Bubbly, please: You can order Champagne anywhere onboard this cruise by shaking your phone
Virgin Voyages is pulling out all the stops to create the "anti-cruise" — unique entertainment, fun fitness classes, a swath of dining options ... and Champagne deliveries?
Onboard the ship, you can order a bottle of Champagne to be delivered wherever you're hanging out. All you have to do is open your Virgin Voyages app, shake your phone and press a button. It does cost a steep $95, but you do get a full bottle of chilled bubbly to enjoy at your leisure.
Of course, TPG had to test out this feature to see if it was worth all of the hype.
After a late-night show, we settled down in one of the empty seating areas in the middle of the ship. I shook my phone until the sound of a bottle of Champagne popping erupted and golden bubbles took over my screen.
A confirmation popped up: "Feelin' bubbly? Summon Champagne." With a button to push to confirm your order.
The process was seamless (and pretty fun, I'm not going to lie). And it only took 11 minutes for a wonderful crewmember named Jay to arrive with an iced bottle of Moët Chandon Impérial Champagne and flutes. For $95, I would have expected maybe a little quicker service, but it wasn't a long wait by any means.
Because I ordered through the app, the charge was automatically applied to my account.
If you accidentally butt dial bottle service, don't panic. There is a confirmation screen with a button you'll have to push to confirm your order. And even once your order is in, there's an "I changed my mind" link at the bottom of the screen.
Related: Virgin Voyages finally is starting up cruises out of Miami after more than a year of delays
Our verdict: Is it worth it?
Is this bottle service worth the $95 price tag? My vote is no.
It's a charming gimmick, but I can get a bottle of Moët for $42.97 back home. Doubling that price tag just to have someone bring it to you somewhere on the ship is a bit absurd.
Was the process fun? Yes. Was the Champagne delicious? Also yes. Would I ever do it again? Definitely not.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.