Sailing Valiantly: Reviewing Virgin Voyages’ newest ship, the Valiant Lady

We’re not cruisers. Truly. And for the sake of this review, go ahead and remove all assumptions about drunken bachelor parties, children screaming for the waterslide, and greasy bottomless buffets. In no way, shape, or form was this a traditional cruise line you may have experienced before.

Like most things Richard Branson’s Virgin Companies do, his luxury cruise line - Virgin Voyages - matches all the sexy glam and upscale tech you would associate with his brand. Not only is the ship itself the sleekest vessel on the seas, but Virgin Voyages has also dialed in its target market. With excellent marketing strategies, one hell of a copywriter, and “brochure images” that (for the first time) are really close to the real deal, I can say - this is a cruise line I can get behind. I’d even take away the word “cruise and” explain it as a “mega-yacht experience”.

Being a new ship and a relatively new cruise line in general, I scoured the internet for first-hand information about the Voyages experience.

As with any travel experience, each review is unique and every traveler brings their own perspective. But for the sake of sharing real life, unsponsored, unfiltered review of the 6-day Western Caribbean trip - here are my thoughts:

1. VIBES

   Watch the video and you’ll get it. I know cruise commercials often present an (unattainable) level of picturesque beauty and fun, but I think Virgin captured the real deal pretty well. Not only is the ship itself flawless with carefully curated spaces, high-end design, and just-right placement of fun, the crew brings the upscale party (*see crew notes below) without overdoing it. Take out tacky belly flop contests and replace them with acupuncture workshops. Switch out silly circus performances and replace them with burlesque. The color scarlet red covers most of the ship and blends perfectly with the bold and sensual feelings we experienced each day. Vibes 10/10.
   

2. ENTERTAINMENT

   With the adults-only focus of this cruise line, the entertainment is catered appropriately so. As stated above, there are fewer competitions and contests that maybe you’d see on another cruise, but there still is PLENTY going on. It just seems a bit more, laissez-faire? Our days operated on a “whatever happens, happens” basis without anything being shoved in our faces. During daytime hours, most folks hung by the pool or enjoyed workout classes and sunbathing. There were art workshops and wellness seminars going inside if that’s more your thing.

   Night time was when the true entertainment value showed - with 2-3 showings per night that catered to the hilarious and sometimes promiscuous side of things. Game shows with no point (Miss Behaven), a Romeo and Juliet-style dance fight (Duel Realities), and a sex-therapists thought-provoking seminar (Never Sleep Alone) were some of the hits. Most shows only happen once or twice during the week, so make sure to snag reservations when you can. Overall we felt the entertainment offerings were 1) hella fun 2) just the right amount of time and 3) swanky, snazzy, and high-scale. Again, not a surprise to match the overarching vibes of excellence.

3. FOOD

Okay foodies, watch out. Food is often the most criticized part of a cruise - either too much or too little can totally affect how you spend your days on the high seas. But as a person who takes good food seriously, I promise that Valiant Lady is top of the line. With 20+ eateries to choose from, you’re never bored stuck eating the same room temp pizza from a buffet line. Actually, there are no buffet lines, everything is seated service with most places feeling like upscale fine dining. Not only does the ambiance and experience feel like some of the nicest restaurants you’ve ever been to, but the food matches the quality of the space. Um, yum. Small portions help reduce waste and also help you avoid feelings of bloat and lethargy. They’re not trying to put you to sleep!

We snacked all day long, trying new foods like squid and octopus with green juice in hand, and enjoyed larger dinners from a variety of cuisines. The waitstaff was incredibly knowledgeable with a "try anything!” attitude. Since all the food from all the restaurants is included in the upfront price, you don’t have to limit yourself and can dabble as you wish. For vegans and vegetarians, you won’t feel left out or sad eating salads. Each restaurant has something delicious to choose from. With an overall focus on wellness on the ship, the food was fresh, quality, and delicious.

Our favorites? The Dock for sunset sips, The Wake for some romance and a traditional formal dinner feel, the Test Kitchen for a unique experimental kitchen experience, and Pizza Place for our late-night smashes. Also note, room service (actually delivery to wherever you are) is available for only $5.

4. cabin/AMENITIES

Not like you’ll be spending a whole lot of time in your room, but for the sake of reviewing your space at sea for a week, check out the options for Virgin Voyages Cabins. We booked an XL Sea Terrace, a balcony room that had a slightly larger bathroom than the traditional rooms (*worth it). There’s plenty to choose from and if you have realistic expectations around a cabin at sea, you’ll be pleasantly impressed.

The cabin worked great for two adults. The bed was comfortable - and can be requested to transformed into a couch for more space. There was storage, fresh and sparkling water, a fantastic infotainment system with movies and guides, and a tablet that directed playful lighting and music themes within the room. What most folks get excited about in the room is the scarlet red woven hammock chair on the balcony. It was a relaxing and beautiful place to enjoy my room service breakfast in the morning.

Most sailors will be located in the Sea Terrace, Sea View, or Insider cabins while aboard the Valiant Lady. But for people or groups looking for a suite experience, check out their Rockstar Quarters that come with a whole bunch of extra perks. Wherever you reside for your week at sea, know you’ll be comfortable and taken care of.

5. destinations and EXCURSIONS

One of the reasons people love cruises is because of the ease of visiting multiple countries in a short amount of time. Of course it’s never the full-immersive local experience, but there’s still something novel about getting off the ship and mingling with people from a different part of the world. We visited Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras, and Cozumel, Mexico (not originally planned).

Check out their current list of sailing destinations to pick which itinerary fits best for what you’re going for. But remember - things can change quickly and routes can be diverted to another area. We were originally scheduled to spend our last day at their private beach club in Bimini, but due to a weird weather pattern, we changed to Cozumel last minute.

We were impressed with the excursion offerings, again appealing to an adults-only audience. Most options seemed appropriately priced and we felt confident Virgin chose only reputable and high-quality travel companies to provide the transportation and experiences.

With itineraries all over the world, there’s so much to see and do. My husband and I are active travelers, but there are options that lean heavy into relaxing too. You always have the option to stay aboard the ship too.

6. CREW

I majored in Hospitality in undergrad so I take customer experience very seriously. There is just a right way to treat people when they’re vacationing, a way to make guests feel special and seen. With a diverse demographic and lots of representation of body shapes and sizes, Virgin Voyages leans hard into their inclusive spirit with their staff. You know when you’re around people who love their jobs, the ambiance is just different? I’m not sure what’s in the water, but every single person we interacted with operated with a genuine smile and helpful attitude.

Our particular voyage had low capacity (see more on that below) so we felt like there was a personal attendant anywhere you turned. Everyone was prompt, kind, and knew how to answer our questions. There was a resident artist, Drag performer, and wellness coach, and you could get to know them throughout your week.

7. OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

Our week at sea was magic. We took this trip to celebrate my 30th birthday and to escape the Midwestern cold after the holidays. We sing the praises of Virgin Voyages and absolutely plan to sail again. Here are a few quick notes that didn’t fit into any specific category above but are worth mentioning:

• Put serious consideration behind your sailing date/season. We sailed from January 8-14, which turned
  out to be the week of their smallest passenger capacity each year. Our cruise had only 700-ish passengers,
  the ship less than half full. We would have whole decks and areas to ourselves. For those looking for much more
  hoopla and maybe better attendance at shows and games (bigger “party” scene), you’d want to choose a busier week.
  But for us, the quiet and privacy was perfect.

• Be open-minded about age, race, and sexuality. This is a progressive and inclusive ship with zero tolerance for
  anything else. Old folks, gay folks, black folks, and young Gen-Z’s all were onboard. You’ll see outfits and attitudes
  and bodies. If you “can’t even”…. just don’t.

• This isn’t a traditional cruise experience. There were whisperings from long-time cruisers that this ship experience
  “just wasn’t the same”. Duh, of course not, and it was never intended to be. But for the people who have traveled Carnival,
  Royal Caribbean, or the like over the decades, you’ll need to wipe that memory from your head and get excited about a more
  modern and personalized sailing experience.

• The app and pre-sailing process were seamless. Like anything under the Virgin Brand, high-quality tech is a top priority.
  The app was engaging and almost gamified to get you to upload documents, check in, and reserve. It worked great before
  we sailed and on ship WiFi. Packed full of information and descriptions of things to do, the app almost felt like its own
  social media platform. However, if you’re not techy or don’t have a smartphone, you’d really struggle with pre-trip logistics.

• If you’re feeling sticker shock, remember how much is included. Virgin Voyages cost more than other similar cruise lines.
  The upfront cost, comparatively, might give you cold feet. HOWEVER - we cannot stress enough that so so much is
  included in the initial price. It’s not ALL-INCLUSIVE, but pretty damn near close. Paying for almost everything up-front allows
  for more relaxation while onboard the ship and less decision-making! Alcoholic beverages are not included, but felt appropriately
  priced. There are deals running all the time so make sure to take advantage of those too. When you add up the other expenses that
  you would pay a la carte on another cruise (Wifi, fitness classes, specialty dining, shows, tips) it really does even out.

If you’re a millennial considering a cruise that just feels different, looking to spend time on a swanky ship with luxury amenities and eats, or simply just curious about this brand new cruiseline - Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady is a stellar pick. Bon Voyage!

*While all of this is true and fun, I must acknowledge the impact the travel and cruise industry has on our environment. I encourage anyone considering a cruise to watch The Last Tourist to get real about what is happening to our planet, local people and animals when we go abroad. This doesn’t mean we need to stop - it means we need to be more conscious and considerate with our choices.