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Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Food Guide
It’s time to talk about the amazing food on Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady! I got a little sidetracked with all the excitement of our Universal Epic Universe Preview, our stay at the Universal Terra Luna Resort, and the Grand Opening of Universal Epic Universe last month, but I am back to gushing about how incredible my Virgin Voyages Cruise was!!!
In my previous posts, I touched on our overall cruise experience, along with an in-depth look at our Sea Terrace Stateroom. However, I now want to focus on the food, which was incredible! Hope you’re hungry, and if not, you will be!
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I recently went on my first Virgin Voyages cruise aboard the Valiant Lady, and to say the food blew me away would be an understatement. From the moment we stepped on board, it was clear this wasn’t your average cruise dining experience. There were no buffets, no overcrowded dining halls—just beautifully designed restaurants, incredible made-to-order meals, and a variety of unique, chef-driven dishes that impressed us at every turn.
Over the course of our five-night sailing, we got to experience just how much is included in Virgin’s “always-on” cruise fare—from elevated dining and creative cocktails to casual bites and even 24-hour room service. The Bar Tab system made ordering drinks totally seamless, and I loved that I could use it not just at bars, but also for fresh-pressed juices and specialty coffees. If you’re someone who appreciates high-quality ingredients, inventive menus, and beautiful presentation, Virgin Voyages is absolutely the cruise line for you.
The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady
A Taste of Everything: Quick Service, Bars, Restaurants, and Insider Dining Tips
One of the best surprises on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady is how seriously the ship takes its food and drink offerings. With no buffets and no main dining rooms, Virgin Voyages completely reimagines cruise dining into a full-blown culinary adventure—and it’s all included in your cruise fare.
Whether you’re a foodie or just cruising for the cocktails, here’s your guide to every eatery, bar, and snack stop on board, plus how to make the most of your dining reservations and bar tab.
What’s Included in Your Cruise Fare on Valiant Lady
- All dining at every restaurant – No upcharges or extra fees at any restaurant or eatery.
- Basic beverages – Includes still and sparkling water, sodas, drip coffee, tea, and non-pressed juices.
- Room service – Included, with a $7 delivery fee waived if you order anything chargeable (such as alcohol or espresso).
- Gratuities – Tips for restaurant and bar staff are built into your fare.
- No specialty dining fees – Unlike other cruise lines, there are no paid tiers or “premium” restaurants.
Bar Tab 101: How It Works
Instead of traditional drink packages, Virgin offers a Bar Tab system:
- Pre-purchase bonus: Buy a $300 Bar Tab before your cruise, and Virgin gives you an extra $50–$100 bonus (amount varies by promotion).
- What it covers: Use it for alcoholic drinks, barista-made coffee, fresh-pressed juice, and even smoothies at the Gym & Tonic bar.
- Where it works: Any bar, restaurant, or grab-and-go spot where drinks are sold.
💡 Tip: Don’t waste Bar Tab on bottled water—still and sparkling are available free ship-wide.
How to Book Restaurants on Board
- Use the Virgin Voyages app – Reservations open 45 days before sailing (if paid in full), or 60 days for Rockstar Suites.
- Limited slots available pre-cruise, but more may open once you’re on board, especially after 5 PM on embarkation day.
- Gunbae and Test Kitchen fill up fast—book those first!
- If your preferred times are full, check the app daily for cancellations or stop by the restaurant host stands.
Main Restaurants (All Included)
We booked one main restaurant to try for each night of our cruise, then used the quick service and Ship Eats room service for other snacks and meals during the day. Here’s every restaurant that we tried on the ship!
Pink Agave
Night One – Pink Agave
Upscale Mexican with mezcal vibes and mood lighting.
Our Impression: A standout! Flavor-packed, creative, and visually stunning. Excellent cocktails too.
Vibe: Dark, sultry, edgy—like dining in a speakeasy with Mexican cuisine
Must-try: Guacamole, esquites, AGUACHILE, enchiladas, and one of their over 100 mezcals
Razzle Dazzle by Night
Night Two – Razzle Dazzle
Vegetarian-forward with a cheeky twist.
Our take: Perfect for brunch or a lighter dinner. Great for both veg-lovers and carnivores alike.
Vibe: Retro diner with modern flair
Must-try: Slow-cooked Lamb, yellowfin tartare, and the fried chicken (for the meat-eaters)
Test Kitchen
Night Three – Test Kitchen
A modernist tasting menu adventure.
Vibe: Minimalist and experimental
Format: Multi-course, themed menus that change seasonally (menus are titled by ingredients only)
Our take: A unique, immersive experience—like dining in a science lab. Go in open-minded!
Must-try: Definitely do the wine or cocktail pairing with each course!
Gunbae
Night Four – Gunbae
Korean BBQ meets cruise ship party.
Vibe: Interactive tables, built-in grills, loud and fun
Must-try: Everything!!! Bulgogi, pork belly, kimchi fried rice, and drinking games
Our take: A blast! This is the place to laugh, eat, and make new friends over soju and sizzling meat.
The Wake
Night Five – The Wake
Your elevated steak-and-seafood house with serious brunch game.
Vibe: Modern glam, overlooks ship’s wake
Our take: The Wake delivers a sophisticated, classic dinner atmosphere, but unfortunately, we didn’t care for the food, and the service ended up being terrible and uninviting
Extra Virgin
Honorable Mention – Extra Virgin
Rustic Italian fare with house-made pasta and a curated wine list.
Vibe: Warm, intimate, and cozy—think Tuscan trattoria at sea
Wine lovers: A sommelier is on hand to help pair wines with every course
Our Take: Although we didn’t end up making a reservation here, we wish we had gone here instead of The Wake!
ShipEats: Room Service, Reimagined
Virgin Voyages offers 24/7 room service through their ShipEats feature in the app, making it easy to enjoy snacks or meals in your cabin or hammock. You can order anything from breakfast bowls and burgers to fresh salads, desserts, and late-night munchies. While the food itself is included in your cruise fare, there’s a $7 delivery fee—but that fee is waived if you order any chargeable item, like a glass of wine, smoothie, or espresso. It’s a perfect option for a slow morning in bed or a private dinner on your sea terrace watching the sunset.
Believe it or not, we still aren’t done talking about all the food options included in a Virgin Voyages Cruise!
Casual & Quick Service Spots (All Included)
The Galley
Virgin’s version of a food hall—open almost all day.
- Bento boxes
- All-day breakfast
- Ramen station
- Tacos
- Burgers & fries
- Diner classics
- Sushi
- Sweet treats
💡 Tip: Table service—just sit down and scan the QR code to order.
The Dock & The Dock House
Elegant Mediterranean small plates and chill vibes
- Mezze, grilled shrimp, steak skewers
- Wine, sangria, craft cocktails
- Live music in the evenings
💡 Don’t miss: The grilled shrimp and house-made pita with hummus.
Pizza Place
Create-your-own or choose from curated combos
- Fresh personal pies made to order
- Open late! Great for post-party cravings
💡 Pro tip: Grab a seat outside for ocean views with your margherita.
Sun Club Café
Hawaiian poke-inspired bowls
- Light, fresh, and beachy
- Great post-workout option
The Social Club Diner
Nostalgic American treats
- Hot dogs, popcorn, milkshakes
- Board games and air hockey right nearby
💡 Great for late-night snacks or a sugar hit.
Lick Me Till… Ice Cream
Yes, that’s really the name (remember this is an adults-only cruise line!)
- Rotating flavors of house-made ice cream
- Vegan options always available
💡 Free scoops all day long—no shame in going twice.
Bars and Drink Spots Across the Ship
On the Rocks – Craft cocktails with live music
Sip Lounge – Champagne bar with afternoon tea
The Loose Cannon – Nautical-themed pub
The Red Bar – Bright, social cocktail bar
Gym & Tonic – Post-workout juice and smoothies
Aquatic Club Bar – Poolside frozen drinks
The Dock Bar – Sangria, spritzes, and beachy vibes
The Athletic Club Bar – Overlooks the back of the ship—great for sunsets
Food & Drinks at The Beach Club at Bimini
One of the highlights of any Virgin Voyages cruise is a day at The Beach Club at Bimini, a private slice of paradise exclusive to Sailors. And yes—the food and drinks are included here too! A full beachside lunch is served at no extra cost, featuring island-inspired dishes like BBQ chicken, grilled mahi-mahi, fresh salads, coconut rice, and tropical fruit. You’ll also find plenty of plant-based options.
Basic beverages like water, soda, and juice are free, and you can use your Bar Tab at any of the bars on the beach for frozen cocktails, beer, wine, and more. There’s even beachside service, so you don’t have to leave your lounger for that next round of piña coladas. It’s the perfect way to eat, sip, and swim the day away in style.
Final Foodie Tips
Dining is relaxed: No dress codes, no set times—eat where you want, when you want, and as much as you want.
Try everything: Since it’s all included, feel free to restaurant-hop or order multiple entrees.
Plan Ahead: Walk-up dining is possible, especially at earlier or later times of the evening. However, reserving your dining experience in the app is easy and stress-free.
Use the app: Mobile ordering works at many casual spots, and the daily schedule shows pop-up events like shake-for-champagne or exclusive tasting menus.
My bestie and I had the most unbelievable and delicious experience on our Virgin Voyages cruise, and I honestly can’t wait to plan another one! Whether you’re into innovative cuisine, chill mezze platters, or late-night pizza under the stars, Valiant Lady serves up a cruise experience like no other. With every bite included and no buffets in sight, Virgin Voyages is the ideal ship for travelers who want freedom, flavor, and fun in every meal.
Contact me to book your next Foodie Adventure!
I’ve only been on two cruises, but one thing I learned quickly is that a cruise is where you should try different foods. I get stuck in a rut and always order the same things at the same restaurants. On a cruise you can try new stuff and if you don’t like it, try something else.. It’s already paid for… It’s also the time to order every dessert in the place and have a ‘family feast of sweets’.
Soo true!!