Virgin Voyages' second lady ship, Valiant Lady, shed her winter wardrobe and sailed from her sunny new Mediterranean homeport of Port de Barcelona on May 15.
Eternally fashionable Barcelona - famed for its lively nightlife, sweeping architecture and world-class cuisine - will be the second homeport after Miami for the award-winning lifestyle and travel brand. Founded by Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Voyages further expends the global footprint of the award-winning cruise line.
Located right off the iconic shopping and cultural strip of Las Ramblas, Valiant Lady's new VIP quarters in the vibrant European city offers Sailors a stunning selection of seven-night itineraries through the sun-drenched, azure waters of the Mediterranean.
Fancy lounging all day (and night) at some of Ibiza's most exclusive, hidden beaches? Dreaming of sipping Chianti on the cobble-lined streets of Italy one day and sampling the best Rosé from Southern France the next? Valiant Lady has not one, but three dreamy sailings traversing the Mediterranean coastline that can help Sailors do just that.
The Irresistible Med takes guests from Barcelona to the French Riviera, exploring hidden gems along the way. French Daze & Ibiza Nights, lives up to its name with a stop in the French metropolis of Marseille, a night of glamour in celebrity hotspot Cannes, paired with an unforgettable night in Ibiza. Last, but not least, Spanish Obsession will hop around the Balearic Islands from Mallorca with its superyacht-filled waterways, to Málaga with its rich history, before concluding with an overnight escape in Ibiza. All three itineraries offer the ideal getaway for those looking to experience something new and exciting.
Remember, bigger isn't always better. Virgin Voyages' luxury fleet of four mid-size ships, will offer Sailors access to discreet and charming ports in the Mediterranean that bigger ships can't access.
Speaking of the launch, Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson said: "The spectacular Mediterranean is home to some incredible destinations that everyone should have the pleasure of enjoying, and I can't wait for everyone to experience this region with us.
When we started Virgin Voyages, we knew we wanted to create something special, unlike anything ever seen before in the cruising world. The result is something I am tremendously proud of, and I hope everyone in Barcelona joins me in bidding bienvenida to Valiant Lady."
Following the globally celebrated debut of her sister ship Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady features an impressive 1,330 cabins and 78 RockStar Quarters - not to forget, the two iconic Massive Suites. These digs boast their own RockStar Agent (what everyone else would call a butler), turntables, four electric guitars and a private hot tub - all of which hold industry accolades for the best suites at sea.
With 86 percent of cabins holding a balcony and 93 percent featuring ocean views, the cabins feature a new, elevated design that brings a warmer energy and more sophisticated feel - perfect for the longer seven-night Mediterranean itineraries.
Valiant Lady also features first-class entertainment, state-of-the-art wellness facilities and exquisite dining experiences curated by Michelin-starred chefs, giving Sailors the ultimate dose of vitamin-sea - no doubt much needed after epic overnighters in some of Europe's hottest destinations. Sailors can party all night in Ibiza and get ship-shape onboard the next day - after all, detox and retox is the name of the game.
Commenting on the MerMaiden sailing, Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages, said: "We are so excited to finally bring our beautiful Valiant Lady to Barcelona and begin her European tour. With her sistership Scarlet Lady sailing the gorgeous Caribbean seas, the stunning Mediterranean was the dream destination for our next home. From Palma de Mallorca, to Cagliari or Toulon, we're thrilled to be able to offer Sailors the Virgin access to some of Europe's most stunning destinations."
For a limited time, book and sail on a voyage in the next 120 days with Virgin Voyages' Lock It In cabin rates and get 40% off and $400 in onboard credit to spend on spa treatments in the afternoon and Champagne at night* - or sail anytime in the future and get 20% off your sailing.
