My Birthday Bash Aboard the Valiant Lady!

Wow, what a birthday! I’ve always been curious about Virgin Voyages. As someone who’s been on a few cruises in my time, the whole adults-only vibe really intrigued me. So, when it came time to celebrate a big milestone birthday with my amazing group of friends, we decided to take the plunge and book a trip on the Valiant Lady. And honestly? It was an absolute blast.

From the second we stepped onto that ship, the energy was just… different. It was like a shot of pure fun. Forget all that stuffy, formal cruise stuff – this was all about having a good time with great company. Our mission for the trip was simple: experience everything the Valiant Lady had to offer. And trust me, we gave it our best shot! We were all over the place, from trying to win at group trivia (we actually managed it a couple of times!) to getting our brains working with the puzzle challenges, and even sweating it out in some seriously energetic workout classes. There was never a dull moment, and that Virgin Voyages app was a lifesaver for keeping track of all the activities and shows we wanted to check out.

We got on the ship in Miami, where Virgin Voyages uses the beautiful Terminal V. We arrived via an Uber and a porter immediately whisked our bags away after tagging them to go straight to our room. We actually got there way before our official boarding time, so we jumped on the Coral Way Trolley to go explore Bayside Marketplace. Usually, that ride is quick, but being in Miami during the Ultra Music Festival meant the traffic was insane! We grabbed some food at the Marketplace and then had to grab a taxi to make sure we got back to the ship on time. Getting onboard was so easy, and the first thing we did was drop our bags off in our rooms. Unlike other cruises I’ve been on, you can head straight to your cabin as soon as you’re on the ship, which was a nice touch.

One of the things that really stood out to me about Virgin Voyages was the incredible variety and quality of the food. And the best part? It’s all included! No extra charges for “specialty” restaurants here. You can book each restaurant once before you sail, but once you’re onboard, you often see more opportunities pop up to snag extra reservations at your favorites. I thought this was a great way to make sure everyone gets a chance to try each place and encourages you to be a little adventurous with your choices. We had an absolute blast at Gunbae, the Korean BBQ place – it was so lively and interactive, and our server even got us playing this fun game called 3-6-9 at the table. We also loved the Mediterranean flavors at The Wake, the super fun and tasty Mexican street food at Pink Agave, and the really authentic Italian experience at Extra Virgin. Seriously, every single restaurant had its own unique vibe and food that just blew us away.

Another great difference about a Virgin Voyages cruise is the entertainment. Virgin Voyages has carved a unique niche in cruise entertainment by moving away from traditional cruise ship shows and embracing a more modern, festival-like atmosphere. Some of my favorite nights were spent at their theme parties. We started with the “PJ Party,” a comfortable and quirky first-night gathering that had the best music lineup (90s/200s hits anyone) of the whole cruise. We also loved “Scarlet Night,” a vibrant, red-themed celebration that culminates in a lively pool party. We danced the night away on the deck and I have never seen so many people in red before. Each cruise ship also has a resident drag queen hosting various events, and a “Happenings Cast” that roams the ship creating spontaneous moments of fun.

The adventures didn’t stop when we were at sea either. Besides our two relaxing sea days, we also had stops in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and The Beach Club at Bimini, which is Virgin Voyages’ private party island. In Puerto Plata, we did the Waterfalls of Damajagua excursion, and honestly, it was a highlight of the entire trip! Trekking through the beautiful Dominican countryside and then actually going down these amazing waterfalls – either by plunging in or carefully sliding – was just exhilarating. The water was so cool and refreshing, and the natural beauty of the canyons was breathtaking. Then came the pure bliss of The Beach Club at Bimini. Stepping onto that perfect white sand with the crystal-clear Bahamian water was like stepping into a dream. We spent the whole day just lounging in style, soaking up the sun, sipping on delicious drinks, and dancing to some incredible DJ sets. The energy was vibrant but still so relaxed – the perfect way to unwind and keep the birthday celebrations going. A good tip for the Beach Club is to be on the first tram which was around 8AM. We had our pick of pool chairs and by 10AM the whole place was packed. There were more than enough beach chairs to go around but my group wanted to be closer to the pool area.

Sailing on the Valiant Lady for my birthday with my best friends was so much more than just a vacation. It was an unforgettable celebration of our friendship, full of amazing adventures and memories that I know we’ll all cherish forever. The Dominican Daze itinerary was the perfect mix of excitement and relaxation, and the Valiant Lady was the ideal backdrop for it all. If you’re looking for a unique and vibrant way to celebrate something special (or just want an incredible getaway), you seriously need to check out Virgin Voyages. Trust me on this one – you absolutely won’t regret it!