Virgin Voyages to refurbish staterooms aboard Scarlet and Valiant Lady

Virgin Voyages is upgrading the cabins aboard two of its cruise ships, Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, despite the fact that only one of the ships has ever carried passengers.

Virgin Voyages first cruise ship Scarlet Lady was delivered in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the global cruise industry, while Valiant Lady has yet to enter service.

And although Scarlet Lady did re-enter service in the summer last year, sailing roundtrip UK cruises from Portsmouth, she’s only operated a handful of itineraries at reduced capacity.

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Valiant Lady, meanwhile, is due to enter service for the first time in March, also sailing from Portsmouth, before repositioning to the Mediterranean.

Despite the little-used nature of its fleet thus far, Virgin Voyages has decided its time for an upgrade, and will be refurbishing all the cabins on both ships ahead of their return to service for the summer.

The cruise line will be introducing more wood paneling and finishing touches to enhance the sense of being at sea, channelling the art deco ocean liners of the 1940s and 50s, while more storage space will also be added.

“In a move to elevate the design even further, Virgin Voyages is refreshing its cabins on both Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, bringing a warmer energy and more sophisticated feel,” the company said in a release.

“Building on the nautical nature of the ships, the refreshed interiors feature beautiful wooden beams and additional wood finishings, along with handpicked artwork that embodies Virgin Voyages’ playful and contemporary nature,” it added.

The Seabed, an innovation introduced by Virgin Voyages, which takes inspiration from sleeper trains on which cabins transform between day and night, will remain, but more drawers and storage space for luggage has been added.

“The Seabed and the incredible sea views continue to be focal points of the cabin, urging the design team to keep the nautical stripes ever present in the decorative throw pillows,” said Virgin Voyages.

According to the cruise line, more than half the cabins aboard Scarlet Lady have been completed, with the project slated to wrap in the spring, while Valiant Lady’s cabins will be completed before she enters service this March from the UK.