Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Cruise Review

The second ship from Virgin Voyages, Valiant Lady, was delivered in July 2021 and set sail with passengers for the first time in March 2022 from Portsmouth, United Kingdom. Weighing in at 110,000 gross tons and holding up to 2,770 sailors (Virgin’s term for passengers), this ship continues to deliver Virgin’s remarkable adults-only experience.

As a new cruise brand, Virgin Voyages has undoubtedly been a disrupter in the cruise industry, upending traditional cruising for a more technology-first approach. What you think you know about ocean cruising is thrown out the window once you step onboard a Virgin Voyage. Indeed a departure from the ordinary, Valiant Lady will leave you gobsmacked and in awe. 

Let’s start with embarkation. I boarded in PortMiami for a 4-night voyage on Valiant Lady. Upon arrival at the gorgeous new terminal, I knew this would be a different cruise experience. Still, honestly, I was not prepared ffor just how different. During online check-in (pre-cruise), you select a boarding time; mine was 1:30 pm, the first available time and boarding group. Do NOT plan to arrive at the terminal early, thinking you can get on earlier. You can’t. At the terminal, sailors line up out front of the terminal according to their assigned boarding time. At that exact time, you are ushered into the building to check in and receive The Band, a smart wearable technology bracelet used for everything from opening your cabin door to checking into shows, ordering drinks, and more. All sailors receive the same red bracelet except those in the Rock Star suites; their bracelets are black. 

After security, you are handed a boarding number and sent upstairs to the seating area to relax, meet fellow cruisers and wait for your boarding group. Finally, sailors enter the ship on Deck 7 at the Roundabout. Within the first few steps into the ship, this feels different; it looks different, and it even smells different. Bright lights, bold colors, rock music, and what I think was one of the dancers or fitness instructors with his 6-pack on display under his crop top and bearing a huge smile and a warm greeting confirms this is not going to be anything like the 150+ cruises I’ve done before. 

Onboard Experience

Imaginative. Boundary Breaking. Open. Authentic. Inspiring. Awe-Inducing. These are just a few of the adjectives that describe the onboard experience of Valiant Lady. In some ways, the only real correlation to any other cruise line is that you are on a ship and any other likeness ends there. 

The first thing to know is that everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, happens in the app. And the app works! Virgin is a technology-forward brand that uses it at every turn. Also, the wifi works well all over the ship. There is no extra charge for the basic connection, which is enough to text, check email, and post to social media. Gone are the days of trekking to the onboard computer lab and waiting for the one poor person who happens to be on duty to try and help you connect to the spotty wifi. Virgin has it going on, and the connection is fast and easy. 
 

Back to the app. Shows, restaurants, bars, and spa appointments are all shown in your daily planner. Make dining reservations ahead of time (pre-check-in) to ensure a spot at your first-choice locations. If you forget or want to change venues or dining times, all updates can be done via the app once onboard. If you’ve booked dining in advance, check the app to ensure all reservations are showing on your daily planner as expected. 

    Tip: Book shows as soon as you get onboard; they fill up fast and may only be offered once or twice during a voyage.

In full disclosure, some shows and events are not for the easily offended. So be sure to read the descriptions carefully. 

Cabin

My cabin was a category TR Seaview Terrace, cabin 13018Z, located off the aft elevators. In traditional cruising jargon, this was a standard balcony cabin. The location was nice, being close to the elevators, but for a future sailing, I would likely opt for a more mid-ship location to be equidistant to everything on the ship. 

One thing to note is that cabin numbers are the same on each side of the ship, and there is an “A” or “Z” at the end of the number. The “A” is for port, and the starboard is noted with a “Z.” Not sure exactly where the A and Z came from but guessing it’s has something to do with the beginning and end of the alphabet. Also, interior cabins noted with an “M,” and following the same logic, would be the middle of the ship. 

When Virgin announced they were introducing a revolutionary cabin design that included a sofa that turns into a bed, I admit, I was intrigued. But, having experienced it firsthand, I can say it’s a huge miss and the most glaring example of what needs to be changed on future ship builds. Essentially, you are sleeping on a hybrid couch that makes into a bed, and it's just as it sounds, terrible. The mattress is thin and hard as a rock. Talking to fellow passengers in similar accommodations, all mentioned the same thing…” love the cruise, but hate the bed.”

The category TR cabins have VERY small bathrooms. The smallest I’ve ever seen or experienced on a modern cruise ship. The cabin has a nice vanity/desk area, which I thought would be perfect for hair and makeup, but I quickly realized the mirror on the wall was for decoration and was not positioned correctly for easy use. Also, there is not ample lighting to do makeup properly, especially if it’s getting dark outside. These issues are easily fixed for the new ships but are something to be aware of in the current fleet. Going to an XL Seaview Terrace will provide a larger bathroom with the same sofa/bed. Upgrading to the Rock Star or Mega Rock Star categories are more in line with what cruisers would expect to find with real beds and large, nicely appointed bathrooms. 

One of the features I loved was the hammock chair on the balcony! The hammock quickly became a favorite napping spot, a great place to enjoy the ocean breeze or late night relaxation area with a nightcap. The hammock stows away easily for those wanting to sit at the provided chairs and table. I suggest putting the chairs to the side and using the hammock! You can sit upright or extend the hammock for a more vertical position that sways gently with the ocean breeze. Honestly, I think there should be two hammocks on every balcony as my husband, and I quickly found ourselves racing to be the first one in the hammock or calling “dibs” while walking down the hallway en route to our cabin. 
 

The cabin lighting, air conditioning, TV, and housekeeping are all controlled by a tablet in the room. The lighting tab has some preset themes that were neat to check out and coordinate with the automatic blinds depending on the mood selected. 

For experienced ocean cruisers used to housekeeping showing up automatically to clean the cabin, make note that you must request such services in the app or via the room tablet. Select from clean towels, the bed made into a sofa or kept as a bed, and water (sparkling or still) replenished. We never saw the traditional carts and vacuums in the hallways with staff lurking about, as you see on most ships. Instead, Virgin has figured out a way to make things appear and happen as if by magic. As we left the room, we would input our selection on the tablet and head out to breakfast. When we returned about an hour later, the cabin was freshly cleaned, with new towels and bed made. We never saw any housekeeping staff, but I’m sure there are plenty with such quick turnaround times. It was truly impressive! 

Dining

Spoiled for choice is the best way to describe Virgin's dining options and experience. Onboard Valiant Lady, there are six themed restaurants to choose from, the Galley a food hall with table-side service, and multiple bars offer tapas-style menus and light bites. 

It was virtually impossible to sample all the food options throughout the four-night cruise. However, after careful consideration and input from past Virgin cruisers, we selected The Wake, The Supper Club Show in The Manor, Extra Virgin, and Pink Agave for our dining venues. We also managed to do brunch at Razzle Dazzle and The Wake on two mornings. 

Each restaurant offers a themed menu and decor. The wait staff is very prompt and knowledgeable, and each time we choose the recommended dishes, we were impressed with the quality and taste and thankful for the suggestions. No matter which venue we selected, every staff member we encountered was warm, welcoming, and authentic, from being greeted at the door to the end of meal thank yous. 

Note: Gratuities ARE included in the cruise fare, and there is NEVER a mention of tipping while onboard, nor is there any surcharge added to the onboard account.  We tipped in cash after most meals and to a few staff that went well beyond to make our cruise special. 

The quality and variety of the food were superb. To have all specialty restaurants included and the tapas selections in most bars was a departure from all mainstream cruise lines and a huge point of differentiation. 

Service

At every turn, cruise staff and crew were ready to assist. From taking a drink or food order to providing directions or whatever any sailor could ask for, Virgin's onboard service is far superior to the mainstream cruise lines and creeps into the luxury realm. Admittedly our sailing was not full, but the number of staff available remained the same for every sailing. 

A traditional cruise line has a customer service desk, which can be a long wait time to speak with someone. On board Virgin, there is a “Sailors Services” area with kiosk-type stations operated by cruise staff and a messaging service in the app to avoid a backup at the kiosks. The in-app messaging is a lifesaver if you have a quick question or need to make a request. If you need to go to Sailors Service, all staff members have a laptop which they can unplug from the station and walk over to a nearby sitting area should someone require longer assistance or a more private discussion area.  

There was no staff shortage from dining venues to bars and public areas throughout the ship. Virgin embraces the crew being their authentic self. If they want to paint their nails, wear heels, or show off their dance skills when they hear a favorite song playing, the staff are there to enhance the onboard experience, sometimes in small unexpected ways. One cruise staff member captured my attention as he walked better in stiletto heels than any woman I’ve ever seen. Watching him dance away in the disco at night or work in the main public areas during the day with a big smile and high heels was truly impressive. Several times during my time onboard, I thought, “you won’t see that on a regular cruise.” It made me happy to realize that nugget was important and a game-changer. Virgin has truly changed for all the best reasons possible what a cruise experience can and should be, and it all starts with a happy crew. The crew onboard Virgin’s Valiant Lady is the happiest I’ve ever seen, and every staff member raved about working onboard.

Final Thoughts

At no time did anyone onboard try to sell or upsell anything. There was no "inch of gold" sale or other cheap jewelry specials. No tables lining a thoroughfare with $10 pashminas and last season's t-shirts being offered up as a close-out sale. No displays with drink packages and wifi specials or servers hounding you to sign up for some dining or drinks package. 

Virgin truly took all the best things about cruising, incorporated them into their experience, and then added to it in ways I could have never imagined until I experienced it firsthand. While very well-traveled friends expounded on the virtues of Virgin, I truly had no idea how different the voyage experience would be from a traditional cruise. Simply put, the only similarity to traditional cruising is that it’s a ship from embarkation to sea days, from bounding nightlife to seemingly endless food and drink options. Everything changes once onboard Virgin; I have to say, the experience changed me. It may have spoiled me for all future cruises and will now be the gold standard to which I compare everything else. Simply put, I am impressed and awe-struck at the Virgin experience and can’t wait to get back on board. 

Note: Everything onboard is geared toward progressive, open-minded adults. Some shows use colorful language. 

I should note that disembarkation was unlike any other. In the app, you select the time you want to leave and head to the gangway. No one is blasting out announcements, calling colors, or reminding everyone to vacate their cabin and get off the ship. On Virgin, when we headed for the gangway at 9 am, there was staff to thank us for spending time with them and wish us a safe journey home. There were no other passengers around. Most were either still sleeping, packing, or enjoying a leisurely breakfast. There was none of the usual crazy, frantic chaos you see on most ships. It was truly a leisurely experience, and the only request made by Virgin was that everyone disembarks by 10:45 am, far later than most other cruise lines allow. 

I can confidently say Virgin is in a class by itself. From (just about) everything included in the cruise fare to the amazing crew and staff onboard and the outstanding variety and quality of the food and service, there is no other mainstream cruise line that delivers the experience and value that Virgin offers. Additionally, the adults-only atmosphere is perfect for solos, couples, and parents (sans kids) looking to get away and let loose. Be pampered, be amazed, and be spoiled. Becoming a Virgin Voyager is a badge of honor proudly worn by many and growing by leaps and bounds. 

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