Cruise & Ferry Interiors 2021

7 8 INTERIOR V IEW Valiant Lady Dee Cooper of Virgin Voyages tells Elly Yates-Roberts about the European inspiration behind the new ship and what guests can look forward to when she launches this year E urope is renowned for its diverse cuisine, rich history and culture, and relaxed lifestyles that celebrate ‘joie de vivre’. And Virgin Voyages’ new ship Valiant Lady, scheduled to debut in November 2021, has been created to embody these cornerstones of European culture. “Valiant Lady is going to be positioned in the Mediterranean, sailing out of Barcelona, Spain,” says Dee Cooper, Virgin Voyages’ senior vice president of design. “Inspired by the stunning backdrops of the region, we have selected artwork which builds on the romance of sailing around the historical European ports.” The onboard spaces have been designed with Valiant Lady’s destinations in mind. For example, The Grounds Club pays homage to Europe’s famous coffee culture. “We’ve really honoured this with our porthole seating and ocean blue high-top tables to create a convivial gathering place and a relaxing area to watch the sea and the onboard hustle and bustle,” says Cooper. Extra Virgin, one of the ship’s many dining options, also follows the regional theme by offering Italian-inspired cuisine with a modern twist. “Here you can meet friends for a refreshing Aperol Spritz, or dine in for a generous antipasti spread and a selection of excellent wines,” says Cooper. “The space really represents the European dining culture with touches of Italian terrazzo and verdant green.” Elsewhere, Virgin has incorporated the importance of ocean views and the ship’s surrounding landscape into the onboard décor to continually reconnect guests to the sea and the engineering structure of the ship. “When we first started planning the ship’s interior, we realised the opportunity that we had to create an exceptional cabin experience,” says Cooper. “Our ships have been designed to create a natural and authentic connection to the sea, so we have worked to make each cabin a sanctuary where guests can make the most of the amazing views. “We’ve achieved this by introducing a range of accessories, vanity tables and spacious bathrooms. In addition, we have designed the staterooms so that guests can configure the room into a lounge space during the day and then transform it back into a luxury bedroom at night.” However, Cooper believes that there are a few spaces which are even more Redemption Spa features a Turkish steam bath and plunge pools