So welcome to today's video.
I have with me Kristy Giragosian from Virgin cruise lines.
Did I get that right?
Kristy?
That was perfect.
Okay.
I forgot to ask ahead of time, but yeah, Christie is with Virgin voyages
and we're going to talk about their ships and accessibility on board.
And it's one of those things that there's not a lot of information out
there because they haven't sailed yet.
So we're going to, we're going to get some information from Christy.
She's gonna talk to us and help us understand more about them.
So do me a favor, uh, Christie, let's start with you telling us a
little bit about your background.
Sure.
So I have had the pleasure of working with Virgin for ages for three years now.
So I was with them since before we ever went on sale.
Um, but this was my first cruise line.
So I came from the hotel world prior to entering the cruise industry.
And it has been an amazing opportunity.
And again, Super happy to be a part of Richard Branson's vision
for a new way of cruising.
So it's been quite the ride.
We still haven't launched yet.
So we're waiting for fingers, crossed the September to be our very first
sailing out of the U S so a lot of exciting things to come for our brand.
Then you got some new ships coming down the pike, and there's just so
many interesting things I'm looking forward to, to looking at some of
the itineraries in Europe as well.
Okay.
And so one thing that I hear a lot in general with passengers they ask about
is, is that it just doesn't seem to a lot, to be a lot of availability for
passengers that need an accessible cabin.
So do you have a, any suggestions along those lines?
How can they get one.
Absolutely.
So what I always recommend is obviously the further out that you
book your travel when you're going to see the best pricing, but to that
inventory is probably not as full.
So for anyone that is requiring a fully accessible cabin, we always recommend the
sooner you can call us and tell us that.
So we can go ahead and auto assign you into one of those cabins
and lock it in is always better.
Um, so again, I know it's not always.
A perfect world where you can do that.
But the second, you know, you want to sail with us or on a particular
sailing call us and we will absolutely let you know what a vulnerability we
have and we'll get you, like I said, locked into one of those cabins.
Okay.
And so I got to put a plug in for travel advisors.
So actually call your travel advisor.
They'll call her.
Yeah, but I mean, call us is Ken will call us and do it that way, but no, that's kind
of how we work internally as well, so.
Yep.
Call Ken he'll get it taken care of.
Okay.
No, I have telephony.
That was what I used to have a travel agency a long time ago.
And that was the name of it was Paul cam.
The answer for everything is it is.
Okay.
So, um, right now your lady ships, do they have any differences in
the numbers of cabins on board?
They do not.
So our first four ships are all identical, so it makes it really easy for you.
Ah, very good.
That makes it easy for everybody to figure that piece out.
Okay.
So now let me ask about this with some cruise lines.
And it's been really interesting as I've done these interviews and some
cruise lines have different categories of accessibility and others have
just accessible or non-accessible.
So how does, uh, does Virgin voyages handle that?
Yeah, so for us, we've got 29 fully accessible cabins on
board that go within different.
Categories.
So we've got some from insiders all the way up to suites
that provide those options.
So depending on what you're looking for, we've got, like I said, 29 that are fully
accessible outside of that, we've got 14 cabins that are ambulatory cabins.
So.
Um, maybe if you're not needing a fully accessible, we still
have those other 14 as well.
So they are only going to vary based on what the cabin
category is that you choose.
So that's really the only difference there.
So it's basically just those fully accessible or ambulatory cabins.
Well, and that's interesting because I love that you do that because in our
case, an ambulatory accessible cabin would probably work really well for us.
Assuming they're big enough, I can get a scooter or a wheelchair
because my wife, she can walk a little bit, but on the ship, when our
traveling, you know, moving around the ship, she'll use her wheelchair.
She uses it either as a Walker or as.
You know, she'll write in it, but, um, on ships, you know, I, I, so I don't
want to take up a fully accessible cabin where they need the roll in
shower and all of those things.
So that would be perfect for us.
As long as we got a place, we can get the wheelchair in and out of the
way or the scooter or whatever we're using, then life would be great.
So that's very nice that you have those.
Yeah.
And that's again, where it comes in, just talking to your travel advisor
about exactly what it is that you need.
And then our team can help find them the best cabin.
So, okay.
Very nice.
And I noticed you have, uh, some in different in categories here.
So you want to tell us about the category and how many Kevin's you have.
Yeah, sure.
So going to those fully accessible cabins, we've got one that falls
into our mega rock star category.
So that is the top tiered suite.
So if you're looking to really have that VIP lifestyle on board,
that's definitely the cabin for you.
Um, we also have another option that's in our entry-level.
Sweet.
So we've got two sweet options that you can choose from.
And then we've got our extra large sea terraces, which give
you a larger bathroom and balcony.
Um, the bulk of our fully accessible cabins falls in our
central sea terrace, which is our.
Prime viewed balcony, Kevin, essentially.
So if you are maybe booking closer in, you'll probably have the best luck
looking at those central sea terraces.
So you still get the gorgeous balcony space.
Um, but in case maybe I know some people don't like balconies or
they want to be on the inside.
We've got two insider cabins and three ocean view as well.
So depending on what you're looking for, we've got something
that falls into each category.
Okay.
And now some cruise lines require proof of a need for accessibility.
Do you?
So we do not.
That's something we can not ask for it.
Virgin voyages.
So the way it works with us is anyone that does request an accessible cabin
will receive it as long as it's available.
So again, going back to the sooner we can get you blocked in there.
The good news is, is we don't auto assign them.
Like cars are basically when you make your reservation, your cabins
typically auto assigned will never auto assign an ADA cabin.
That's not requested.
So that does help with that.
Okay.
Very nice.
You know, that's a, it's a good way to at least work on that.
Okay.
So what about accessible excursions?
You know, I know, uh, some ports are accessible, some aren't, so
what can you tell me about that?
Of course.
So what's really nice.
Um, especially looking at our shore things is we've got a variety of them.
Of course not all options will be accessible based on what you're needing,
but, um, Our most successful as far as number of excursions to choose
from would be our Dominican days itinerary, which sails to our beach
club at Bimini and also Puerto Plata.
That's where we have.
Oh, I'm sorry.
I take that back.
Um, Riviera Maya is what I meant to say is the most.
Accessible friendly itinerary in the sense that we have more options to do.
Uh, once you're at shore, um, Dominican days is the one that
doesn't have any accessible.
Um, Options as far as short excursions.
So you still have that Bimini, but when you get to the Munich and days,
if you're wanting to like actually do one of our excursions, we don't
have any for that particular Puerto Plata port, but all of our other
Caribbean ports do have them available.
Um, and what's really nice is we truly dock at each of our.
Ports through the Caribbean.
So there are no tender options there.
So everything out of port of Miami will truly dock where it's sailing to.
Um, and so actually, if you.
We've got a full shore things, brochure online, and it basically talks about,
or gives them a rating as far as, you know, if it's a heavy walking
tour versus, you know, you're kind of going off-roading or things like
that to really kind of show that.
But our inside sailor services team has the specific.
So if you know, you need, you know, wheelchair transportation or
anything like that, we can absolutely point you to the right direction
of which will be a good option.
Okay.
Well, very good.
Uh, and what about what combination do you make for the blind, for the blind?
So for that, I don't have those specifics, um, but our sailor services team can
assist with those sorts of things there.
Um, I'll let them speak to that.
I don't have those exact examples.
Um, but again, if you tell us exactly what you're needing, we can walk through
that and see what we can provide.
Okay.
And what about for the deaf?
Yes.
So for the deaf, we've got some great programs in place.
Um, we will actually work to have an interpreter on board, as long
as you let us know in advance.
That's something that we'll arrange.
So sailor services, again, we'll check availability to have an
interpreter on those sailings.
We've also got a limited number of TDD kits available again,
to be requested in advance.
So always the sooner you let us know the better.
Um, the other nice thing about our cabins is we can have phones hardwired into the
vanity desk of any of our standard cabins.
So these kits would include things like door knocking, telephone ringing, alarm
clocks, smoke detectors, um, and anything else needed to communicate with sailor
services from within inside the cabin.
Um, so for the cabin, We've got a lot of things there.
And again, let us know if you need an interpreter, that's
something we're happy to help with.
If we can't get it for that specific sailing, um, we can also look at what
other sailings might be available for it.
Um, and then of course in our public spaces, we have
assisted listening devices.
Um, so you'll find them spread throughout, you know, our red room,
the Manor, our dock house, and roundabout, and even the aquatic club.
So pool area.
Um, so definitely we'd like to say work with your travel advisor.
The more we know about what you're needing on board, the more we can prepare and
have those options available for you.
Okay.
So you talked about the Caribbean ports being all dock.
What about, uh, tendering in, in some of the other places destinations you visited?
Yeah.
So in the Mediterranean we dock at most ports, however, there are
three ports that we do have to tender, so that would be Qatar.
That would be Mykonos and Santa Rini.
But the good news is all of our tender.
So that we've set up, there are wheelchair accessible so we can help with that.
So as far as our Mediterranean itineraries are concerned, yes, there
are a few tender options, but they do have the wheelchair accessibility.
So, um, really good options to choose from.
Yeah.
And that's amazing because in so many cases, uh, tenders are not, uh,
accessible, you know, uh, I, I run into that where I run into it as like
grand Cayman, you have to tender.
And I've only been there three times, I think.
And only one of the times had we had a ship and it had a tender that
was where we could get off with w with Cheryl in the wheelchair.
That's really important.
Okay.
So, uh, What about your spaz is accessible?
Yes.
Our spas are accessible and also our pool area.
Um, and we've got different whirlpools around the ship as well.
So.
Ah, very nice.
And so what assistance is there available for those with challenges?
Yeah.
So again, going back to our inside sales services crew is absolutely incredible.
So anyone that has challenges or it's needing that extra assistance
on board, the sooner we know that in advance, we can go through all of the
options that are available to you.
So depending on what is needed, definitely let us know and we'll let you
know what we can and can accommodate.
Okay.
And I know you guys haven't started the process working out of the port of Miami.
So that would be another thing is, uh, you know, when somebody shows
up at the port, you know how that all works, but, uh, we'll, we'll
talk about that in the future.
Yes.
I mean, we are building our very own new terminal at port of Miami.
So once the terminal is built, I'm sure we'll have more to talk
about there, but of course, yes.
Let us know.
We're happy to look into accommodations.
Yeah.
And you know, from what you said so far, I think the real key thing is,
is to make your reservation early and notify sailor services early so that
they can get all the pieces in place.
Absolutely.
Okay.
And so what about bringing bottled oxygen onboard?
Do you have a vendor you work with or is there some requirements?
Yeah, absolutely.
So we do allow you to bring up to two cylinders per cabin, so
we know that's important to you.
So we've got that in place.
If you're needing more than that, we do allow you to do that, but you have
to make your own arrangements for transportation to the cruise terminal.
Um, we also coordinate oxygen rentals.
Um, So with that you could reach out to scoot around or
also the special needs group.
So those are the two vendors that we work most closely with and recommend.
But yes, we do allow you to bring it on.
Like I said, you can carry on two of your own and then anything else would
have to be delivered to the terminal.
Okay.
And then what about peritoneal dialysis?
I've had that question asked several times.
Yeah, that is a good question.
We get that too.
Um, so we do have a full medical facility on board, but they're not
adequately equipped for this highly specialized longer term treatment.
So that is something we would say would not be accommodated on board,
but we do have a pretty extensive medical facility, just not for that.
Okay.
And what about food allergies?
This is a question I forgot to ask and a lot of my early videos.
And it's a challenge obviously for some families.
Yes, of course.
So with our food and beverage on board, it makes it a lot easier than usual to have.
These kinds of requests accommodated.
So we can really take care of most dietary needs and requests.
Um, we have that ability to accommodate most.
We do ask if you've got anything outside of, you know, gluten free
or vegan or those kinds of things to please let us know in advance
that way we can get specifics and let you know what options are there.
Um, we are not an allergen free kitchen, so that's just something to keep in
mind, but we can accommodate most.
Food allergy requests.
So we just like to note that and make sure that we'll have you taken care of.
Yeah.
And again, you know, and that's the key and that's been consistent
across all the, all the cruise lines is, is that you let them know in
advance so that they can make plans.
And then they're much better, better equipped to take care of you.
Of course, of course, and we're a very straight up company.
So if there's something we really can't do or we'll let you know,
we don't want you to be surprised and show up and not have options.
So the sooner you can talk to your travel advisor and they can communicate
through us, we can absolutely make sure we get the best holiday for you.
Okay, well, you know what, Christie, I really appreciate
your time being on today.
I know you had to buy some time out of your busy time
and I appreciate it very much.
And for all of you that are listening, if you haven't gone
ahead and subscribe, please do.
So if you got value out of the video, please hit the white button.
And if you have any questions, I meant to mention this earlier, but if you have
any questions, put them in the comments down below, and I'll make sure that
either Christie or I get an answer to you.
Absolutely.
We appreciate you listening in and we hope you sail with us in the future.
Thank you.