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Virgin Voyages Promises App and Dining Reservation Fixes

Virgin Voyages is set to improve its dining reservation system and app by early next year, aiming to resolve issues that often frustrate sailors on busy sailings.

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Virgin Voyages Dining Reservations on the App
Virgin Voyages Dining Reservations on the App © Photo by Virgin Voyages

Anyone who’s recently sailed with Virgin Voyages knows the frustration of securing dining reservations, both ahead of time and onboard. In an interview with Travel Weekly, Virgin Voyages acknowledged these issues and promised solutions in the coming months, with improvements to the app and dining reservation system being top priorities.

Dining Reservation Challenges

Currently, dining reservations open up 60 days prior for Rockstars and 45 days for all other sailors, at midnight Miami time. This often leads to a scramble to secure reservations, with The Wake being the hardest spot to book due to its traditional dining focus.

What many sailors don’t know is that Virgin Voyages only releases a portion of the dining slots ahead of time (estimated at around 30%). This can make it seem like reservations are impossible to get, even though there is technically enough seating.

Guide to Booking Restaurants

The Wake Tomahawk Steak
The Wake Tomahawk Steak© Photo by Virgin Voyages

Improving The Reservation Flow

Virgin Voyages has also been working on adjustments to the dining flow of the app to encourage sailors to explore other dining venues and reduce pressure on the most popular spots. The announcements about Scarlet Lady’s dry dock changes to Razzle Dazzle highlight this enhanced dining experience.

Nirmal Saverimuttu, Virgin Voyages’ chief executive, commented, “We’re fixing the flow. The reality is there are plenty of seats for people to eat, but people don’t feel that way. They should be looking forward to their holiday, not dreading when they are going to eat.” The brand expects to have the dining reservation system improved by the end of this year or early next year.

CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu
CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu© Photo by Virgin Voyages

App Improvement Promises

The Virgin Voyages app has long been a source of complaints since 2021. With a low rating and frequent negative reviews, users have pointed out consistent glitches and a poor user interface. Saverimuttu admitted that the app “is not good” and explained, “The app is trying to be Uber Eats, while managing systems, and has too much content, which makes it really slow.”

As we have previously reported a new version of the app is being developed. According to those on the Celebration Voyage this is now being tested by “super users” and is expected to roll out in late 2024 or early 2025. This version aims to fix both the app’s stability and its interface. Saverimuttu acknowledged, “Our app sucks,” and promised improvements to ensure smoother functionality and a more intuitive experience for sailors.

Virgin Voyages App
Virgin Voyages App© Photo by Virgin Voyages

Increased Communication Options

To reduce the need for sailors to rely heavily on the app, Virgin Voyages is also focusing on increasing communication options outside of the app. This includes adding more digital displays onboard, so sailors can easily access important information without needing to constantly check the app. Those who have been onboard recently have already seen some of these improvements with screens highlighting different events and activities.

Sip Lounge Champagne Bar has multiple screens situated throughout Photo by Virgin Voyages®

Improvements to Come

Virgin Voyages is fully aware of the issues sailors face, especially during busier sailings. From the frustration of securing dining reservations to the app’s glitches, the company has acknowledged these pain points and is committed to resolving them. With promised improvements to the dining system and a complete app overhaul on the horizon, Virgin Voyages hopes to provide a smoother, more enjoyable experience for all sailors in the near future.

About the author

Co-Founder and Editor. An iOS developer and writer with a passion for theme parks and extensive cruise experience, blending technical know how with a love for Virgin Voyages nearing 15 sailings around the world.


4 Comments

  1. JohnB says:

    The improvements are too late for me! Our sailing on the Resilient Lady was at 2550 pax. There are not enough restaurant seats avaliable for passengers to eat at reasonable times. VV expects 500+ pax to eat in the Galley every night! This is so wrong! Numerous pax told us they NEVER ate at any restaurant on our 12 night cruise. Too many preferences are made for Rockstars taking things from the rest of the pax.

    Now VV realizes the issues and will fix them after they have pissed off thousands of us? VV sucks at running a cruise line! We are done with VV!

  2. Mark says:

    To be honest, I’ve never had a problem getting reservations or with the app. My biggest ‘gripe’ is that when the reservations are open to be booked, at that time you don’t know which days and what times the various shows are on, so it makes it difficult to pin down when you’d like a booking in the first place. This undoubtedly leads to many bookings being made to make sure you’ve got the venue you want, but then ultimately rearranging on board when you know the show dates.

  3. As a restaurant owner for the past 40 years, reservations are not necessary. Some of the busiest restaurants in the country do not take reservations. You have 6 restaurants plus the Galley, divided by 2400 guests is 400 guests per venue over a 4 hour dining period, equals 100 guests per hour. You could use beepers and people can wander around until their table is ready or go to a different venue. The only thing the current reservation system does is piss off the guests, read any FB page, people hate it

    1. Jon says:

      A beeper system wouldn’t work. If everyone showed up at 7pm the line to collect a pager would be huge and then how long would you be waiting for it to buzz? At least with a reservation time you know you can watch a show and then turn up afterwards.

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