Virgin Cruises

[jackie2]

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this. I do not know if this has been posted before but Virgin have bought a company called Fast Track Holidays and it is called Virgin Cruises there is not a brochure for these cruises you have to go online to book, you do not get any Virgin benefits - discounts or airmiles, we booked a cruise with Virgin Holidays last year and our graturies were already paid you now have to add these to your cruise. All the paperwork has the Virgin emblem on but they say they are an independent company.

 

[wayneg]

When you booked your crusie thru Virgin did you try direct with the cruiseline to get a quote?
I know a few people who after reading DIS forums (and other forums) have cancelled their cruises with UK Tour ops and booked either direct or thru companies like Dreams Unlimited and saved a small fortune. Latest one I helped with she saved about £1,000 by cancelling Disney cruise with TCD and rebooked with US agent.
Don't know anything about this company but always check direct with Cruiseline.
Personally I won't pay upfront for tips, I want the service before I decide how much I leave.

 

[jackie2]

This is not a Disney cruise it is a Europe cruise, we also have to pay the tips we have to lodge a credit card as you cannot pay cash for anything on the ship and they take so much each a day for the person that looks after the cabin and for your server. The day before the cruise ends you get a bill telling you all you have spent including the tips.

 

[wayneg]

I know I guessed it was a european cruise when I looked at the site, just wondered if you had priced it up seperate and going direct with the cruise line?
Which cruiseline is it?
Strange taking a fixed amount for tips. If they do its not a tip its a daily fee. Done a few cruises and although they have all been cashless systems the tips are payable on the last night either by cash or on your account.

 

[jackie2]

The cruise is with Carnival Cruises and it is the ship that takes the tips, we went with them last year but Virgin had already paid the tips.

 

[wayneg]

Never cruised Carnival, only RCCL and DCL. I certainly would not be happy paying upfront for a service that has not been provided, although you can get them removed or adjusted. At your discretion, you may adjust the gratuities at any time.

Prices look OK on that site for cruise and flight, is that the price you pay when you ring or do they add anything?

 

[jackie2]

We aree are going from Dover, the ship is new it will be going on a 3 day cruise then we go on ours. We have upgraded to have a balcony.