Virgin Voyages Master Thread (do NOT post referral codes – use other thread)

[Dace]

I have a question about the casino on Scarlett Lady. Has anyone been to this? If so, could they tell me if the single deck blackjack is put through a machine to shuffle after every hand or if the croupier deals the deck and plays the majority of the cards before reshuffling?

I ask as I know the principals of good BJ play but need to know if the deck is reshuffled after every hand by a machine or if the deck is played out and then reshuffled – as it changes the odds/strategy significantly.

Many thanks

Dace.

[ryaneberry]

Dace wrote:

I have a question about the casino on Scarlett Lady. Has anyone been to this? If so, could they tell me if the single deck blackjack is put through a machine to shuffle after every hand or if the croupier deals the deck and plays the majority of the cards before reshuffling?

I ask as I know the principals of good BJ play but need to know if the deck is reshuffled after every hand by a machine or if the deck is played out and then reshuffled – as it changes the odds/strategy significantly.

Many thanks

Dace.

Hi Dace,

I was there yesterday and the croupier was putting the cards into the reshuffle machine after every hand – at least when the table was pretty full

[Paul B]

On a similar topic, what’s the best way to withdraws funds for casino play whilst onboard?

[stevenhp1987]

There is an on-board ATM that charges… If possible it’s best bringing some USD with you if you fancy a flutter.

I didn’t play any on my last visit, I think the table minimum was higher than in, say, Vegas.

[Paul B]

stevenhp1987 wrote:

There is an on-board ATM that charges… If possible it’s best bringing some USD with you if you fancy a flutter.

I didn’t play any on my last visit, I think the table minimum was higher than in, say, Vegas.

Ok, good to know. I have a $100+ in quarters that I struggle to get rid of in parking meters. I wonder if the Casino would take those for me, a bit cheeky but maybe an opportunity to make use of.

[Stephen]

Any recommendations on the best location for cabin?

[George]

JohnO wrote:

Has anyone booked a transfer with VV to BCN airport?
We’re back 2nd Oct but it appears sold out already.
First time so assuming there’ll be loads of taxis at the port, can anyone confirm? Thx

I can’t see that anyone has replied to this yet – but when we got back there were queues of taxis waiting for the boat to unload. We were far from the first off and there was still no wait for a taxi to the airport. We’ll be staying in the hotel opposite this time around though and adding a couple of extra nights on.

[Stephen]

WARNING –

Sailor Loot (50 USD) is not eligible for bookings made with Access Keys, seems like Virgin Voyages systems now recognise this, and some of the credit that was previously applied has been removed from my account

Also, if the group size reaches 10 or more cabins (each time you refer someone it adds them into a big group from previous referrals), all linked reservations will forfeit (lose) the Sailor Loot

[Jipster]

Stephen wrote:

Any recommendations on the best location for cabin?

Just got back from one. We stayed on deck 13 aft (rear). We chose 13 as it was as close to the top of the ship as possible without being directly underneath a restaurant, bar, social area etc. Didn’t hear a peep.

Whilst you do a lot of walking being at the rear (and I assume front) the lifts where waaaaay quicker than the middle and I don’t mind walking.

[ryaneberry]

Jipster wrote:

Stephen wrote:

Any recommendations on the best location for cabin?

Just got back from one. We stayed on deck 13 aft (rear). We chose 13 as it was as close to the top of the ship as possible without being directly underneath a restaurant, bar, social area etc. Didn’t hear a peep.

Whilst you do a lot of walking being at the rear (and I assume front) the lifts where waaaaay quicker than the middle and I don’t mind walking.

+1 on the lifts being slower in the middle.

I was just on it too, met a girl staying on deck 8 front, and it was right by the red room exit so I’d recommend not going near there

[malteser]

we got back yesterday and were deck 13 front. No noise and were really pleased with cabin. Also easy to just walk up to the 15th floor for galley and pools..

[gordog01]

Hi Folks, Deck 10 102A is that any good or worth changing?

[jamesv92]

gordog01 wrote:

Hi Folks, Deck 10 102A is that any good or worth changing?

It’s a good location on the ship but something you may want to bear in mind is it’s next to the curvature where the central sea terraces are. This means who ever is in 10 106 has an easy look on to your terrace if that bothers you as theirs juts out.

[Paul B]

gordog01 wrote:

Hi Folks, Deck 10 102A is that any good or worth changing?

I’m on Deck 10 also and wondering if I should try and move to a deck further up.

[gordog01]

jamesv92 wrote:

gordog01 wrote:

Hi Folks, Deck 10 102A is that any good or worth changing?

It’s a good location on the ship but something you may want to bear in mind is it’s next to the curvature where the central sea terraces are. This means who ever is in 10 106 has an easy look on to your terrace if that bothers you as theirs juts out.

I have just called and it’s not possible to move as the ship is 90% full. Going to be busy

[Paul B]

gordog01 wrote:

jamesv92 wrote:

gordog01 wrote:

Hi Folks, Deck 10 102A is that any good or worth changing?

It’s a good location on the ship but something you may want to bear in mind is it’s next to the curvature where the central sea terraces are. This means who ever is in 10 106 has an easy look on to your terrace if that bothers you as theirs juts out.

I have just called and it’s not possible to move as the ship is 90% full. Going to be busy

Wow, what week?

[stevenhp1987]

My next sailing (9th October onwards) has all Ltd View & Sea Terrace rooms fully booked out.

I had to book a guaranteed fare cabin and awaited my room number which has now been allocated.

They still seem to be selling guaranteed fare cabins. I assume they are expecting to upgrade some people into higher cabins.

[Paul B]

What’s a guaranteed fare cabin? Sailing the week before (2nd) and I’m guessing it will be just as busy.

[stevenhp1987]

I, too, didn’t know what that was until I had it allocated!

You are guaranteed a cabin in that fare class, but you don’t know your room number or location. These are usually allocated days before embarking. Mine was allocated ~ 45 days before or so.

Most cruise lines offer a discount on them. They can be good value… or you could be placed next to the nightclub!

[Jay-Marc]

With most it is a guarantee of a cabin at least at that standard, ie you may be upgraded.

[YFP]

Wasn’t sure the best place to post it, but i’ve just booked a sailing on the Valiant from the 23rd to the 30th of December! And the best part was it was free as won one of the free voyages that Virgin were offering! Thanks @Rob for posting, can’t wait to post on Christmas day to highlight how regularly following this website has made 2022 the absolute best travel year of my life (so far)!

[Fraser]

I also just won a trip in the Virgin Red draw, which seemed too good to be true at first given the notification email didn’t even address me personally! But the code worked and I am now booked on Valiant Lady on the 3-11 December sailing. Add in a Virgin Atlantic FTV from 2019 and this is a very cheap way to use up holidays at the end of they year! 😀

[Chas]

I’m in a similar position, and am now trying to persuade my wife that we can fit in another trip and leave the 16 yo home alone… I didn’t really believe the e-mail initially either, as it seemed more of a generic marketing e-mail.

[Michaelgell1991]

Also won! Also didn’t believe the email! My wife’s a teacher so none of the dates matched up so booked with my friend for the 27th on Valiant Lady, flights not too badly priced then either!

[Paul B]

Nice to see there are a few winners here. I really wanted to win this one, but not to be. Enjoy and congratulations