Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady debuts Friday and TPG is on board
The second ship for newish cruise line Virgin Voyages, the brainchild of business mogul Richard Branson, will embark on its first revenue voyage Friday – a three-night sailing from the UK's Portsmouth port with two days in Zeebrugge. I'll be on board, bringing you content on behalf of The Points Guy.
Curious about what's to come? At 17 decks and with 2,770 passengers at capacity, adults-only Valiant Lady is nearly identical to sister ship Scarlet Lady. Because the ships are so similar, I plan to ferret out the few differences between the two vessels and share what I like and what I don't about the ship.
Are you a fitness freak or like to work out on vacation? The ship's fitness classes are free – along with Wi-Fi and food, which sets Virgin apart from other cruise lines, particularly for active passengers. I've signed up to do four classes in two days, and will let you know how the workouts stack up.
Given that Virgin has already made some tweaks to its cabins based on cruiser feedback, I'm eager to report on what works and what doesn't in terms of onboard accommodations. I'm particularly curious about the line's "seabeds," which serve as sofas during the day and convert to beds at night.
In the meantime, to familiarize yourself with the line before I set sail, check out these stories:
- An expert's first impressions of Scarlet Lady
- A newbie's first impressions of Scarlet Lady
- Why Scarlet Lady isn't just for millennials
- I got a tattoo on a cruise ship; here's why you should, too
- Is Virgin Voyages really too cool for buffets?
- Virgin Voyages lets you order Champagne by shaking your phone -- we tried it
- 18 notable features on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady
- Why you shouldn't order steak at the vegan restaurant on Virgin Voyages' new ship
- How fast is the Wi-Fi on Virgin Voyages' Scarlet Lady?
Now that you're up to speed, be sure to check out my author page for updates from Valiant Lady. If there's anything you'd like to know or want me to check out during my sailing, feel free to shoot me an email: ashley.kosciolek@thepointsguy.com.
Valiant Lady's scheduled cruises have the ship departing from Portsmouth before it relocates to its new Barcelona homeport. Calls include visits to Spain, Portugal, Belgium and the Canary Islands. Bookings are currently open for voyages through October 2023.
Featured photo by Virgin Voyages.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.