New Virgin Voyages cruise ship Valiant Lady docks at Tilbury and will be visible from Gravesend and north Kent
20:42, 09 March 2022
updated: 16:16, 10 March 2022
A new cruise ship has arrived on the River Thames, visible across the water from the Kent shoreline.
The Valiant Lady, the latest vessel to be launched by Virgin Voyages, docked at Tilbury Thursday morning and can be seen from the riverside in Gravesend and across north Kent after sailing overnight from Portsmouth.
Watch The Valiant Lady sail past Shornemead Fort on the River Thames as she arrives this morning
She is a state-of-the-art liner boasting 20 dining options on board throughout the ship and 1,330 cabins and another 78 RockStar Quarters and two private suites.
The company says 86% of the cabins on board will have a balcony and 93% with ocean views.
Valiant Lady is Virgin's second cruise ship and is touring the UK ahead of her maiden voyage from Portsmouth before travelling to her home port in Barcelona.
She will sail on seven-night Mediterranean cruises from the Spanish port before joining with her sister ship Scarlet Lady for the rest of the year.
Another four feature itineraries will offer overnight and late night stops across France, Italy and Spain.
Tom McAlpin, chief executive of Virgin Voyages, 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 – and we can’t wait to welcome sailors on board."
A glamorous party will be held on board the ship on Friday while she is docked alongside at Tilbury at the London International Cruise Terminal.
BRIT Award nominee Tom Grennan will be among the performers on stage in the ship's nightclub, The Manor, along with another surprise special guest.
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