Virgin Voyages’ second ship, Valiant Lady, has launched in the UK. The ceremony was held at the London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury on Friday, March 11th.
The brand said in a statement that the launch demonstrates its continued success, with the UK being a fundamental focus.
Speaking at the launch of Valiant Lady, Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages said, “It was incredible to launch Virgin Voyages last year, so welcoming our second ship, Valiant Lady, here in the UK less than a year later is a very special moment for the entire Virgin Voyages family.
“After a tough two years, people are excited to explore the world again and it means a lot to us that we can help facilitate that.
“We know that now more than ever, travellers want to invest in quality experiences. They’re seeking the best value for money, which is exactly what we offer.”
Commenting on the launch of Valiant Lady, Nirmal Saverimuttu, President of Virgin Voyages said,
“We’ve thrown out the rule book and said goodbye to bow ties and buffets.
“Instead, our ships are exclusively adult, have a no-tipping policy and boast some of the best dining experiences you’ll find at sea, or on land for that matter – including the world’s first Korean BBQ and the biggest collection of mezcal and tequila at sea.
“This is what it means to set sail the Virgin way, and we can’t wait to welcome Sailors – old and new – onboard.”
The cruise line said that Valiant Lady is expected to close to 3,000 passengers per call and is anticipated to bring a boost to the city of £1.5m for each voyage through direct and indirect costs, further contributing to the nation’s travel sector.
The brand has seen bookings surge by 178% in the last six months and declares that “2022 is set to see a strong return across the industry as cruising sails towards pre-pandemic levels.”
Its latest findings also found that after two years of restrictions, a study of 14,000 travellers finds consumer appetite for cruising has rocketed, with 96% keen to cruise this year.
Compared to global holidaymakers, UK travellers are hungry to explore, citing destinations as the lead factor in picking a cruise (69%).
From May, Valiant Lady will operate from her new homeport in Barcelona offering late-night and overnight stays in the likes of Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Lisbon, Belgium and Ibiza.
For more information, please visit VirginVoyages.com.
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