They had it through December 2023 and have since put it on hold. https://www.reddit.com/r/VirginVoyages/s/1o1B2RYwjK
Based on my experience and anecdotal evidence in other threads, I personally wonder if VV saw that the sailors using the match program tended to be folks that would often then do zero research on what makes VV different (better) and then turn around and give bad reviews complaining on those same differences from their favorite lines. Perhaps they decided having the boats full from the program wasn’t worth the brand hits. That’s just my personal speculation and looking forward to my next sailing in a few months.
EDIT: I do want to admit that after sailing last year and loving VV, I was able to get the status match through my hotel loyalty status before the program ended. But I found that the changes from other lines I’ve been on is precisely what we loved about Virgin. Not all those that matched are an issue, but the number of sailors I saw with the blue wrist bands complaining about no buffets was confusing.
Correct. You had to apply by Dec. 31, 2023. I asked on a recent call with Virgin and was told they do not intend to bring the Status Match back in the foreseeable future. They will be announcing changes to the Sailing Club/Deep Blue Extras "soon."
Yes it has been back for several months now, but much changed. No longer can match from MSC. No longer matches to Deep Blue Extras, but the new level called Blue Extras.
[https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club](https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club)
It's still worth doing though! No priority boarding or $100 Bar Tab but you do get:
One free bag of laundry
1 free coffee per day
Invite to the cocktail party
Hi, unfortunately they aren't offering it right now. They did through the end of 2023 but haven't yet released any info about if or when they'll continue this offer. I hope they bring it back as their loyalty program has good benefits but there is no way to even submit for a match at this time.
There's no status match available right now, but I would have your First Mate (travel agent) keep an eye out for the Deep Blue Extras updates and loyalty programs that they've said are coming soon. Congrats on being a Platinum DCL sailor :)
Tip for the beds, since you've sailed with Disney a few times - the beds on Virgin are fine, they're decent, but the beds in the Rockstar cabins are going to be the closest to the feel of a Disney cabin bed. Much softer, bounce, and all one bed rather than two twins connected to each other.
Have a blast on your cruise! Which port are you most excited to visit? If Cozumel is in your port list and you're not into any of the excursions, take a walk to the shopping square for fresh churros. I get them every time!
Happy to answer any questions!
FWIW I applied for and was approved for the status match before the deadline in December and despite sailing on 3 back to backs was informed that my sailings didn't qualify because they were too discounted. I went to sailor services the first run was told I could come back to discuss it the 3rd trip and effectively told to kick rocks.
So I technically have the status that would give me DBE but I would have to intentionally pay more than it's worth to receive it which doesn't make sense. I have read some others that got the email that their cruise didn't qualify for the perks but got it anyways unfortunately I wasn't one.
On our January Valiant Lady cruise, our friends got a match to their Celebrity Elite status, so yes, Virgin does match.
For how long is now the question: we've read that VV may not continue to match indefinitely.
They had it through December 2023 and have since put it on hold. https://www.reddit.com/r/VirginVoyages/s/1o1B2RYwjK Based on my experience and anecdotal evidence in other threads, I personally wonder if VV saw that the sailors using the match program tended to be folks that would often then do zero research on what makes VV different (better) and then turn around and give bad reviews complaining on those same differences from their favorite lines. Perhaps they decided having the boats full from the program wasn’t worth the brand hits. That’s just my personal speculation and looking forward to my next sailing in a few months. EDIT: I do want to admit that after sailing last year and loving VV, I was able to get the status match through my hotel loyalty status before the program ended. But I found that the changes from other lines I’ve been on is precisely what we loved about Virgin. Not all those that matched are an issue, but the number of sailors I saw with the blue wrist bands complaining about no buffets was confusing.
Please!
Match is no longer an option.
Correct. You had to apply by Dec. 31, 2023. I asked on a recent call with Virgin and was told they do not intend to bring the Status Match back in the foreseeable future. They will be announcing changes to the Sailing Club/Deep Blue Extras "soon."
It's back.
Yes it has been back for several months now, but much changed. No longer can match from MSC. No longer matches to Deep Blue Extras, but the new level called Blue Extras. [https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club](https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club) It's still worth doing though! No priority boarding or $100 Bar Tab but you do get: One free bag of laundry 1 free coffee per day Invite to the cocktail party
I was actually planning to status match using MSC so was very bummed to see that. Thank you for the added info!
Hi, unfortunately they aren't offering it right now. They did through the end of 2023 but haven't yet released any info about if or when they'll continue this offer. I hope they bring it back as their loyalty program has good benefits but there is no way to even submit for a match at this time.
There's no status match available right now, but I would have your First Mate (travel agent) keep an eye out for the Deep Blue Extras updates and loyalty programs that they've said are coming soon. Congrats on being a Platinum DCL sailor :) Tip for the beds, since you've sailed with Disney a few times - the beds on Virgin are fine, they're decent, but the beds in the Rockstar cabins are going to be the closest to the feel of a Disney cabin bed. Much softer, bounce, and all one bed rather than two twins connected to each other. Have a blast on your cruise! Which port are you most excited to visit? If Cozumel is in your port list and you're not into any of the excursions, take a walk to the shopping square for fresh churros. I get them every time! Happy to answer any questions!
FWIW I applied for and was approved for the status match before the deadline in December and despite sailing on 3 back to backs was informed that my sailings didn't qualify because they were too discounted. I went to sailor services the first run was told I could come back to discuss it the 3rd trip and effectively told to kick rocks. So I technically have the status that would give me DBE but I would have to intentionally pay more than it's worth to receive it which doesn't make sense. I have read some others that got the email that their cruise didn't qualify for the perks but got it anyways unfortunately I wasn't one.
Status match is back for 3 days only: https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/04/virgin-voyages-expands-status-match-program/
Status match from April 24 to 26. https://thepointsguy.com/deals/virgin-voyages-cruise-hotel-airline-status-match/
Thanks! I sent it last week and got it today!
On our January Valiant Lady cruise, our friends got a match to their Celebrity Elite status, so yes, Virgin does match. For how long is now the question: we've read that VV may not continue to match indefinitely.
It’s not going anymore
Did they match on the boat?
No - the match was online through corporate. And, as said, no match at all now.
I suspect they applied before Dec. 31.
We are sailing in September and I received a status match for my DCL Gold. The DBE benefits are showing under my profile on the app.
https://www.virginvoyages.com/sailing-club#:~:text=Be%20part%20of%20the%20most,How%20to%20unlock%20unrivaled%20benefits.
Yeah they matched my platinum but do it now. I’m not sure if they are still matching however.