Late last year, I had the pleasure of taking Virgin Voyage’s final sailing on the Irresistible Med itinerary onboard Valiant Lady. To read the full re-cap of my experience, click here – spolier alert, I absolutely loved it!
The dining offerings onboard any cruise ship are always an important factor in choosing the right cruise company for your customers, so let’s take a deep dive into the food offerings onboard Virgin Voyage’s Valiant Lady…
I should start by saying, the food on Virgin Voyages far exceeded my expectations, especially given the fact that the speciality dining restaurants are included in the voyage fare but a word of warning – remember to book before embarking or on the first day of your sailing! It’s also worth mentioning here, that dietary requirements, especially vegan/ vegetarian and gluten intolerant, are really well catered for throughout the ship, and guests are asked for allergies or intolerances before ordering, in each restaurant.
So, let’s take a closer look at each restaurant…
The Galley
The Galley, which is centrally located on Deck 15, plays home to an open-plan, yet intimate, food-hall where Sailors can enjoy everything from a cooked breakfast, fresh fruit, muesli, an array of cereals and tasty pastries for breakfast (to name a few), to tacos, nachos, burgers (both beef and vegan burgers), grab-and-go style sushi and create-your-own salads for lunch and dinner. Soda fountains and coffee machines and a variety of teas can be found here too – also included in the voyage fare.
The Grounds Club
The Grounds Club can be found on Deck 7 and Sailors can enjoy speciality coffees such as flat-whites, lattes, cappuccinos or even an Irish Coffee (all at an additional cost), as well as sumptuous pastries. Entering The Galley from the main stairwell or elevators, Sailors will pass a second location called ‘Grounds Club Too’ for those who fancy a latte with their breakfast.
Gunbae
Gunbae is a Korean BBQ with a lively atmosphere, where guests are seated at tables of 5/6 and the food is cooked on a grill in the middle of the table, by an experienced chef. Meat, seafood and vegetables were cooked in stages, with the grill being replaced between the meat and seafood dishes. Despite one of our tablemates having a shellfish allergy, and me having an insatiable love of seafood, we were all well catered for and there was no cross contamination, ensuring the saftey of all Sailors. It was easily one of our favourites and I still think about the delicious squid, octopus and prawns I had there!
Razzle Dazzle
Razzle Dazzle is a stylish restaurant with bold mono-chrome décor and neon red lights, serving up contemporary American-style cuisine, with a small, but exciting menu, with vegan options available for each course. Razzle Dazzle is an experience for all the senses and deserves a visit when sailing with Virgin Voyages!
The Wake
The Wake restaurant is located at the back of the ship on Deck 6, boasting large floor to ceiling windows and unrivalled views of the Mediterranean as we sailed into the sunset. Guests can enjoy incredible steaks, cooked to perfection, as well as more amazing seafood. The wait staff were charming and incredibly knowledgeable of the menu (the same can be said for all restuarants) which elevated our dining experience here. We almost didn’t get a reservation for The Wake and only dined here on the last night as there was a cancellation. Given the chance, I’d have eaten here every night! Learn from us and book early to avoid missing out.
Pink Agave
Pink Agave is Virgin Voyages take on contemporary, yet authentic Mexican fare. You won’t find western-style burritos or tacos here – think seared shrimp, grilled corn, stuffed poblano peppers and smoked pork dishes, washed down with mezcal or tequila-based cocktails. This restaurant is beautifully decorated, and the food is delicious – another must-try on Valiant Lady.
The Test Kitchen
The Test Kitchen is an influencers dream and is sure to induce envy in friends and family at home. The experimental restaurant offers a set menu with 6 tasting courses (meat or plant-based is offered) and guests can enjoy a welcome drink upon arrival. We missed out on a reservation in the Test Kitchen, sadly, but we heard from other Sailors that the food was uniquely presented and absolutely delicious.
Extra Virgin
Extra Virgin offers regionally inspired Italian dishes, including handmade pasta, sharing antipasti plates, homemade gelato and fresh seafood. Sadly, we left it too late to get a reservation for Extra Virgin, despite our best efforts, but, again, we heard from some fellow Sailors that the food was out of this world. A good excuse to book another sailing, I think!
The Pizza Place
The Pizza Place is open from 2pm to 2am and saw almost daily visits from us, especially after a few rum and cokes in one of the many bars onboard! Personal pizzas with various toppings, and a ‘pizza of the day’ are on offer, as well as soft drinks and alcoholic drinks. Pizzas are ordered at the counter and Sailors are given a buzzer which vibrates when your food is ready to be collected. You can dine inside, out on the deck, or get your pizzas to-go. Always a busy spot, but always delicious!
The Social Club
The Social Club is where you go to relive your youth! This American-style diner serves up hot dogs (meat & plant based), popcorn, slushies and sweet treats such as cake pops and has live sports on TVs throughout. Located beside The Arcade (games room) and air hockey tables, this section of the ship will transport you back in time.
Sun Club Café
Sun Club Café can be found on Deck 16, near Richards Rooftop (a VIP area for those lucky enough to be staying in Suites) and offers yummy bao-buns and rice bowls. Dine out on the deck, soak up the sun, listen to great music from live DJs and take in the great views of the pool area on Deck 15.
Virgin Voyages have over 20 eateries onboard their ships, with so many choices and foods from all over the world. Whether Sailors are looking for fine dining or a casual snack, Virgin will have your customers covered!
It’s worth mentioning that most restaurants are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner so if your customers fancy a quieter breakfast, serving dishes like smashed avocado or eggs benedict, they can opt to dine in one of the restuarants, instead of the Galley which is where the majority tend to go for their morning fix.
All in all, the food was out of this world and greatly exceeded my expectations. If you have foodies who are looking for an adult-only cruise, Virgin is a great option for them!
Stay tuned for more on the entertainment onboard Valiant Lady, as well as health and wellness offerings and the plethora of bars and venues.
