I wish Alaska you tubers would say the month they are there. Would help to get an idea of gear, clothes etc.

i sure hope they fixed all this🤦🏻‍♀️im leaving charleston on the sunshine next week this is my 1st cruise so i expect to be pleased & not have to complain🙏🏼cause trust me i will surely complain lol the cost of these crusies are wayyyyyy to high for rusted doors & dirty balconies🤦🏻‍♀️😂🤣but seriously i hope i dont have to experience any of this nonsense

Do you need to have wifi to actually use the NCL App??

Why don’t you answer any of the questions that the viewers answer? Or, when we’re you there? Was this booked through the cruise lin?

RE: wi-fi most of the 39 Celebrity cruises I have sailed on offer a discount on wi-fi mid-cruise and a substantial discount. Patience pays.

Love the candor, it doesn't feel like a virgin commercial like some of the other videos appear to be. Looking forward to my first one this November. Thank you for your insights.

You broke the number one rule never fly into port the day of sailing

Have you ever travelled with Cunard? Would love to know what you thought of their level of service. I love all things Cunard.

My family and I just returned from a 7 day 6 night cruise up the California coast to Canada on the Summit. I became ill 4 days in but nothing serious. Except for the weather which was very windy and cold, we had a great time on the Summit. The food in the Oceanview buffet was very good. Dinner at The Cosmopolitan was amazing! The staff was very nice and helpful. This was my first time sailing with Celebrity Cruises and I plan to sail with them again this time to either Alaska or the Caribbean.

Nice job... what time of day was so empty?

I just watched this after watching some of your other videos. Your advice doesn’t match. In this one you recommend the cruise line’s shore excursions and the others you say avoid them.

I often buy the insurance offered by the cruise line. Why don’t you recommend that? I go with a trusted insurance carrier for the pricey cruises though.

They are extremely queer friendly. So if you’d rather not see a bunch of queers and trans in your voyage, don’t use Virgin. Me and my wife tried one to switch things up. We will stick with Viking.

Thank you Zach for being so honest with your review. We are looking at our first trip on a ship for 2026 and I will not be taking them on our first trip.

Great video ❤

Group ground transportation is annoying….waiting for them to load up all the cattle and baggage, no thanks! Uber for us! Thanks Zach!

Great review and lots of videos/photos. Super insightful thanks!

Another way to save money is to avoid specialty restaurants and enjoy the food you already paid for. Bring a bottle of wine on board with you and bring the corkscrew as well.

Great review but the beach isn’t there and the golf carts I paid 120. Cash somebody said they got it 80. August of 2022 the beach was there at the end by trolly not there now . I just went there in March 2024 I’m going June 7 th :) I love Bimini

Sea days are great for rest, but not for trying to lose weight. I tend to eat a lot more on sea days

First off, thank you, Zach. Based on this excellent, balanced VV review, I have subscribed. I have never cruised before only for two reasons: 1) If I experience seasickness, I don't want to 🤢 in front of people and then spend too much time in my cabin each time that happens. 2) I can't bear screaming children running around and placing their fingers in food at buffets. So VV sounds like a dream regarding point #2. As to point #1, I would have a challenge no matter what cruise.😆 However, my virgin cruise is overdue, and, with a milestone birthday in 2025, I'm going to take the plunge (oh no, wrong word🤭) and go on a VV cruise as a solo. I won't dress skimpily because I have too much "area" for that😊, BUT I am no prude. I have no issue with fellow cruisers being scantily dressed. If I do the Scarlet, I'll make sure to pack red outfits. The LGBT+ friendliness is another reason I would select VV because I like fairness to all people. I am nothing to look at, but I hope not to be hit on in a vulgar way. Harmless flirting is cool, though -- as long as the flirter is not married. Hmmm, I should have made that point #3.🫢 Zach, I so enjoyed your cruise review! And if commenters can help me with my mentioned concerns, I really would appreciate your replies.😊 Something tells me I am too late to book a VV cruise for next year, but I would not mind at all celebrating my 2025 miletone birthday in 2026.👍🏼Thanks!🫶🏼

Good vlog. Thanks. I’m cruising soon on Bliss in a Solo Studio. Now I know what to expect and not expect. 👍

Are you less likely to get your Royal Up bid accepted if you are a first time cruiser with no point status?

I am very happy to see the Reflection confined to the Caribbean. That means I can sail on her anytime I wish.

I booked my upcoming cruise in large part because we are stopping in Bimini. Another video I just watched discouraged me a lot. Made me think I may have made a mistake. Your video reinvigorated me about visiting Bimini.

I will think that is terrible!!! Why all that cost for a celebrity. This will also be my last ship in October. Terrible.

Only the NCL Free at Sea drinks are worth it! How often did you actually bid and got upgraded cabins please? Which travel insurance or agency to buy travel insurance from? Thanks!

Yes save money for what would be a Deluxe balcony on a Royal Caribbean ship will get you yacht club status on a MSC vessel

I have booked an excursion in St. Croix with Shore Excursions. Normally I book through the cruise line so I am a little nervous about getting g back on time.😊

I save a lot of money by watching prices and cancel and rebook at lower prices. For example I have an excursion booked that I paid $32 and now it's priced at over $100.

I am a light drinker but the included waters, coffees, smoothies, juices mocktails, etc actually make the drink package worthwhile.

Hey Zach, dont be messing with our automatically-booked Celebrity Premium Drink package costs... :-) LOL! As we live on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada every (Celebrity) cruise is a major planning and expense undertaking. The cost of our flights, parking and travel hotels are usually about half the cost of our cruise, so Premium Drink costs are relatively small for us! That said, this is a great video with great advice on saving money! Keep up the great work! Countdown is less than 4 months to our next Celebrity cruise (Med Aquaclass Equinox)

You look great and sound so professional 🙂

Great tips. It's surprising how much the price of a drinks package can vary between lines. I worked out I'd need to start drinking at lunch and not stop till I got to bed to make it worthwhile on one line. It was absolutely extortionate.

What I liked about this video is that you are talking about savings not food or your 5 step review. It’s nice to see you branching out.

A lot of good tips here. But while buying airfare through the cruise line can give more peace of mind, it isn’t always cheaper. For example I saved $300 by booking my own flights to Japan this summer instead of going through Princess. Also booking through the cruise line prevents you from using points.

My cruise in December I cancelled the drink package with Celebrity, I hit elite so I'm going to try just what's included with the happy hour and bring a refillable water bottle to get water from the buffet just because its costing way too much drink packages. But yeah when in Europe there are so many ports and so busy there is no way I am drinking that much

That is great information. Thank you so much. Amen

Hey, Zach...I am happy to report I just disembarked from Valiant Lady yesterday. My first cruise, ever, and I am totally smitten! I tried all the main restaurants except Test Kitchen as I knew that wouldn't be for me. You and I had several favorites alike: the ribeye at Pink Agave was phenomenal, as well as the corn. I loved the soft shell crab benedict and the filet (steak and eggs) at the Wake for brunch. Like you, I wasn't that fond of the calamari at EV; the breading was yummy but I found the fish a little chewy. I got the braised pork cheek there and it was SO good! I loved Gunbae so much! My experience was different from yours, though, as the server, Future, moved along the dinner quickly...it was all so very good and lots of fun. I also enjoyed all the cocktails I had on the ship...top quality and very tasty. I can't wait to return to Virgin! My bucket list is to go on all four ships even though I understand they are all very similar. I loved every minute of my VV sailing! Thanks for the review...🙂

We don't drink alcohol or sodas and never buy a drink package. Celebrity charged us $9.60 for 2 plastic bottles of drinking water. I'm all for the company making money, but that's excessive.

Thank you Zach… Great informative video…

Zach the Traveling Man, I loved this video so much, I had to hit the like button!

Hi Zach, thanks for the great info! Take care.

Wife and I made our first cruise ever in September of 23 on the NCL Encore it was WONDERFULL, we were so impressed with the trip that we booked another cruise for September of 25 on the same ship while on our cruise. We only ate at the buffet. All meals were great, service was outstanding, our cabin steward was extra attentive to our needs. My wife has trouble walking and was able to get wheelchair assistance to and from the dining area with no problem. Our stateroom was a balcony mini suite., looking forward to our next trip.

I was not impressed with pearl island. There was only one paddle board and they were feeding the fish rice

Did you get to try Sun Club Cafe?

What about air conditioning when you have a window open??? Are they shot if off, or are they keeping on???

I sailed on the Scarlet Lady last year and had the same thoughts about Razel Dazzel. Good breakfast, but the dinner was meh. Gunbae is good for your first or second night, I'm having my birthday dinner there.

Just sailed on Bliss to Alaska for my first ever cruise. Your experience with the ship itself and service was DRASTICALLY different from mine. Service was exceptional everywhere except for the Atrium bar and the American Diner. The observation lounge and garden cafe were always busy, but we had a group of 4 and maybe had to make a couple laps to find desired seating but it wasn't much of an issue for us. The bar staff at the observation lounge were absolute rock stars and gave the best, most personal, and fun service I've ever witnessed from a setting like that (comparing it to pool bars at resorts and such). Sucks that your overall experience isn't what you wanted but we wanted pure leisure and relaxation so everything being so laid back was terrific.

OMG the wind noise at 11:35 almost blew my speakers and ear drums, other than that, informative video.