This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We had booked a 2-week Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Cruises with a few extra days in Miami to start with.
We were both very excited about this trip and it would be our second time together flying Virgin Upper Class after Los Angeles in 2015.
We had decided that we would spend the night before in Heathrow to make full use of the DTCI.
We managed to get a good deal at Sofitel T5 so we were off to a good start!
I had ordered a car for the next morning to take us to the DTCI.
Transfer was quick and efficient and we arrived at the UC Wing a little bit early but we were expected.
Luggage was taken away and boarding handed with a smile.
Security was quick and efficient.
All in all, we were through in less than 10 minutes …
So early actually that the Clubhouse wasn’t even open yet ... ;)
We had a quick wait before heading in.
We picked a nice seat in the side gallery close to the windows and enjoyed a light breakfast.
After a few minutes, I went and book ourselves a complimentary head massage for 8am as our flight would leave at 9.30.
Needless to say, the massage was absolutely lovely.
Too early, our flight was called to gate 21 so a bit of a walk for us in that occasion.
We went at the first call and actually had to wait about 5 minutes to board but no biggie.
Once at the door, we were warmly welcomed and turned left to our seats (1A and 2A).
Gardet champagne was offered and kindly accepted ;) No refills though.
Flight was delayed due to some technical fault but it was sorted quite quickly and we were on our way.
G-VLUV would do the honours on the day and she was as lovely as I remembered her.
A very chatty FSM came round to introduce herself and we had a very pleasant conversation.
The load was very light was only 109 passengers all in all.
There were about 20 passengers in UC, a much lighter load in PE and an impressively empty Economy cabin. It was to the point where most passengers had 3 seats and a virtual bed to themselves ;)
Never seen that in 30+ years of flying.
But it was for the best and the cabin crew was happy and jolly about it.
We took off about an hour late and once airborne, service started quite quickly with the usual drinks service, followed by lunch order.
Gardet champagne is no Lanson for sure and I mentioned it to the FSM who told me that there seems to be quite a bit of a brainstorming internally to find a better replacement. Funnily enough, on the flight back from Miami, it was a Dreamliner and the Gardet was still there but the FSM there told me the exact same thing so there should be some changes soon.
Food was great and went down with a few films.
I then decided to go to the bar, which was very quiet but had a lovely chat with a great male Senior Cabin Crew for about an hour ;)
Afternoon tea was served about 2 hours before landing.
Sandwiches and cakes were good.
We finally landed in Miami only about 35 minutes late so all in all not too bad.
It definitely was a great flight with a great crew and I still like the A333, unlike most here.
However, our return flight was the Maiden Marion (G-VOWS) and it’s a completely different story that you shall read in my next TR.
Thanks for reading ;)