The Valiant Lady has returned from drydock with 10 redesigned spaces, Virgin Voyages said in a press release. 

The ship was undergoing upgrades at Fincantieri’s Palermo yard since May. 

“Valiant Lady was already one of the most compelling ships at sea, but we kept asking ourselves how to make her even more worth coming back for,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages.  

“The best transformations don’t come from smooth sailing but from listening, pushing further and creating something truly special. From Ariya to The Manor to a completely reimagined lineup of Happenings, Valiant Lady returns with a new energy our Sailors will feel immediately.” 

As the cruise line announced in March, Ariya, an Indian restaurant seating 220 guests in a space inspired by India’s spice markets was at the heart of the transformation. 

Spaces such as the Athletic Club and the Roundabout have been refreshed with new furniture and paint, and the Manor, the Dock and On the Rocks have been reconfigured for a better layout. 

Thanks to adjustments, Grounds Club Too will keep serving Intelligentsia Coffee all day, but it will turn into a full bar later in the afternoon. 

As for retail, TAG and Pandora have been added to the onboard shop lineup, while the VV Brand shop moved into a bigger space. 

The physical spaces weren’t the only thing that underwent changes. 

The refreshed entertainment lineup will feature more than 20 new Happenings, ranging from espresso martini tastings and matcha workshops to interactive game shows, social strategy competitions and hands-on experiences like crochet, knot-tying and upcycling classes. 

Following the makeover, the Valliant Lady will now start a summer season in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. 

Sailing from Barcelona and Civitavecchia, it will initially offer itineraries to destinations in the French Riviera, Spain and Italy. 

In late July, the ship is scheduled to reposition to Northern Europe ahead of a series of cruises departing from Portsmouth in the United Kingdom. 

In mid-September, the Valiant Lady arrives in New York City for a fall foliage season that features cruises to Canada, New England and Bermuda. 

In October, she will reposition to San Juan for six- to eight-night Caribbean sailings through April 2027.