Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady: No Kids Allowed

If you’re keen to book a Caribbean cruise in the upcoming year, consider sailing aboard the Valiant Lady from Virgin Voyages. The ship — which is one of four adults-only “lady ships” from the brand — first set sail in 2022, and has since accumulated a number of reader’s choice awards for its quality.

But the line (and more specifically, the Valiant Lady herself) isn’t for everyone. It’s known for its luxury upgrades — from meals, to entertainment, to Wi-Fi and more. So if you’re looking to book a family vacation, look elsewhere. But for those who prefer to kick back without any kids running around, the Valiant Lady might be just the cruise for you.

» Learn more: The Complete Guide to Virgin Voyages

Valiant Lady itinerary

From the ship’s original home port in Barcelona, Spain, the Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady at first offered cruises around the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, but the ship has since dedicated itself to just the Caribbean. Depending on the month, it may sail from Miami, Florida, or San Juan, Puerto Rico, on multiple itineraries across the Caribbean.

Itineraries range from four to eight nights and make stops in places like Bimini, Cozumel, Roatan, St. John’s and more. Prices for 2024 cruises start at around $1,200 per cabin for a four-day cruise and go up from there.

» Learn more: Places to cruise without a passport

Valiant Lady tour

All the ships in the Lady Ship fleet, including the Valiant Lady, are nearly identical (it’s mainly the itineraries that differ). Each offers 1,404 cabins ranging from Mega RockStar Quarters (complete with private terrace, a bottomless in-room bar and daily spa access) to more budget-friendly Insider cabins. Altogether, the rooms can accommodate up to 2,762 passengers.

• Gym. There’s a gym on board the Valiant Lady (dubbed B-Complex) for fitness buffs and more relaxed exercisers alike. There are free group fitness classes, weights, specialized equipment and more spread over multiple workout zones — plus an outdoor running track. Prefer to kick it old school? Check out the Athletic Club, complete with a boxing ring, gymnastics equipment and basketball court.

• Spa. There are plenty of ways to get pampered at Redemption Spa. Massages, facials, wraps, saunas and more await passengers looking to relax. There’s also a beauty salon, mani-pedis available, a barber shop and a tattoo parlor for those wanting to get inked at sea.

• Pools. Take a dip at one of the swimming pools on board, including the Well-Being Pool located near the gym and the Aquatic Club. Pools are designed more for lounging than swimming laps, though, so keep that in mind if you prefer to swim for exercise.

» Learn more: Should you book cruise excursions through a third party?

Valiant Lady dining

There are several dining options on the Valiant Lady and they’re all included in the price of your booking (a fairly uncommon occurrence on many cruise ships these days).

The ship's restaurants include:

• The Wake, a sophisticated steak and seafood restaurant.

• Razzle Dazzle for casual dining.

• Pink Agave for upscale Mexican.

• Gunbae for Korean BBQ.

• Extra Virgin for Italian cuisine.

There are other options, too, from an ice cream parlor to on-deck dining to late-night pizza.

» Learn more: How much does a Caribbean cruise cost?

Valiant Lady nightlife

Keep the good times going well into the night on the Virgin Voyage Valiant Lady at one of the many onboard bars. Just remember: alcoholic beverages are one thing that’s not included in your general cruise fare. You can opt to pre-pay for your bar tab, though.

There are several bars to choose from, including pool bars like the Aquatic Club, the champagne lounge Sip or On The Rocks cocktail bar.

You can also try your luck at The Casino, play games inside the Arcade or The Social Club, and sing classics with friends in a private karaoke room.

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Valiant Lady entertainment

Scheduled performances vary from sailing to sailing so check what’s on the itinerary. You can count on live performances, poolside DJs, pop-up performance art and lively stage productions.

There are also wild dance show parties, theater productions with a circus twist, game shows, the Studio 72 club and more.

The bottom line

Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady reviews tend to be good on the whole. After all, the cruise line has won everything from the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards to the CruiseCritic Cruisers’ Choice Award to Best Caribbean cruise line from U.S.News.

That doesn’t mean the Valiant Lady (or any other Virgin ship) is right for everyone, of course. Those wanting to travel with kids will need to look elsewhere, but for cruisers who love to eat without worrying about the bill, enjoy staying active, and revel in vibrant nightlife, it’s a solid option for a lively (and grown-up) Caribbean cruise.