Virgin Voyages will introduce a new Indian dining venue aboard Valiant Lady later this year, expanding the ship’s culinary programme following a scheduled drydock.

The restaurant, named Ariya, is expected to open in May and will operate as a dinner venue within the ship’s existing Razzle Dazzle space, which will continue to function as a breakfast and brunch location during the day.

Developed in partnership with hospitality group Indie Culinaire and chef Maneet Chauhan, the restaurant will focus on regional Indian cuisine and a menu designed to highlight dishes drawn from different parts of the country.

The venue’s name references Ariya, an ancestor of Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, who is described as having travelled widely from the coastal town of Cuddalore in southern India.

The restaurant will transform the existing Razzle Dazzle venue each evening into a dining room with capacity for approximately 220 guests. The design incorporates décor elements influenced by Indian spice markets, with layered wood tones, textured wall coverings and decorative metal features.

The layout will include booth seating inspired by the coastal town of Cuddalore, a semi-private dining area designed to resemble a jewellery box interior, and a central bar serving cocktails inspired by regional flavours. Music played in the venue is expected to include a mix of Indian classics, Bollywood tracks and contemporary global sounds.

“Ariya is the next chapter in our food and beverage collection that we’ve been building with real intention since day one,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, Chief Executive Officer, Virgin Voyages.

“Every restaurant we open is a statement about what we believe dining at sea can be, and Ariya says something we haven’t said before. Indian cuisine, done with this level of craft and this much heart, belongs on Valiant Lady,” Saverimuttu added.

The menu will include dishes reflecting a range of Indian culinary traditions, with particular emphasis on layered spice combinations and regional variations. Street-food inspired chaat dishes are expected to play a central role in the menu, alongside seafood, rice dishes and other regional specialities.

“Indian cuisine is finally getting the global recognition it has always deserved and our Sailors get to experience it at its best, with Chef Maneet,” said Levi Mezick, Senior Director Culinary Program Development, Virgin Voyages.

“The spice combinations alone will surprise people. That’s the goal: to make every Sailor at that table think, ‘I didn’t know food could do that,’” Mezick added.

The restaurant will also feature a cocktail programme drawing on similar flavour influences. Guests will receive a welcome drink based on jaljeera, a traditional Indian beverage made with tamarind and cumin.

The drinks menu will include cocktails incorporating ingredients such as saffron, cardamom, jaggery and coconut, alongside wine selections and Indian spirits. A traditional chai tea service will also be available.

Virgin Voyages has focused heavily on culinary offerings as part of its brand positioning, introducing a series of chef-driven restaurants across its fleet rather than a traditional main dining room model common on many cruise ships.

Valiant Lady currently operates itineraries in Europe and the Caribbean and is scheduled to undergo drydock before returning to service with the new restaurant included among the onboard updates.

The introduction of Ariya reflects the continued expansion of themed dining venues across the cruise industry, where operators are increasingly introducing specialised restaurants intended to highlight particular cuisines or culinary traditions.

Sample dishes and drinks planned for Ariya

Selected dishes

• Lamb shank biryani

• Goan curried mussels

• Malabar coconut crab cake

• Puffed rice and avocado chaat

• Tandoori pistachio-crusted snapper

Selected cocktails

• Maharani Morning with rose, cardamom and sparkling wine

• Golden Hour Spritz with saffron and honey

• Saffron & Silk with scotch and toasted coconut smoke

• Bangalore Old Fashioned with jaggery and cardamom

• The Seventh Leaf, a non-alcoholic botanical drink