Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Cruise Review 

I recently sailed on a luxury cruise with Virgin Voyages onboard the Valiant Lady to celebrate my 40th birthday. I chose one of their Caribbean cruise itineraries called Dominican Daze. The 5-night itinerary included stops in Miami, Florida, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Bimini Bahamas. So, if you are considering a Virgin Voyages cruise or sailing on Valiant Lady, I’m sharing my thoughts and experiences onboard in this guide. A Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady adult-only cruise promises a unique experience for travellers looking for something different from traditional cruises.   

How old is Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady? 

Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady is the cruise line’s second ship, making its maiden voyage in March 2022. It is around two years old, holds 2,770 passengers and offers a sleek design and modern amenities. You can view the deck plan on the Virgin Voyages site.

Virgin Voyages Cabins on the Valiant Lady 

The accommodations on the Valiant Lady are modern, functional, spacious and offer all the comforts of home. Whether you stay in a cosy interior room or a lavish suite, you will enjoy stylish decor and thoughtful amenities throughout your stay.   

Interior, Sea View & Sea Terrace Cabins 

All of the accommodation onboard is designed with a focus on functionality and comfort, featuring clean lines, smart storage solutions, and a soothing colour palette. The lighting, TV and curtains are controlled wirelessly by a tablet. I liked playing around with the different mood lighting settings. It also displays the mandatory safety video when passengers first embark on the ship. There is a refrigerator, which I appreciated, a safety deposit box and plenty of closet storage and drawers. By the bed, there is also an extra pull-out drawer space, which truly maximises the space inside the cabin. 

The bathroom is compact, much like most cruise ships. However, the shower cubicle is positioned to the side, meaning the mirror, sink or toilet can be used at the same time. Overall, I was happy with the Sea Terrace Cabin choice. 

RockStar & Mega RockStar Quarters 

However, if you’re celebrating a special occasion, you’d like more space onboard, or simply want to live like a Rock Star, booking a suite might be for you. These luxurious suites have a rock-and-roll vibe. They are spacious with high-end furnishings, a king-sized bed, large bathrooms with separate toilet, and a sizeable balcony. They offer a VIP experience with perks like priority boarding and restaurant reservations, 24/7 dedicated RockStar Agent for personalised service and access to Richard’s Rooftop, a private members-only sun deck.   

Richard’s Rooftop is an exclusive private deck for those with RockStar status onboard. It’s located on deck 17 at the front of the ship and features luxurious daybeds, loungers, jacuzzi pools, a full-service bar, and a complimentary champagne happy hour between 5 pm-6 pm.  It’s the perfect area to relax and enjoy those days at sea.

Wristbands

At check-in passengers receive a red wristband (black if you are a RockStar). You’re required to wear them at all times during the cruise as they function as your room key, identification and payment device for any onboard spending. 

Dining on Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady 

One of the standout features of Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady is its variety of dining options.  Every restaurant and eatery on board, including gratuities, are included in the price of a cruise. There are no extra fees, and the dining is what sets Virgin Voyages apart from any other cruise line in my opinion. This even includes cabin service, also known as Ship Eats on board. 

From gourmet restaurants to casual eateries, there is something for every palate on board. The ship also has several bars and lounges where passengers can enjoy signature cocktails and stunning ocean views. I loved checking out a different restaurant and bar every night instead of returning to the same table.  

Specialty Restaurants

There are six specialty dining restaurants on board the Valiant Lady that are worth visiting. Each one offers Michelin-starred chef-curated menus, and sailors can reserve pre-cruise. 

• The Wake: An elegant steak and seafood restaurant with a sophisticated, upscale design featuring a grand staircase and panoramic ocean views. Open for breakfast and dinner.  
• Razzle Dazzle: A playful, vibrant dining space with bold black-and-white stripes, serving a creative menu that caters to vegetarians and meat-eaters. Open for breakfast and dinner.  
• Pink Agave: A chic Mexican restaurant with a sleek, modern design, mood lighting, and communal seating for a social dining experience. It was one of my favourite restaurants, and also has a great bar for the best margaritas.  
• Gunbae: A lively Korean BBQ restaurant with interactive, communal grill tables and a fun, energetic atmosphere.  
• The Test Kitchen: An experimental, laboratory-like dining space with a minimalist design, offering a unique, 6-course dining experience focused on innovative cuisine.  
• Extra Virgin: An Italian trattoria that offers a contemporary take on classic Italian cuisine, in a chic and inviting atmosphere. 

How to Make Restaurant Reservations 

Making reservations for the restaurants is easy. Once sailors have a booking confirmation number, download the Virgin Voyages app. Passengers can view menus and make reservations before setting sail. The most popular time is between 7.30 – 8.30 pm, but if your preferred time slot isn’t available, do not worry. Once onboard the ship, you can make dining reservations in person on embarkation. All restaurants also accept walk-ins, so there may be a wait time.     

Aside from the restaurants, there is also The Galley. This area has several eateries in one spot, much like a large food court. There is a range of grab-and-go boxes, sushi, healthy eats, burgers, sandwiches, cakes, tacos and more! My favourites were Bento Baby (for sushi) and Let’s Taco Bout It, for you guessed it, tacos. 

I also found Virgin Voyages to be extremely accommodating at catering to food allergies. If you’d like to read more, I’ve written a full review about my dining experience on board, particularly around the gluten-free options on Virgin Voyages.

Virgin Voyages Drinks Package – Valiant Lady

Virgin Voyages takes a different approach to beverages compared to traditional cruise lines. They offer a “Bar Tab” system in place of a traditional drinks package. Here’s an overview of what is included in the cruise fare, and what add-ons are available to purchase.   

Basic beverages are free to every sailor on board the Valiant Lady. This includes still and sparkling water, soft drinks like Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite, basic drip coffee and tea, and a variety of juices, especially during breakfast hours.  

Bar Tabs

Bar Tabs* are available for purchase and include alcoholic beverages, speciality coffees, smoothies, and premium teas. The Bar Tab can be used at any bar, restaurant, or café on the ship. It gives guests the flexibility to choose when and where to enjoy their drinks. They must be purchased pre-cruise, and Virgin Voyages often adds a bonus. As an example, I purchased a $300 bar tab before setting sail, and Virgin Voyages gave me an extra $50 to spend on board.   

I loved that not every sailor in the cabin had to purchase a Bar Tab. And if you meet someone on the ship and you’d like to buy them a beer, you can! The prices are also similar to what you might pay at a good bar or restaurant on land, and they include gratuities. It’s a perk and a much more relaxed approach. If you do not purchase a bar tab, any additional costs are added to your cabin and invoiced at the end of your voyage. 

*Sailors must be at least 18 to sail with Virgin Voyages, as all their cruises are for adults only. However, you must be 21 or older to purchase a bar tab.   

What is the Dress Code on Virgin Voyages? 

Overall Virgin Voyages embraces a relaxed and casual yet chic approach to their dress code. Typically, smart casual attire is all that is required. Sailors don’t have to worry about traditional formal nights, there aren’t any, and guests are encouraged to dress how they please.  There are themed parties and events (such as Scarlet Night), but I’ll go into more detail about those below.

What Entertainment is on board? 

In terms of entertainment, Valiant Lady does not disappoint. From live music performances to comedy shows and dance parties, there is always something happening on board to keep guests entertained. The schedule was easy to find in the Virgin Voyages app, as well as large information screens around the ship.  

During the Dominican Daze itinerary, there was so much on board. On the first day, Valiant Lady hosted a sail away party and pyjama party! It set the tone, and from then on there were comedy, music, magic, dance shows, trivia and fitness activities. Scarlet Night is one of Virgin Voyages’ signature parties, and it happens on every cruise. Sailors are encouraged to dress in red for the event which features parties, performances, and events throughout the ship, culminating in a grand celebration. They usually take place on the pool deck, but during my voyage, we encountered bad weather, so it was moved inside. While it wasn’t the event I expected to see, it was a fun party night.   

It’s worth checking the schedule in the app before setting sail to plan any outfits or clothing items you’d like to wear. Scarlet Night and the Pyjama Party are two that I planned outfits for. 

Health & Wellness on the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady  

The Valiant Lady ship also offers wellness activities like yoga, Pilates, and HIIT and a fully equipped gym for those looking to stay active during their vacation. The spa is also available for those wishing to relax and unwind. 

The Redemption Spa

The Redemption Spa offers a comprehensive spa experience, with treatments like massages, facials, body wraps, acupuncture and nutritional consultations. I visited twice during my cruise, once to get a deep tissue massage and the second to enjoy their Thermal Suite Pass offer.  The deep tissue massage lasted one hour for a price of $225. It is on the pricier side when it comes to spa costs. I had some areas I specifically wanted work on, but the masseuse gave me an overall deep-tissue massage. While this was the ultimate treat, I wouldn’t book in for another massage on Virgin Voyages based on this. 

Thermal Suite Pass

However, Virgin Voyages offers a Thermal Suite Pass on board Valiant Lady, and it is worth checking out. The passes cost $59 on port days and $79 on sea days and grant access to the thermal suite for around 3 hours. What does the pass include? The thermal suite has many relaxing and therapeutic pools and rooms with many health benefits. A hydrotherapy pool with therapeutic jets to soothe muscles and promote relaxation. Cold plunge pools to invigorate the body and stimulate circulation. A salt room infused with Himalayan salt to promote respiratory health and relaxation. The hot and cold marble benches are a unique way to relax, lie down and unwind. It also has a mud room where guests can apply a mineral-rich mud mask to detoxify and rejuvenate the skin.  

Once checked-in, sailors have access to a locker, white robe, slippers and a mud mask pot. Thermal Suite Passes are available to reserve once on board the ship. Head to the Redemption Spa reception on Deck 5 and make your reservation. I went there first to secure a morning time slot on one of the sea days. It was such a relaxing experience, and I highly recommend purchasing one. 

Virgin Voyages Shore Things – Valiant Lady

Like most cruise lines, Virgin Voyages offers shore excursions and experiences available at the various ports of call on their itineraries. Sailors can book before setting sail through the Virgin Voyages app or website. Excursions can also be booked onboard, either through the app or at the Shore Things desk.  

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

I chose not to do any excursions on my cruise as I didn’t feel the need to. The first stop on the Dominican Daze itinerary was Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. Valiant Lady docked at Taino Bay port and had many facilities for passengers. From bars, a lazy river and shopping, some sailors chose to stay in port. I took a walk into the town centre of Puerto Plata to explore the sights as it is a short stroll. 

Bimini Beach Club, Bahamas 

If sailing on a Virgin Voyages Caribbean itinerary like I did, the ship will stop at their beautiful private Beach Club at Bimini in the Bahamas. It’s an island paradise and the perfect place to enjoy the crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches and pool parties.  

Virgin Voyages has a shuttle from the ship directly to the beach club. Guests can relax at the beach or enjoy time in the pools. There is a chill pool and a party pool with entertainment and a DJ. The Floaty Pool Party happens during each ship visit. Grab a floaty and enjoy the fun. Food and WiFi are also available at The Beach Club at Bimini, they’re included in the cruise fare. 

Overall, Virgin Voyages‘ Valiant Lady offers a unique and upscale cruising experience that sets it apart from other ships in the industry. If you’re looking for a sophisticated yet fun-filled getaway at sea, this ship is definitely worth considering for your next vacation. Take a look at their offers and book a Virgin Voyages cruise on board the Valiant Lady, or another in their fleet. If you have any questions about the cruise, please let me know in the comments below, via my contact form, or over on Instagram.   

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