MIAMI, November 19, 2019 – Virgin Voyages announces that its second ship will be named “Valiant Lady” and will sail 7-night Mediterranean itineraries departing from Barcelona, Spain, when it debuts in May 2021. Bookings for the three featured itineraries, which offer overnight stops in some of the most exciting destinations in France, Italy, and Spain, will open on December 19, 2019.
“We are thrilled to unveil the name of our second ship – Valiant Lady – and to deliver on our commitment to offer travelers a radical change in how they can experience cruising in this part of the world. Our Sailors will fall in love with the places we will go and the moments and memories they will be able to create on our beautiful ship,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages.
2021 Summer in the Mediterranean based in Barcelona
Valiant Lady will dock just steps from Las Ramblas at Barcelona’s World Trade Center, placing Sailors as close as possible to this stunning embarkation port. This premium location, usually reserved for luxury cruise ships and mega-yachts, provides walking access to the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods of Poble Sec, El Raval, Barri Gòtic, Port Vell, and the famous urban beach of La Barceloneta. With weekly Sunday departures, Sailors will have extra time in Barcelona and be able to take advantage of various flight options. Virgin Voyages is working with Global Port Holding, the world’s leading cruise port operator, to prepare for Valiant Lady’s arrival in summer 2021.
Bookings open in December 2019, 7-night cruises starting in May 2021 and featuring one night in Ibiza
The Mediterranean, home to some of the world's best beach clubs, cultural experiences, restorative spas, yacht clubs, and vibrant nightlife, is a perfect choice for Virgin Voyages. Valiant Lady will sail three different routes with stunning ports of call.
- Itinerary 1 includes the exotic delights of Barcelona, Ibiza, Monte Carlo, Marseille and Olbia
- Itinerary 2 includes a fantastic sample of the Mediterranean with Barcelona, Ibiza, Toulon, Ajaccio, Marina di Carrara and Cagliari
- Itinerary 3 is primarily an immersion in Spain, stopping in Barcelona, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga and the British port of Gibraltar
We've listened to the requests from Sailors and First Mates (travel agencies) for later stays in port, creating a dedicated Virgin itinerary. This means Sailors will have the flexibility to make the most of their time in port and enjoy everything these destinations have to offer. As a special note, all cruises include a Friday night in port in Ibiza, one of the most stunning and exciting Balearic Islands. Whether it's a lively beach club, a bohemian market, a serene spa, watching breathtaking sunsets, or a long night of partying, there's nowhere else that offers the variety and style of this unique destination.
Introducing 'Valiant Lady'
Virgin Voyages also revealed that the name “Valiant Lady” is inspired by the Latin word valere and the French word vaillant, meaning “bravery,” “strength,” and “courage.” While historically, the image of a woman only adorned the prows of ships to protect them, “Valiant Lady” embraces the idea of a female designer, captain, leader, and a winning force in the maritime industry.
The Scarlet Lady's sister ship, Valiant Lady, will continue Virgin Voyages' "Scarlet Squad" program dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and mentoring female talent on board, with opportunities for advancement to decision-making positions in areas such as marine, technical, and hotel management, which statistically show a low number of female leaders.
All Virgin Voyages ships have been designed by a leading creative collective, the minds behind some of the world's most beloved boutique hotels. The collective includes names like Design Research Studio (Tom Dixon), Roman & Williams, and Concrete Amsterdam, all inspired by the design concept – the Modern Romanticism of Sailing and the mission to redefine the vacation experience at sea.
