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.
