Valiant Lady has returned to service following a two-week dry dock, with a series of onboard updates including new dining, refreshed venues and more than 20 new Happenings events (onboard programming).
The ship is sailing in the Mediterranean this summer before repositioning to San Juan in the autumn.
Updates include the launch of Ariya by Razzle Dazzle, a new modern Indian restaurant, as well as redesigned spaces across The Athletic Club, The Roundabout, Grounds Club Too, The Manor, On the Rocks, The Dock and retail areas. All 1,300+ crew have also completed a “Virgin Way” culture booster as part of the ship’s return to service.
What’s new onboard Valiant Lady
* Ariya by Razzle Dazzle – A new modern Indian restaurant developed with Indie Culinaire and chef Maneet Chauhan. The venue seats 220 Sailors (guests), with a menu inspired by regional Indian cuisine, including dishes such as Lamb Shank Biryani and Puffed Rice and Avocado Chaat. The restaurant is named after Sir Richard Branson’s great-great-grandmother, Ariya, who was from Tamil Nadu.
* The Athletic Club – New shaded daybeds and updated lounge seating have been added to this outdoor social space which also contains a sports court and hot tubs.
* The Roundabout – The central onboard space has been refreshed in Valiant Lady’s signature plum colouring, with new furniture groupings.
* Grounds Club Too – The venue will continue serving Intelligentsia Coffee during the day, and will now evolve into a full bar from late afternoon.
* The Manor – Raised platforms have been removed to open up the dance floor and create more space for late-night entertainment.
* On the Rocks – The stage has been relocated to improve sightlines, with additional seating also introduced.
* The Dock – A new stage setup and windscreen have been added to make outdoor performances more comfortable in changing weather conditions.
* Retail – Luxury watch and jewellery brands TAG and Pandora have joined the onboard retail line-up, while the Virgin Voyages brand shop has moved into a larger space.
New onboard entertainment
Valiant Lady’s refreshed entertainment programme includes more than 20 new Happenings events across venues including the Red Room, The Manor, The Roundabout, The Perch, dining venues and late-night social spaces.
New additions in the Red Room include Sink Oar Swim, a participatory game show which turns the theatre into a high-stakes game show where every decision pushes Sailors closer to reward or disaster, while Sports Smarts combines sports trivia with physical challenges. In The Manor, new concepts include Pay Attent!on, inspired by vintage TV game shows, and Nice Box!, a retail-themed entertainment experience.
The late-night programme has also been expanded, with new social formats including Dirty Laundry and Off the Record, designed to bring Sailors together through character-led, interactive experiences.
Food and drink-led Happenings include:
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Extra Virgin: Aperitivo Club offers classic spritzes, premium olive oils and the art and science behind pasta pairings.
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Trust Your Tongue tests unconventional culinary combos while rating and ranking these unusual flavours at The Test Kitchen with ‘The Foodie’.
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Espresso Yourself create three espresso martinis, live music and coffee-inspired art.
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Sweet Aft Matcha invites guests to sample the rich history and flavour pairings of matcha.
The programme also includes wellness, fitness and creative sessions such as Silent Sweat, a headphone led fitness class, VHS Volume 2: The Great British Burn Off, a Britpop inspired group session, while Upcycle Club, Knot Today and Hooked work with reclaimed materials, ropework and crochet to create souvenirs.
Additional new formats include Extra! Extra!, a newsroom-based stage show; Check Please, a social chess tournament; and Knees Up, a pub quiz at sea.
Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages, said: “Valiant Lady was already one of the most compelling ships at sea, but we kept asking ourselves how to make her even more worth coming back for. The best transformations don’t come from smooth sailing but from listening, pushing further and creating something truly special. From Ariya to The Manor to a completely reimagined lineup of Happenings, Valiant Lady returns with a new energy our Sailors will feel immediately. Every one of our 1,300+ Crew has been through The Virgin Way, and that reignited culture is the linchpin to the service Sailors keep coming back for.”
Where she’s sailing
Valiant Lady’s upcoming deployment includes the Italian Grand Tour, French Riviera and Ibiza itineraries, followed by Northern Explorer sailings from Amsterdam to Iceland. Prices start from £783pp for a seven-night sailing departing July 4, 2026.
The ship will also operate a Total Eclipse of the Med itinerary, offering Sailors the opportunity to experience the solar eclipse from the water.
In October, Valiant Lady will reposition to San Juan for a series of six- to eight-night Caribbean sailings, operating through April 2027.
