Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Inside Virgin Voyages' second cruise ship: Valiant Lady

inside virgin cruise ship

They're great for checking the weather, drying swimsuits and eating room service breakfast – but I rarely spend much time hanging out on them. Usually that's because the chairs are upright and made of metal (or metal and plastic mesh) and the veranda is small, and you can't get comfortable. Friend groups, solo Sailors, and duos alike can get in on the Insider action. Roomy Rainshowers and mood lighting punctuate our cozy escapes — giving you the space to recover today and prepare for tomorrow. Whether you're in the Peek-a-Boo shower inside, or rinsing off on the Peek-a-View shower outside, the ecstasy-inducing sea views pulse through every part of the design of this suite.

At the same restaurant, I had fancy doughnuts for dessert.

A lavish Suite cheekily located at the corner of the ship for wrapping panoramic views of the wake (you’re welcome).

To get up and down the ship's many decks, elevators take guests to 13 of the 17 levels.

They have free weights and machines as well as fitness classes from yoga to spin sessions. Similar to a typical cruise ship buffet, there are several stands with a wide range of offerings. But unlike most buffets, servers make the plates and hand them to the customers. Many of the venues for these events are on decks six and seven, including the Red Room for performances; On the Rocks, a music bar; and the Manor, a nightclub and theater. Extra Virgin is an Italian aperitivo-inspired concept with terrazzo tabletops, and Pink Agave is a Mexico City-style spot with what Virgin claims to be the largest collection of rare tequila and mezcal at sea.

Richard Bransons

However, its standard rooms won't keep you inside when the real fun is found in the ships' public areas. The Fab Suite, at 950 square feet, is essentially an oversized version of the Posh Suite. The extra space allows for additional seating areas in both the living room and bedroom. The Gorgeous Suite is the smallest at 570 square feet, and can sleep up to four. Its interior is similar to the Brilliant Suite, but the difference is in the balcony.

The Posh Suite measures 833 square feet, with living and sleeping areas divided by a wall. It can sleep four (the living room sofa can convert to a bed) and has a bath and a half (the master with a peekaboo shower looking into the bedroom and out the balcony doors beyond). The balcony is similar to the other suite terraces with lounge chairs, a hammock, Champagne table and chairs and a small couch. Instead, you can make dinner reservations at one of its six restaurants, or make a more casual meal from the pizza parlor, food hall, snack bar (featuring wings and hot dogs) or the Dock and Dock House lounge with their mezze menu.

feature a Sea Terrace hammock

inside virgin cruise ship

You enter the main living area with a circular couch seating area and a full bar. To one side is the music room, which can double as an extra bedroom; the suite sleeps up to four — that is if you don't stay up rocking out on the provided guitars all night. The newest ship sailing in the fleet, Valiant Lady has nearly 80 suites, ranging from 352 square feet for more budget-friendly cabins to upwards of 2,147 square feet for those who want to travel like rock stars.

You may want to bring some cash to tip the porters who take your suitcases from the pier to the ship and any tour guides who lead your ship-sponsored or private excursion in port. In addition, you will need to check in for your cruise online, fill out the appropriate information and select an arrival time for embarkation day. On Deck 6, men can get a shave at Stubble and Groom, while women can get blowouts for Scarlet Night at Dry Dock.

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To sleep four, two people will need to share a bed, the third bed will be perpendicular in an L shape (so three heads in close proximity) and the fourth is a bunk flush with the cabin wall above. They measure 105 to 177 square feet and can sleep one (Solo Insiders) to four people (Social Insiders). The four-person arrangement is two twin beds arranged in an L shape head to head, with two bunkbeds also in L shape right above.

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Inside Virgin Voyages' second cruise ship: Valiant Lady - Fortune

Inside Virgin Voyages' second cruise ship: Valiant Lady.

Posted: Sat, 28 May 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Cruise travel is typically thought to be more appealing to families and older travelers—and for good reason as they are convenient for groups and parties looking for less hassle with little planning required beyond the reservation. Cruise guests can select an itinerary, and have little to worry about after that as far as logistics go. On deck 17, the track is the perfect place to run — or walk, if you vacation like me — with constant views of the wide-open ocean. I don't like to work out on vacation unless it's a fun activity that makes me forget I'm exercising at all.

Virgin Voyages gave BI access to Richard's Rooftop, and I thought it was the most relaxing place on the ship. On deck 16, the Athletic Club is home to an outdoor training center with strength and gymnastics equipment as well as a boxing ring. In the Galley, I had tacos, sushi, desserts, and breakfast foods. There's also a burger grill, a noodle bar, a panini shop, and a popsicle stand.

Cheeky Corner and Suite Aft Suites are also divided into Pretty Big Terrace, Even Bigger Terrace and Biggest Terrace classes. Other cabins and suites in all categories can sleep three or four guests. Groups who don't want to squeeze four into a room (and we wouldn't recommend it, given Virgin's tiny bathrooms and limited storage) can take advantage of connecting rooms. While these cruise rooms may be unique in the cruise industry, you won't have trouble choosing your cabin or suite. Virgin offers a reasonable three styles of standard cabin and eight categories of suites, so your choice will be guided by your requirements around space, price and light. True to its brand, Virgin Voyages does things a little differently than other cruise lines, and this ethos extends to its accommodations.

Women are taught to be pretty, patient, and strong — and those are often traits we’re allowed to own. But being smart, being absolutely brilliant, is a characteristic that women are so rarely allowed to celebrate without fear of being called arrogant. Virgin Voyages’ brand design ethos can be summed up as "modern romance of sailing," capturing a fresh, contemporary, and sleek look, with nods of glamour and romance with touches of saltiness and nautical traditions. "What seemed missing in the market was a really good adults-only cruise line," he said. From the outset, the flashy and colorful designs as well as a heightened focus on fitness and wellness would make it seem that Virgin Voyages aiming to attract a younger audience. But millennials and Generation Z have much less spending power compared to their parents' and grandparents' generations amid record inflation that has not been matched in adequate salary gains.

You'll want to make your dinner reservations as soon as you get on board. One thing that surprised me was the ship requests you also make reservations for breakfast, brunch or lunch at sit-down restaurants, such as The Wake and Razzle Dazzle. Walk-ins are welcome at less busy times (such as right when the venue opens for breakfast), but I was lightly scolded for not booking in advance.

More importantly, perhaps, it allows crew members to locate you when you shake for Champagne delivery. Virgin Voyages takes a reasonable approach to passengers bringing drinks on board. Each guest may bring on board a maximum of 12 sealed 12-ounce or smaller cans or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages (water, sports drinks, soda, non-alcoholic beer, etc.) and two 750mL bottles of wine. You are welcome to tip your bartender or cabin attendant extra if you feel they've gone above or beyond, but it's not necessary.

"When we went into this business, we did this because the cruise industry was successful," says Tom McAlpin, president and CEO of Virgin Voyages. "But we wanted to take the best of what cruising is, one that has unique entertainment and is sophisticated, with lots of flexibility in an elegant way, not in a stuffy environment...And we believe by doing that, people will pay you." The Virgin Voyages fleet are also “adult-by-design,” welcoming guests only 18 years and older, with a capacity of approximately 2,700 passengers per ship. Additionally on deck 15, there's a standalone restaurant called Gunbae that serves family-style Korean barbecue dishes. My ship sailed round-trip from Barcelona, Spain, to ports in Italy and France, including Toulon, Ajaccio, and Marina di Carrara. As we headed up to the pool bar for a sundowner, the city’s twinkling skyline seemed bewitched with sherbet orange secrets.

Scarlet Lady’s diverse spaces also ensure that there are separate areas for fun, relaxation and entertainment—and plenty of places made with adults in mind, as everyone on board must be at least 18-years-old. “Adult-by-design is really something that was needed in the industry,” says Weber. Passengers will not receive keycards unless they have access to Richard's Rooftop, an exclusive sun deck reserved for cruisers booked in Rockstar Suites.

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