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My First Virgin Voyages Cruise on the Valiant Lady
My bestie and I just got back from a 5-night Virgin Voyages cruise on the Valiant Lady, and it was an incredible experience! This will likely be the first of several blog posts I write about our time on this beautiful ship. I have so many thoughts, tips, tricks, and photos to share!
I’m relatively new to cruising and have learned a ton from my time on Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas and The Disney Wish, but this was by far more my personal vibe! My goal aboard the Valiant Lady was to spend little money outside the basic cruise fare. For now, I thought I would create a brief overview of everything included without paying anything extra.
Check out my other posts, like our room tour and restaurant overviews, because this is absolutely a foodie experience like no other! (Surprise, I have so many photos to sort through!) Plus, I will provide a detailed account of everything we did and what we thought about it!
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Tips, Tricks, and How to Maximize the Fun Without Extra Spending
When I first booked my trip on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Virgin’s whole branding — “No kids, no buffets, no limits” — promised a new kind of cruise experience. And wow, did it deliver. From epic entertainment to Instagram-worthy eats (all included!) — this cruise felt luxurious and carefree without constantly reaching for my wallet.
If you’re gearing up for your first Virgin Voyages adventure, especially on the stunning Valiant Lady, here’s everything I wish I knew before setting sail — including tips to maximize what’s included so you can spend less and enjoy more!
First Impressions: The Vibe Is Different (in the Best Way)
Virgin Voyages isn’t your typical cruise line. No traditional cruise director yelling over a loudspeaker. No dress codes or stuffy formal nights. Instead, it feels like a chic, adults-only floating resort with spontaneous entertainment popping up everywhere, friendly crew, and a heavy dose of “do what you want, when you want.”
Tip: Download the Virgin Voyages app before you board. It’s your key to booking shows, restaurants, fitness classes, and more — everything happens through the app.
Your Key to Everything: The Wristband
When you check in at the port, you’ll receive a Virgin Voyages wristband — it’s your room key, payment method, and ID all rolled into one. No fumbling for keycards or cash. It’s waterproof too, so you can wear it in the pool or at the beach without worrying.
Tip: Put it on as soon as you get it and don’t take it off — it makes life so easy! Plus, it makes you feel like a VIP.
What’s Included (and How to Maximize It!)
Here’s the magic: SO MUCH is included in your cruise fare. You can have an absolutely amazing trip without spending a dime beyond your initial booking and bar tab.
All Specialty Dining — No extra charges for any restaurant!
Basic Bevvies — Water (still and sparkling), sodas, basic coffee, teas, and juices.
Wi-Fi — Basic Wi-Fi is free.
Fitness Classes — Yoga, HIIT, spin, and more, all complimentary.
Group Workouts + Outdoor Activities — Bootcamps, boxing, meditation.
Entertainment — Lively shows and pop-up performances around the ship.
Tips and Gratuities — Already included. No stress about tipping unless you want to give extra!
Tip: Make your restaurant reservations as soon as you can in the app (up to 45 days before your voyage, or 60 days in advance if you’re booked in a RockStar or Mega RockStar Quarter. Reservations open at midnight EST on the 45th day). Prime times fill up fast, especially for spots like Gunbae (Korean BBQ) and The Wake (surf and turf vibes).
The Parties You Can’t Miss
Sail Away Party
Right after boarding, grab a drink, head to the pool deck, and join the lively sail away party! There’s a DJ, dancing, and major “vacation mode” energy. It’s the perfect way to kick off your voyage with new friends and great vibes.
Tip: Board early and head straight to the pool deck for the best spots near the action.
PJ Party
Typically, the first night of the cruise, you’ll get an invite to the PJ Party. Yes — people really show up in pajamas, and the outfits range from adorable onesies to full-on glam satin sets. It’s a judgment-free zone of dancing, laughing, and letting loose.
Tip: Pack a cute or funny pajama outfit just for this night — you’ll want to join in!
Scarlet Night (The Main Event)
Scarlet Night is the iconic night aboard Virgin Voyages. Everything on the ship transforms — red lights, red outfits, wild performances, and a totally unhinged pool party to end the night. Everyone wears red (any shade, any style), and the energy is electric.
Tip: Pack something red ahead of time! Whether it’s a casual dress, a jumpsuit, a swimsuit cover-up, or a red T-shirt — anything goes, but you’ll want to participate. And yes, jumping into the pool fully clothed is a beloved Scarlet Night tradition!
Spend Little to Nothing Extra
Aside from my pre-purchased Bar Tab (more on that in a second), here’s how I kept my onboard charges basically zero:
- Dining Strategy: I made reservations for dinners ahead of time, but also used “on-demand” eats like The Galley (Virgin’s food hall) and casual spots like The Dock for small plates and snacks throughout the day.
- Entertainment: Since everything is included, you can bounce between immersive theater, live music, and even random pop-up dance parties — all without paying extra.
- Fitness Fun: They offer super fun fitness classes and workout equipment with incredible views. (Counterbalanced by late-night pizza at The Pizza Place, of course.)
- Free Drinks: I took full advantage of the included water, sodas, specialty coffees, and juices instead of buying fancy drink packages. Plus, complimentary champagne at many of the events!
Quick Note About the Bar Tab
Virgin Voyages doesn’t do traditional “unlimited drink packages.” Instead, you can pre-purchase a Bar Tab (in $100 increments), and Virgin often adds bonus money when you prepay before your cruise.
Tip: Pre-purchase your Bar Tab during a promo! I bought $300, and Virgin gave me an extra $50 — that free $50 helped cover a few poolside cocktails.
Signature drinks range around $9–$16. Craft cocktails, frozen drinks, wine, and beer are all charged to your bar tab. And if you don’t use it all, you can roll it into specialty coffees, fresh-pressed juices, or even a bottle of bubbly to take home! Or if you do use it all, no worries, they just charge your card on file, and there is no delay in the fun!
Extra Tips for the Most Fun
Arrive Early to the Terminal — Check-in times are staggered, but the earlier you get on, the more time you have to explore the ship and start your vacation. Our boarding time was 3:15, but we were on the ship and in our stateroom well before that! There will be a line, but don’t fret – it moves quickly!
Try All the Restaurants — Even if you already booked main dinners, many spots take walk-ins at odd hours. Lunch at Pink Agave or brunch at The Wake? Yes, please.
Explore the Secret Spots — Find the hidden nooks like The Dock House loungers or Richard’s Rooftop (if you have access) for prime chilling. We loved the Dock House, the Sip Lounge, and On the Rocks.
Book Shore Things Wisely — Virgin’s shore excursions (“Shore Things”) are excellent but can be pricey. You’re welcome to get off the ship and explore ports on your own for free! We just explored the Punta Langosta port area in Cozumel, did some souvenir shopping, and got a margarita, chips, guacamole, and then got right back on to enjoy an almost empty ship!
Final Thoughts… for now
Virgin Voyages totally shattered my old-school cruise expectations — and somehow made everything feel luxurious without the nickel-and-diming. If you lean into the experiences included in your fare, wear your wristband with pride, and show up for the parties, you’ll have the time of your life without stressing about extra spending.
Would I book another trip on Valiant Lady (or any Virgin ship)?
In a heartbeat. 10/10 Highly recommend!
See you next week with more details about our specific experience!
What ports did it go to?
Cozumel and Bimini!