July 22 3 minutes ago, cantgetin said: As to people who book their cruise less than 45 days in advance and find all reservations filled until boarding, that's a downside to late booking, But it is not a downside on other lines - that's what I'm saying. This is a common complaint - Virgin should fix it. That's all I'm saying. 3 minutes ago, cantgetin said: I don't like the new Razzle Dazzle dinner menu, but others feel it is a great improvement. They removed my 3 favorite mains. I haven't tried the new menu yet but that pasta dish was insanely good as well as the vegan cheesecake. I'm sad that both of them are gone. That place needs a lot more than placemats to make it feel upscale but I guess that's a start haha. 23 minutes ago, jon81uk said: Those who want a more traditional menu can now go to the Galley in the evening though, they have made one section there more upscale and added the traditional dinner items as specials. The Galley is never going to feel upscale - are you talking about the one dinner special per night? Every cruise line I've been on does that in the buffet. I'm not trying to be difficult here - I just think this is something that needs to get fixed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cantgetin Posted July 22 #12 Share Posted July 22 8 minutes ago, Travel-and-See said: The Galley is never going to feel upscale - are you talking about the one dinner special per night? Every cruise line I've been on does that in the buffet. I'm not trying to be difficult here - I just think this is something that needs to get fixed. You are right that The Galley won't feel upscale, but in the same way that Princess took a section of the buffet seating and made it a seafood location on a couple nights, VV has taken a section of The Galley, printed up a decent menu listing the specials and on site alcohol available, and reserved it for people who wanted sit down service. The on table condiments and flag things are gone and there are some placemats. OK, not a lot of fancy, but it is an attempt. And on Princess, that seafood thing had a fee; on VV of course, it is included. On our cruise, there were usually 2 main dish specials each night served with the trimmings typical for those dishes. Of course, the other areas of The Galley were also available, as were some of the lunch specials like the burger of the day. And, of course, The Galley specials were available on a serve yourself walk up or sit in the other areas. No, not a huge improvement, but definitely making an effort. And it was appreciated on our 14 night sailing when we were rather getting tired of the three restaurants we liked. We've become difficult, I guess. The new RD menu was a "one and done," Gunbae was a one time during the cruise, and Test Kitchen was one trip for A menu only. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon81uk Posted July 22 #13 Share Posted July 22 24 minutes ago, Travel-and-See said: The Galley is never going to feel upscale - are you talking about the one dinner special per night? Every cruise line I've been on does that in the buffet. If you want to eat upscale every night then sail on Cunard. But they now have 2-4 dinner specials each night and on my last sailing they had a section of the Galley with a host stand and tables laid out to give a slightly more upscale feel to the space for those that did want that experience. For me I was happy to walk up to the counter and get a third serving of butter chicken curry. But pretty much there are plenty of different cruise lines, there are those who offer upscale dining every night, there are some with the MDR experience where everyone gets bland and there is Virgin offering multiple different experiences from experimental six course menus, to dinner shows and so on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel-and-See Posted July 22 #14 Share Posted July 22 4 hours ago, jon81uk said: If you want to eat upscale every night then sail on Cunard. I do hope to take a Transatlantic on Cunard one day but I'm happy with Celebrity and Virgin - I've managed to get into each restaurant except for Dinner at the Wake. It's just really annoying and adds a step that other cruise lines do not require. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tyler414 Posted July 23 #15 Share Posted July 23 Seems similar to Celebrity, their specialty restaurants usually fill up quickly, with most sold out 45 days out especially Eden. Good luck getting into Eden during the cruise without previous reservations. Same with their "anytime" dinning slot for the MDR's, it fills up quick and folks are left with "traditional" (which is anti VV) fixed dinning times. Seems it a bit lost on some folks that VV has ZERO interest in being like other cruise lines, if you want other cruise lines, there are plenty to chose from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel-and-See Posted July 23 #16 Share Posted July 23 1 minute ago, Tyler414 said: Same with their "anytime" dinning slot for the MDR's, it fills up quick and folks are left with "traditional" (which is anti VV) fixed dinning times. That hasn't been my experience at all - When I have anytime dining - I have always gone to the MDR "Anytime" I wanted. 1 minute ago, Tyler414 said: Seems it a bit lost on some folks that VV has ZERO interest in being like other cruise lines, if you want other cruise lines, there are plenty to chose from. I would hope VV has an interest in pleasing customers though... this is a common complaint. I like VV and I like Celebrity... if I could pick what I like from each I could build the perfect cruise line for me! haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tyler414 Posted July 23 #17 Share Posted July 23 7 minutes ago, Travel-and-See said: That hasn't been my experience at all - When I have anytime dining - I have always gone to the MDR "Anytime" I wanted. That's what anytime is, anytime. You chose that when booking. If you book late the anytime slot will most likely not be available... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel-and-See Posted July 23 #18 Share Posted July 23 9 minutes ago, Tyler414 said: That's what anytime is, anytime. You chose that when booking. If you book late the anytime slot will most likely not be available... ohhh I'm sorry. I thought you meant that if you book "anytime" the anytime slots booked up. Yes, anytime dining itself does often book early. I guess Razzle Dazzle and Gunbae are the "Assigned time MDR" equivalent - you can always get in there! haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tyler414 Posted July 23 #19 Share Posted July 23 12 minutes ago, Travel-and-See said: ohhh I'm sorry. I thought you meant that if you book "anytime" the anytime slots booked up. Yes, anytime dining itself does often book early. I guess Razzle Dazzle and Gunbae are the "Assigned time MDR" equivalent - you can always get in there! haha. I'm giving Gunbae a try on my upcoming cruise on Scarlet, I do have Razzle Dazzle booked for a breakfast too. Avoided both last cruise, we shall see 😂🥂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Wildcatllamas Posted July 23 #20 Share Posted July 23 10 minutes ago, Tyler414 said: I'm giving Gunbae a try on my upcoming cruise on Scarlet, I do have Razzle Dazzle booked for a breakfast too. Avoided both last cruise, we shall see 😂🥂 For me, Gunbae was okay. Food was good. Waygu beef very over rated but I had sailor loot to get rid of. My problem is, I have a hearing issue that is due to nerve damage. The high level of noise from all the drinking games going on made it impossible for me to hear and began to give me a bad headache. I love Razzle Dazzle for breakfast/brunch. Dinner not so much. Actually not at all since the menu change. I have really enjoyed their Watermelon and Sesame cream, which a friend and I dubbed the Watermelon fruit pizza and their bacon can't be beat. I order it without the pepper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travel-and-See Posted July 23 #21 Share Posted July 23 49 minutes ago, Tyler414 said: I do have Razzle Dazzle booked for a breakfast too. Avoided both last cruise, we shall see Unless anything has changed, avoid Razzle Dazzle for Breakfast on the day of Bimini - apparently the staff from Razzle Dazzle helps at Bimini and it's a substitute staff in Razzle Dazzle. Food and Service was really bad. On a normal day for Breakfast it's good though. I liked the old Razzle Dazzle Dinner menu - the food was good. I guess if I think of Razzle Dazzle as the MDR equivalent and the other options as specialty restaurants you get with a gamble I can think more positively haha. Haven't tried the new RD menu but I'm willing to give it a go! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McGarrett5oh Posted July 23 #22 Share Posted July 23 1 hour ago, Tyler414 said: I'm giving Gunbae a try on my upcoming cruise on Scarlet, I do have Razzle Dazzle booked for a breakfast too. Avoided both last cruise, we shall see 😂🥂 From our experience at Gumbae, even without hearing issues, we suggest you try to get a seat on one of the ends of the round booth you’ll be seated in. We were in the middle and could barely make out what the waiter/cook was saying. Also those closer to the waiter got “seconds” on everything, as did we, but less of a selection. If you order the signature drink in the disco ball cup with the “pop rocks”, drink up as the fizz subsides if you nurse the drink. We thought Gumbae was interesting and worth trying, but not our favorite. We depart tomorrow on Valiant and will be dining in Extra Virgin, Pink Agave and the Wake. The latter 2 were our favorites last time. Cheers! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cloud9 Bob Posted July 23 #23 Share Posted July 23 2 hours ago, Travel-and-See said: I guess Razzle Dazzle and Gunbae are the "Assigned time MDR" equivalent - you can always get in there! haha. True with Razzle Dazzle not so much with Gunbae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cantgetin Posted July 24 #24 Share Posted July 24 21 hours ago, Tyler414 said: Seems it a bit lost on some folks that VV has ZERO interest in being like other cruise lines, if you want other cruise lines, there are plenty to chose from. This! VV set out to be different, not the same. Agree with avoiding RD breakfast on Bimini day. The Galley has many good breakfast choices. If anyone is going hungry on VV, that was their choice. There are plenty of food options at all standard meal times and many in between. The only question is whether you are getting what you want in the setting and at the time you want. We got into a bad habit of going to the salad place about 10 (they close at 10:30) and getting a "to go" for middle of the night snacks. You can also get more limited salad choices at The Pizza Place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Cloud9 Bob Posted July 24 #25 Share Posted July 24 2 hours ago, cantgetin said: You can also get more limited salad choices at The Pizza Place. I wasn’t aware that they had any salads there at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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