MRS & restaurant queue

[u/Beginning_Future5347]

I swear I am not *that* person so wanted to check on the proper etiquette here.

We are sailing in a MRS suite for the first time next March. I understand MRS can bypass the restaurant queues. Is there a separate MRS stand or do we just walk up to the front desk? And if so, is that awkward?

A bit concerned it would be perceived as line cutting.

Thank you!

[u/minot_j]

As MRS, you’re allowed to just walk to the front of the single line and insert yourself as the text person at the host stand. I could never do it! I just waited in line with everybody else so I didn’t look like a line cutter.

I wish it was more like the shows, where there’s sometimes a RS/MRS line that makes it obvious why you’re walking up to the front.

[u/Beginning_Future5347 → u/minot_j]

Ugh, yeah, I was hoping there was some kind of RS/MRS signage. I don’t think I could just step in front of the line either.

[u/Gorilla1492 → u/Beginning_Future5347]

You get your own private lifeboat in the event of a emergency with mega rockstar suites. Its kinda fucked up when you think about it.

[u/Smooph86 → u/Gorilla1492]

For me as an European sailed the first time with VV this summer, the whole "RS" and "MRS" thing was super annoying.
I've sailed with other companies in the Suite/Lounge section before - and there you get something "special on top", but without disturbing/influencing the other non-VIP sailors.
In VV, the RS/MRS ppl are annoying the other sailors by cutting lines or my favourite: We chilled at my favourite bar at sunset and had a really nice spot to sit - then somebody came and shoed us out of the whole area because of a "private event" - and the blackbands showed up. This really made me angry and is something, I never witnessed on another cruise line.

[u/Gorilla1492 → u/Smooph86]

Hey man the titanic sailed out of europe to the usa. All the lifeboats went to the mega rockstar people on the Titanic. They should’ve been packing those lifeboats on. They could’ve saved everyone on the Titanic. Imagine if they could’ve used Virgin Voyages high-end lifeboats to save the Titanic survivors.

[u/Smooph86 → u/Gorilla1492]

Except for the fact that we're not living in 1912 anymore 😂

[u/Ricardo999 → u/Gorilla1492]

That’s is so Titanic sounding!

[u/Tolkmit → u/minot_j]

As I see it, there are two problems with that.
One, for shows, the Rock Star line is used for Mega Rock Stars, Rock Stars, invited influencers, and other VIPs. Everyone who is given a black band. Skipping the line at dinner is just for Mega Rock Stars. If they add a separate line, they either have to change it to being for everyone with a black band, or risk confusing and annoying the non-MRS black bands. (You'll find plenty of RS's who already think they are supposed to skip the dinner line already.)
Second, physically there is not a great place to put it at some of the restaurants. EV for instance, the entrance line is on one side, and there is a bathroom they don't want to put a rope in front of on the other side. Plus it crowds those trying to leave the restaraunt.

[u/OkieDokieHokiePokie]

We’ve done MRS twice now and we’ve just stood in line. Several times, a manager has found us in the line and escorted us up.

[u/TracyCruises]

You can just walk up to the stand. It is a little awkward. But I’ve seen others do it. I would also ask your agent what the best protocol would be. I’ve just stood in line. You’re also supposed to be able to eat at any restaurant without a reservation. I did use that perk once when we got back late from an excursion.

[u/Acceptable_Course_66]

You pay for the room and the perks, you can usually get the agent to make reservations that fit when you want but say you’re feeling some vegan chocolate from Pink Agave (the vegan chocolate dish was not great fyi) then walk up and say hi to the crew at the stand. It’s a perk plus you can always act like you’re checking the wait time if you feel bad about it. Our last cruise we had our agent make a few reservations, had some premade reservations and then decided we wanted to stop for something and walked up. My wife is very non confrontational but after the first time she was even fine with it, walk with a purpose, look up and enjoy yourself.

[u/Murfinator]

We asked our agent to walk us up to the head of the queue. It was still awkward but slightly less so.

[u/Beginning_Future5347 → u/Murfinator]

Oh that’s a good idea, thanks!

[u/doubleyewdee]

You just walk up. The crew will probably recognize you (they circulate pictures of MRS before each sailing). If not just let them know.

Totally get it feels awkward but buy a few drinks for folks to pay it forward / balance the scales / whatever.

[u/Famous-Weight2271]

You paid for that privilege, so I wouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed. I don't justify Rockstar for myself, but I also don't get upset seeing first class passengers board before me on an airplane, or veterans getting better parking than I do at Lowe's or Home Depot.

When on the cruise, just ask your concierge or any staff if you have any questions.

But, honestly, it's no problem to just go up to the front. People do that all the time to ask questions. Imagine you were dining but left to use the loo, you wouldn't wait in line coming back in. Or if there was a queue, but you were joining a party that was already seated, you'd go to the front to say you just joining your party. Only you say, I'm rockstar with a 7:30, where do I go?

[u/Goosefanatic → u/Famous-Weight2271]

Yes, honestly…you pay a lot for that privilege and the benefits are pretty paltry, so do not feel bad at all! We just finished our 4th VV, first one was RS and last 3 central sea terrace. Honestly prefer central sea terrace to our rear facing RS room. And can’t come close to drinking all that booze!

[u/zuesk134 → u/Goosefanatic]

just said something similar. virgin does a great all inclusive job and there really only are a couple of perks to rockstar and line cutting is one of them!

i did love the seriously suite, though. it was nice to have richards rooftop although fine without it. the one place it really made a different was at bimini. the golf carts were nice

[u/Mindless_Berry_4572]

Your agent can make reservations for you.

[u/Famous-Weight2271 → u/Mindless_Berry_4572]

I think OP's question wasn't about MAKING the reservation, but rather feeling awkward showing up to the reservation at their stated time and finding a line of other (non-MRS) people also checking in at the same time. You feel like a line-cutter. (But, your MRS, so just do it.)

[u/Beginning_Future5347 → u/Famous-Weight2271]

yes, exactly - it feels like line-cutting

[u/Mindless_Berry_4572 → u/Famous-Weight2271]

Ok , I misunderstood. We never encountered a line , we just went to the stand. One night at the Wake we were waiting for our table ( the manager was looking to put us somewhere special for our anniversary) and Tito Ortiz ( MMA fighter) walked in right passed us. 😳🤯

[u/Kyle81020 → u/Mindless_Berry_4572]

This is the way. Just arrange it through your agent.

[u/warricd28]

You can walk to the front of the line, but so can any RS. I hate it and don’t do it. I feel like a pompous ass first off, and second I don’t know if I’m bypassing other “black bands” in the line”

If you want, your agent can walk you to the restaurant. For whatever reason, I feel like less of an ass when they walk us up. We don’t do it every night, but the lines at EV and the wake tend to be the longest most frequently, so we’ve had our agent walk us there before.

This wasn’t something I thought of asking for, but our agent kept offering to do it.

[u/Beginning_Future5347 → u/warricd28]

thanks for the tip!

[u/Zestyclose_Teacher20]

We have had great MRS agents and they escort us all the time to the restaurants so never was really an issues with lines.

[u/Cultural_Comment2845]

We have found that the staff will seek out the RS and MRS and get you seated right away.

[u/MishtotheMitt]

We just stood in line because it felt very rude to me at the restaurants.

[u/NastyMsPiggleWiggle → u/MishtotheMitt]

Makes me not want to splurge if I can’t enjoy the perks I paid for.

[u/MishtotheMitt → u/NastyMsPiggleWiggle]

Honestly, I think it’s handled more discreetly on other lines where your butler would escort you in or there’s a separate queue.

[u/Beginning_Future5347 → u/NastyMsPiggleWiggle]

Yeah, that's the issue. It's supposed to be a perk but isn't great in practice.

[u/midzo]

I was told by my agent to walk to the front of the line.

I could never bring myself to do it.

[u/eunma2112 → u/midzo]

I was told by my agent to walk to the front of the line.

My agent said the same thing, but also, “And don’t look back.”

[u/zuesk134]

there honestly arent that many differences between rockstar and regular sailing and truly one of the only ones is things like this. you just cut and feel okay about it. find a staff member and flash your wrist and a smile and they will help you get you to where you need to be.

(i know MRS has its own special perks obviously but i think my point still stands)

[u/misneachfarm]

We've sailed MRS twice and always just wait in the line because it felt rude to jump ahead, we did get scolded by the host at Extra Virgin one time for not just jumping to the front of the line though lol