Valiant Lady (ship)

Valiant Lady is a cruise ship under construction at Fincantieri's shipyard in Sestri Ponente for Virgin Voyages.[3] Scheduled to debut in May 2021 as Virgin's second ship,[2] she will become the sister ship to Scarlet Lady and also operate exclusively as an "adults-only" ship.[4]

This article is about the cruise ship. For the television soap opera, see Valiant Lady (TV series). For the radio soap opera, see Valiant Lady (radio series).

Valiant Lady
History
Name: Valiant Lady
Owner:
Operator: Virgin Voyages
Builder:
Laid down: 8 February 2019[1]
Launched: 20 May 2020[2]
Maiden voyage: May 2021 (scheduled)[2]
Identification: IMO number: 9805336
Status: Under construction
General characteristics
Tonnage: 110,000 GT[3]
Length: 278 m (912 ft)[3]
Beam: 38 m (125 ft)[3]
Draught: 8.05 m (26.4 ft)
Decks:
  • 17 total
  • 13 passenger decks
Installed power:
  • 2 × Wärtsilä 8L46F Diesel generators producing 9,600 kW (12,900 hp) each
  • 2 × Wärtsilä 12V46F Diesel generators producing 14,400 kW (19,300 hp) each
  • Total Installed Power: 48,000 kW (64,000 hp)
Propulsion: 2 × 16,000 kW (21,000 hp) ABB Azipod units
Speed:
  • 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph) (service speed)
  • 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) (maximum speed)
Capacity: 2,770
Crew: 1,160

Construction and career

Planning and construction

On 4 December 2014, Virgin Group founder Richard Branson announced that Virgin Group was forming Virgin Cruises, together with the backing of Bain Capital, and revealed plans to build two new cruise ships.[5] On 23 June 2015, Virgin Cruises announced that it signed a letter of intent with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for three cruise ships that could each accommodate approximately 2,800 guests and 1,150 crew for seven-day Caribbean voyages.[6] The three-ship order reportedly cost US$2.55 billion,[7] with the second ship scheduled to begin operating in 2021.[8] The order's contract for the ships was formally signed on 18 October 2016, the same day Virgin Cruises rebranded as Virgin Voyages.[9] In joining her sister ship, initial details revealed she would measure 110,000 GT, 278 metres (912 ft) long, and 38 metres (125 ft) wide, with 1,400 passenger cabins to house up to approximately 2,700 passengers, accompanied by 1,150 crew members.[3]

On 20 July 2018, Virgin inaugurated the construction for its second ship with the ship's steel-cutting ceremony at Fincantieri's shipyard in Sestri Ponente.[8][3] The ship's coin ceremony was performed on 8 February 2019.[1] On 19 November 2019, Virgin revealed the name of its second ship as Valiant Lady.[10] During the COVID-19 pandemic, construction delays arose after Fincantieri's operations were suspended.[2] Originally expected to be floated out in March 2020, Valiant Lady was floated out from her dry dock two months behind schedule, on 20 May 2020, and was moved to a new berth to complete her outfitting work.[2] Valiant Lady is expected to begin operations in May 2021.[2]

Operational career

Valiant Lady is scheduled to operate her inaugural season in summer 2021 from her homeport in Barcelona and sail weekly Mediterranean itineraries.[2][11][12] She will sail three different versions of Mediterranean itineraries and visit ports across France, Italy, and Spain, as well as Gibraltar.[13] In winter 2021, she will reposition to Miami and begin cruising in the Caribbean.[12]

References
  1. "Scarlet Lady Floats Out, Second Virgin Ship Construction Well Underway". Cruise Industry News. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  2. "Fincantieri Completes Float Out of New Cruise Ship Valiant Lady". The Maritime Executive. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. "Fincantieri Begins Work On Second Ship For Virgin Voyages With Steel Cutting Ceremony". Marine Insight. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  4. Thakkar, Emrys (15 June 2020). "Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady Hits Major Construction Milestone". Cruise Hive. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  5. Stieghorst, Tom (4 December 2014). "Richard Branson to enter cruise business". USA Today.
  6. Schaal, Dennis (23 June 2015). "Virgin Cruises to Debut 3 Ships in Miami Starting in 2020". Skift.
  7. Drescher, Cynthia (23 March 2017). "Virgin Voyages Begins Construction of First Cruise Ship". Conde Nast Traveler.
  8. Eisenberg, Sherri (20 July 2018). "Virgin Voyages Names First Ship Scarlet Lady". Travel Pulse. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  9. Sheivachman, Andrew (18 October 2016). "Virgin Cruises Rebrands as Virgin Voyages, Finally Signs Deal for Three Ships". Skift.
  10. Arrojas, Matthew (19 November 2019). "Virgin Voyages unveils name of second ship". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  11. Saunders, Aaron (19 November 2019). "Virgin Voyages' Second Cruise Ship, Valiant Lady, to Sail Mediterranean Itineraries". Cruise Critic. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  12. Dolven, Taylor (19 November 2019). "Here's a look at Virgin Voyages' second ship Valiant Lady coming to Miami in 2021". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  13. "Virgin Voyages Unveils Valiant Lady; 2nd Ship to Sail in Europe". Cruise Industry News. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
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