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

[Travel Strong]

The 5+ hour train did not appeal to me either, nor did the idea of a 4hr ferry from Mykonos (which additionally takes 2hrs to get to safely from the airport).

*however* I did get on board with the idea of CE redemption tix to Mykonos and 75pp internal flight from there to Athens a couple of hours later with Volotea (inc. baggage). Should be in Athens by 5pm the day before the cruise.
… unfortunately I am then scheduled on a Wizzair return to Luton.

Still – all the positioning transport and 2 hotel nights for £400pp isn’t too bad.

There is a chance of redemption tickets becoming available closer to the time for sure.

[billyrayvalentine]

BHX is a good way to get into Athens.

[pbcold]

Having booked om points, I tried status matching to MSC diamond and received this:

Ahoy Sailor,
Thank you for submitting your Loyalty Proof of Status Form.
We took a deeper dive into your booking and found that you booked with a free or heavily discounted voyage fare. Unfortunately, these bookings are not eligible for the Deep Blue Perks just yet. This information can be found in the offer’s Terms and Conditions. Rest assured we’ve notated your Loyalty Match status on your account, so on your next full fare voyage through December 31, 2023, you’ll unlock more perks.

UPDATE – the perks are all now showing in my booking.

[markdhayes]

Shhh fight club and all that

[Josh]

Im on the 16th greek glow one and booked flights with jet2 from BHX to athens.

Flights however are on the 16th and not the day before. Would prefer to get their day before but it lands at 1pm so even with any potential delays should be plenty of time to get to the cruise terminal before 6.

[FFoxSake]

Josh wrote:

…so even with any potential delays should be plenty of time to get to the cruise terminal before 6

6pm is when the ship departs. You’ll need to be on board before that.

From: https://www.virginvoyages.com/addl-terms-and-conditions
In order to facilitate the embarkation process, Guests may complete the online check-in process as soon as all their deposit is paid. We ask that all Guests complete the online check-in as soon as possible. Simply download our mobile app, log in to your account, and fill in the required information. Guests will be asked to access the Safety Brief via the Virgin Voyages mobile app or the in-cabin tablet once onboard the ship. All Guests must be checked-in and onboard the ship no later than one hour prior to the departure time noted on their Voyage documents or may not be permitted to sail. Any late-arriving Guest may join the ship at an approved port of call in the scheduled itinerary. Such a Guest will be responsible for all applicable fees and travel expenses to that subsequent port of call.

[markdhayes]

I’m also flying from BHX but on the Thursday. There’s no way I’d fly on the day. If anything happens to that flight there’s not a single other flight to Athens from BHX.

[Josh]

Well I do like a gamble I guess. Ill see if my partner can take some more time off work and potentially change it to thursday. I mean I like to be positive. My theory was even if it took us an hour to get off the plane etc it would be 2. Then 2-3 transfer to port. Then 2 hours to get on ship. I mean its a tight window but thought itd be doable.

I like to remain positive but maybe a few extra days in athens could be a shout. Never been before afterall!

[MilMed]

Josh wrote:

Well I do like a gamble I guess. Ill see if my partner can take some more time off work and potentially change it to thursday. I mean I like to be positive. My theory was even if it took us an hour to get off the plane etc it would be 2. Then 2-3 transfer to port. Then 2 hours to get on ship. I mean its a tight window but thought itd be doable.

I like to remain positive but maybe a few extra days in athens could be a shout. Never been before afterall!

We had a similar decision to make for the 30th July sailing and decided on flying the day before from MAN with SAS (have to change in CPH/OSL) just to not risk missing the departure. Still flying on a weekend so no extra leave needed but a bit of reassurance

[modestpointscollector]

traveller wrote:

What happened last year? You mean ba reward seats?

Just checked the train takes 5 hours?

No i mean VV opening up availability into September, will be a much more reasonable time to try and position for the cruise. They did it last year, although it was earlier on in the year than this year. I am aware it is a risky strategy!

While overall it’s a mega bargain for the points, i’d still prefer not having to pay £4-600 for an LCC return plus hotels.

(If anyone from Virgin is watching, this also means I will spend a lot more money on the ship!!)

[Josh]

The paranoia got to me (thanks to people who advised as well), so Iv changed my flights out to thursday and booked a hotel for 3 nights.

I dont mind the rush and gamble but my partner thinks otherwise and Id prfer to keep her happy and stress free!

[petter2]

I’m only arriving at 14.10 into Barcelona from a Schengen flight. In the last 2 months the flight was more than 2 hours late only on 1 day. If I do miss it could always join the next day in Marseille. Rather take the risk than taking a 6am flight 😂

[MV]

pbcold wrote:

UPDATE – the perks are all now showing in my booking.

How long did it take for the perks to show up. Still nothing in mine (been a week)

[Cymro]

I matched to VA Gold yesterday and had the successful email and perks showing within a couple of hours.

[billyrayvalentine]

I was matched on Friday too – it then says “Cha-Ching. You’ve Got Credit.” With a balance of. $0 🙁

Also says: Future Voyage Credit (FVC) refers to funds that exist on a Sailor’s account that can be applied to book sailings up to 1 year after the original voyage start date it was connected to. To redeem, please contact Sailor Services at (+1) 954-488-2955.

[MV]

Cymro wrote:

I matched to VA Gold yesterday and had the successful email and perks showing within a couple of hours.

Showing as in, within your booking on the website or just the email confirmation? I’ve still not got nothing against my booking, frustratingly.

[Cymro]

Showing in the app.

[jkt]

MV wrote:

Cymro wrote:

I matched to VA Gold yesterday and had the successful email and perks showing within a couple of hours.

Showing as in, within your booking on the website or just the email confirmation? I’ve still not got nothing against my booking, frustratingly.

Takes one week for it to show the perks for me, now showing on the website and app

[GDevon]

We’ve just completed the Irresistible Med cruise today (booked with cash a while ago). In regards embarkation time I think the last boarding time for our 6pm cruise was 4pm and the muster stations drill was between 4 and 5pm. You can check your bags in in the morning if you arrive early. We flew in the day before then checked our bags at the port in the morning around 10am and went for a wander into the the city. Some fellow passengers told us they also check luggage in at Barcelona airport and transport it for you to the ship. This was free but wasn’t ever advertised to us so I don’t know if there are time limitations.
We had the Deep Blue Extras through an Amex to Hilton to MSC to virgin status match. The extras are well worth it. In particular we had a massive bag of laundry done on Friday for free (6 days clothes was only half the bag). If you’re in a suite the alcohol amount is more than we could manage! 6 half bottles of spirit, 1 half bottle of Moët, 1 half bottle each of red, white and rose. Each spirit can be exchanged for 3 wines (not champagne) by the Rockstar agent after boarding. Very glad we didn’t go for a bar tab.

[Philondon]

I heard a rumour that within the week up to a cruise they increase the bar tab bonus. I heard it jumps from $50 to $100. Has it worked for anyone waiting till the last minute? But I’m also worried they might withdraw the $50 totally.

I’m on the Greek Glow on Sunday! Excited!!

[stevenhp1987]

Philondon wrote:

I heard a rumour that within the week up to a cruise they increase the bar tab bonus. I heard it jumps from $50 to $100. Has it worked for anyone waiting till the last minute? But I’m also worried they might withdraw the $50 totally.

I’m on the Greek Glow on Sunday! Excited!!

They’ve never increased it in the week leading up to a cruise for the three we’ve been on.

The $50 bonus has been there for years, I doubt it will disappear any time soon.

[Travel Strong]

Philondon wrote:

I heard a rumour that within the week up to a cruise they increase the bar tab bonus. I heard it jumps from $50 to $100. Has it worked for anyone waiting till the last minute? But I’m also worried they might withdraw the $50 totally.

I’m on the Greek Glow on Sunday! Excited!!

Rumour is not true. It occasionally has increased to $100, but that special offer period has been for anyone on any cruise and not at all linked to your cruise date or personalised to you.

Of course there is no harm waiting to see if an increased offer comes along, because the $50 is always there.

[Angelamc11]

Can anybody advise on how to combine points (free) with my husband to get enough for an access code? Is there a phone number to try this? TIA

[MilMed]

Angelamc11 wrote:

Can anybody advise on how to combine points (free) with my husband to get enough for an access code? Is there a phone number to try this? TIA

My understanding is you can only combine points for free with a household account, which requires Virgin Flying Club Gold level membership

Otherwise transferring points incurs quite a significant fee

[Travel Strong]

Angelamc11 wrote:

Can anybody advise on how to combine points (free) with my husband to get enough for an access code? Is there a phone number to try this? TIA

Message Virgin Red. There was a successful report of this in the comments of the main HFP article. YMMV. Do not mention household accounts (they do not exist), just ask nicely and cross your fingers.