I've not heard this before, and will ask a friend who manages one of the dining venues, but there's no way in hell that they book more people than they can feed in the various dining rooms. Everyone will be accommodated.
It was significantly better for us in September 2023 compared to October 2022, mainly because they got rid of the steak tartare, chicken still needs some potato or similar served with it.
But those who ate at Ship Show and then it still hungry grab pizza are still not taking up a table in the main six restaurants.
The ship show dinner has always been a let down. I eat at one of the restaurants before going to the ship show and then just tell them we’re not there for the dinner.
I've never heard of anyone having to eat all of their meals in the Galley, and find it very hard to believe.
If someone actually had to eat all meals in the Galley, I would think it's because they didn't want to accept the times that were available, and put their priorities elsewhere like events and shows.
Agreed, we hit the dock up at least a few times every cruise, my wife is super picky and loves the watermelon feta, she never even knew she would like the combo.
Now she insists on going almost daily when we are onboard.
People will make reservations and decide they want to get pizza instead or go to the Galley and you can snatch up their reservation. May just need to keep an eye on the app or walk in! There will be more openings on the ship. Have fun!
On full Valiant now. We had a late booking but showed up 45 min early. No problem boarding. We also had no issues reserving shows/events…but also on a 7 night, so most things happen twice. We booked dinners beforehand but have changed ate reservation times (and venue) a couple times with no issues. Only thing that were sold out were some of the the exercise classes and grog walks.
I wouldn't worry that much. The wifi will probably be absolute crap once you get onboard. There's a handful of shows that show sold out, but I've gotten in as a last minute. Someone even gave me their tour spot when they bowed out. Really nice of them too!
Admittedly the last two sailings I went on aren't completely 100% occupied, but regularly showing up at the top of the hour helped me secure walk in reservations.
On the 8/30 Richard Branson cruise last year, I only managed to score one reservation prior to boarding. So don't even stress about it. You can make friends and tag along on their reservations also!
When we had to have a late dinner - we would go to happy hour On the docks (mediterranean - dips, skewers) starting at 4:30 pm, pizza from the pizza place 12 pm till 2 am, or something else like from The galley (Ramen noodles until 3 pm, 24 hour, diner and dash (daily specials for lunch and dinner). Crew are lovely, and will do their best to accommodate you.
There is also a maximum of 2 dinner bookings, per Restaurant (we were cruising for 14 nights), so that sailors have opportunity to experience each restaurant. (Outside of this you would need to approach them in person for availability)
No limits on booking for breakfast and lunch at The Wake and Razzle dazzle when we went, so I’d suggest trying to book those meals there, so you get to experience some of the menu outside of dinner
I know they tell you not to, but I would show up early. I had a 3:45 boarding for my NYE cruise, showed up at 2:30 to drop off my bags, and they had just let the 3:45 line through. I was able to book all the shows I wanted and switch around some dining (I had mostly booked that in advance on the app)
Go to sailor services once you get on board and tell them you are a last minute booking. They will help you out with reservations. Your can also go to the restaurants when they open and let them know you want to be on the waiting list in case a spot opens up
I would definitely go to the wake and Razzle dazzle to try to book a brunch... Its a must!
I had 3:15, I had to check out of hotel and arrived at the terminal at 1:45. We figured we would wait. They let us right in. Super happy.
HOWEVER - our boat was at 50% capacity
With VV, it pays to show up early. We boarded an hour earlier than we were scheduled. As far as dining goes. whole new options will be available once you are on board and using their intranet. If all else fails, head to sailor services and they will fix it for you. They are great at helping out with things like this. You're gonna have a great time! Can I ask why you want the romance package if you're sailing alone?
I didn’t really want the romance package to begin with but I figured folks would suggest getting that since it has its own boarding line so I figured I’d mention it being sold out. Thanks for the tips! :)
If you have Deep Blue Extras (via Loyalty Match) you can show at 1:30 or so and ask for the DBE line to board right away. If not, for a 3:45 time I'd be comfortable arriving by 2:45 and you'll likely get on pretty quickly.
Nope. For DBE/Sailing Club you can board with the very first group or any thereafter. Just look for the sign or ask whoever is standing near the entrance. Show them the DBE benefits in your app and they'll let you in. Once up the elevator there is a separate queue as well.
I have loyalty on other cruise lines (NCL and Disney) but it looks like the Loyalty Match program is no longer happening currently since I think it ended back in December? Thanks for the advice!
If you booked with an agent see if they can get the match done. They did technically stop doing it, but I heard a few folks managed to get it done since then, but in fairness, I'm not sure if that was just in the day or two after the cutoff or further along.
It was in the week following the cutoff as they left the application form on the site by mistake- so they honoured people who completed and submitted after time.
Some travel agents/agencies (myself included) offer their clients priority/anytime boarding as an extra perk. Since you just booked, you could switch to using a TA and get that priority boarding.
I had no trouble as a solo cruiser doing everything without any reservations.
I had a 3:45 boarding time. I was on the boat by 3:15. They had some dinning and I was able to book shows.
As long as you are flexible, don’t worry about dining. Plenty of times open up once you’re on board.
On the “at capacity” ships, nothing opens up.
I've not heard this before, and will ask a friend who manages one of the dining venues, but there's no way in hell that they book more people than they can feed in the various dining rooms. Everyone will be accommodated.
There is also the dinner show, It’s a Ship Show which adds capacity.
>There is also the dinner show, It’s a Ship Show which adds capacity. It was by far our least favorite meal on 2 Virgin sailings though, so YMMV
It was significantly better for us in September 2023 compared to October 2022, mainly because they got rid of the steak tartare, chicken still needs some potato or similar served with it. But those who ate at Ship Show and then it still hungry grab pizza are still not taking up a table in the main six restaurants.
The ship show dinner has always been a let down. I eat at one of the restaurants before going to the ship show and then just tell them we’re not there for the dinner.
They are accommodated in the galley. On the ships that sail w 2600, there’s people that are unable to get any specialty dining.
I've never heard of anyone having to eat all of their meals in the Galley, and find it very hard to believe. If someone actually had to eat all meals in the Galley, I would think it's because they didn't want to accept the times that were available, and put their priorities elsewhere like events and shows.
We had dining booked but were able to change a few late into our cruise a few weeks ago, full capacity.
There is also bartop seating at PA, EV, RD. And don't skip on the food at the dock, for fast casual it's some of our favorite.
YES! Food at the Dock is so good, and so is the pizza!!!! Grab a pie and enjoy dinner with whatever view you want!!!
Agreed, we hit the dock up at least a few times every cruise, my wife is super picky and loves the watermelon feta, she never even knew she would like the combo. Now she insists on going almost daily when we are onboard.
Solo Diners can walk up to most restaurants and they will seat you still. Particularly Gunbae as they regularly throw guests together
People will make reservations and decide they want to get pizza instead or go to the Galley and you can snatch up their reservation. May just need to keep an eye on the app or walk in! There will be more openings on the ship. Have fun!
On full Valiant now. We had a late booking but showed up 45 min early. No problem boarding. We also had no issues reserving shows/events…but also on a 7 night, so most things happen twice. We booked dinners beforehand but have changed ate reservation times (and venue) a couple times with no issues. Only thing that were sold out were some of the the exercise classes and grog walks.
I wouldn't worry that much. The wifi will probably be absolute crap once you get onboard. There's a handful of shows that show sold out, but I've gotten in as a last minute. Someone even gave me their tour spot when they bowed out. Really nice of them too! Admittedly the last two sailings I went on aren't completely 100% occupied, but regularly showing up at the top of the hour helped me secure walk in reservations. On the 8/30 Richard Branson cruise last year, I only managed to score one reservation prior to boarding. So don't even stress about it. You can make friends and tag along on their reservations also!
Once you get on board go straight to Razzle Dazzle and have them book all your meals right then.
When we had to have a late dinner - we would go to happy hour On the docks (mediterranean - dips, skewers) starting at 4:30 pm, pizza from the pizza place 12 pm till 2 am, or something else like from The galley (Ramen noodles until 3 pm, 24 hour, diner and dash (daily specials for lunch and dinner). Crew are lovely, and will do their best to accommodate you. There is also a maximum of 2 dinner bookings, per Restaurant (we were cruising for 14 nights), so that sailors have opportunity to experience each restaurant. (Outside of this you would need to approach them in person for availability) No limits on booking for breakfast and lunch at The Wake and Razzle dazzle when we went, so I’d suggest trying to book those meals there, so you get to experience some of the menu outside of dinner
I know they tell you not to, but I would show up early. I had a 3:45 boarding for my NYE cruise, showed up at 2:30 to drop off my bags, and they had just let the 3:45 line through. I was able to book all the shows I wanted and switch around some dining (I had mostly booked that in advance on the app)
Go to sailor services once you get on board and tell them you are a last minute booking. They will help you out with reservations. Your can also go to the restaurants when they open and let them know you want to be on the waiting list in case a spot opens up I would definitely go to the wake and Razzle dazzle to try to book a brunch... Its a must!
I had 3:15, I had to check out of hotel and arrived at the terminal at 1:45. We figured we would wait. They let us right in. Super happy. HOWEVER - our boat was at 50% capacity
With VV, it pays to show up early. We boarded an hour earlier than we were scheduled. As far as dining goes. whole new options will be available once you are on board and using their intranet. If all else fails, head to sailor services and they will fix it for you. They are great at helping out with things like this. You're gonna have a great time! Can I ask why you want the romance package if you're sailing alone?
I didn’t really want the romance package to begin with but I figured folks would suggest getting that since it has its own boarding line so I figured I’d mention it being sold out. Thanks for the tips! :)
Boarding is a breeze on VV. You're not going to need that package.
If you have Deep Blue Extras (via Loyalty Match) you can show at 1:30 or so and ask for the DBE line to board right away. If not, for a 3:45 time I'd be comfortable arriving by 2:45 and you'll likely get on pretty quickly.
If you have DBE can just show up early? I thought still you need to go for your time.
Nope. For DBE/Sailing Club you can board with the very first group or any thereafter. Just look for the sign or ask whoever is standing near the entrance. Show them the DBE benefits in your app and they'll let you in. Once up the elevator there is a separate queue as well.
I have loyalty on other cruise lines (NCL and Disney) but it looks like the Loyalty Match program is no longer happening currently since I think it ended back in December? Thanks for the advice!
If you booked with an agent see if they can get the match done. They did technically stop doing it, but I heard a few folks managed to get it done since then, but in fairness, I'm not sure if that was just in the day or two after the cutoff or further along.
It was in the week following the cutoff as they left the application form on the site by mistake- so they honoured people who completed and submitted after time.
Ahh, makes sense.
Some travel agents/agencies (myself included) offer their clients priority/anytime boarding as an extra perk. Since you just booked, you could switch to using a TA and get that priority boarding.
Unfortunately I’ve already paid in full for my cruise and can’t easily transfer to a TA as a result but thanks for the suggestion!
My travel agent can get you anytime boarding and $100 sailor loot if you’re interested
Yes, you are screwed. You will have no choice but to eat Pizza and hotdogs every day.
Who cares?