Valiant Lady in the Caribbean

[SongsInMyHead]

Has anyone done a Caribbean cruise on the Valiant Lady? It wasn’t on my radar until my TA suggested it as an option. I don’t need anything special for a “night” life. I was honestly thinking about Holland so now I’m sort of confused and want to learn more. 

[CineGraphic]

We have done an 8 day Caribbean on the Valiant, and have the exact same sailing booked for April of next year,and we just returned yesterday from a 5 day sailing on the Valiant to the Dominican Republic and Bimini. She's a wonderful ship, with a great crew. St. Croix had a lovely small town feel, and was a nice change from the typical Caribbean ports, and in San Juan you dock right in the middle of Old Town. We feel that everything is superior to HAL, and now I only sail with HAL when it's a free offer for a casino tournament.

[SongsInMyHead]

2 hours ago, CineGraphic said:

We have done an 8 day Caribbean on the Valiant, and have the exact same sailing booked for April of next year

What kind of entertainment did you enjoy? And the food?

[CineGraphic]

15 minutes ago, SongsInMyHead said:

What kind of entertainment did you enjoy? And the food?

 

The entertainment in unlike anything you've probably seen on other lines.

This past week we saw a wonderful cabaret/vaudeville style show which had various acts including the likes of sword swallowers, contortionists, and roller skating acrobats.

There's also a hysterical show called, "The Miss Behave Show" in which there is no way to describe, but I've never laughed so hard and had so much fun in decades.

 

They also bring on a wide variety of guest musicians and buskers from around the world. Everything from rock & blues, to salsa and the like.

 

The food is all cooked "ala minute" and not the standard pre-cooked wedding reception fodder that is common on other lines. There are several dining venues to choose from, all at no additional charge. Youtube is very helpful in this case, and I'm sure someone will happily jump in  with a few links. The other night, my wife and I ordered a 65 day dry-aged tomahawk stake for an upcharge, and it could have easily fed a family of 5.

 

 

 

 

[Giraffes]

On 5/16/2024 at 2:24 PM, SongsInMyHead said:

Has anyone done a Caribbean cruise on the Valiant Lady? It wasn’t on my radar until my TA suggested it as an option. I don’t need anything special for a “night” life. I was honestly thinking about Holland so now I’m sort of confused and want to learn more. 

Three of them. What are you wondering?

[Cloud9 Bob]

I find that Virgin Voyages has some major differences over other lines that keep me coming back:

 

1) No Children

2) Excellent Food, freshly prepared

3) Content staff

4) All inclusive

 

No photographers, no hard sells, no art gallery sales, no needless PA announcements are all honorable mentions. If you don't try it, you'll never know...so go!

[SongsInMyHead]

14 hours ago, Giraffes said:

On 5/16/2024 at 1:24 PM, SongsInMyHead said:

 

Three of them. What are you wondering?

So you must have enjoyed it then!

 

How is the food is a big question for me. People vaguely say it’s good but are there more popular places or favorites?

 

What were your favorite excursions?

 

The shows look amazing, but what about the daily entertainment before the evenings?

 

thanks!

[cantgetin]

6 hours ago, SongsInMyHead said:

So you must have enjoyed it then!

 

How is the food is a big question for me. People vaguely say it’s good but are there more popular places or favorites?

 

What were your favorite excursions?

 

The shows look amazing, but what about the daily entertainment before the evenings?

 

thanks!

There are no main dining rooms, no buffet.  The food is fixed fresh when you order it.  In The Galley (food court), you can go to the various stations and order yourself or have a seat and place your order with a server.  There are 6 included restaurants which would be specialty dining on any other line.  You can make reservations beginning 45 days before your cruise.  They do take walk ups on a space available basis.  Each restaurant has a different theme/type of cuisine.  In addition, on each of our cruises The Galley has had a nightly dinner special as well as multiple lunch specials.  There are other places around the ship to get small plates, snacks, pizza, wings, etc.  Everyone has different tastes in food, but each restaurant had something we liked.  There are many sites where you can see the menus on line.

Daytime entertainment varies with length of cruise...music, trivia, games and fun in The Social Club, Sea Horse auction and race, lots more.  And don't forget the marvelous hammock with a good book.

[CruisingWalter]

On 5/16/2024 at 2:24 PM, SongsInMyHead said:

Has anyone done a Caribbean cruise on the Valiant Lady? It wasn’t on my radar until my TA suggested it as an option. I don’t need anything special for a “night” life. I was honestly thinking about Holland so now I’m sort of confused and want to learn more. 

 

We did the 8 night on Valiant for Thanksgiving last year and have done 4 overall VV cruises in the Caribbean. Holland and VV are 180 degrees apart in terms of overall experience. Holland is traditional cruising with proper European style service, Broadway style entertainment, beautiful ships and huge pools. 

 

VV includes all meals, WiFi, gratuities, soft drinks and exercise classes so the inclusive value is better than most other cruise lines.  No MDR, no Buffet. 6 restaurants and The Galley that is your food hall. Plus the Pizza Place, Sun Cafe poke bowls, Lick Me Till Ice Scream, the Social Club Diner and Opa Hour and more at The Dock.  The Sun Cafe is probably the most overlooked food spot on the ships because it's up on Deck 16 and I think people either never find it or forget that its there. 

 

VV is a very casual, come as you are, no dress code for anything type of cruise line. So expect to see shorts and T Shirts at dinner at every restaurant. I only say that because 'lack of proper dress for dinner' is a topic that comes up from time to time in the other cruise line boards here. At the same time, expect to see people dressed to impress. 

 

VV's biggest draw for me is the amazingly chill and relaxed experience onboard. It's summer camp for adults.  The misconception is a 24/7 party ship. It's not. It's a great space to relax, make new friends and enjoy some innovative entertainment and great food.  I did a food review on my first Scarlet Lady sailing and for the most part it still holds true. Though we no longer go to The Wake for dinner. The last 2 times we tried, it was not nearly as good as the first time.  

https://youtu.be/pBolzKvXjMU

 

All that being said, the 4 night cruise is a younger and more party active crowd than the longer 7 night cruises. That's pretty much true of any 3 or 4 night cruise on any cruise line. It's still a pretty chill ship, but there are more people who are 'here for three or 4 nights and I'm going to get everything I can out of this cruise' than the longer itineraries.  I would go on a 7 night minimum cruise on Valiant (or Resilient or Brilliant) than the 4 nighter for your first VV cruise.