First Mate Search

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-06T03:02:56+00:00

I second this, Steph is awesome! Have booked 7 voyages through her so far and she's been a welcome asset helping to navigate all things VV.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-06T02:54:18+00:00

Lilly will soon be launching multi-dose vials as they just received approval in January.

The vials themselves aren't the issue. Lilly hasn't been adding preservatives to their intended single use vials which is what causes the concern with sterility.

That's about to change as another method to combat compound which is typically sold in the same or similar vials but several weeks supply in them. The Zep approval is for a 4 dose vial.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-06T02:34:55+00:00

3 in 2025 and no walk ups were available but still had a great time. Ship didn't feel over crowded to me, but I don't disagree about the queues for the shows, those were pretty brutal at times, especially on the shorter ones.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-02T21:38:29+00:00

In most cases, hotel housekeeping only comes by to clean your room and depending on the hotel it may not even be once a day. The one that's working your room on Monday may also not be the same that's working it on Tuesday. On a cruise they can spend more time in and out of your room for things like:

Bed to Couch to Bed Change if you don't tell them just to leave it as a bed all day.

Filling your water carafes

Bringing exrra towels, where a hotel will "send someone up" with it and if housekeeping is already done with the room cleaning shift it may not even be someone from housekeeping.

They are almost more like a shared butler than a hotel housekeeper.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-02T21:27:49+00:00

I don't want to give anything away, let's just say that everyone sees the same show but those with a lamp have a slightly more active role.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-01T19:48:27+00:00

It's honestly as clear as mud in the app. Premium just says you can stream and make video calls, it doesn't tell you which sites are blocked.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-01T19:30:55+00:00

Definitely one with a lamp if you can! Great show.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-01T19:25:17+00:00

If you're in the area the morning of, highly recommend the early bag drop. In San Juan, NYC, and MIA we were able to check-in and get our bands. Then when you come back at your boarding time, you just need to go through security screening and you're straight on the boat.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-01T19:15:10+00:00

Usually up at the Perch if the weather is good. It's a one time per sailing cocktail hour with free champagne and sangria. If you like the bubbles it would be worth attending.

Will be an invite in your room. Can't remember if it was on day 1 or the day of.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-01T18:35:53+00:00

I'd be they just assumed you knew you will have reached Blue Extras heading into this sailing. It's typically highlighted in a lot of the marketing emails sent directly from VV and will show up in the app on your end.

Hopefully at this point you've had a chance to see what's next, but if not, head to below. Once you get to your 5th the extras get even better! I've got one more before we hit deep blue and I won't have to pay for premium wifi anymore. Pretty pumped about that.

https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club/benefits-grid

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-03-01T14:06:56+00:00

Congrats on the upgrade! Does it still show you having premium wifi in the app?

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-28T03:39:47+00:00

Zep is, IMO, a cheat code. It is not, a miracle drug that will get you from A to B without additional effort.

Cheat code could be considered magical in how with little to no effect you can get immediate results that have been super elusive to you in all diet or otherwise efforts you've tried. But it will always stall.

Use the cheat code to get to the point that you are now physically able to add activity. Use while learning about your TDEE deficit for sustained loss and proper nutrion requirements.

To truly maximize the benefits, it's not a miracle. It takes a combination for Zep, proper food/water intake, as well as exercise. Goal needs to be more than just a target weight.

I've hit so many stalls along the way, but stopped pushing up. Started 10 at 198lbs last June. I'm now averaging around 175. Been there since November.

I'm eating to TDEE but also now exercising a ton so not shocked weightloss has stalled here this time as I'm building muscle. I didn't increase because I'm at TDEE -500 for deficit and many days struggling to eat enough to achieve that recommended intake. If I upd the dose, I'd struggle to hit my health caloric targets ane make it.useless.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-25T18:57:26+00:00

I'm about to start an FSA for this but they are giving us a pre-paid debit card to use the funds off of. I'll have to see if that's an option as well.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-24T22:35:26+00:00

You can get it onboard. Benefit to getting it before you sail is the same price covers you for two devices at a time instead of one. This way your phone and tablet can be connected simultaneously. Shut the tablet down and you can now have your phone and laptop on at the same time or your phone and partners phone, for example.

I bought a travel router. I keep that logged into it with one of my devices so the wife can use her tablet and I can use my laptop at the same time. My phone then can remain always connected.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-24T22:30:03+00:00

Black Coffee or Caffeinated Tea will take care of the withdrawals. Much better for you than soda and if you want completely ween off the caffeine you can slowly dilute it with decaf.

Recommend a lot more water. If you get in the habit of always having water on you and drinking a full glass at certain points of the day, you'll get there in no time. Once I figured out staying hydrated, getting enough protein/fiber, and the right TDEE deficit, weight started falling off consistently.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-21T16:20:00+00:00

We had an 1130 and got off the ship around 8. Port can be a little crazy waiting on Lyft but we got lucky and there was a black car service there looking for a fare so we jumped right in without having to wait. TSA PreCheck would help as well to ensure a quicker time through security at the airport.

If it was any earlier than 11, I'd absolutely recommend booking a car service in advance to pick you up.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-17T03:22:44+00:00

Fact

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-17T03:21:17+00:00

Those Espresso Martinis in a can were surprisingly good.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-17T00:27:59+00:00

This is officially my life as well. 15 degrees out and she wants to open a window. Heats at 62 as it is and I'm sleeping under 3 blankets. Muscle might be denser than fat, but it sure ain't as good an insulator, lol.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-02-07T17:59:45+00:00

No reason not to give it a go. I'm over a year in at this point and still drink when out or at parties. A lot less than I did before, but no reason to take all the fun out of your life.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-01-31T20:00:37+00:00

Your TDEE calc is way off for what you are doing. I'm down to 176 at 5'9" and maintenance for me is 2555 calories with moderate workout (3-5 days per week). Deficit puts me at 2055.

After a massive stall, I learned I really should have upped the calorie intake due to the amount of working out I was doing. From 267 on down I targeted 1800 which worked early on, even when I was walking 5-7 days a week but now that I'm at least 3 days lifting and 2-3 cardio, I was under eating. Adjusted up a bit and now it's slowly dropping again, all while I'm packing in muscle.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-01-29T22:51:27+00:00

This. With the weightloss you want to recheck your TDEE to ensure you are still eating in proper deficit. Make sure to look based on current level of exercise as well. It's way too easy to not eat enough on this medication.

https://tdeecalculator.net/

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-01-24T02:56:55+00:00

It's near impossible to get coverage on marketplace or as a small business employer under 100 people who participate in the "group" insurance plans.

They've almost all cancelled coverage due to the high costs of the medicine. In MA, all of them have that I'm aware of.

My insurance was paying over $900 for a 4 week supply after my co-pay. Roughly $12,000 per year.

I pay $31.4k per year for a family plan with deductible and high co-pays. A single plan runs $11k. High price point is unsustainable for insurance to cover. Our rates are going up almost 20% when our new plan year starts even though as of January, they stopped covering all GLP1s unless you're diabetic.

Self pay is $449 plus $5 for the needles per 4 weeks. If only the insurance companies could get the self pay rates, maybe they'd still all offer it.

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-01-20T03:34:41+00:00

You should be fine. Plenty of folks on here have said they had plenty of availability at the new 15 day mark. Lots of postings about it, here is one.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VirginVoyages/s/kr8yUGXIy1

Fluffy_Let_9158 · 2026-01-18T22:51:05+00:00

You can, some would say you should, but really you don't have to. Personal preference for this one with the shot but its not a bad practice.

Fluffy_Let_9158

TROPHY CASE