This holiday was a real bucket list trip for me.

Going on a cruise is something I’d put off for years. I’d always imagined they were quite regimented, with formal dress codes every evening, full of upper-class people and families with screaming kids. If I’m honest, it just never really felt like my kind of holiday.

Then I started hearing more and more about Virgin Voyages. The relaxed atmosphere, adults-only ships and completely different approach to cruising quickly changed my opinion. Quite a few of my friends had already sailed with Virgin and every one of them came back with great stories about their time onboard.

So, when it came to celebrating my 40th birthday, I decided I wanted to do something a little different instead of having a party. I was lucky enough to climb aboard Valiant Lady for a seven-night voyage around the French Riviera, Spain and Ibiza, rounding off my birthday celebrations in a way I’ll never forget.

Check-in

One thing I don’t think enough people talk about is the check-in process. Before my first cruise, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but in reality it was no more complicated than checking in for a flight or a hotel. The only real difference is your allocated boarding time.

When you arrive at the terminal, you’ll check yourself and your party in before saying goodbye to your luggage. From there, it’s simply a case of waiting for your boarding slot before going through a quick security check, very similar to airport security.

If you’re given your wristbands during check-in, there’s no need to queue again after security, you can head straight onto the ship.

Once onboard, head to your cabin and watch the mandatory safety video, which takes around 15 minutes. You’ll then need to visit your allocated muster station, where a crew member will check you in and explain the emergency procedures. Once that’s done, you’re free to start exploring the ship.

Top Tip: Keep a change of clothes, any medication and other essentials in your hand luggage, just in case your luggage doesn’t reach your cabin before you do.

The Room

We booked a standard double cabin with a balcony and I was instantly impressed as soon as we walked in. The cabin was a great size for two people, with plenty of living space and more storage than I expected.

There was lots of wardrobe space, a free-to-use safe, a fridge, desk and dressing area, plus a TV with plenty of films and TV series to choose from if you fancied a cosy night in with room service.

The bathroom was on the smaller side, but the shower was surprisingly spacious with good water pressure, and there was still plenty of room to get ready.

I’m really glad we chose a balcony cabin. It was a good size for a cruise ship, with seating and Virgin Voyages’ famous red hammock, which was incredibly comfortable. Whether we were out at sea, sailing into port or watching the sunrise and sunset, the views just kept getting better.

The cabin was cleaned to a high standard every day, and the housekeeping team couldn’t do enough for us. It quickly became a comfortable place to relax after a busy day exploring or enjoying everything the ship had to offer.

Virgin Voyages offers plenty of cabin options, from Insider cabins without a window to Sea View cabins, balcony cabins like ours and larger suites, so there’s something to suit most budgets.

Onboard Facilities

One of the things that impressed me most about Valiant Lady was the amount of choice available. Whether you want to spend your day relaxing, keeping active, enjoying live entertainment or making the most of the bars and restaurants, there’s always something happening.

From multiple pools and hot tubs to fitness facilities, theatres, live music venues, nightclubs and stylish lounges, the ship really does have something for every type of traveller. Below are some of the main facilities you’ll find onboard.

Offshore Activities

Virgin Voyages offers a wide range offshore excursions, which become available to book through the Virgin Voyages app around 6–8 weeks before sailing.

On this trip, we decided to explore each destination independently, so I can’t personally review any of Virgin’s organised excursions. However, there was a great selection available.

One advantage of booking through Virgin is the added peace of mind. Transport is organised for you, helping you make the most of your excursion and ensuring you get back to the ship before it’s due to set sail.

If you’re arranging your own tours, it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re back onboard before the ship is due to depart. The ship won’t wait for late arrivals.

The Voyage Begins

Now that all the practicalities are out of the way, take a look at the highlights from our seven-day voyage, from the Sail Away Party in Barcelona to the unforgettable Scarlet Night, the ports we visited, the food we ate and the entertainment that made this trip so memorable.

Everyone’s cruise will be different, but this is how we spent ours.

Day 1 – Sail Away

The first day is all about getting checked in, settling into your cabin and exploring everything the ship has to offer. The décor throughout Valiant Lady is modern, stylish and elegant, and everywhere you look there’s another impressive space, viewpoint or hidden corner waiting to be discovered.

Once you’ve settled in, my advice is simple – head straight to the Sail Away Party, especially if it’s your first Virgin Voyage or even your first cruise. It really sets the tone for the week ahead.

Passengers and crew all get involved as you’re introduced to the Happenings Cast, the Diva, the main host and the resident DJ. Everyone is offered a welcome glass of fizz (or two!) as the ship slowly leaves Barcelona and your holiday officially begins.

Afterwards there’s plenty of time to relax by the pool, continue exploring the ship or grab something to eat before the evening entertainment starts. One thing I really liked was that the schedule never felt rushed. Everything was spaced out well, so there was always enough time to get ready, enjoy a meal and make your way to the next event.

For our first meal onboard we headed to The Galley. Rather than a traditional cruise buffet, it’s a modern food hall with plenty of freshly prepared options, meaning your food is cooked to order and served hot every time.

Later we made our way to The Manor to enjoy some live music before heading to The Red Room for Misbehavin’. It’s a clever twist on a live comedy game show, with audience participation from start to finish, and a brilliant way to kick off the entertainment.

The headline event of the evening was the famous Pyjama Party. It was amazing to see just how many passengers embraced it – I honestly can’t remember seeing anyone who wasn’t wearing their pyjamas! Hosted in the Athletic Club on the top deck, the party carried on into the early hours, with guests of all ages dancing, laughing and mixing together. It was the perfect way to start the voyage.

If partying isn’t your thing, don’t worry. One thing Virgin does exceptionally well is offering something for everyone. There are plenty of quieter bars, lounges and outdoor spaces where you can simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Day 2 – Palma de Mallorca

Our first port of call was Palma de Mallorca. I’ve visited Mallorca several times over the years, and it’s easy to see why it remains such a popular tourist destination.

We arrived early and were able to disembark from around 8:00am, with all passengers needing to be back onboard by 5:00pm before setting sail again at 7:00pm.

Before heading ashore, we grabbed breakfast in The Galley and picked up a coffee from Grounds Club. Getting off the ship couldn’t have been easier, and Virgin provides a regular complimentary shuttle bus from the cruise terminal to a central location in the city, making it really convenient to start exploring.

We decided to wander through the beautiful streets towards Palma Cathedral, stopping to browse a few local shops along the way. After exploring the city, we headed to the nearby beach for a couple of hours. It was a lovely spot to relax, with plenty of places to eat and the option to hire sunbeds if you wanted to make the most of the sunshine.

Back onboard, we grabbed a late lunch before spending some time around the pool and making use of the onboard fitness facilities. One thing I noticed throughout the cruise was that finding a sunbed was never really a problem. They’re much easier to come by on port days when many passengers are ashore, but there are plenty of loungers and seating areas spread across the upper decks regardless.

That evening we took things at a slower pace, spending time socialising in some of the ship’s bars and lounges before finishing the night in one of the onboard karaoke rooms. One thing I really loved about Virgin Voyages was just how sociable the atmosphere felt. Whether you wanted to join in or simply chat over a drink, there always seemed to be somewhere with a great atmosphere.

Day 3 – Valencia

We arrived into Valencia at around 7:00am. I headed straight to the top deck with a coffee to watch the sunrise as we docked before grabbing breakfast, fitting in a workout and then making our way ashore.

Valencia is a beautiful city with some stunning architecture and is definitely somewhere that’s best explored on foot. We spent the morning wandering through the streets, stopping at the local market, which was full of fresh fruit, cheeses, coffee and plenty of other local produce. If you’re tempted to buy anything to eat or drink, just remember to enjoy it before returning to the ship, as you’re not allowed to take food or drink back onboard.

The cathedral in the centre of Valencia was beautiful and free to visit. The artwork on the ceiling was particularly impressive, and despite the number of tourists, it still felt like a place of worship, with many visitors taking time to light candles and say a prayer.

Afterwards we browsed a few souvenir shops, stopped for a drink and simply watched the world go by. Valencia has a great mix of culture and shopping, with everything from independent stores to well-known high street and designer brands.

Before heading back to the ship, we took a stroll through one of the city’s parks to escape the afternoon heat and visit one final monument.

That evening we had dinner at Gunbae, Virgin Voyages’ Korean BBQ restaurant. I really enjoyed the communal dining experience, and the staff did a great job of explaining how everything worked while offering recommendations throughout the meal. I’m not usually the most adventurous when it comes to food, but this ended up being one of my favourite meals of the entire cruise.

Later we checked out karaoke at The Dock before heading to The Manor, where the evening’s theme was Pride Night. It was another fantastic atmosphere, with passengers of all ages getting involved and dancing to pride anthems late into the night. We rounded the evening off with a few drinks in On the Rocks before grabbing a slice of pizza on the way back to our cabin.

Day 5 – Cannes & Nice

Arriving into Cannes was a beautiful start to the day, with luxury yachts filling the harbour. As the port isn’t deep enough for cruise ships, we took one of the ship’s tender boats ashore, which was quick and easy.

Cannes is just how you imagine it from the TV and holiday brochures, with an air of sophistication, beautiful restaurants, designer shops and plenty of luxury cars.

After stopping for a drink, we decided to make the most of our time by catching the train to Nice. The journey took around 35 minutes and cost just €10 each for a one-way ticket.

Personally, I found Nice even more beautiful than Cannes. We spent the afternoon exploring the city centre before heading to the beach, walking up to the famous viewpoint and stopping for a drink near the waterfall before making our way back to the ship.

If you’re visiting Cannes on a cruise, I’d definitely recommend considering a trip over to Nice if time allows. It’s an easy journey and gives you the chance to experience two fantastic destinations in one day.

Scarlet Night

Scarlet Night was the event I was looking forward to the most, and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

If you’ve cruised with other cruise lines, I’d probably describe Scarlet Night as Virgin Voyages’ version of a Captain’s Night, but it’s unlike anything I’ve experienced before. As the sun begins to set, the whole ship transforms. The interior and exterior lighting changes to red, and one by one passengers start appearing dressed in red, whether that’s a shirt, dress, full outfit or even a complete costume. It’s great to see just how many people get involved.

Throughout the evening there’s entertainment taking place all over the ship, so there’s always something happening. For me, though, the highlight has to be the Scarlet Night Pool Party. The Happenings Cast, DJ and performers create an incredible atmosphere, bringing everyone together for an evening of singing, dancing and plenty of fun… yes, some of us even ended up dancing in the pool!

It’s difficult to put the atmosphere into words. There was such a buzz around the ship that evening, and it really felt like everyone was there to enjoy themselves. If you’d rather avoid the crowds, there are still plenty of quieter bars and lounges open throughout the night, so there’s something for everyone.

The full programme for Scarlet Night is available on the Virgin Voyages app and in the daily schedule that’s delivered to your cabin each evening, making it easy to plan your night.

One thing’s for sure… don’t forget to pack something red!

Day 6 & 7 – Ibiza (Overnight)

Arriving into Ibiza is something special and easily one of my favourite moments of the whole voyage. Ibiza has always been one of my favourite destinations in Spain, so being able to sail into the island rather than fly there made it feel even more memorable.

We were lucky enough to have a reservation at The Wake as we arrived, and without doubt it was one of the best restaurant views I’ve ever experienced. Looking out across the ocean as the ship slowly approached the island, watching the jet skis weaving through the waves, the luxury yachts appearing on the horizon and finally seeing Ibiza Old Town as the sun began to set is something I’ll never forget. It’s one of those moments that no photograph can truly capture.

Virgin again provided a complimentary shuttle service throughout our overnight stay, running every 30 minutes and dropping passengers right in the heart of Ibiza Old Town. It made coming and going from the ship incredibly easy, no matter what time of day or night.

Ibiza Old Town has so much to offer and remains my favourite part of the island. From waterfront bars and restaurants to the famous Hippie Market, independent shops, designer boutiques and beautiful Spanish streets, it’s somewhere you could happily spend hours wandering around. I’d recommend visiting Ibiza Town to anyone.

Pikes Ibiza

Pikes… what a place.

If you’ve heard of Club Tropicana, you’ll already know a little about its history, but nothing quite prepares you for the atmosphere once you’re inside.

This was my first visit to Pikes, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. One of the first things that happens is your phone camera is covered with a sticker. At first it felt a little strange, but it quickly became one of the things I loved most about the venue.

With no photos or videos being taken, people were completely present in the moment. There were no influencers taking endless pictures, just people chatting, dancing, singing and enjoying themselves with friends and complete strangers. To me, that’s exactly what nightlife should be about.

Pikes is completely different to Ibiza’s famous superclubs. Instead of huge crowds, giant stages and expensive drinks, it has a much more intimate atmosphere that feels somewhere between a boutique hotel, a beach club and a house party. It’s easy to see why it’s become one of Ibiza’s most iconic venues.

Most events at Pikes require you to join the guest list in advance, which is free. A charitable donation of around €10 per person is suggested on entry. There is also a dress code and age restriction, so I’d recommend checking the venue’s website before you visit.

Staying overnight at Pikes is also possible, although rooms are in high demand and can be expensive, particularly during peak season.

We finished our overnight stay by exploring more of Ibiza before returning to the ship for the final time. Having an overnight stop rather than just a few hours in port completely changes the experience and gives you the chance to enjoy both the island’s famous nightlife and everything Ibiza has to offer during the day. It was the perfect way to round off an unforgettable voyage.

Day 8

Day 8 was a short and simple day. After leaving Ibiza around 8pm the night before, it was time to sail back to Barcelona.

For our final meal onboard, we headed to The Test Kitchen with some amazing new friends, and what a meal it was. The hostess was incredibly attentive, taking the time to explain each course as it was served, making the whole experience feel that little bit more special.

To round off the evening, it was back to The Manor and On the Rocks for one final farewell before calling it a night.

A few hours’ sleep later and we were back where it all began, disembarking at 10:30am before spending one final day in Barcelona ahead of our flight home.

Final Thoughts

By far, this has been my favourite holiday to date. We made so many amazing memories, met some fantastic people and even made friends that I know we’ll keep in touch with for years to come.

With everything the ship had to offer, there was never a dull moment, and I know we still didn’t get around to experiencing everything Valiant Lady has to offer.

Would I recommend a Virgin Voyage?

Absolutely… in fact, I booked my next voyage before I’d even left the ship.