VIRGIN Voyages welcomed its second ship Valiant Lady to its fleet on Friday with a typically flamboyant party featuring Grammy Award-winning DJ Diplo and Brit Award winner Ella Henderson.
The ship is almost identical to its sister, Scarlet Lady, launched in February 2020, and will be the first to offer seven-night sailings from Barcelona this summer.
Valiant Lady will call at a range of destinations in France, Italy and Spain from May with overnight stays in Ibiza and Cannes allowing passengers to enjoy the best of the Mediterranean party spots at night.
Aimed firmly at the “young at heart” and adults-only, Virgin has thrown out the traditional cruise rule book with its sleek, yacht-like design and distinctive grey and red exterior.
But it is inside where things get really exciting.
Gone is the main dining room and buffet restaurants beloved by classic cruise lines.
In its place are more than 20 dining options – all included in the fare.
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Passengers – or “sailors” as Virgin dubs them – can take their pick from upscale options including Korean barbecue cooked at your table in Gunbae, authentic Mexican in Pink Agave, steak and seafood in The Wake, and vegetarian in Razzle Dazzle, which is also home to the ship’s drag brunch.
There is no main buffet restaurant – instead, a series of “food trucks” on the 15th floor promise everything from bento boxes of sushi and fresh tacos to all-day breakfasts, burgers and noodles.
The interior of the ship also features lots of intimate bars, from glitzy champagne-soaked Sip to my favourites, the nautical hideaway The Lost Cannon and Mediterranean-inspired alfresco spot, The Dock.
Again, Virgin has turned the entertainment side of things on its head with the fabulously authentic nightclub, The Manor, complete with its dazzling Instagram selfie spot entrance and intimate velvet couches.
Unlike other ships with their traditional theatre for song-and-dance shows, Valiant Lady has The Red Room, a space that can transform from stage to dancefloor allowing for all different forms of fun.
It also announced this week a partnership with Jennifer Lopez, which will see the singer and actress invest in the cruise line and develop entertainment and health and fitness collaborations.
Where Valiant Lady does differ slightly from the original Scarlet Lady is in the design of the cabins.
With it sailing longer voyages, there has been more storage added as well as new wall hangings and furnishings.
Some 86 per cent of the ship’s cabins have balconies and 93 per cent feature sea views – a real departure from the cruise lines of old.
And there are some typical Virgin touches – from the bed that transforms into casual sofa seating by day to the tablet that allows you to control the mood lighting.
Balcony cabins also feature a distinctive red hammock for soaking up those sea breezes in laid-back fashion.
But with the ship sailing the Mediterranean this summer then the Caribbean for winter, it is the outside spaces that will be important and Virgin scores with cool beach club vibes.
The Aquatic Club is a pool deck with a difference featuring day beds and while some traditionalists might have preferred a slightly deeper pool, it is perfect for posing with a cocktail or two and cooling off after a long, hot day exploring.
Health and fitness is pushed to the fore with extensive gym and workout spaces in the B-Complex and the Redemption Spa will rival the best of land-based pampering.
There’s even more outdoor fun at the Wellbeing pool, The Perch outdoor wellness space and distinctive Virgin red Runway jogging track.
For the ultimate Instagram selfie, head to the Athletic Club complete with its net giving you a view all the way down from the 16th deck.
And of course, being Virgin, there’s even a tattoo parlour onboard, as well as barber and some very chic shops.
With wifi, soft drinks, teas and coffees plus all dining options included in the price, Virgin is offering upscale cruising at a decent price.
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It could well be the line that finally tempts those who had never considered a cruise to step aboard.
Seven nights in the Med this summer is from £923pp, cruise only, flghts not included. For details, see virginvoyages.com.
