Beyond Buffets: What Surprised Us About Dining on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady

🍽️ Beyond Buffets: What Surprised Us About Dining on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady

We just returned from our first Virgin Voyages sailing aboard the Valiant Lady—a short, travel agent-focused cruise designed to showcase what makes this line so… well, different.

And if there’s one thing that immediately sets Virgin apart from every other major cruise line, it’s the food.

From no buffets to all-included specialty dining, the experience is clearly crafted for travelers who want quality over quantity. We dined at four of the ship’s signature restaurants, ranked them, and dove headfirst into Virgin’s modern, made-to-order food hall alternative.

Here’s what we ate, what we loved, and what caught us completely by surprise.

🌮 Pink Agave – Bold Mexican Flavors

Pink Agave felt hip and dramatic—dark, moody lighting, mezcal bottles lining the walls, and a menu that leaned traditional with a twist.

We started with the esquites—a standout dish that had just the right creamy-crunchy balance. Then came Camaron Amarillo and Enchilada de Pollo, both well-executed. I went all in on the bistec marinero en escabeche for my entrée (I can never pass up steak, and it did not disappoint). My wife had the cochinita pibil, rich and flavorful.

Dessert? We shared the tamale de chocolate and the delicate, flaky milhojas.

🇮🇹 Extra Virgin – A Rustic Italian Win

Of all our meals onboard, this one topped the list. Extra Virgin feels like an upscale neighborhood Italian spot—warm lighting, open kitchen, and standout dishes throughout.

We started with a spread of appetizers: braised mini meatballs, semolina fried calamari, and a chef’s selection charcuterie board that came loaded with prosciutto, pistachio mortadella, salame Napoli, aged parm, gorgonzola, and rosemary nuts. What made it unforgettable? The wildflower honey, pear mostarda, and eggplant caponata. A perfect contrast of sweet and savory.

For entrees, I went for the Gorgonzola-crusted NY steak (medium rare), my wife had the roasted monkfish, and we split a special off-menu pappardelle al ragu—a mushroom Bolognese topped with parmigiano-reggiano. Incredible.

✨ Razzle Dazzle – Veggie-Forward Brunch with Flair

We headed to Razzle Dazzle for brunch and tried a spread of unique dishes: the watermelon with sesame cream, smoked cheddar & jalapeño croissants, the full Razzle Dazzle breakfast, plus desserts like the blueberry-green tea cheesecake and rainbow churros.

While it ranked fourth for us overall, it still delivered a satisfying meal and is a great option for gluten-free and vegetarian diners.

🥩 The Wake – Classic Steakhouse Vibes

We wrapped our dining journey at The Wake—elegant, moody, and definitely channeling that old-school steakhouse energy.

We shared a lineup of starters: clam chowder, wedge salad, crispy polenta, and shrimp & grits. For mains, I went with a classic New York strip and my wife chose the hanger steak. Sides included brown butter wild mushrooms, twice-baked potatoes with caramelized onions, and of course, crispy fries.

Dessert brought it all home: a chocolate mousse shortcrust with caramel and hazelnuts.

🍕 The Galley – Fast Casual, Made Fresh

Not your standard cruise buffet. The Galley features a mix of stations offering burgers, tacos, sushi, ramen, bento boxes, salads, and desserts—made to order. We tried Hot Off The Press, Diner & Dash, The Burger Bar, Bento Baby, and The Sweet Side. Expect real variety and table service, mobile ordering, or walk-up ordering depending on your preference.

Inside The Galley, we tried:

• Hot Off The Press – pressed sandwiches and melts
• Diner & Dash – classic comfort breakfasts
• The Burger Bar – fresh-made burgers and fries
• Bento Baby – sushi rolls and poke bowls
• The Sweet Side – cookies, cakes, and other bakery treats

Other options include Noodle Around (ramen), Let’s Taco Bout It (Mexican), The Daily Mix (salads), and more.

You can order table-side with a server, grab-and-go, or walk up and order—flexibility at its finest.

🥇 Our Restaurant Rankings

1. Extra Virgin
2. Pink Agave
3. The Wake
4. Razzle Dazzle

So, Was It All Just Hype?

Not at all. The food on Virgin Voyages is a clear differentiator—no buffets, no tacky décor, no extra fees for real dining. It’s fresh, intentional, and genuinely enjoyable.

My wife and I were onboard for a short sailing geared toward travel agents and brand fans, so this is just a taste of what the full cruise experience has to offer. I’ll be diving deeper into the ship, entertainment, and overall vibe in my next post.

Until then—bring your appetite.