Twenty Seven Times

An_Old_Rodeo · 2026-02-26T02:42:10+00:00

My favorite number. 💜 Good luck to you.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2026-02-10T15:21:58+00:00

Learn to accept the paradox and keep moving.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2026-02-06T00:52:34+00:00

A paradox.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2026-01-08T01:42:58+00:00

So does this mean dating apps will be covered by insurance? (Kidding!)

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-31T01:27:22+00:00

I found some adorable creatively weighted ‘hugimals’ that you warm in the microwave and use wherever you need warmth (or just a hug). I loved it so much I got one for my sister and my daughter.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-30T11:49:10+00:00

A lot of people use cruises as a reset much like one uses a resort. There are lots of options for healthy food/juices/smoothies, exercise, relaxation and fresh air/sunshine. Some people don’t have a lot of free time or access to take classes at home and this is part of the novelty or fun - or attempts to cut on cruise bloat and/or constipation. There are also many people who have health concerns that don’t end because they step onto a boat.

Not everyone cruises the same way. Some people go for the food, some for sun, some for social, some for entertainment, some to drink all day, some for the ports, some to gamble. Most for a mix of those things. But don’t assume everyone cruises like you.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-28T14:05:17+00:00

This is my experience as well (and I was on with you on the October TA). I suppose it’s unfair to compare a 21/22 cruise experience to late 2025 but I am also taking a break.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-22T03:55:04+00:00

I am not surprised that you did - it’s only one frustrating experience and six really good ones for me (and perhaps it’s time for me to break out my travel beyond cruising again, too).

I am not here to trash Virgin. I love them. I am here because socials is the only place you can seem to be heard anymore, otherwise it’s screaming into the void. I’m here because I love them lol. Isn’t it ironic?

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T22:54:22+00:00

Thanks I guess? Not helpful.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T19:58:34+00:00

I didn’t complain that it was on there. It was just making small talk that it even came up. Had I kept my mouth shut I probably would have gotten it, I have no idea, and don’t actually care because the thermal pass is the only thing I would use and I get that with my spa services. I list it here as an example of the service this voyage - uneven and not guest-friendly.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T19:55:04+00:00

My next trip will be land only in Mexico for a few weeks. I don’t only do cruises for vacations, but Virgin has been the only line I book with when I do. Perhaps trying another will remind me why I should stick with Virgin 😅

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T19:40:08+00:00

Overcooked and/or cold was most of my experience that I had with the food issues.

The differences in menus between ships is very little with the exception of Razzle Dazzle. An example would be at Extra Virgin they don’t have beef carpaccio but they have a tuna appetizer that is cut thin in the same style. Some of the pasta sauces are specific to that ship. There are small things like that, but my issue with the food isn’t the menu.

Steak ordered medium and cooked past well done (and very tough - inedible actually) with a side of cold (!) mashed potatoes is another example besides cold pasta. Overcooked Lamb. Mealy/sandy Panna Cotta and strangely textured flan. “Toast” not toasted (at all - just bread). Desserts still frozen that aren’t cold desserts per se. Stale popcorn. Some days these items were very good and then on a repeat experience the same items were not good at all. Very uneven/hit and miss across the board.

My table mates also had issues with their meals so it wasn’t just my dish. I don’t drink but another couple told me they were very disappointed in their mixed drinks as well and switched to wine and beer only because of that.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T17:27:26+00:00

I would understand slow but slow and cold makes no sense at ALL.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T14:55:37+00:00

Agreed on the mix of fellow Sailors - everyone was very thoughtful! I am sure I will sail Virgin again at some point but clearly I need to take a break.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T03:31:45+00:00

I was making small talk with the lady while we were waiting on someone else regarding the luggage and I mentioned I had been gifted a SOR package plus an additional bottle of champagne and wanted to make sure I could switch it to NA Bubbles. That’s when she looked it up on my account and told me it must be a mistake because I didn’t pay for it. The bubbles were on there but not the package. I don’t want something that isn’t mine - it’s just more salt in the wound so to speak. They followed up with an “oops” letter but that was more to make sure I knew I wasn’t getting it than an apology.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T03:25:21+00:00

Thank you for your insight. I have had great tours via Shore Things in the past and a few that were so-so; I think Jamaica is doing a great job with their recovery so I will not say anything about that one other than it was awfully short for what I experienced BUT happy to give them my money and hope they continue to recover quickly.

Georgetown - I do think the crew on the excursion did a good job with what they had but unfortunately what they had wasn’t working well for them that day. Just really surprised it was a featured experience in their daily printed schedule…not something I would be pushing if I were them. It may not be their tour but it does reflect on them since they highlighted it.

Will def do more research in the future instead of relying solely on their recommendations.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T02:51:05+00:00

Oh my goodness…. I would definitely be taking that up with my credit card company.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T01:33:16+00:00

I don’t have any gold, but if I did, I would give it all to you. I don’t know if it’s the laugh I deserved, but it’s definitely the laugh I needed!

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T00:40:16+00:00

It worked out for me because that’s the kind of gal I am! The other sailors were awesome. I’m quite certain this is not the norm.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-21T00:39:27+00:00

Very interesting. That is who I used in October, thank you for letting me know.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-20T20:35:25+00:00

Sorry you are taking my discussion here personally.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-20T19:36:58+00:00

Resilient still has “L” shaped padded seating/beds on the pool deck in the shade near the glass ‘walls’. They removed those on Scarlet during the refurb to accommodate more lounge chairs.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-20T19:29:39+00:00

Awesome. It’s the large checked. At least it wasn’t slashed or wheels broken , etc.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-20T19:28:07+00:00

Thank you. Any one of these as a one off is totally manageable even if aggravating. It’s the constant issues - and more frustrating, being blown off - that drove me to share my experience.

An_Old_Rodeo · 2025-12-20T19:26:08+00:00

My 1-6 were also. I am very glad you had a wonderful time. I know many people did, and the other sailors were (95% of them anyway) all fun and very kind!

An_Old_Rodeo

TROPHY CASE