Valiant Lady Returns From Dry Dock With New Suites & Venues
Virgin Voyages‘ ship Valiant Lady has returned from dry dock at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard in Italy last month. The vessel boasts a variety of new and reimagined offerings, including a cozy Indian restaurant, new entertainment, updated sundeck and lounge furnishings, and more.
What’s New On Board
At the heart of the transformation is a modern Indian restaurant called Ariya by Razzle Dazzle. Located in the former Razzle Dazzle space, this reimagined venue seats 220 guests in a space inspired by India’s spice markets. Named for Sir Richard Branson’s great-great-grandmother, Ariya serves dishes including Lamb Shank Biryani, Puffed Rice, and Avocado Chaat, as well as India-inspired cocktails.
Aft on deck 16 sits The Athletic Club sundeck, which has been reimagined with new shaded daybed clusters and updated lounge seating that now faces outward towards the ocean instead of inward. At the aft sundeck The Dock, a new stage setup and windscreen was added to make outdoor performances more comfortable in changing weather conditions.
Grounds Club Too, the small coffee shop located in The Galley dining space, has been transformed into a spot that still serves coffee all day, but evolves into a full bar from late afternoon onward. The Roundabout atrium boasts new furniture groupings in Valiant Lady‘s signature plum color, and the stage at the bottom of The Roundabout — On the Rocks — has been relocated to improve sightlines, with additional seating added as well.
On the retail side, TAG and Pandora have joined the shop lineup, while the VV Brand shop has moved into a bigger, more prominent space.
Refreshed Entertainment & Activities
Valiant Lady offers over 20 new Happenings events, led by the Happenings Cast who share the traditional “cruise director” role.
Highlights include:
- Sink or Swim game show that pushes guests closer to reward or disaster
- Sports Smarts blending sports trivia with physical challenges
- Dirty Laundry that turns strangers into teammates and secrets into conversation starters
- The high-stakes social strategy game Off the Record
- Trust Your Tongue, which tests unconventional culinary combos at Test Kitchen
- Sweet Aft Matcha, inviting sailors to sample the history and flavor pairings of matcha
- Silent Sweat headphone-led stretching class at The Perch
- Upcycle Club, Knot Today, and Hooked turning reclaimed materials, ropework, and crochet into unique handmade souvenirs
- Check, Please chess tournament that’s equal parts strategy and spectacle
- Knees Up pub quiz at sea
Valiant Lady’s Upcoming Schedule
Valiant Lady will spend the summer sailing in the Mediterranean and northern Europe, including a special Total Eclipse of the Med itinerary that will give passengers the opportunity to experience a solar eclipse.
In October, the vessel will reposition to San Juan, Puerto Rico to operate six to eight-night Caribbean voyages through April 2027.
