Valiant Lady Cruise Ship Scorecard Review

Valiant Lady is the second ship in Virgin Voyages fleet. This 110K gross ton ship offers many of the same dining and entertainment venues found on the line’s first ship, Scarlet Lady, with a few additions of her own. We have just returned from a 7-night Irresistible Med cruise on this modern ship and share all the details in our Valiant Lady cruise ship scorecard review.

Valiant Lady Cruise Ship Scorecard Review

Embarkation/Disembarkation

Among the many ways Virgin Voyages is different from other cruise lines is its embarkation and disembarkation processes. Unlike its competitors, sailors on Virgin Voyages aren’t allowed to board the ship until later in the day. Embarkation at the South Terminal in Barcelona did not start until 1:30 pm for our Valiant Lady cruise review. During the online check-in, we were assigned a 2:30 pm time slot.

With a pre-cruise stay at a nearby hotel, we arrived at the pier around 2 pm. Then, the entire embarkation was pretty straightforward. We waited in line about 20 minutes to drop off our bags. From there, we met friends who were sailing with us and went through security and check-in in about 15 minutes.

With our bands secured, it was up the gangway to board the ship. We were officially onboard Valiant Lady just before 3 pm.

Disembarkation was even easier. On the second to last night of the cruise, we reserved a disembarkation time slot in the app. Completing self-assist, we walked our luggage off the ship with us at the designated time.

We did need to wait a few minutes for an elevator that could accommodate us and our bags. From there though, we scanned right off the ship and walked to the taxi stand for a ride to the airport with no lines or no wait times. In fact, the only line we waited in on disembarkation morning was for a taxi.

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Pool Deck

Just like Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady is home to only two pools. The main pool is on Deck 15 midship. This small pool has a wading area with an even smaller area for taking a dip. This pool is surrounded by daybeds for those looking to soak up the sun.

Unfortunately, the pool looks much better than it functions on a warm sea day.

Additionally, there are a number of loungers and shaded seating areas along the perimeter of the main pool area. During a busy afternoon, this area can feel quite cramped though.  

Just aft of the main pool, sailors can find the wellness pool. This even smaller circular pool is surrounded by some loungers and outdoor work out equipment.

With our Virgin Voyages cruise review featuring an itinerary that included only one sea day, we did not spend much time near the pools.

If you don’t need to be right next to a pool, there are additional outdoor spaces on Valiant Lady. On Deck 16 aft, there is the Athletic Club. Surprisingly, this area was fuller than expected on the sunny sea day before our night stop in Ibiza.

Likewise, Deck 17 is home to the Perch. This small area offers additional lounge chairs.

Sailors staying in Rockstar Suites have access to Richard’s Rooftop. This exclusive forward sundeck has a hot tub and private bar. There are also some upgraded day beds and loungers. Sadly, it does not offer a pool or other water feature though.

Sports Deck

Virgin Voyages emphasizes fitness and well-being. The main sports area is the Deck 16 Athletic Club. Here, you will find outdoor circuit equipment and even a boxing ring. However, we only ever saw staff using it.

Other amusements in this sports area include foosball tables, swings, and even see-saws. Additionally, there is a small sports court. This basketball court is about the width of the “foul area” on a typical basketball court. Along with free-play, several organized activities happened here. From dodge ball, to a 90’s boy band dance class, this court was multi-purpose.

There is also a jogging track aft on Deck 17. We do appreciate that there is a dedicated space for this workout area. This means that sailors do need to worry about tripping over loungers or bumping into others on an outdoor promenade like many ships.  

With all fitness classes included in the Virgin Voyages cruise fare, there are several other ways to stay active as well beyond the sports deck. There are two gyms, one for cardio and the other for strength training. There is also a dedicated fitness class room and a spin class room.

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Service

The service on Virgin Voyages is a bit different than other cruise lines. That is not to say that the crew on Valiant Lady were not friendly or helpful. They actually do an amazing job offering personal service in a more casual and relatable manner. Personally, I appreciate these more conversational interactions with the crew.

Although, the service on our particular sailing was quite slow. Our dinners in the restaurants took a full two hours each evening. Granted, this voyage was much busier than our previous sailings on Scarlet Lady. Additionally, we did have a few hiccups in the Galley with food arriving at various times. But, that is partly due to the nature of the dining venue.

Still, we were quickly served at other venues like the Grounds Coffee shop, the Ice Cream Parlor, and the Pizza Place, as well as the Shore Things desk.

All venues were adequately staffed, and the crew seemed knowledgeable about the ship and their roles.

Our stateroom attendant, Yus, was very jovial and accommodating. He always said hi and had a big smile on his face. Yus never hesitated when we requested more water or needed hangers. He would even go out of his way to get the door when my hands were full with coffee and breakfast.

We believe that Virgin Voyages shines in providing a casual, yet professional, vibe onboard and that is thanks in part to the dedicated and hardworking staff.  

Daily Activities

During a 7-day cruise with 6 ports of call, most of our time on this sailing was spent ashore. Still, we are happy to report in this Valiant Lady cruise review that the ship did offer more variety in daytime activities than our previous cruises which focused mostly on fitness classes.

Occurring in the Social Club, the Gamer’s Lab is home to a wide range of board games. Here, you will also find air hockey and shuffleboard, along with a small arcade. This complimentary arcade features games from the 80’s and 90’s, and is a fun and nostalgic pastime.

There is now regular trivia, mind benders, and quizzes to keep you busy as well. On several days, there were complimentary arts and crafts events too. Of course, all of these activities do have the Virgin Voyages twist.

During the day, there is a DJ at the Aquatic Club and musical acts may pop up in other places around the ship like The Dock House.

Of course, there are some up-charge tastings and experiences as well that guests can book via the app once onboard the ship.

Thankfully though, there are none of the gimmicky activities like art auctions or the belly flop contest on Valiant Lady.

Casual Eats

It wouldn’t be a Valiant Lady cruise ship review without talking about the food. Another benefit of Virgin Voyages inclusive nature is that all dining is complimentary. From casual eats to all the sit-down restaurants, everything is included in the cruise fare.

On Valiant Lady, there are several casual spots to grab a bite to eat. Perhaps one of our favorites is the Pizza Place. Located on the portside of Deck 7, this venue dishes out freshly prepared personal-sized pizza. You can also grab a freshly made salad as you wait. While the pizza was still good, the recipe had changed since our last sailing on Scarlet Lady.

In the Dock, the grill sears up mouthwatering skewers. From octopus to shrimp and steak, these delicious bites are a great light lunch or late day snack.

Further, Virgin Voyages has pioneered grab and go options. At venues like The Dock House, or the ship’s “buffet”, sailors can grab snacks and to-go meals. In the mornings, there is yogurt or trail mix and fresh fruit. During the day, snacks like hummus, turkey wraps, bean dip, or fruit salad are available in take away containers.

Other casual eats include the ice cream shop. The sweet treats here would certainly be an up-charge on any other cruise line.

While these other casual spots are great, the main quick-service venue on Valiant Lady is the Galley on Deck 15. This food hall is home to 10 different eateries and is part buffet, part table service.

Each stand offers its own menu and is open various times of day. Sailors can always get breakfast items at the 24 hour Diner and Dash. Serving as a fresh bagel bar in the morning, the Daily Mix turns into a custom salad bar in the afternoon and evenings. There is also a taco stand, bento boxes and sushi, a panini shop, a burger bar, and a noodle stand.

Currently, cruisers order with a server tableside and food runners deliver the food. We hope Virgin keeps the table service aspect, but streamlines the ordering, perhaps with tableside tablets.   

Main Dining Rooms

In the evenings, cruisers can choose from 6 different sit-down restaurants on Valiant Lady. Reservations are required and can be made 45 days prior to a voyage.

For us, the dining is where Virgin Voyages really shines. Valiant Lady was no different. We ate at all 6 restaurants on the ship and are happy to report our experiences are still on par with our previous sailings.

While the menu items might not be as upscale as some premium or luxury cruise lines, the execution is flawless. The menus are actually more akin to our taste buds and feature more unique dishes than the classics you find on other contemporary cruise lines.

At Pink Agave, we sampled a variety of small and medium plates. From the roasted corn, to guacamole and seared shrimp, it was tapas heaven.

Extra Virgin, the Italian restaurant, is perhaps the most classic in terms of menu selections. Still, the fried calamari, meat and cheese board, and the homemade pasta rivals anything you find in the best restaurants on land.

At the Wake, my medium rare filet mignon, alongside mushrooms and fries, was a carnivore’s delight. Not to mention, the chocolate torte dessert was surprisingly sweet and satisfying.

This cruise, we returned to Gunbae with friends. This Korean-BBQ restaurant is a loud, fun, and delicious alternative to the typical teppanyaki restaurant on cruise ships. We enjoyed the spicy Korean chicken, the rice, grilled seafood, and so much more.

For the first time, we experimented with the Test Kitchen as well. This 6-course tasting menu is fixed, so it might not be suitable for picky eaters. While not our favorite restaurant, we still think it was worth a try on Valiant Lady and enjoyed the lamb dish and strawberry dessert.

Lastly, there is Razzle Dazzle. This vegan-friendly restaurant actually serves up some great roasted chicken, butter chicken, and an impeccably craft cobb salad starter. Not to mention, you can’t go wrong with the milk and cookies or the razzle cake for dessert.

Entertainment

While we rave about the dining, the entertainment on Virgin Voyages is more hit or miss. Personally, I am more a fan of the night performances in the Red Room and the Manor than my wife.

I still argue that for night 1 the Untitled DanceShowPartyThing is a great show to kick off a cruise. Occurring in the Red Room, the show highlights the transformational nature of this main theater. The high energy show offers some laughs, thought-provoking pieces, and is a lot of fun. This Welcome Aboard show of sorts culminates with a dance party.

Also occurring in the Red Room is our favorite show, Duel Reality. Due to some scheduling issues, our mid-cruise showtime was moved to the final night of the voyage. This didn’t matter as the athletic and impressively talented cast put on a mesmerizing show. This modern day circus is a take on Romeo and Juliet, with performers like strength and balancing acts, jugglers, and dancers.

Unlike our previous cruises on Virgin Voyages, this Valiant Lady cruise review also showcased two headliner acts in the theater. The mentalist and magician Ben Price was witty, comical, and very on brand. This show was most similar to what you would find on other contemporary cruise lines.

Likewise, comedian Emmanuel Sonubi performed a 45-minute set in the theater. This British comedian was not your typical cruise humorist. While he did make fun of cruising, he also weaved in a good amount about his personal life and experiences traveling.  

The Manor was home to two shows on this cruise. The signature show in this Deck 6 space is Never Sleep Alone. Again, Heidi is not a fan of this adult cabaret. While our showing was rather tame, I do admit having seen the show 3 times now, it does lose some of its appeal.

New for us was the aptly named Ship Show. This well-produced 90-minute dinner theater show includes several acts and a meal. While we skipped on the food, we are glad we did not forgo the show. With an amazing house band, dancers, and several variety show acts, it was a dynamic and oddly entertaining show. We do hope the cruise line brings this show fleetwide, possibly minus the meal.

Nightlife

Over the past year, Virgin Voyages has improved its programming with more musical acts at various bars and lounges around the ship.

One of the most popular venues is still On the Rocks. Here, you can listen to the house band perform a variety of sets. The lead guitarist, Dan, also played sets in the Dock.

One of our favorite performers were the Millennial Boomers. This retro band blasted out hits from the 70’s to the 2000’s, often with a nod towards us 40-somethings. While they may not have had the best voices, they certainly had great stage presence.

There was also a solo performer, Flute Loops, who could be found in the Roundabout or at the Dock House. His unique performance style blended several instruments, looping technology, and many genres of music. Not to mention, there were two DJs as well hosting parties around the ship.

Additionally, social karaoke occurred most nights. There were also several parties. On Night 1, there was the line’s resident PJ party up at the Athletic Club. Then, there was the thumping Heartbeat party in the Manor on Night 2 and the BoomVang party on Night 3. There was also a Diva show that occurred in the Manor on a few evenings, which we really enjoyed.

Night 5 was the brand’s signature party, Scarlet Night. With pop-ups occurring throughout the ship, the highlight of this red night is a massive pool party on Deck 15. Yes, there are lots of sailors dancing in the pool fully-clothed during this event!

Still, one of our favorite venues, the Dock House, feels under utilized. We feel that this is the ideal venue for a coffee house guitarist or performer. Hopefully, Virgin Voyages continues to tweak the musical acts to make full use of all the venues on the ship. This will also help to disperse crowds, as most of these events did feel much busier this sailing.

Bars and Lounges

Similar to Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady has a number of bars and lounges, many with signature menus. Some of these bars are easier to find than others.

At the heart of the ship, you can find On the Rocks. This deck 6 lounge features live music, signature cocktails, and is one of the more popular indoor bars. Up one deck from On the Rocks is the Draught Haus. This craft beer location is a much smaller venue and never really busy.

The Sip champagne lounge is another go-to spot for drinks on Valiant Lady. This menu features a few signature cocktails along with a wide selection of wine and champagne, as well as afternoon tea.

Unfortunately, the Loose Cannon bar is tucked out of sight behind the Social Club. While pretty small, we both like the décor and vibe of this nautically inspired location. It also features a signature drink menu with options like the Sh-oct-a-pus.

Perhaps our favorite bar on Valiant Lady is the Dock. The upscale resort vibe of this area makes it our favorite spot on Virgin Voyages. Not to mention, it housed two of our favorite drinks, the sangria and the grapevine cocktail. The indoor counterpart, the Dock House, serves the same menu.

You also shouldn’t miss the Instagram-worthy drinks from Razzle Dazzle. Even if you don’t plan to dine at the restaurant, you can head to the Red Bar at the back of the venue to order some of the unique cocktails like the popcorn old-fashioned.

Of course, you have your selection of poolside bars like the Aquatic Club Bar, Gym & Tonic Bar, and the Sun Club Bar as well.

Stateroom

Happily, Virgin Voyages has made some updates to the cabins. This includes a number of decorative changes with new accents and warmer tones to breathe some much needed character into the previously sterile staterooms.  

For this voyage, we booked a Sea Terrace stateroom. Virgin Voyages auto assigns you a cabin, so we received cabin 9066 Z. This aft-located, starboard side cabin was not far from the aft elevators.

Immediately upon entering the cabin, our closet was to the right, and the bathroom was to the left.

The bed was on the forward wall, facing aft. Right near the balcony was a small chair, as well as the desk with mini-fridge and two small shelves.  

Currently, the cruise line no longer plays up the bed’s ability to transition from a sofa to a bed. The stateroom attendant does not change the configuration of the bed during the day either. Thus, next to the bed is a floor level square table that becomes my mini “office”.

While the bathroom is small, I am a fan of the rainfall shower. The shower itself is slightly larger than the typical cruise shower too. Although, the bathroom lacks storage, with no shelving or countertop space.

The closet is fairly standard size for a cruise ship. With a clothes bar with hangers, a series of shelves, and a two-shelved shoe rack, we used some strategic unpacking to get all our gear stored for this 7-day voyage.

Likewise, the balcony was just the right size. With two chairs, a small table, and the popular hammock, it was an ideal place to enjoy the hot Mediterranean sun. Our view was partially obstructed by the life boats on deck 7, but we were still able to enjoy sail in and sail out of ports.

Shore Things

Our two other Virgin Voyages cruises were out of Miami, FL. Given the nature of those two, shorter cruises, we never opted to book shore excursions through the cruise line.

For this trip, we did book a few tours directly with Virgin Voyages. Using the Virgin Voyages app, we reserved these shore excursions before the trip.

Overall, we were not impressed with the cruise line’s offerings. Further, execution of the Shore Things program was a bit of a mess.

Several of the tours were not as advertised. In fact, our tour in Toulon, France, which was advertised as close to 4 hours, lasted barely 2 hours. Our evening tour in Ibiza, which was supposed to include a sunset drink, ran in reverse. Thus, we did not stop for our sangria and tapas until close to 10 pm.

Further, the departure times for the tours kept changing, and several shore excursions were cancelled.

We were not alone in our assessment of the tour quality and programming. Several other sailors had similar concerns about how the tours were operated and described. We would caution those thinking of booking tours with the cruise line to read all the details and confirm the schedule once onboard.

The Shore Things weren’t all bad though. During this cruise, we were happy with our tour in Marina di Carrara, which included time in the picturesque town of Portofino and a short walk around Santa Margherita.

It is important to note that despite everything, the Shore Things staff were receptive to feedback and did provide us with a partial refund for our Toulon tour.

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Valiant Lady Cruise Ship Scorecard Review Recap

While we have been on over 50 cruises, this was our first Mediterranean voyage. Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady was a fitting vessel for us to explore these new ports of call.

With plenty of time ashore, we knew we would be well taken care of back on the ship. With excellent food, attentive service, and hip onboard activities, it was just the right speed for this port-intensive itinerary.

Further, Valiant Lady was just the right size. There were enough things to do on the ship, without feeling overwhelmed. Sailing on a larger mega-ship may have been stressful, as there is no way we could have gotten everything on the ship completed and spend full days ashore.

The flexible dining schedules and multiple entertainment showtimes ensured we could do and see everything on the ship while still enjoying the ports of call. Not to mention, we like the idea of no kids onboard Virgin Voyages.

Virgin Voyages appeals to trendy travelers looking for an upscale, casual way to vacation. This cruise line is not stuffy or judgmental. Quite the contrary, it is very inclusive and open-minded.

If you are willing to lean into the onboard atmosphere, then Valiant Lady might just be the perfect cruise ship for your next voyage. We certainly took advantage of the onboard booking bonus to line up another voyage in the near future.

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