Travel

Virgin Voyages predicts cruise boom in 2022, as Valiant Lady arrives at Tilbury

An aerial view of Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady at London Cruise Terminal

Virgin Voyages’ second ship, Valiant Lady, has arrived at the London International Cruise Terminal ahead of her maiden voyage, and some UK-based sailings.

From May, Valiant Lady will operate from her new homeport in Barcelona offering late night and overnight stays in the likes of Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Lisbon, Belgium and Ibiza. 

Commenting on the launch, Nirmal Saverimuttu, President of Virgin Voyages said: “We’ve thrown out the rule book and said goodbye to bow ties and buffets. Instead, our ships are exclusively adult, have a no-tipping policy and boast some of the best dining experiences you’ll find at sea, or on land for that matter, including the world’s first Korean BBQ and the biggest collection of mezcal and tequila at sea. This is what it means to set sail the Virgin way, and we can’t wait to welcome Sailors, old and new, on board.”  

The brand has seen a 178 per cent surge in bookings over the past six months, and predicts 2022 will see cruising demand return to near pre-pandemic levels.  

A study of 14,000 travellers reveals 96 per cent are keen to cruise this year. 

The survey found that UK travellers are hungry to explore, citing destinations as the lead factor in picking a cruise (69 per cent), with 80 per cent of cruisers looking for ‘exclusively adult’ holidays. 

The brand has seen a 178 per cent surge in bookings over the past six months…

Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady prepares for maiden voyage at Tilbury docks
Valiant Lady will sail out of Tilbury before moving to Barcelona in May

Virgin Voyages made a big splash in 2021, offering a fresh take on the cruise experience with its first vessel, Scarlet Lady.  

“It was incredible to launch Virgin Voyages last year, so welcoming our second ship, Valiant Lady, here in the UK less than a year later is a very special moment for the entire Virgin Voyages family,” says Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “After a tough two years, people are excited to explore the world again and it means a lot to us that we can help facilitate that. We know that now more than ever, travellers want to invest in quality experiences. They’re seeking the best value for money, which is exactly what we offer.” 

Virgin Voyages goes global this year with homeports in Miami, Barcelona and Athens. Valiant Lady sets sail this month and the company’s third ship, Resilient Lady starts sailing in August. 

Cabin prices start from £898 for the Long Weekender to Bruges, and £1,840 for Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona.

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About Steve May

Creator of Home Cinema Choice magazine, and editor of The Luxe Review, Steve muses and reviews for Trusted Reviews, T3, Yahoo UK, Home Cinema Choice, Games Radar, Ideal Home, Louder Sounds, Channel News and Boat International. He’s also the editor of professional home cinema website Inside CI. He's on Twitter and Instagram as @SteveMay_UK

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