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UK trade showcase planned for new ship Valiant Lady

Virgin Voyages’ second ship, Valiant Lady, is to be showcased to the trade in Tilbury before making its summer debut in the Mediterranean.

The adult-only ship will visit the UK port on March 10 ahead of its maiden sailing the following week.

The line confirmed that agents who were registered on its portal Firstmates.com would be invited to the event, running from 12pm- 8pm.

Agents can take a cabin tour, experience shows on board, try a fitness class and drink cocktails served on the ship.

The vessel, with 1,330 cabins and 78 ‘RockStar’ suites, makes its three-day maiden voyage from Portsmouth on March 18-21 to Zeebrugge, followed by departures on April 1 and 29 with prices starting at £449 per person.

Valiant Lady then repositions from Portsmouth on May 2 on a 12-night sailing to its summer base in Barcelona until October.

The newcomer follows Scarlet Lady running round-Britain cruises from the south coast port last summer.

Chief executive Tom McAlpin said: “Following the success of our first lady ship, Scarlet Lady, we are so excited to debut Valiant Lady to the UK this March and begin our European tour.

“The lifting of UK travel restrictions has already shown promising signs with 70% uplift in bookings since December.

“We’ll be showcasing our newest lady in Tilbury, where fans are invited to wave her in before we kick off our bookable European sailings from Portsmouth in March and our new homeport in Barcelona in May.

“Our epic sailings have curated itineraries that are unbelievably accessible for those in the UK wanting to cruise differently.”

Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson added: “Virgin Voyages has been a dream in the making since my 20s and today is a momentous day launching our second ladyship, Valiant Lady.

“It’s exciting to be able to celebrate our continued growth as a brand that’s on a mission to voyage like no other.

“In our five decades in business, Virgin has always sought to offer our customers something extra special, and Virgin Voyages has worked tirelessly to do just that.”

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