Advantages: Some good on demand services.
Disadvantages: Poor TV picture on Samsung and LG sets. Broadband throttled.

...This is an outline of our experience with Virgin Media who took over our cable connection. Some aspects have been quite good but others far less appealing. A Sudden Unexpected Takeover ************************************* Having been one of the early adopters of Telewest's cable TV and 'phone service since the first cables were laid in Birmingham, I've found the service fairly reliable for over a decade. One day it became apparent that our provider had changed (without warning) to Virgin Media. The first thing I noticed was that the TV menus changed their format from the blue backgrounds of Telewest to the black ones favoured by Virgin. We had some glossy leaflets arrive which announced what was on offer though not it a way relevant to us. Our 'phone number didn't change and neither did our email address that contains the name... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Much more comfort on longer flights, a more personalised service.
Disadvantages: A little costly

...We'd flown twice before with Virgin Atlantic, both times to Boston and had good experiences each time, so we had no hesitation in booking our 'once in a lifetime' trip to Florida to see Mickey & friends, with Virgin Holidays. What we hadn't bargained for though (naively, perhaps) was that all the Economy seats would be booked more than 8 months in advance. All they had left were Premium Economy for the dates we wanted, something we would never previously had considered, bearing in mind the cost of the holiday to begin with. However, not wanting to let two small and very excited boys down, I let the enthusiastic young booking clerk sell me the benefits (actually he didn't really have to do much selling as I would have given in without much of a fight anyway.) I baulked at the extra cost at first (over £1700 for the four of us... Read review

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Advantages: Ideal for families.
Disadvantages: Leg room

...Our Virgin Flight experience on flight route Gatwick to Orlando International Airport June 2004 and Nov 2005. Virgin was recommended to us by close pals to use for traveling to disney world and getting the complete package IE flights, hotel, tickets. Our close pal has traveled with them 20 times and has always praised there service. June 2004 Trip was our first long haul trip, we had never been longer than 2 hours on the plane and did not know what to expect. The twilight check-in the night before was very ideal for us and meant that we could relax a bit more the next day at the airport. When our flight was announced we went straight down and boarded the plane with no delay at all. On the way onto the plane the children were given virgin packs which included a book, crayons, watch/bangle, sweets. The pack was just super as my... Read review

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Advantages: relaxing, unusual, smells nice
Disadvantages: doesn't work instantly, expensive

...This product is not the foot fizz but it is similar to it and it fizzes. I always remember a while back when I was in Glasgow and there was not yet a Virgin Vie shop in Edinburgh, trying out a new product which amazed me. You put it on your hand and it crackled into your skin but by crackled I don't mean it hurt but it fizzed in and disappeared. I was always annoyed that I had not bought it at the time that was, until an Edinburgh Virgin Vie branch opened and I went in for a look. I found my product instantly the blue packaging stood out it was called The Go Sea Crackling Body Experience. In an avergae can, bottle whatever you want to call it of the product you get 150ml which is not bad. The colour of the can is an ocean blue a very aquamarine colour. On the front is the Virgin Vie logo and product title and then at the back... Read review

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Advantages: Onboard Entertainment, More Room,Nicely Designed interiors
Disadvantages: Cost

...I usually Virgin trains when i am travelling down the west Coast mainline. My experience of the Virgin brand has always been good and i also have Virgin Broadband too for my internet connection. Anyway onto the trains themselves. They are very nice inside and the great thing about them is that they have little screens near the overhead storage area which give you useful information about whether a seat has been reserved or not. There are also plugs too for charging your mobile phone or lugging your laptop into which is very handy. In addition there is also onbard entertainment as you can listen to music by plugging your earphones into a earphone jack at the side of your seat. Luggage space has been improved which is always handy if you have lots to carry although you must be careful incase someone stacks loads of heavy stuff... Read review

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Advantages: Everything
Disadvantages: Nothing

...I'm absolutely teffified of flying!! I dream about flying in my sleep, I go all hot and sweaty if I watch a plane taking off, even if its on the tele! I'm constantly looking out of the window watching the planes go by and wondering how the hell do the stay up!! Well that was until I went to Mexico two weeks ago and I had to travel on two planes to get there totalling 10 & 1/2hrs of flying!!! And it's all thanks to Virgin!! We booked our holiday seven months ago and I had spent all seven months worrying about the flight. So when we arrived at the airport I tried not to think about the journey ahead. We sat in an extremely comfortable departure lounge in Gatwick airport for about five minutes before they allowed us to board the biggest plane I have ever seen. It was huge!! As we were boarding the plane the vigin crew were... Read review

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Advantages: None
Disadvantages: You will be dealing with the scum of the earth

...: Payment details. Cards accepted are American Express, Delta, Diners Club, Mastercard, Switch and Visa. Step 5: Order confirmation. Hey presto, you are done. Alternatively you can phone 08457 222 333. Hopefully your tickets will come but in my experience, this has not always been the case. Travelling on a crummy Virgin train = This is where the problems start. The train you are waiting for in the freezing cold/sweltering heat is probably late. Virgin have had massive problems with punctuality and over half my trains have been late. I might start counting and add this to my review later! So you'll probably be pretty grumpy when you get on the train. On boarding the train you will probably look forward to sitting down and setting off. Then you realise. OH NO I HAVEN'T GOT ANYWHERE TO PUT MY LUGGAGE... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Caring company, brilliant destinations
Disadvantages: Use only Virgin Atlantic which is a major disadvantage if flying from Manchester

...Being a member of Virgin Holiday Club you may think I am a bit biased when writing this report but this is not the case, I can assure you, ( see my report on Virgin Atlantic Airways) ~~o0o~~ In writing this opinion my remarks DO NOT INCLUDE Virgin Atlantic Airways which are a different part of the Virgin Empire, I am merely talking about Virgin Holidays only.. We book with Virgin Holidays most years to Florida and generally enjoy the whole Virgin Holidays experience (normally !!)..One their Reps a couple of years ago was a little brusk to say the least, but generally speaking they do look after you, however this year (2001) we are doing our own independent holiday to Florida and flying with British Airways due to our experiences with Virgin Atantic Northern based Operations at Manchester Airport.... ~~o0o~~ Virgin tend... Read review

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Advantages: Nice wedding ceremonies
Disadvantages: Poor booking service, unreliable rep, poor quality accommodation

...problems whatsoever. However, as I am basing this review on my own personal experience, I would have to say that I would not recommend the company and I would not travel with them again. From my personal point of view, they have fairly low standards of service, both in administration and holiday accommodation. Thank you all for reading my review, and I hope no one else has any trouble of this kind when booking a Virgin Holiday. Carol x... Read review

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Advantages: Virgin snubbed Sky (and therefore Rupert Murdoch)
Disadvantages: Everything else they've done

...of false advice and poor service. I only mention this because following that I had been under the apparently mistaken impression that things had improved. Since Sky refused to lower their prices and Virgin Media refused to meet Sky’s demands, I’ve been a big champion of Virgin Media, believing that the integrity being displayed was of a very respectable level in a market which is not renowned for it. In fact, I actually called to enquire about jobs. A phone interview was conducted and I was told someone would be in touch to let me know whether I would be receiving a full interview. I never received that call. I am fairly well aware that I would not have reached the next stage because my experience was not necessarily equal to that required (although the requirement for team size and length of service is not far from being covered, now, and I... Read review

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