Exotic Cruise to the Lesser Antilles with Virgin Voyages

Introduction:

In March 2024, I embarked on a 7-night cruise aboard the Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady, exploring The Lesser Antilles. I had sailed with Virgin Voyages previously and really enjoyed the lively atmosphere on the ship. I wanted to get on board again with the experience I gained from my first voyage and was interested in visiting some of the Caribbean destinations that are out of reach from Florida ports without taking a 10+ night cruise.

Pre-cruise experience:

My partner and I decided to book this cruise before we left the ship the first time. We stayed in touch with our friends during that initial cruise using the complimentary WiFi, allowing us to secure our itinerary and cabin type before disembarking from the ship.
As our upcoming cruise was quickly approaching, we made our final payment through Virgin Voyages’ comprehensive booking portal online and soon after, it was time to check in for the cruise. Packing for the cruise was a breeze given our previous experience sailing with them. We knew what to expect and arrived to the port prepared!

Ship overview:

I love the modern designs with all of the comforts of a cruise ship on Valiant Lady. Touted as a mega-yacht, the spaces on board are nautical in theme and very warm throughout. There’s a great connection to the ocean on the outdoor wrap-around deck which climaxes at the aft of the ship in this amazing promenade space called The Dock.
As you move higher up on the ship, you'll find great spaces to relax and enjoy sun salutations, whether at the morning yoga stretch or the VHS workout while wearing your headband. Or, like me, you might prefer to sip a cup of coffee while watching the world pass by. There's an activity for everyone!

There are many quiet places to relax, with nooks and crannies all over the ship. You might prefer the bright red hammock found on every balcony, or Sea Terrace as they call it. When the night falls on the ocean, the ship springs to life with wonderful activities from shows to deck parties.

Dining and drinks:

Virgin Voyages really found a way to speak to my taste buds. I’ve tried foods I never thought would enter my mouth when dining at Test Kitchen. Have you ever tried beet foam? And if that’s not your cup of tea, there’s great food in The Wake, the onboard steakhouse serving up tender and flavorful meats and seafood. One of the shining moments for Virgin Voyages is the lack of buffets and sticky tongs, and The Galley is a great replacement for this dining style. Their international offerings can satisfy the strongest cravings and as a bonus, they’ve got a 24-hour diner available for those late night snacks.

One of the things I love about sailing Virgin Voyages is the diversity of drinks offered across the many bars. From The Loose Cannon to On The Rocks to the Sun Club Bar, there are adult bevvies to please even the strictest palate.

Entertainment and activities:

Entertainment options were top-notch. The resident Drag Queen had us rolling on the floor with laughter at her show “Around the World with the Diva.” We enjoyed several of the other shows on board and were relieved to discover that they weren’t Broadway-style shows that leave the audience wanting more.

I can't talk about the Entertainment on board without mentioning the surreal Scarlet Night experience. The ship turns red from the inside and there are stories and performances all throughout leading up to the main event on the top deck. It’s a festive gathering which you won’t want to miss.

Service and crew:

You can tell that the crew are happy and enjoy working for Virgin Voyages. Every interaction I had with a crew member was positive and unique. It was fun to learn their individual stories and hear about their aspirations. We encountered an issue during our cruise and the team at Sailor Services were quick to respond and corrected the problem efficiently.

Ports and shore excursions:

During the voyage, we sailed from San Juan and made stops in Aruba, Curacao, Martinique and St. Kitts. This was a first time to Martinique for everyone in our group so we enjoyed a day of exploring this gorgeous island. We tried some local flavors and did a walking tour through the hilly neighborhoods. We loved getting to visit these exotic ports and the weather was perfect!

Image 1: Toasting to an amazing cruise vacation from those signature red hammocks ; Image 2: Imagine dining here for brunch or dinner and soaking up the views of the water

Additional costs:

Something I really appreciate about sailing Virgin Voyages is that there are no hidden or unexpected fees! When you book your voyage, it includes the taxes, port fees, gratuities, WiFi, fitness classes, and dining on board. That’s right! All of the restaurants on Virgin Voyages’ ships are included in your cruise fare. There might be upcharge options, but you can rest assured that there will be no surprise fees at the end of the sailing.

Overall Impressions:
I had a great time on this cruise. Similar to the last time sailing with Virgin Voyages, I booked my next cruise adventure before disembarking the ship! It’s obvious that they take pride in their dining options as each meal we had was top-notch. The service was refreshing and just the general atmosphere was great! We met people as young as 20 all the way up to 72 years of age.
Virgin Voyages does a great job at providing a safe space for all on board, and we felt very comfortable being among the many people from the LGBTQ+ community. There were plenty of activities to keep me going, and if I wanted a little rest and relaxation, that was easy for me to find, too.

- Book early to get the best rates and cabin choices.
- Be comfortable in what you pack; no need for formal wear, and be ready for the themed parties during the cruise
- Pay close attention to the schedule to ensure that you make it to all of the events you want to see

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Caribbean. In need of further inspiration? Check out Stephanie Stevenson’s guide, Unlocking the Caribbean's Best-Kept Secrets: A 5-Day Retreat to Saint Kitts and Nevis.