Irresistible Med-Aboard Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady

If your idea of a dream vacation involves sun-drenched coastlines, vibrant nightlife, and a cruise ship that feels more like a floating boutique resort, then Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady is calling your name. With her home port in Barcelona and a name that means “strong and powerful,” this ship is redefining what it means to sail the Med in style. Can you believe that we booked this cruise in 2023 for 87000 points?! A 7 night Mediterranean cruise for two people! Now you can still book these cruises with points every so often but I doubt we will find a deal like that again!

A Ship with Personality

Valiant Lady is the second vessel in Virgin Voyages’ Lady Ship fleet, and she’s every bit as bold and beautiful as her sister ship, Scarlet Lady. Designed for adults only, she’s packed with edgy design, immersive entertainment, and a vibe that’s equal parts glam and chill.

Itineraries That Inspire

We booked the Irresistible Med Itinerary. We had a full day in each city, a day at sea, and an overnight stay in Ibiza. This cruise showed us parts of these countries that we probably never would have ventured out to see.

• Barcelona, Spain: Where you will start and end your trip. Plan a few days for before or after your trip to check out the breathtaking of Barcelona!

• Toulon, France: A blend of old-world charm and modern flair.

• Tuscany/Cinque Terre: Centuries old seaside villages on the Italian Rivieria Coastline.

• Ajaccio, Corsica: Birth place of Napolean!

• Ibiza, Spain: Another overnight stop in the beach club capital of Europe! Though

Since we went in 2023 there has been so many more European Itineraries added. We chose the one that worked best for our schedule at the time but there are so many more now!

Onboard Experience

Forget buffets and bingo. Valiant Lady offers:

• Over 20 eateries with globally inspired menus

• Squid Ink tattoo parlor (yes, really)

• Redemption Spa for ultimate relaxation

• Nightlife curated by Brooklyn’s House of Yes

Whether you’re sipping cocktails at The Manor or catching a pop-up performance, the ship is designed to surprise and delight at every turn.

THE FOOD! Each eatery was delicious and every bit more amazing than the last.

The Wake

This is their steak house that overlooks the back of the boat. Since its all-inclusive we went all in on trying as much as we could from each restaurant. The Wake was no different. We may or may not have gotten every dessert on their menu....

Pink Agave

We ensured to stop by Pink Agave specifically for their ChocoTaco! The restaurant offered a unique twist on Mexican cuisine, like the Duck Mole shown in the picture. Although the rest of the food was average and it was my least favorite restaurant on the ship, the ChocoTaco made the visit worthwhile.

Razzle Dazzle

The best way I can describe this restaurant is American! Very loud colors and typical foods you would find in most american restaurants, but done SO much better.

The Galley

Now this is not your typical cruise ship buffet. It is SO MUCH BETTER! Everything is made to order, brought to your table and incredibly delicious. Since Tim got sick halfway through our trip, I would eat my breakfast in the dining area and then I was able to bring these fruit and yogurt bento boxes down to him every morning. Had all the meals we consumed on this trip only came from the Galley I would have been just as satisfied! The options were endless and did not disappoint.

Sip Lounge-Champagne Bar

Now I know this is not a restaurant but I could not leave out our Afternoon Tea experience. This did come with a Fee of $35 per person including champagne! Afternoon tea is always so much fun for me. I love the experience, because everywhere you go is a bit different. We were one of three couples partaking in this experience at the same time, which left the area feeling much more intimate than other parts of the ship.

Gunbae

A Must DO! This Korean BBQ restaurant will get you out of your shell talking to strangers and eating strange food! I did not get any pictures of dinner because of how much fun this was! You are seated at a table of about 6 people, and the staff comes around and gets you to all play drinking games together, though the drinking is optional. We sat with people from all over the world and had a blast learning about one another and getting to try delicious Korean BBQ. Highly recommend making this restaurant a priority.

Extra Virgin

Extra Virgin is their staple Italian restaurant. Apparently the food was too mesmerizing to where I only took pictures of dessert! This was some of the best pasta I have had in my entire life, and that is saying something because we took a pesto making class in Italy. As far as food quality and taste goes, this restaurant knocks all the others out of the park. How could you not love a meal that ends with a little glass of limoncello?

We did not make it to the Test Kitchen but I heard amazing things. That will be our first stop on our next Virgin Voyage!

The Redemption Spa

Night one we decided to treat ourselves after a long few days of travel. The Redemption Spa is so nice that it seems like an out of body experience, I could not believe that we were in this nice of a spa out at sea on the Mediterranean.

The Thermal Suite is the heart of the spa experience, featuring:

• Mud Room – Apply nutrient-rich mud and rinse off in tiled showers

• Salt Room – Vaporized salt crystals invigorate your skin and lungs

• Steam Room – Opens pores and relaxes muscles

• Dry Sauna – Detox and unwind in dry heat

• Hot & Cold Plunge Pools – Stimulate circulation and refresh the body

• Heated Marble Hammam Benches – Perfect for lounging between treatments

Guests receive plush robes, slippers, and infused water upon arrival—setting the tone for a luxurious escape.

Empowering Vibes

Valiant Lady isn’t just stylish—she’s symbolic. From her female-led design and engineering teams to her empowering mermaid figurehead, she represents a new era of cruising where women lead the way.

Why Sail the Med with Valiant Lady?

• Adults-only atmosphere = no screaming toddlers

• Longer port stays for deeper exploration

• Inclusive pricing (Wi-Fi, tips, and dining included)

• A cruise that feels more like a lifestyle

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a cruise newbie, Valiant Lady offers a Mediterranean escape that’s equal parts luxurious and liberating. BRB, I am off to book my next Virgin Voyage.