Bubbly, please: You can order Champagne anywhere onboard this cruise by shaking your phone
Madison Blancaflor is a content operations editor for TPG focused on helping our broader editorial team bring news, features and advice to our readers. When she’s not working, you’ll find her planning trips to visit unique filming locations, historic libraries and thrilling theme parks.
Oct. 07, 2021
•
3 min read
Bubbly, please: You can order Champagne anywhere onboard this cruise by shaking your phone
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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?
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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.
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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.
Featured image by Featured photo by Gene Sloan/The Points Guy
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
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- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
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- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
| 5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.Earn 80,000 PointsAnnual Fee
$695Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees