Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Dining Review

The Valiant Lady from Virgin Voyages, like her sister ships, Scarlet Lady and the brand new Resilient Lady, are turning the traditional cruise experience on its head. These ships take premium cruising to a whole new level at every turn. Dining, one of the most important aspects to travelers, can make or break a cruise and how people rate their overall experience. After all, no one wants to be hungry on vacation. Enter Virgin Voyages to the cruise marketplace, and be prepared to think differently about everything, including dining. 

Valiant Lady offers a food option at every turn. Honestly, it felt like there was something delicious around every corner. Oh wait, there was. With 20+ options to choose from a light snack to full-course meals in stunning venues, the themes are as fresh as the food they serve. The best part is that everything is included in the cruise fare. There is no extra charge for the specialty restaurants or the tapas-style snacks at the various bars. 

All restaurants can be booked before cruise departure online in the same portal for check-in and uploading documents on Virgin’s website. Once onboard, all changes and updates are made directly in the app. The app works well to see availability instantly and to pre-book a venue. Walk-ups are welcome but depending on the sailing capacity, there may be a wait to be seated. 

With so many dining options available, it may be hard to experience them all on a shorter 4 or 5-night cruise. Some evening restaurants, such as The Wake and Razzle Dazzle, offer a sumptuous brunch menu. Again, reservations are recommended and can be easily made in the app. 

Let’s take a more in-depth look at some dining venues onboard Valiant Lady. Keep in mind I was only onboard for a 4-night cruise from PortMiami, so it was virtually impossible to get to everything, but I tried! In the name of research, I really tried! 
 

The Wake

Billed as a steak and seafood restaurant, The Wake, located on Deck 7 aft, offers stunning sea views and opulent decor to set the mood for a high-end dining experience. One glance at the menu had us wondering how we would narrow down all the delicious choices. 

For starters, we selected the Hamachi Crudo and Bone Marrow, then decided to share the  Wedge Salad. The presentation was simple, letting the food be the focal point, and everything tasted delicious. 

Between courses, we were busy chatting away with our neighbors at the next table, comparing orders, and getting to know them that we forgot to snap pictures when our entrees arrived. Oops. Suffice it to say that the hanger steak my husband ordered and my shrimp and grits were outstanding. For side dishes, my husband exclaimed the roasted wild mushrooms were the best he ever had and refused to share! The twice-baked potatoes were a huge hit, and our neighbors ordered one each as they had a ringside seat to our “sharing,” which was more like a race to the end. They were truly addictive, and I woke up the next morning craving them!

The Wake also offers a brunch menu, so we booked via the app one morning and headed down an hour later. The clam chowder, a fan favorite from dinner, is also on the brunch menu. This warm creamy seafood soup was the perfect compliment to a bloody mary and a great way to start the day.
 

Razzle Dazzle

Described as a signature restaurant, the eclectic atmosphere, and bold decor will surely wake up even the sleepiest sailor for brunch. Also open for dinner, the menu boasts a variety of options from healthy to the other end of the spectrum, their to-die-for candied bacon. Trust me…this is amazing, and you won’t want to share! You may want to order a second one…it’s that good!

    Tip: Ask for the secret menu! Yes, there is a secret menu, and only those in the know, know about it. You’re welcome!

Due to the shorter sailing, I could only squeeze in brunch one morning, and in a word, it was great. I had been told in advance and confirmed by our waitress the milk and cookies were a must-order. Not only was the presentation adorable, the three flavors, each in a league of its own. To try and pick a favorite would be impossible. New motto: Love them all, eat them all. 

The Galley

For more casual dining, The Galley is laid out like a food court, but sailors take a seat at any available table, and a nearby staff member will bring over a menu and take your order. Gone are the days of finding a plate (and tray), wandering from station to station, and bumping into people while searching for food. The Galley offers everything from bento boxes to burritos, freshly made salads, sandwiches, ramen, desserts, and more. There are also unique daily specials, and breakfast is available 24 hours a day. 

Virgin has done away with the Lido buffet, and after experiencing The Galley, I think it has ruined me for all future cruises. Not sure if you want ramen or a sandwich, get them both. Still hungry after a bento box, get another one or something else. There is no limit on what you can order. With portion control, this food court setup creates a lot less food waste and offers a much wider variety than a typical cruise ship buffet. Plus, the extra touch of placing food orders and having it delivered by staff makes it feel more like a restaurant. 

At each entrance of The Galley, refrigerated To-Go boxes are available, offering wraps, salads, and an assortment of desserts. This was a nice touch for those heading wanting to grab a quick bite on this run.
 

It’s a Ship Show

The Manor nightclub transforms into a sumptuous supper club with various acts to entertain while a three-course dinner is served. The menu is fixed courses with two entree choices, chicken or fish. The acts are captivating, funny, and interactive, woven together by a masterful MC. Being so involved in the show and given the darkness of the setting, it was impossible to get any good pictures of the food, but trust that it’s great. But, should you find yourself still peckish, numerous bars and restaurants are available to top off the tank. 

    Note: Most bars have specialty-themed menu items tapas style, so you don’t have to leave your favorite bartender or watering hole searching for nibbles. 

While It’s a Ship Show is a dining experience, it’s also entertainment, so if you are reviewing the Virgin website, this event will be listed as entertainment instead of dining. 
 

Extra Virgin

Touted as elevated Italian, this restaurant quickly became a favorite. A trattoria-style venue serving up shared plates of charcuterie and antipasti followed by decadent entrees with sides of fresh homemade specialty pasta. Everything we ordered was wait-staff recommended and simply delicious. 

At the end of the meal, we left the dessert course to be decided on by our darling waitress. She arrived with a cart of several flavored gelatos to make a sundae and a warm plate of small donut holes (pictured above lower left corner) that my husband quickly claimed for his own, refusing to share. For several days after eating at Extra Virgin, my husband was still talking about this meal and the utter perfection of every course. 

Pink Agave

Inspired by Mexico City’s street food scene, Pink Agave offers an immersive dining experience of curated dishes. Every dish was presented beautifully, and the flavors melded together perfectly. Mouth-watering is the perfect phrase to describe the dishes at Pink Agave. Being subject matter experts, the waitstaff guided us on the best things to order, which did not disappoint. The blend of flavors and various spice levels had us ready to plan a trip to Mexico to experience the amazing food scene. 

    Note: Watch the episode of Somebody Feed Phil (on Netflix) from Mexico City for more street food inspiration

Again, the waitstaff outdid themselves, offering the perfect suggestions along with wine and tequila pairings. Pink Agave’s sexy interior, sumptuous menu, and divine staff make this a sailor’s favorite so be sure to book early for your first choice of date and time. 

Want to try to make Pink Agave’s guacamole at home? Check out our Tasty Tuesday recipe!
 

Test Kitchen

We had reservations one evening for this experience. The venue is very sterile, looking like you would expect in a laboratory, and wait staff in white coats to complete the theme. We were able to catch a glimpse at other sailors' dining plates on our way through, which piqued our interest while simultaneously wondering if we should make other arrangements. After being seated, we felt cramped along a wall nestled at a long countertop amongst other sailors, so we opted to forgo our reservation. In all honesty, this might have been a very cool experience if we were with a group of people that we knew or feeling a bit more social. For a longer sailing, I would definitely try this, as other guests were raving about the experience.

Gunbae

Given the shorter sailing of only 4 nights, it was impossible to get to all the dining venues, and unfortunately, this one didn’t make the cut. However, in talking to other sailors, rave reviews were given to this venue. Gunbae is an interactive Korean BBQ where sailors gather around a large table to cook their own selection of meats and get to know each other. 

Lick Me Til Ice Cream

While not a restaurant, I would be remiss not to include this cute walk-up ice cream stand that offers a variety of flavors from traditional vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry to more exotic flavors such as raspberry beet (this was AMAZING), Key Lime Pie, and Brown Butter Financier. Flavored waffle cones or cups were available. Some flavors change daily, so aficionados will want to check back regularly for new palate-pleasers. 

Final Thoughts

At each dining experience, we found the waitstaff to be our best source of guidance and inspiration. Every menu offered many choices, each more inspired than the next. Each venue took specialty dining to a whole new level. From decor and curated menus to knowledgeable waitstaff in themed uniforms, every detail sets the stage for a fully immersive dining experience.

Making dining reservations before boarding is highly advisable to ensure first choices of dates and times. Should plans change once onboard reservations are easily changed via the app or by showing up for a stand-by reservation. The app works beautifully and is truly the best in the cruise industry, and so are all the restaurants and dining options!

Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Cruise Review

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