Champagne First, Questions Later: Boarding the Valiant Lady
So, we finally did it! We took the plunge and sailed with Virgin Voyages. As first-timers (aka “Virgins” in cruise lingo), we were more than a little curious about all the buzz surrounding this adults-only cruise line that promises to flip traditional cruising on its head. No buffets, no kids, no tuxedos ~ just laid-back luxury, creative dining, and a “come as you are” vibe that feels part rock concert, part resort getaway. From champagne boarding to late-night theme parties, our week aboard the Valiant Lady was filled with highs, surprises, and a few “well, that’s different” moments.
The Virgin vibe is relaxed, modern, and focused on giving you the freedom to enjoy the voyage in your own way. This vibe may not be for everyone ~ some will love the unique take on cruising, while others may be more comfortable with the classic cruise experience. Here’s our honest, unfiltered take on the Virgin experience ~ the good, the quirky, and everything in between.
Boarding Like a Rockstar (Because . . . Well . . . We Did)
Virgin offers the classic cabin choices you’d expect ~ inside, oceanview, and balcony ~ but where things really get fun is with their Rockstar and Mega Rockstar Suites. These aren’t just bigger rooms; they come loaded with perks that can completely change how you experience your cruise on Virgin.
For our sailing, we wanted to check out being a Rockstar! And it definitely set the tone from the very start. Early and priority boarding meant we skipped the long waits and got a head start on the adventure. By 12:30 we were checked in, fitted with our signature Virgin “bracelets,” and whisked away to a private Rockstar lounge stocked with drinks and snacks. From there, it was a relaxed countdown until the official boarding at 1:30, giving us a sneak peek into what life as a Rockstar Sailor feels like.
Boarding was a breeze ~ definitely NOT your typical “stand in line, get a keycard, shuffle onboard” kind of deal. We were greeted by two members of the Happenings Cast (Virgin’s high-energy crew who keep the vibe alive all voyage long) and immediately handed flutes of champagne at the chic Sip Lounge. Not a bad way to kick things off.
From there, we met our Rockstar Agent, basically our personal concierge for the week before heading straight to our suite (yes, it was already ready when we boarded!). We had booked the Seriously Suite, and seriously… it delivered complete with a fully stocked bar, a record player for old-school vinyl vibes, a bathroom with a cheeky peek-a-boo shower, and out on the balcony, Virgin’s signature red hammock swaying in the sea breeze. The Rockstar life was definitely my cup of tea! Rockstar life? Achieved!
Entertainment ~ Virgin Style
Virgin doesn’t do the whole “one cruise director with a mic and a clipboard” thing. Instead, they’ve got the Happenings Cast ~ a crew of 12 charismatic hosts who bring personality and energy to everything onboard. Think trivia, fitness classes, bar crawls, dance parties, and even the occasional spontaneous conga line. The result? The ship feels alive all day (and night) without ever feeling forced.
We dove right into the fun and said yes to just about everything. Each event had its own vibe – unique theme, color scheme, and soundtrack – and every one of them delivered its own kind of magic. Some of our highlights:
- VHS Class – Pure retro workout – neon wear optional but adds that extra bit of fun!
- Zumba – Because we LOVE our Zumba (and need to work off all the yum we ate!).
- The Grog Walk – Virgin’s cheeky version of a bar crawl; with get to know you games & special drinks at each stop.
- Tentacle Tour – A behind-the-scenes peek at Scarlet Night by special invitation only.
- Tattoo Parlor – Yes, you can actually get inked at sea and we totally did!
- Club Caliente – Latin Dance night with a learn-how class before the dance club party!
- We Fancy – Glam-night chic with gold theme.
- PJ Party – Pajamas encouraged and sleep is optional. We saw everything from furry onesies to naughty nighties!
- Bungee Class – Feel like Tigger in workout form.
Every night felt like its own mini festival and no two evenings felt the same; and that’s EXACTLY the point. AND because you do you, you can participate or not. Rather Netflix and Chill? 😉 You can do that too!
After dancing, laughing, and Grog-walking our way across the ship, one thing became crystal clear: Virgin knows how to keep the energy high. But let’s be honest . . . even rockstars need to refuel.
Dining the Virgin Way: No Buffets, No Rules, All Flavor
A five-night sailing wasn’t nearly enough time to taste our way through all six of Virgin’s signature restaurants onboard Valiant Lady but believe me, we gave it out best shot! Each venue has its own personality, menu style, and vibe AND the best part is every single one is included – no extra dining package costs needed.
We kicked things off at Razzle Dazzle on night one ~ bold, colorful and playful as the name suggests. More known as the vegetarian dining spot, they do have a few “naughty” options for us carnivores. We brunched here as well and it did NOT miss! My favorite items for brunch are the Acai Bowl and the Candied Bacon. Yes, you heard that right ~ that candied bacon was AHHH-MAZING!!
Next up was The Wake, one of the more elegant restaurants onboard. Picture sweeping views of the ship’s wake (hence the name) and a menu build for surf-and-turf lovers. Our table of four splurged on The Grand Plateau (for a small surcharge) – a towering seafood display stacked with lobster tail, oysters, clams, shrimp, mussels, and snow crab claws. Worth. . . Every . . . Bite. . .
We also made our rounds to Extra Virgin (Italian done right), Pink Agave (modern Mexican that’s equal parts chic and flavorful) and The Test Kitchen (part dining, part culinary experiment). the Test Kitchen is highly recommended and the experience was well worth the time spent! Each dish was precisely prepared and presented in spectacular fashion. Even the palette cleanser drink was tasty!
Every meal onboard felt like a new restaurant discovery rather than a cruise buffet shuffle. Virgin took dining at sea and turned it into a unique experience ~ no trays, no lines, just great food and good vibes.
ALLL about that Rockstar Life
Sure the Rockstar and Mega Rockstar suites come with a higher price tag than the standard inside, oceanview, and balcony room options ~ but honestly, they earn their name! The extras make you feel like you’re living your best “celebrity-at-sea” life.
So what’s included? In short – A LOT! Both suite types come loaded with exclusive perks: early boarding, priority luggage delivery, access to private lounges (Richard’s Rooftop!), and elevated onboard experiences that regular sailors just don’t get. Inside the suites, the upgrades continue: think king-sized beds, a spacious marble bathroom (complete with gold-embossed Rockstar robes), and a Bluetooth record player. Totally cool!
Rockstars also get a head start on dining reservations – giving you the extra jump needed to get the dining time at the restaurants you want AND the BONUS? If your friends didn’t go Rockstar, you can still book dining for them too. (It’s giving hero energy.) You’ll also enjoy priority spa bookings and event access. As for the bar? Regular Rockstars get one full setup, but Mega Rockstars go all in—with unlimited bar refills and a daily bar tab included. Because apparently, moderation is optional when you’re sailing like a VIP.
Full Overview – Likes, Dislikes, Meh
Champagne Toast Worthy:
Not quite our Cup of Tea:
- Public event areas and dance venues felt a bit small and got crowded very quickly turning it into a mosh pit feel rather than a dance floor
- Music playing 24/7 with few quiet spaces – ok for some people but we appreciate having some quieter spaces to relax including the Board Game area making it not such a great spot to play board games
- Paper straws – Booo! Appreciate the effort for the environment but it makes the drinks taste like paper
- Bar Tab – use it or lose it so if you drink less than expected you don’t get it back. So the Bar Tab is good & bad all in one. 😉
So that’s it for us! If you want another take on the same cruise, check out the review written by my friend Jill and a fellow blogger. Journeys By Jill
Until next time ~ may your days be bright, your seas calm, and your next adventure just around the corner!
