A Week of Pure Magic
A few years ago I sailed on the gorgeous Valiant Lady, on 'The Irresistible Med' itinerary with Virgin Voyages, and I’m still buzzing with excitement. If you’ve ever been even a little bit curious about cruising with Virgin, let me tell you — it’s not your typical cruise. It’s bold, beautiful, a little cheeky, and packed with unforgettable moments. Let me take you through my experience.
Setting Sail in Style From the moment I stepped on board, I knew this wasn’t your average cruise ship. Virgin’s Valiant Lady is sleek, stylish, and adults-only, which immediately gives it a more relaxed and luxurious vibe. I stayed in a Sea Terrace cabin, and it was a dream. Spacious, modern, with mood lighting you can control from a tablet, and the best part — a private balcony with a hammock overlooking the sea. Morning coffee with that view? Heaven.
Dining Like a Rockstar Now let’s talk food — because wow. Virgin Voyages has thrown out the rulebook when it comes to cruise dining. No buffets, no fixed seating, no tacky dining rooms. Instead, there are over 20 eateries on board, each included in the cruise fare, and each one offering something completely different.
My absolute favourite? Without a doubt, The Test Kitchen. It's part science lab, part fine-dining experience, and 100% delicious. Each course surprised me, challenged my taste buds in the best way, and made dinner feel like an event. Think molecular gastronomy, beautifully presented dishes, and pairings that somehow just work. If you’re going, book this early — trust me! They also do 2 separate menus on alternate nights- so we went twice! Why not! After all, all the Premium restaurants on a Virgin Voyage is included not a surcharge.
Other standouts were Pink Agave for upscale Mexican, Extra Virgin for handmade pasta, and Gunbae, a Korean BBQ spot where dinner comes with drinking games (yes, really!)
Scarlet Night: A Sea of Red If there’s one night you don’t want to miss, it’s Scarlet Night. Picture this: the entire ship transforms into a floating red party. Guests dress in every shade of red imaginable — I had so much fun picking out my outfit, I went for a traditional Chinese style dress (I like to look a little different) — and the whole evening becomes a celebration of music, performance, and play. The energy was electric, with dancers, pop-up shows, and unexpected surprises around every corner. It felt like being in a dream you never wanted to end. And at the end of the night we all jumped into the pool, yes in my gorgeous Chinese Dress!!
Overnight in Ibiza — Yes, Please! One of the highlights of the itinerary was the overnight stop in Ibiza Town. Having the evening and night to explore gave it a totally different feel than your typical day-in-port. I wandered the cobbled streets of Dalt Vila, sipped sangria by the marina, and even dipped into a little late-night dancing at my favourite place on the island- PIKES- And the best part? No rushing back to the ship — I strolled aboard around 2 am after a fab evening dancing to some really funky DJ's
Corsica was another highlight on this Itinerary, where unlike some ports, you could just get off the ship here and have a wander around Ajaccio, dotted with historical landmarks, elegant squares, and vibrant markets. You can explore sandy beaches, take a scenic coastal walk, or sip local wine in a seaside café — all within easy reach of the port. Corsica is effortlessly chic, wildly scenic, and full of Mediterranean charm.
More Than Just a Cruise Beyond the food, the parties, and the ports, what really made this trip special were all the little details. The wellness spaces, the high-tech fitness centre, the onboard entertainment (immersive and edgy — nothing like what you’d expect on a cruise), and the general vibe. It felt effortlessly cool, inclusive, and totally tailored to adults who want something different from their holiday.
Would I do it again? In a heartbeat. In fact I'm looking for my next Virgin Voyage right now! If you’re thinking about sailing the Med, I can't recommend the Irresistible Med itinerary enough.
Whether you're lounging in your sea-facing cabin, indulging in a Test Kitchen masterpiece, or dancing under the stars in Ibiza, one thing's for sure: you’re going to fall in love with the Virgin way of cruising.
