Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady – Cruise Blog – Day 5 – Unexpected Sea Day

December 12, 2024 Randy Young

It was our last day aboard Valiant Lady—a day when we were supposed to visit Virgin Voyages’ private destination in Bimini. Unfortunately, Hurricane Rafael had other plans. Due to the storm, we had to skip the port, turning it into an unexpected third sea day on this five-day sailing. See how we spent our last day aboard.

Virgin Voyages Day 5 Overview

Late Breakfast in The Galley
Rough Weather and a Rocking Ship
Sailor Loot to Burn
Shops on Valiant Lady
Squid Ink Tattoo Parlor
Board Games at The Social Club
Trying Burger Bar at The Galley
Missed Port Cocktail Party
Music Trivia at The Social Club
Pre-Dinner Drinks at Sip Lounge
Extra Virgin for Dinner
Stargazers at The Dock
Untitled DanceShowPartyThing
Circus Disco / Studio 72 in The Manor
Debarkation Brunch
Heading to Miami Airport

Virgin Voyages – Day 5 At a Glance Schedule

valiant lady mayan sol day 5 schedule page 1

valiant lady mayan sol day 5 schedule page 2

Late Breakfast in The Galley

Since we had no plans today, I slept in—later than I ever would at home. Eventually, I made my way to The Galley for breakfast around 10:15 AM. Normally, most cruise buffets stop breakfast service by then, but breakfast was still in full swing in The Galley. It seemed many other passengers had the same idea, as The Galley was pretty full. Still, I had no problem finding a table, and all the food stations had short lines.

For breakfast, I got the French toast, dusted with powdered sugar and served with berries, from The Burger Bar. They had an amazing-looking French Toast Burger that I wanted to try, but it looked too big for me; I would have felt sick all day. For sides, I grabbed some crispy hash browns and a pile of bacon. It hit the spot.

Rough Weather and a Rocking Ship

While we were a safe distance away from the hurricane, the weather outside still wasn’t good. It was gloomy and misty, and the high winds and rough seas had Valiant Lady rocking back and forth. The pools were empty, and as I walked by, I could see the water sloshing around. It was going to be an inside day today.

This weather really showed where Valiant Lady struggled a bit. We were at about 70% capacity, and the ship felt more crowded than I experienced the rest of the sailing. I’d really worry about sailing on a cold-weather cruiser or during hurricane season when you might have to be inside a lot. It’s not that there aren’t enough indoor spaces, but they’re not really well used during bad weather.

Sailor Loot to Burn

At this point in the cruise, I checked my onboard account using the Virgin Voyages app. When I boarded, I had $750 in onboard credit, which Virgin Voyages calls “Sailor Loot,” to spend. This credit was mainly from using a travel agent to book the cruise (Virgin calls them “First Mates”). She used a “My Next Virgin Voyages” (MNVV) voucher to get us $600 in credit per cabin, and then she added $150 as part of her promotion.

Since I originally booked this, Virgin Voyages has significantly reduced the benefits of the MNVV program, so you’re not likely to see as much onboard credit anymore. But it does make it worth looking into a travel agent instead of booking directly through Virgin Voyages.

Virgin Voyages has two kinds of onboard credit: Bar Tab and Sailor Loot. Both are usually non-refundable, but Bar Tab goes towards alcohol purchases only, while Sailor Loot can be used for nearly anything onboard. If you purchase Bar Tab ahead of time, Virgin gives you a bonus credit (e.g., $25 for every $250 added). Since Virgin doesn’t offer a drink package, Bar Tab is the only way to save on drinks.

For this cruise, the Sailor Loot we received covered all the alcohol purchases we made onboard, and we still had $150 to spend—so we went shopping.

Shops on Valiant Lady

I’m not one for shopping on a cruise ship, but I thought I’d check out the options since I had non-refundable Sailor Loot to burn. I headed to the shopping area off of The Roundabout on Deck 6 to browse the various stores.

Overall, the shops were pretty quiet, with only a handful of people in them. The most crowded was the Virgin Voyages brand store, where you could buy all kinds of branded merchandise. They had a lot of things to choose from: t-shirts, hoodies, Christmas ornaments, tumblers, cocktail glasses, and more. A lot of the merchandise featured Virgin’s signature red-and-white motif or cheeky designs. I ended up getting a couple of beach towels, a set of tumblers, and a t-shirt.

The Duty-Free Liquor Store onboard was one of the smallest I’ve seen at sea. It was small and a bit dark, with not much on display. Thankfully, they had a price list, so you could place an order and have it delivered. A quick Google search showed that most of the liquor onboard was about 25% cheaper than at home (New Jersey). That said, my bags were already at the airline’s weight limit, so bringing home alcohol wasn’t an option.

Tip: Duty-free alcohol isn’t always a great deal. While the quantity discounts offered a 25% savings, the list prices were higher than I’d seen at home. Be sure to compare prices to what you typically pay, and remember that alcohol adds significant weight if you’re flying home.

In the back of the shopping area, near Extra Virgin, was a sundries store with snacks, sunscreen, and other small items. I ended up grabbing some ridiculously overpriced M&M’s for the flight home.

Squid Ink Tattoo Parlor

Virgin Voyages is the only cruise line to have a tattoo parlor onboard. Called Squid Ink, it was surprisingly busy during the first half of the cruise.

While I didn’t get any tattoos, I stopped in to check out the place. They have two tattoo artists onboard who provide flash and custom tattoos and a piercer. The artists rotate frequently, and you can see a list of the current artists and their work on the Squid Ink Instagram page (see the page).

Flash tattoos started at $250, while custom tattoos began at $300. People have said that the costs for custom work onboard are typically higher than on land (sometimes as much as double), but pricing can vary by artist.

Board Games at The Social Club

Next, we stopped by The Social Club to play some board games. The venue had a broad selection, and we saw people enjoying games with friends and family throughout the cruise. It was a much wider selection than I’d seen on other cruise lines, and it was a nice way to spend a rainy morning.

Trying the Burger Bar at The Galley

Around 12:30 PM, I headed back to The Galley for lunch. As usual, it was busy, but it felt much less crowded than other cruise ships’ buffets on sea days. I hadn’t tried Burger Bar for lunch, so I thought I might as well give it a shot.

For a place that specializes in burgers, the choice was pretty underwhelming. They had just three burger options: a standard burger, an Impossible vegetarian burger, and also a burger of the day. I went with the standard burger. It was a good burger with a juicy, tender beef paddy and melty American cheese, but it wasn’t exceptional. Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival ships still stands out as the best burger at sea for me.

Missed Port Cocktail Party

Since we weren’t able to go to Bimini, the crew was going to throw us a cocktail party instead on the pool deck at 1:30 PM. Usually, Bimini has a big pool party around that time, so this would be a good replacement.

As the party approached, though, the weather didn’t cooperate, and it was misting outside. Because of that, they ended up moving the cocktail party indoors. However, the problem with this move is that they didn’t announce it anywhere. 10 minutes after it was supposed to start, they sent a message in the app saying that complimentary champagne would be served at all Deck 6 and 7 bars instead of the pool area because of the weather.

We headed down to The Roundabout to grab some bubbly. Just like The Sail Away Party, which had to be moved indoors (read that blog here), this wasn’t really a party and more just waiters handing out glasses of champagne. Because they lacked a good assembly space inside, there were no announcements, hosts, or live music. It was pretty much just cocktail hour at a bar. It would have been much better if they moved it to The Manor nightclub, but I know it was last minute.

Still, the staff did a fantastic job; you would never know they had mere minutes to move hundreds of champagne flutes down ten decks and pour at least two thousand glasses of champagne. Like the Sail Away Party, they weren’t stingy with the drinks; they’d routinely swap out our empty glasses. I swear, I drank more champagne on this cruise than I did in my entire life.

Music Trivia at The Social Club

We returned to The Social Club for “Music Trivia”, led by two of The Happenings Cast. The place was at maximum capacity; it was the first time it felt crowded on Valiant Lady this whole cruise. All of the chairs and tables were taken in both The Social Club and next door in The Loose Canon Bar that borders it. We managed to grab a spot on a chair rail to participate.

For the game, you were given 30 lyrics, and you had to guess the song or artist. It was surprisingly harder to do than you’d think.

During the game, I wanted to grab snacks from The Social Club bar. Since it was the last day, I went all out and got some fudge, popcorn, and a bag of gummy bears. I don’t remember the last time I had gummy bears, but I couldn’t resist; they looked so good sitting on the counter.

See The Social Club menu

I also grabbed a soda while there. On Virgin, soda is included in the cruise fare, which was really nice. Normally, I get the soda package on every cruise, but that usually means having to swipe your card at every bar or use a special glass at a fountain. On Virgin, if you ask for a soda, you get it immediately because everyone gets it free. It sped everything up so much. (Self-serve soda machines are also available in The Galley).

The trivia was a lot of fun, but I wished they had moved it to somewhere/larger. Then again, with last-minute lousy weather, I don’t know how many options they had.

Pre-Dinner Drinks at Sip Lounge

After a quick nap, we headed to The Sip Lounge for pre-dinner drinks. The place was really crowded. From 5 PM to 6 PM, the bar was used as a lounge for the Suite Guests for a happy hour. Typically, this Happy Hour is held every day on Richard’s Rooftop, the private suite-only area, but it was moved inside because of the inclement weather.

People started to leave as soon as the complimentary cocktails stopped, and we were able to grab a seat. I noticed while looking around that the furniture was really poorly chosen here. Many of the seats would fit 1.5 people, too big for one person and too small for two. Because of that, there felt like there was a lot of wasted space in the main seating area.

We were enjoying the music of Meg LaGrande, a violinist we heard yesterday while waiting to get a drink. Thankfully, it was a different set list; I hate when cruise ship performers do the same songs every day because I usually like to go back to the ones I enjoy.

Unfortunately, getting a drink here proved tricky. We waited for 20 minutes and then I went to the bar myself, which was kind of crowded because they were cleaning up from the cocktail reception earlier. It was the only time I had an issue with getting a drink the entire cruise, and I think, again, it was because of the last-minute changes due to the weather.

See the Sip Lounge drink menu

Extra Virgin for Dinner

Tonight’s dinner was at Extra Virgin, Virgin Voyages’ Italian-style restaurant. Because of its odd location at the back of the “High Street” retail shopping area, I hadn’t had a chance to see the restaurant yet. I was surprised at how un-Italian it looked.

Extra Virgin‘s decor offers a fresh, modern twist on the traditional Italian trattoria theme. Instead of the rustic wood tables and checkered tablecloths often associated with Italian eateries, the restaurant features a bold yet refined aesthetic. Rich terracotta banquette seating is paired with teal wall paneling, creating a striking color palette that feels both contemporary and welcoming. The chevron-patterned carpet in soft neutral tones adds subtle texture and a modern feel to the space.

We arrived at 6:55 PM for our 7 PM reservation and got in line to see the hostess. The place was mobbed. We ate at the same time nearly every night on this sailing, and no other restaurant was this crowded. The hostess turned away two couples in front of us because they couldn’t accommodate people without reservations that evening. Even though we had a reservation, we had to wait 25 minutes to sit down, which was odd; at every other restaurant onboard, we sat immediately.

Once we sat down, it was still a bit chaotic. A waiter didn’t even come over for 10 minutes, but the rest of the meal was fine once he did. Something must have happened this evening that threw off the service.

See the Extra Virgin Dinner Menu

The meal started with a charcuterie board, something that each table gets and then overed a few other appetizers. My favorite was the braised mini meatballs, which were tender and flavorful from the pancetta. The semolina-fried calamari was also delicious, with a thick, crisp coating. The crispy artichoke was a miss for me; there just wasn’t much there, and it didn’t have much flavor.

For my pasta course, I got the pappardelle al ragu, which was a perfect size. The pasta was tender, and the sauce tasted like it’d been simmering for hours with a nice complex flavor. My main entree was the grilled Mediterranean Sea Bass, which was ok, but pretty forgettable.

For dessert, I had the Ricotta Bomboloni, which reminded me of the delicious doughnuts I had in Naples, Italy, this summer (follow along on that cruise blog here). They were light and fluffy, and the black currant compote added just enough sweetness.

Overall, the meal took about an hour from when they took our order, which felt right.

Stargazers at The Dock

After dinner, we headed to an event called Stargazers. It was held on Deck 7 on The Dock, the aft promenade of the ship. Everyone grabbed a bed or seat and stared at the sky as soft environmental music played in the background. The weather had calmed down; the deck was dry, and a bright moon illuminated the night sky.

Two of The Happenings cast read a story about the Gods and the Sky, their British accents making it sound more authentic and engaging. It was a very relaxing event and a great use of the outdoor space. I always wonder why cruise lines avoid using their outdoor spaces at night, but this was a perfect use of it.

See The Dock Bar Menu

Untitled DanceShowPartyThing

This evening’s show was “Untitled DanceShowPartyThing.” Nothing described what the show was, but we figured we’d try it. We got in line at the Red Room about twenty minutes before the show, and the doors opened 15 minutes before.

Tip: For Untitled DanceShowPartyThing, you don’t need to get to the theater early as there are no seats. You’re standing the whole time, and the space will change while you’re there, so there’s not a “good” spot to be.

We walked in, and the Red Room was set up completely differently than the previous shows we’d seen there. The traditional stage was gone, and a huge inflatable pink whale stood in its place. All the seats were folded into the wall, and the space looked more like a high school multi-purpose room. Around the room, platforms were stationed in different areas, covered in glowing paint and tape. A large platform jutted off the main stage area like a runway.

untitleddancepartything stage with inflatable whale

The show started with a countdown, and then dancers in blue jumpsuits looking like discount versions of Raygun from Australia’s Breakdancing Olympic team began performing. Narration took us through different scenes as performers moved from platform to platform and through the audience. Their dances were well-choreographed and energetic.

Throughout the performance, the stages moved, forcing the audience to move around with them. This movement made the performance more immersive and engaged the audience more. You didn’t know what was next, what was moving, or where to look.

At parts, they had dances the crowd could participate in, from the Electric Slide to the Macarena. But because you kept moving around and didn’t know what was happening, people seemed more likely to engage with it. People who would typically sit in their seats with their arms crossed participated just because it was what was happening everywhere. At some point, the whole crowd was singing along to “Living on a Prayer” and “My Heart Will Go On.”

It was a unique, immersive performance, and I liked how it was executed. Even in describing it, I know I’m not doing it justice. You have to think of UntitledDanceShowPartyThing as an experience, not a show, and you’ll get it. It’s definitely something I haven’t seen on any other cruise line. When I was aboard Norwegian Viva last summer, they tried to do dance parties with their 80s Prom and Ocean Music Fest, but the dance floor was empty; people wanted seats and to sit down. This more dynamic production shows how to do this concept well.

The oddest part of the performance was the end, in that it didn’t feel like there was an end. The performers got off stage, but the music was still going. It wasn’t clear if it was turning into a separate dance party/afterparty or if that was the end of everything. There was a separate event in The Manor after, so we assumed that’s where we’d go, but it would have been nice if The Happenings cast kind of said that.

Circus Disco / Studio 72 in The Manor

After the show, most people headed to The Manor, the dance club venue, for the “Circus Disco.” It wasn’t clear what it was, but it said it was 11:00 – 11:30 PM and then would be Studio 72 after that.

A moderately sized crowd was there as disco and 70’s hits played on the speakers. People were on the dance floor, and some acrobats came out and did some tricks. The performers were talented, spinning from a 15-foot pole and doing flips, but it felt like a cheesy variety show with no connection because of the “acts” and no MC hosting it.

Unfortunately, The Manor isn’t the best for seeing performances. It’s set up as a dance club, so you don’t have great views or sight lines if you’re not on the floor.

As I wandered around The Manor, I also realized how underutilized it is. The space is two stories, with three large bars and a lot of smaller rooms with seating and comfy booths throughout the space. It felt like a trendy nightclub with many nooks and crannies to escape from the dance floor, but they were all completely empty. This design makes sense on land, but on a ship, if you want a quieter place that’s not a dance club, you just leave the venue and go to another bay. That’s why most cruise ships don’t have a dedicated dance club, and if they do, it’s on the smaller side; you don’t have to accommodate everyone, just those who want to be at a dance club.

Debarkation Brunch

The next day, it was finally time to leave Valiant Lady. Unlike other cruise lines, Virgin doesn’t shove you off the ship at 7 AM. Their debarkation is much more relaxed and enjoyable.

Tip: You can book your debarkation time about a week before your cruise by using the app, or do it while onboard. We selected a 10 to 10:15 AM debarkation time since we had a later flight anyway (in reality, no one checked what group you were in to leave).

On debarkation day, you can have breakfast in The Galley or have brunch in Razzle Dazzle or The Wake. We made brunch reservations at The Wake for 8:30 AM. We left our luggage in our cabin, since you have access to your cabin until 10 AM, and headed to The Wake.

The Wake was about ¼ full, but we still had a 5-minute wait to get in, and 10 minutes until someone came over and took our order. Once they did, though, everything else was full speed ahead. We got our food within 4 minutes, and our whole meal was done in 25 minutes.

The brunch food was ok. I ordered “Egg in a frame” but didn’t read it properly and missed that egg was in quotes; it was a vegan dish. I really didn’t enjoy it, but that was my fault.

Overall, I felt their brunch was a bit too elevated; not a ton of classic brunch food I’d usually think of. That was a problem at quite a few of the restaurants—if you’re not a fancy eater, or prefer basic American staples, you might not find stuff at a lot of the restaurants onboard.

After brunch, we headed to The Galley so I could grab some fruit and a soda. I have never seen a more peaceful buffet/main eatery on a cruise debarkation day. One of the reasons was people didn’t have their luggage; it was in their rooms or off the ship, so chairs and walkways weren’t filled with suitcases and bags. Another reason was that there were no kids who are usually bouncing off the walls while eating on debarkation day.

Heading to Miami Airport

At 9:45 AM, they made an announcement for everyone to leave the ship, even though the last debarkation was supposed to be 10:30. We grabbed our suitcases and were off the ship and through customs within 15 minutes of leaving the cabin. It was a painless experience.

We walked over to the E1 parking lot, which is the dedicated ride-share pickup spot. The place was really crowded, but we had an Uber in 5 minutes. It cost us about $30, and it took 35 minutes to get to the airport and start our journey home.

Valiant Lady 5-Day Cruise Wrap-Up

Overall, I was really impressed by my first Virgin Voyages cruise. It was something different and yet familiar at the same time. It felt like it took all of the elements I enjoy from other cruise lines and combined them into one.

I liked how much was included. Yes, Virgin Voyages is more expensive than the mainstream cruise lines like Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, but it’s nice not to feel nickel-and-dimed. Not once did I have to wonder if a food item was included. Everyone on the ship had internet, they didn’t hide gratuities as an add-on to the cruise fare or drink purchases like other cruise lines do, and there weren’t restaurants you couldn’t go to because you weren’t in a certain class or cabin or hadn’t paid an extra $50. There’s no “ship within a ship” concept, which I really hate; I don’t want to feel like I’m second-class on my vacation. Yes, Virgin does have “Rockstars” in the suites, but I didn’t bump into that once. It was a very inclusive experience.

Then there’s the whole “kid-free” cruise experience. I don’t mind kids, but I normally sail in November and January to March when fewer kids are onboard mainstream cruise lines. But if you must sail in the summer, when a ship can literally have thousands of kids onboard, Virgin Voyages might be for you. Being kid-free is one of Virgin’s biggest selling points; honestly, it makes a difference. It’s just so much quieter, the events are more adult-oriented, and the vibe is totally different. And it’s not all people without kids; I spoke to many people where this was a long weekend away from the kids so they could focus on being a couple.