Cruise Embarkation Day Advice, Tips & Tricks for Virgin Voyages

[@neilonside8890]

Wow an old video i hadn't seen before, and another packed full of great info as usual. That "Lucy" virgin cruise's name badge must be a cruising as crew highly sought over collector's item now 😅

[@leelonghurst]

I was lucky to get the evening meals booked through the app weeks ago, but I didn't realise that once on board I could also book breakfast/brunch in Razzle Dazzle or the Wake and by the time it occurred to me, most slots had been taken. Brunch in the Wake was so so, but Razzle Dazzle was so much better than we'd expected. One other tip I'd share is if you want to experience Scarlet Night, don't book a table for 9pm. We were in the Test Kitchen on Sunday and completely missed it. Btw, we saw you in Portsmouth queuing to board last week (we were Group 2) but didn't get to stop by the shops and say hi - maybe next time. Keep up the good work!

[@FWAbySusanAlley]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@1380beagle]

This is FABULOUS! I hope Virgin pays you for this- it’s perfect! I would’ve loved this before my first cruise.

[@tlsopko2849]

This is!! I’m in the process of planning my first VV cruise, and this is so helpful!!

[@melanycallagher8328]

Glad they published/printed that info. That would have been great. Looking forward to our next adventure on VV!

[@paulphilipempey1]

Port=left (both four letters), and Starboard=right. Got to have a system! Very informative. Travelling to Miami March, 2023 for the Puerto Rico cruise. Thank you for the upload.

[@Cali-707-ica]

I just booked on Valiant Lady for the repositioning cruise in 2023! My first ever cruise will be two weeks across the Atlantic.

[@carolynebrown6827]

Thank you for this. We are sailing next year on Valiant Lady, first time on a cruise. Thanks for your help.

[@RichardSandsUK]

Thanks so much for this. As a first time cruise passenger this is exactly what I wanted to know. Will hopefully be able to thank you in person in September.

[@MRBenchwork]

7:06 The best explanation on how to remember the sides of the ship I've ever heard.

[@jbradleyuk]

Great video, Lucy. We’ve just disembarked the Zebrugge long weekender, unfortunately I managed to burn myself quite badly (in hospital now) but I wanted to say thank you for the video message you did with my husband (moustache) I really appreciated it. Hope to catch you on another sailing! Keep up the great content. 🧡

[@CruisingAsCrew]

Ahhhh I absolutely remember. No problem. I hope it made you feel a little better. I'm sorry to hear you are in the hospital but I hope you get well soon!

[@FWAbySusanAlley]

Thank you so much! It was very helpful. I booked dinner reservations but went in and took scree shots, just in case.

[@carlajackson3261]

Thank you! Definitely appreciate and ❤️ this video.

[@elnamayberry]

I know this is an older video, but I'm sure much of these suggestions still apply - cruising with Virgin for the 1st time in Spring 2025!

[@petejuvinall]

This is fantastic. Thank you!

[@larrypuckett4793]

Thank you Lucy!!! We are going on Virgin in 30 days! Rockstar cabin on Scarlet Lady! June 5-10.

[@CruisingAsCrew]

Wooo. Have fun!!!

[@davidlylejones]

Great video, Lucy! See you on the 22nd!

[@CruisingAsCrew]

Ahh see you soon David. Thank you!

[@johneagen]

Great video! provided there's no issues, we should be boarding the Scarlet Lady in two days. Very much looking forward to checking out the Virgin experience!

[@davidwags5703]

Got our room booked , it’s not until January and suspense is killing me !!!!

[@MrSwagnificentSpeaks]

Thanks for the information. I recommend taking a picture of the important information and you would not need to carry the paper.

[@meaghanryan6994]

If you're still working for Valient we will be on her December 16-23 😊

[@niceguy3594]

Great info Lucy!

[@xulshaenlightened5860]

Looking to sail on the Valiant Lady next spring, if things work out.

[@sherylrogers8817]

Thanks for the info! If you don’t have a passport you can’t complete the check-in on the App. what is the best time to check in with your ID and birth certificate at the terminal??

[@nickigreene4608]

We didn't get embarkation time in the confirmation email? We had to book it through the app... after finding out how to do that from people on Facebook. Luggage is not always at your cabin, if you pack ANY large volumes of liquid - including heartburn liquid - it will be held downstairs. They won't tell you there is a problem and you'll have to call to find out. Recommend taking it out and put it in your hand luggage. If you find the tablet doesn't control your TV then remove it from the rubber cover and reboot it.

[@CruisingAsCrew]

Great advice!

[@colindawson8840]

Very useful thank you.

[@fiesta142]

Going on Resilient Lady 2024 can I go to the desk you mentioned and ask them to book all my dining times in the restaurants dinner and lunches? Rather than try and fluff around with the app? Love your work Thank you so much for the information 👍👍

[@hollielloyd455]

Could you do a disembarkation one ?

[@chabrow5459]

I understand there is no weight limit with luggage. Is there a limit on how many pieces of luggage? I am thinking of bringing props in a couple of smaller bags plus checked baggage and carry on. Will this be allowed?

[@AntieMoe]

What do the Virgin Voyages luggage tags look like? Is it worth ot to order some of these "protector" things for them I see other cruisers comment about?

[@MortalHuman]

You won't be able to get on any earlier than your embarkation time unless you have a Touch of Romance package which allows you to get on just after the rock stars at 1:30 regardless of what your embarkation time says in your account

[@aberrynicelife]

Good morning Lucy ☀️ Are there any African American crew members on the Ship? I’d really like to hear their experience working for Virgin ❤

[@gregoryroberts973]

I have heard from another channel that we can only book once in a restaurant to give everybody a chance to eat there. Is this true?

[@keaper8560]

Probably a stupid question but, if/ when you drop your luggage in port do you have to stay in port? Or can you wander around for a bit? (Getting kicked out of the hotel @11am).

[@CruisingAsCrew]

Not a stupid question at all. You can drop it and then leave. You sont have to stay.

[@BardWannabe]

However, they won’t hold your bags for you after you get off the ship if you have some time to kill in Miami before going to the airport. I asked when I went in March.

[@reinventingmelissa2061]

Do Rockstars and Mega Rockstars need to go to deck 7 to book their dining and activities, or can the roadies in The Manor handle that?

[@CruisingAsCrew]

Their roadies can book for them

[@andreagriffiths3512]

Ooooh this was super handy! Thank you! I eat my main meal at lunchtime, are all the restaurants open then and would I need to book for them or just walk up?

[@FredDeckerNC]

No, most of the full service restaurants are only open for dinner. You can find the schedules online. The Galley restaurants and the bar restaurants do have good food and are open in the afternoon. The Pizza Place and Sun Club cafe are open in the afternoon and razzle dazzle has lunch until 2pm. The full service restaurants require reservations if you don't want to be disappointed. The other places are first come, first serve.

[@andreagriffiths3512]

@@FredDeckerNC thanks for that info. I guess I’ll have to switch my mealtimes around…and maybe not skip breakfast like I usually do since there’s no point in eating at 9am if I’m having a full dinner at noon.

[@traveler320ak7]

Do the room stewards leave a copy of the planner in the staterooms each day?

[@Thuggernaut58]

In regards to booking restaurants: Do you book every day all at once, or just book day by day?

[@Ariadne147]

Lucy, when do they send your embarkation time? My cruise is in February 2023 and I haven’t received the email yet. Is there a checkin like other cruise lines? Do you have any tips for getting an early embarkation time? Thank you for this video!

[@ilovevegimite]

So how did you get embarkation duty? Did you volunteer or were you assigned? So if you have say between 4.30 and 6pm to get to your assembly area, how many time does the life jacket demo get done?

[@fidelio11199]

IS THIS FOR ALL THE SHIPS? ALL THE SHIPS IS THE SAME? THANKS

[@jillmackenzie5978]

I'm going solo in 2023 (& so excited), will there be any events for solo travelers ?

[@kathryncashner3294]

Is the "port arrival time" that we got thru the app the same as "embarkation time" in the video? I know it sounds picky, but I've been on another line where they were NOT the same. In Barcelona, will we walk or take a bus to the ship? Is the gangway to board the ship steep or is it basically flat? Sorry to seem picky, but my travel companion has a mobility issue and we are trying to decide what equipment will work best to get her onto the ship. When I call VV, they can address Miami questions but don't seem to know that Barcelona is different! We have been told that she can not get wheelchair assistance at the port--can you confirm or deny this? We know what she will need ON the ship; it is just the boarding process that is a mystery.

[@dlkelly2010]

The one thing I'm so nervous about is REMEMBERING where my muster station is in case of an emergency...does the app have it or should I use a permanent marker on the sole of my foot??!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Kobracommander]

No one really talk about the “book a shore thing” are they sold out on app and can’t reserve on board? Are there local things to book on the ports outside virgin for extreme sports and stuff?

[@FredDeckerNC]

Book your shore excursions in advance from the app. If you book early enough, you can sometimes find excursions, but very difficult by the time you get to port. And if you book only 2 months out or less, most of the good excursions may be sold out. Also, booking basically the same trip through the ship costs more than buying it directly. Just be sure the external provider has you back at the ship in time. So booking through the ship is a convenience you may be willing to pay for, but I always book directly by word of mouth recommendation or online reviews. One time, either Cancun or Cozumel at the dock, I actually just yelled, "anyone want to make $50 to take us to swim with the stingrays?" And a captain with a small boat raised his hand. Yes, that could have gone wrong, but it was half the price of the ship version, went to the same place, our captain was incredible, and 6 of us had a personal experience and stayed longer than the ship version. But for snorkeling, jeeps, scuba, jet skiing, parasailing, etc. you can find plenty online.

[@DavidinNYC]

What happens if you’re late for you checkin time period?

[@karennajoyce]

I am going on Valiant Lady on the 19th! What plug sockets should I expect on the ship so I can prepare an adapter if necessary. I’m from the UK

[@FredDeckerNC]

For those coming to this later, the ship has something like a 2 to 1 ratio of US 110 to UK 220 plugs, so they have both in the rooms. No adapter necessary!

[@agussuryanata3009]

CRUISE SHIP already pick up 100% guest miss?

[@cello7946]

Is there a place to test anti-gene on the cruise?How much is it?

[@RajivKhemlaniPhoto]

Hi there. Any advice for making bookings for groups with multiple cabins. Is it possible for someone to book on behalf of multiple rooms / people. Or every room has to handle their own bookings?

[@davidlylejones]

Hey Rajiv, you totally can! You can even do it with friends you meet onboard. In the VV app, go to the Messenger tab and click on Contacts. From there you can link up with people you’re traveling with in other rooms, or just people you meet on board. Once your contacts are linked, you’ll be able to add them by tapping on their pictures when you book dinner/show reservations. It’s really convenient.

[@CruisingAsCrew]

Amazing answer! Thanks David!

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

Hey Lucy. How does embarkation differ for Mega Rockstars please? Terry

[@CruisingAsCrew]

Hi, when you check in you will be able to wait in a VIP section in the terminal and will be among the first to embark the ship. Your roadie will introduce themselves later in the day.

[@LowVisionUKTerrysView]

@@CruisingAsCrew thanks so much Lucy

[@steveervin3354]

Nowegian let’s you book restaurant reservations once final payment date has passed. Virgin should adopt this.

[@icecoldprincess2009]

Who was snoring as you were recording the video???

[@olaflamster1302]

How mutch there pay you for this Video? 😵‍💫

[@cruisewithpride]

Just received my data today omg 🥹 see u 6/5 omg 🇧🇷

[@CruisingAsCrew]

🙌🙌🙌

[@kotopiu4694]

Vou embarcar no VL mesmo dia tambem! Super ansioso pra começar a trabalhar lá.