This Virgin ship takes the cruise rule book and rips it up
My Sea Terrace room on Deck 10 is the perfect home base. The so-called Seabed can be converted into a lounge setup during the day, but I keep mine as a bed. It feels more like a holiday when you can sit on your bed with a book or laptop. Smart storage – deep drawers, a streamlined wardrobe, and hidden nooks – keep everything tidy. The private balcony is a highlight while the room itself has had a cosy seating area. A bedside tablet controls everything from lighting to curtains with a tap.
Food
For a lively night out, Gunbae is my standout. This Korean barbecue spot makes dinner an interactive experience, with guests on communal tables grilling marinated short ribs and juicy prawns right at the table. Over at Pink Agave, the rib-eye steak is perfectly grilled and paired with a zesty salsa. Beyond the sit-down restaurants, quirky food spots add to the fun. Lick Me Till Ice Cream (yes, that's its name) serves rotating flavours like Ube coconut and Key West Lime Pie.
Entertainment
The Red Room theatre offers immersive shows that blend live music, high-energy dance, and jaw-dropping technology: think immersive projections, and digital backdrops that create a whole new world. Scarlet Night, which takes over the upper decks on the second night, is a highlight, when the whole cruise ship dons their best (and glitteriest) red attire.
The verdict
Valiant Lady takes the cruise playbook and rips it up — in the best way. If you're into edgy design, elevated food, and adults-only fun, you'll love it. If you're after bingo and buffet lines… maybe not.
The essentials
Valiant Lady sails from her home port of Miami on a mix of Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. My four-night Fire & Sunset Soirees starts and ends in Miami, with stops at Key West and in Bimini, Bahamas. Solo fares for this cruise typically start at $US880 ($1351), while cabins for two start from $US1272 ($1952). Prices vary by season and availability. See virginvoyages.com
Our rating out of five
★★★★
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The writer was a guest of Virgin Voyages.
Swell
Between the many chic spaces and endless activities, this cruise is all about offering moments for personal escape as well as group bonding.
Not so swell
The Virgin Voyages app, used for everything from daily schedules to personal bookings, occasionally encounters glitches, making planning and booking difficult.
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