Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady

4 Night Fire & Sunset Soirees Cruise - June 26, 2024

My friend (and fellow travel advisor) just invited me on a 4-night Virgin Voyages cruise to Key West and Bimini. Jay has to work, so I’m going solo!

Itinerary

Wednesday - June 26 - Miami, FL

Thursday - June 27 - Sea Day

Friday - June 28 - Key West, FL

Saturday - June 29 - Bimini, Bahamas

Sunday - June 30 - Miami, FL

Embarkation Day

Embarkation wasn’t too bad, the line to check in was quite long, but it was moving at a steady pace. Once I checked in and received The Band, I breezed through security and on board the Valiant Lady. I immediately went to Razzle Dazzle where they were handling dinner reservations so I quickly had mine adjusted.

I’m staying in a sea terrace (balcony) stateroom. The bed is as firm as I remember (tip: ask your cabin host (room steward) for a mattress topper, it’s just a duvet under the fitted sheet, but it really helps).

This is my first solo cruise and I’m having a blast so far. I’m missing Jay of course, but I’m not going to complain about having a room to myself! I’m not completely alone though, a friend of mine and her family are also on this voyage. They sweetly invited me to join them for all their dinner reservations, so I don’t have to eat alone.

Miami weather wasn’t the best, so the sailaway party was moved inside and all bars on decks 6 & 7 offered free sparkling wine (something I love about Virgin Voyages).

I joined my friends for dinner in Extra Virgin (the included Italian Restaurant on board - but even better, all restaurants are included). It was wonderful! I was disappointed with it last year on Scarlet Lady (it wasn’t bad, just didn’t wow me) so I’m really glad I tried it again.

I had the Affettati Misti, Ribollita, Grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass, and Pappardelle al Ragu. For dessert, I had affogato from the cart. It was all so delicious!

After dinner we went to The Miss Behave show in The Red Room (theater). It was hilarious! We had no idea what was going on and got points that didn’t matter. Just loved it!

I ended the night at the PJ Party. It was fun seeing everyone in their different pajamas, and I loved all the Amazon specials (myself included)! 

Sea Day

Today, Valiant Lady was at sea on the way to Key West. I started the day off by joining my friend at Razzle Dazzle for brunch.

I had the Razzle Dazzle Breakfast with smoked bacon and sliced fruit (and bottomless mimosas).

After that I enjoyed the sea day vibes at The Dock and Dock House. I ordered hanger steak and grilled shrimp mezze for lunch.

I attended the afternoon show of ‘Around the World with the Diva’ with Kara Kature. I loved the expanded version of this show with dancers in The Red Room.

Then it was time to get ready for dinner and Scarlet Night!

I joined my friends at dinner in Pink Agave (the included Mexican restaurant on Virgin Voyages).

I ordered Esquites, Camarón Amarillo, Pescado and Tacos de Chocolate. While service was very slow, everything I had was fantastic!

After dinner, we enjoyed the different Scarlet Night festivities around the ship. We ended the night at the Scarlet Night Pool Party. It was epic! We grabbed some pizza at the Pizza Place then called it a night.

We’re in Key West tomorrow and my only goal is to get a slice of key lime pie (it’s my favorite dessert)!

Key West, FL

It was a struggle to get up post-Scarlet Night festivities, but my friend and I had an appointment to tour the Casa Marina hotel in Key West as travel advisors and didn’t want to be late.

I had a quick breakfast in the Galley and grabbed an iced flat white from the Grounds Club before meeting up with her. We were quickly off the ship and in a taxi on the way to Casa Marina Key West.

Casa Marina is an iconic hotel in Key West, and has a rich history dating back to 1920. Throughout its 100+ years, Casa Marina has hosted numerous notable guests, including celebrities, dignitaries, and even presidents. It recently underwent a major renovation and is just as gorgeous as ever.

After our tour we grabbed a slice of Key Lime Pie from the original Key Lime Pie Bakery. It was very refreshing on this hot, muggy day with no breeze. After that we headed back to the ship.

It was the perfect time to take an afternoon nap and it was glorious. Aren’t cruise ship naps just the best? Then I met up with my friend at the Dock where we spent the afternoon talking and enjoying the breeze (finally).

That evening’s dinner was at Gunbae, the included Korean BBQ restaurant on Virgin Voyages. This was my first time ever eating Korean BBQ and I ended up loving it!

Dinner at Gunbae starts off with a bottle of Soju (Korean distilled rice liquor) and a drinking game. I was glad to be sitting with people I knew, but this could still be fun with a lively group of strangers.

For dinner I had dakgang jeong (spicy crispy fried chicken), bibimbap (mixed rice), and the chef’s combo of shrimp, pork belly, and short ribs.

After dinner we watched the Cabaret performance with The Hostess in On The Rocks. Then we went to see Duel Reality in The Red Room. We went to We Fancy in The Manor for a little while, then ended the night with a game of Cards Against Humanity in the Social Club.

Tomorrow, the Valiant Lady is in Bimini, Bahamas for the last day of the cruise.

Bimini, Bahamas

Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady was in beautiful Bimini, Bahamas for the last day of my first solo cruise!

I spent my day at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini. In the morning, I occupied my time alternating between lounging in a beach chair or relaxing in the calm ocean water that was the most gorgeous shade of turquoise.

By the early afternoon I had switched over to the pool for the Float On pool party. Later at Beach Eats, I enjoyed a quick lunch of watermelon & jicama salad, grilled honey jerk chicken thigh, and caribbean rice & black beans.

Once I was fully sunned, I headed back to the ship. I enjoyed a second lunch (I’m on a cruise!) of salad and sushi in the Galley. For dessert, I had a scoop of key lime pie ice cream at Lick Me Till… Ice Cream.

Unfortunately, since it was the last day of my cruise, it was time to pack. Then I got ready for dinner at The Wake, the included steakhouse on board Virgin Voyages.

I met up with my friends at The Wake, where we watched sail away from the large aft windows of the restaurant. For dinner I ordered the wedge salad, roasted bone marrow, filet mignon, and meyer lemon cheesecake.

For the second time this cruise we had really slow service. The food was very good, though my steak could’ve been warmer and I never received the side dish I ordered, but overall I still enjoyed my meal.

After dinner we went to see UNTITLED DANCESHOWPARTYTHING in the Red Room. This is such a fun, high energy show to end the voyage. Then we stopped by The Manor for Circus Disco.

I was exhausted from a day in the sun, so I went to bed after the shows.

Miami, FL

I woke up and Valiant Lady was already docked in Miami.

I met up with friends for brunch at The Wake. I ordered the steak & eggs, which was okay, but I prefer Razzle Dazzle’s brunch.

Then it was time to say goodbye to my friends and the Valiant Lady. It was a successful first solo cruise and another great voyage! I’m looking forward to sailing on Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady with Jay next spring! But, before that we have the Sun Princess in December. Until then, Happy Cruising!