Page 45 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Winter/Spring 2025

PHOTOS: VIRGIN VOYAGES | ILONA KAUREMSZKY
A Playground for Grown-Ups
From the moment you step aboard, Valiant Lady
feels like a floating playground. Designed with sleek,
modern aesthetics, the 2,770-passenger ship offers
Michelin-inspired dining, jaw-dropping
entertainment, and indulgent amenities—all
wrapped in Virgin Voyages’ irreverent ethos. Guests,
known as “Sailors,” are treated like VIPs, especially
those with “Rock Star” status. Rock-star perks
include early boarding, priority dining reservations,
and exclusive access to Richard’s Rooftop, a chic
sundeck with cabanas, hot tubs and champagne that
never stops flowing.
My mornings on the ship began with wellness
rituals. A favourite was sunrise yoga on deck, where
the Caribbean breeze mingled with the gentle sound
of waves. One surreal morning saw me stretching
alongside Virgin Voyages COO Michelle Bentubo and
astronaut Jamila—a moment that perfectly captured
the extraordinary nature of this cruise.
Wellness didn’t stop there. I treated myself to a
hot quartz bed massage at the Redemption Spa.
Afterward, I alternated between a steam room for a
mud bath and the thermal pools for hot-and-cold
plunge therapy that left me tingling from head to
toe. Even fitness classes were an experience. For a
throwback twist, I joined a retro fitness class that
channelled the spirit of ’80s fitness guru, Richard
Simmons. Glitter headbands optional but strongly
encouraged. Leg warmers, neon and plenty of
laughs—need I say more?
Stories That Inspire
Virgin Voyages knows how to blend leisure with
purpose. Over coffee, I joined a storytelling session
with Virgin leaders, including Virgin Atlantic
veteran David Tait, who shared tales of triumphs and
turbulence from the company’s history.
Sustainability was a recurring theme throughout the
cruise, with Virgin highlighting efforts to reduce
waste and support conservation projects.
Ports of call reflected this spirit, too. In Puerto
Plata, Dominican Republic, I participated in the
company’s first-ever Impact Tour, planting
mangrove saplings in Laguna Cabarete as part of a
restoration initiative. It was humbling to connect
with nature while contributing to the environment.
Epic Afternoons of Leisure
Afternoons were my time to slow down. Deckside
hot tubs on Richard’s Rooftop offered panoramic
views of endless waves, the quiet lapping of water
my only soundtrack. Occasionally, I explored the
ship’s unique offerings, like flipping through vinyl
records at the on-board shop or indulging in creamy
delights from “Lick Me Till… Ice Cream.”
Another afternoon, I found myself swaying lazily
in the hammock on my ocean-facing balcony, the
horizon stretching infinitely ahead.
Virgin’s mantra of uncurated adventure means you
can do everything or nothing. Bingo games and
quirky trivia drew a lively crowd, while others
disappeared into cosy nooks with books. As for me? I
basked in the beauty of simply being.
Nights on the High Seas
When the sun dipped below the horizon, Valiant Lady
came alive. Nights began with sunset champagne at
Richard’s Rooftop, where the golden hour painted
the deck in hues of pink and orange. Then it was on
to dinner parties at eateries like Razzle Dazzle, big
on American comfort dishes, or The Test Kitchen,
a chef-driven six-course menu complemented by
wine and spirit pairings.
The night was still young at 10 p.m., when Virgin’s
more playful side emerged. I found myself swept up
in the UNTITLED DANCESHOWPARTYTHING, a
mash-up of choreography, music and audience
WINTER/SPRING 2025 DREAMSCAPES 45