Virgin Voyages has marked the start of its first homeporting season in Barcelona with Valiant Lady, which launched service in the Western Mediterranean on May 15th.

Valiant Lady is Virgin Voyages second ship, a sister ship to Scarlet Lady, and the still-under-construction Resilient Lady, which is due to be launched later this year.

The repositioning of Valiant Lady to the Mediterranean comes after she spent some time in the UK, sailing roundtrip voyages from Portsmouth.

Valiant Lady

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The introduction of Barcelona as a homeport marks the new cruise line’s growing footprint in the cruise market, with plans next year to expand services further to Australia, which will include a repositioning cruise from Dubai.

Sailing from Barcelona, Valiant Lady is offering what the company calls a “stunning selection of seven-night itineraries” that sail to Italy, France and Spain.

There are three different cruises available: the “Irresistible Med”, the “French Daze & Ibiza Nights”, and the “Spanish Obsession”.

Barcelona, Spain is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world

The “Irresistible Med” itinerary explores the French Riviera, while visiting “hidden gems along the way.

The “French Daze & Ibiza Nights” cruise, meanwhile, features what the cruise line calls “a stop in the French metropolis of Marseille, a night of glamour in celebrity hotspot Cannes, paired with an unforgettable night in Ibiza.”

The “Spanish Obsession” itinerary will sail around the Balearic Islands, visiting Mallorca, Málaga and Ibiza.

According to Virgin, all three itineraries offer the ideal getaway for those looking to experience something “new and exciting.”

The itineraries also take advantage of the ship size, the company added, offering access to ports in the Mediterranean that bigger ships can’t access.

Virgin Voyages international crew celebrate Valiant Lady’s first homeport season from Barcelona

Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson said the Mediterranean offers an incredible destination to be added to Virgin Voyages’ portfolio, which currently includes Caribbean cruises from Miami, UK roundtrip cruises, and now voyages out of Barcelona.

“When we started Virgin Voyages, we knew we wanted to create something special, unlike anything ever seen before in the cruising world,” said Branson. “The result is something I am tremendously proud of.”

“We are so excited to finally bring our beautiful Valiant Lady to Barcelona and begin her European tour,” added Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “With her sistership Scarlet Lady sailing the gorgeous Caribbean seas, the stunning Mediterranean was the dream destination for our next home.”

“From Palma de Mallorca, to Cagliari or Toulon, we’re thrilled to be able to offer Sailors the Virgin access to some of Europe’s most stunning destinations,” he said.