The floating-out ceremony of the Brilliant Lady, the final of the four new Virgin Voyages ships, took place on Friday at the Fincantieri Sestri Ponente (Genoa) shipyard.
She follows the Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, which are already sailing, and the Resilient Lady, which enters service in 2023.
Each ship is 2,770 guests and approximately 110,000 tons. The Brilliant Lady is expected to enter revenue service in late 2023.
Valeant Lady flying the Virgin Flag photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)
Wrapping up its inaugural summer in Europe, the Valiant Lady is starting a trans-Atlantic crossing to the United States.
The 14-night voyage departs from Barcelona today and marks the North American debut of the Virgin Voyages vessel.
In addition to the Spanish port, the one-way voyage includes visits to four European destinations, such as Ibiza and Funchal, before arriving in Miami on October 30.
Once in the U.S., the 2021-built cruise ship is set to kick off a series of week-long voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
The program includes two different itineraries, such as the “Western Caribbean Charm.” Sailing to Mexico, Honduras and the Bahamas, the voyage features visits to Costa Maya, Roatán and Bimini.
Through mid-April, the Valiant also offers the “Eastern Caribbean Antilles” cruise. In addition to Bimini, the eight-night cruise sails to Amber Cove, St. Croix and San Juan.
Following the Scarlet Lady, which entered service in 2021, the Valiant Lady debuted in March 2022.
Virgin’s second newbuild, the 110,000-ton cruise ship spent its inaugural season in the Mediterranean, offering different itineraries to Spain, Italy and France.
Like the Scarlet Lady, the Valiant offers an adults-only product that focuses on what Virgin calls an intimate and elevated all-inclusive experience.
As part of the concept, the 2,770-guest vessel boasts 20 dining venues, in addition to many entertainment options. A highlight is The Manor – a two-story 1970s-style nightclub inspired by Virgin’s heritage in the music business.
Another feature is the Red Room, which, according to Virgin, is the first transformational multi-form theatre at sea.
The venue can be transformed into four different configurations – including a traditional Proscenium stage, to alley stage used in fashion shows, to a dance flat-floor configuration and finally a unique reverse stage setup.
Valiant Lady arriving in Liverpool photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)
Virgin Voyages has introduced its first-ever Eat & Drink Month in partnership with acclaimed chefs and mixologists, taking place in November, according to a press release.
Michelin-starred chefs Matt Lambert and Brad Farmerie, James Beard Award nominees Silvana Salcido Esparza and Sohui Kim, and beverage designer Charles Joly are all working with the cruise line to bring the project to life. The Eat & Drink Month includes four- and five-night voyages on the Scarlet Lady, as well as six- and eight-night voyages on the Valiant Lady. according to Virgin Voyages.
“We have made-to-order culinary experiences in intimate eateries rather than mass-produced banquet food in big dining halls. Our food and drink menus were put together by award-winning chefs and mixologists who have taken their land-based gastronomy experience to our restaurants and cocktail bars on board,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, president and chief experience officer, of Virgin Voyages.
Guests will be treated to speciality cocktails and menu items throughout November, as well as bookable events priced between $15 and 125 per guest, such as elevated dinner and wine pairings, cooking demos, and a preview of the new menu launching next year.
To commemorate Eat & Drink Month, every November booking includes a complimentary $300 Bar Tab that can be used for speciality cocktails or the brand’s unique Shake for Champagne feature, which allows guests to order their drink of choice via their phone.
“Of all the feedback we receive from past guests on TripAdvisor and Cruise Critic, two things stand apart above all else: our amazing Crew and the food & drinks. Eat & Drink Month is a way for us to turn up the heat and celebrate Sailors’ favourite part of coming aboard with a recurring event our guests can look forward to for years to come,” added Saverimuttu.
Once onboard, guests can book a variety of events and special appearances from the Eat & Drink lineup.
Let’s Mushroom Around, Sushi & Poke Demo, Flavors Uncorked at The Wake, Razzle Dazzle Menu Sneak Peek, Creative Collective: Sohui Kim, Creative Collective: Brad Farmerie, and Creative Collective: Silvana Salcido Esparza have all been curated for culinary entertainment onboard.
As for drinks, guests can sip away in one of the following events: Spill the Beans with Intelligentsia Coffee, Filthy Bloody Mary Bar, What’s The Tea?, Lotería Gigante, Seven Sea Sippers, Sip and Sway with Kin Euphorics, Nothing Fancy at The Loose Cannon.
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