In this episode of “Cruise Radio,” host Doug Parker and staff writer Richard Simms discuss recent cruise news and incidents.
Richard shares a bizarre story about two passengers on MSC Virtuosa who stole jewelry while intoxicated and another severe incident in which five people were struck by lightning on a beach in Saint Martin. They also cover new regulations in Grand Turk to enhance safety and details about Carnival’s new port, Celebration Key, and Princess Cruises’ new internet package.
Doug then interviews guest Derek about his seven-night cruise on Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady. Derek shares his experiences with the ship’s dining options, entertainment, and ports of call.
He highlights the vibrant nightlife in Ibiza, the smooth embarkation process, and the variety of dining experiences, including standout meals at Pink Agave and Extra Virgin. Derek also discusses the ship’s entertainment, such as the acrobatic show “Dual Reality,” and the overall lively atmosphere.
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Timestamps:
- Cruise News: Stolen Jewelry Incident (00:00:39): Richard Sims discusses a story about two men stealing jewelry aboard the MSC Virtuosa.
- Lightning Strike Incident in Saint Martin (00:02:40): Richard shares details about five people struck by lightning while on the beach in Saint Martin.
- New Rules at Grand Turk Cruise Port (00:04:46): Discussion on new identification badge requirements for locals visiting Grand Turk when ships are in port.
- Celebration Key Beach Club Details (00:06:54): Richard talks about the upcoming adults-only beach club, Pearl Cove, and its pricing structure.
- Faster Wi-Fi at Sea (00:09:53): Doug and Richard discuss Princess Cruises’ new Medallion Net Max internet package for faster connectivity.
- Derek’s Experience on Scarlet Lady (00:12:53): Derek shares his recent seven-night cruise experience aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady in the Mediterranean.
- Dining Experience on Virgin Voyages (00:17:20): Discuss food options, including the galley and special promotions like Asian Night Market.
- Specialty Restaurants Overview (00:18:16): Derek shares experiences at various specialty restaurants, starting with Green Bay.
- Restaurant Highlights: The Wake (00:19:04): The Wake is recommended for brunch, offering a beautiful view of the ship’s wake.
- Dining at Razzle Dazzle (00:19:36): Razzle Dazzle is a vegetarian-focused restaurant that Derek gave mixed reviews.
- Pink Agave: A Favorite (00:20:57): Derek praises Pink Agave as the most popular restaurant with great food and atmosphere.
- Extra Virgin for Birthday Celebration (00:20:57): Derek enjoyed a great meal at Extra Virgin, an Italian restaurant, for a birthday celebration.
- Grab-and-Go Options (00:21:52): Derek discusses the availability of grab-and-go food options around the ship, including pizza and charcuterie.
- Test Kitchen Experience (00:22:31): The Test Kitchen offered rich, experimental cuisine with unique drink pairings.
- Drinks by the Pool (00:23:50): Derek explains that drinks by the pool are charged separately, but bar tabs can be prepaid.
- Entertainment Highlights (00:24:12): Derek shares that the entertainment was a highlight, especially the acrobatic show Dual Reality.
- Show Format and Audience Interaction (00:25:07): Derek explains the show format where attendees cannot leave once it starts.
- Other Entertainment Options (00:25:33): Derek mentions various entertainment options, including bingo and karaoke.
- Sail Away Party Experience (00:27:22): The sail away party featured free champagne and an energetic atmosphere among passengers.
- Crowd Management Insights (00:29:06): Derek discusses the crowd experience and availability of deck chairs during the cruise.
- Ports of Call Overview (00:30:04): Derek begins discussing the ports of call, starting with Marseille.
- Exploring Cannes and Monaco (00:30:53): Derek shares highlights from Cannes and Monaco, including a bus excursion.
- Palma de Mallorca Visit (00:32:02): Derek describes a visit to Palma de Mallorca and a tennis academy associated with Rafael Nadal.
- Navigating Palma’s Commuter Rail (00:32:50): Derek finds the commuter rail in Palma to be convenient and intuitive for getting around.
- Ibiza Itinerary Overview (00:33:38): Derek describes the overnight stay in Ibiza and its beautiful old town.
- Exploring Ibiza (00:34:43): Discussion about museums and the exciting nightlife available in Ibiza.
- Flexibility in Ibiza (00:35:03): Derek explains the option to stay overnight in Ibiza instead of returning to the ship.
- Returning to Barcelona (00:35:38): Derek shares the promptness of transportation and airport shuttle arrangements in Europe.
- Debarkation Process (00:36:53): Details on how Virgin Voyages manages the debarkation process for guests.
- Flight Back to JFK (00:37:30): Derek mentions their flight back to JFK after disembarking in Barcelona.
- Tips for Ibiza Itinerary (00:37:47): Advice on getting enough rest and enjoying the adult-oriented ship atmosphere.
- Jet Lag Concerns (00:38:19): Derek shares tips for managing jet lag when traveling to Europe.
- Highlight of the Cruise (00:38:39): Derek reflects on visiting the tennis academy in Mallorca as a unique experience.
- Final Thoughts on Scarlet Lady (00:39:04): Derek expresses his overall positive impression of the Scarlet Lady cruise experience.
- Sailing for Modest Travelers (00:39:41): Discuss whether modest travelers can enjoy the Virgin Voyages experience.
