Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Review: What we Loved
What to Know Before You Go
Traveling with my kids has been one of the greatest gifts of this points‑and‑miles journey. Every year, I plan a special mom‑and‑son trip—something tailored to their interests and a chance to reconnect one‑on‑one.
This year, I pitched something a little different to my college‑aged son, Finn: Virgin Voyages. I’d sailed with Virgin several times and knew the elevated dining and modern vibe would be right up his alley. Even though he’s not a “cruise person,” he agreed to give it a try.
Spoiler: He loved it. So much so that he said he’d do another Virgin cruise in the future.
If you’re considering Virgin Voyages—especially with an older teen or young adult—this review will walk you through our full experience on the Valiant Lady, from pre‑cruise hotels to dining, entertainment, and insider tips.
Full disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you use them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, I only recommend products and services I personally use and love.
👉Start Here: Beginner’s Guide to Points & Miles
⭐ Why We Chose Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages is adults‑only (18+), which makes it a perfect fit for trips with older teens or college‑aged kids. No kids’ clubs, no splash zones—just great food, modern entertainment, and a relaxed vibe.
If you want a deeper dive into the line overall, check out my full guide: Virgin Voyages Cruise Guide
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✈️ How We Saved on This Trip Using Points, Miles & a Virgin Voyages Certificate
One of my favorite parts of this trip is that we didn’t just take a cruise — we hacked it. Between a Virgin Voyages certificate, Southwest Rapid Rewards, and Hyatt points, this mom‑and‑son getaway was incredibly affordable.
Here’s exactly how we saved:
⭐ 1. We Used a MNVV Certificate to Reduce the Cost of the Cruise
I applied a My Next Virgin Voyage (MNVV) certificate, which instantly knocked down the price of our sailing. If you’re new to Virgin Voyages, these certificates are one of the easiest ways to save hundreds on a future cruise.
They’re especially valuable if:
You book onboard
You know you’ll sail Virgin again
You want flexible dates and itineraries
This alone made our Valiant Lady trip significantly cheaper.
⭐ 2. We Flew Southwest Using Rapid Rewards Points
To get to Miami, we booked Southwest flights using Rapid Rewards points. Southwest is one of my go‑to airlines for cruise travel because:
Points prices are tied to cash prices
You can reprice if fares drop
Bags fly free with the Southwest Credit Card
It’s easy to earn points through everyday spending
Using Rapid Rewards meant we only paid taxes on our flights, which is always a win.
⭐ 3. We Stayed at the Hyatt Regency Miami for Free Using Hyatt Points
Our pre‑cruise night at the Hyatt Regency Miami was completely covered with World of Hyatt points.
This hotel is one of my favorite PortMiami options because:
It’s walkable to restaurants and the waterfront
It’s close to Bayside Marketplace
It’s an easy Uber ride to the port
Award nights are often a great value
Using Hyatt points saved us the full cash rate and made our travel day stress‑free.
👉Read my full review of the Hyatt Regency Miami
⭐ Total Savings
Between:
The MNVV certificate
Southwest Rapid Rewards flights
A free Hyatt night
…this Virgin Voyages trip became an incredible value. It’s a perfect example of how stacking points, miles, and cruise offers can turn a bucket‑list trip into an affordable getaway.
🚢 Embarkation Day on Valiant Lady
Me and my son at the Dock on Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages starts embarkation later than most cruise lines. Thanks to my Deep Blue Extras, our boarding time was 1:30 PM.
We requested a late checkout at the Hyatt (granted easily with my Hyatt Discoverist status), grabbed a quick Uber to the port, and arrived right on time.
They weren’t quite ready for boarding, so we waited in an air‑conditioned area until the ship opened. Once onboard, we headed straight to our cabin to drop our carry‑ons. We travel light, so no checked bags needed.
Our room steward, Rhyan, stopped by quickly. I let him know I was traveling with my 18‑year‑old and asked for the beds to be separated. He offered to take care of it while we explored the ship—perfect timing.
👉Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extras Explained
🌊 Exploring the Ship
The Dock Hangar Steak and Shrimp
Our first stop was The Dock, my favorite spot on any Virgin ship. It’s relaxed, breezy, and feels more like a chic beach lounge than a cruise venue.
We ordered:
Finn: Octopus and shrimp
Me: Shrimp and hanger steak
Both dishes were beautifully plated and delicious—Virgin’s food quality really shines here.
After lunch, Finn went off to explore on his own (the freedom of being 18!), while I stayed at The Dock to enjoy the ocean views. We planned to meet back in the cabin later to get ready for dinner.
🍽️ Dining on Virgin Voyages
My only rule for this trip: we eat dinner together every night.
Virgin makes this easy because all specialty dining is included—no upcharges.
I carefully picked our restaurants each night, and every meal was a highlight. We caught up on our day, talked about plans for the next, and enjoyed truly excellent food.
The rest of the time, Finn was living his best life:
Playing chess
Hanging out in The Social Club
Exploring the ship
Meanwhile, I spent my evenings reading on the balcony. That’s the beauty of cruising—everyone can do their own thing and still come together when it matters.
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🏨 Where to Stay in Miami Before Your Cruise
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🧳 Packing for Virgin Voyages
Don’t forget:
Reef‑safe sunscreen
A red outfit for Scarlet Night
A light sweater for air‑conditioned venues
A portable charger
A small crossbody bag
Related post: Virgin Voyages Packing List
❓ Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady FAQs
Is Virgin Voyages good for older teens or college‑aged kids? Yes—18+ only means your young adult can enjoy the ship freely without kid‑focused spaces.
Is the food really that good? Absolutely. It’s one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back.
Do you need to book dining early? Reservations open in the app before sailing, but Virgin holds some back for embarkation day.
Should you arrive in Miami the day before? Always. Delays happen, and Miami has great pre‑cruise hotels.
⭐ Final Thoughts
I loved sailing the Valiant Lady with my 18‑year‑old. It was such a special experience. Virgin Voyages strikes the perfect balance of elevated dining, modern entertainment, and relaxed vibes—ideal for a mom‑and‑son getaway. I am thankful for points and miles that helped make this trip a reality.
About the Author
Julie is a travel‑hacking expert and the founder of NO POINT LEFT BEHIND, a resource for families who want to turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips. She shares practical guides, points strategies, and real‑life travel experiences to help you maximize every dollar. Stay connected — follow Julie on Facebook for fresh travel tips and join the Travel Hacking Moms Facebook Group to be part of a supportive community of travelers learning together.
