The Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri completed the floatation tests of Virgin Voyages' second cruise ship (currently under construction) on Monday, June 15, following a long suspension caused by the COVID crisis.
Valiant Lady vessel's construction started in May 2020, at Sestri Ponte Yard (near Genoa Italy). On May 20, 2020, the ship left shipyard's drydock and was moved to the outfitting berth. The vessel's assembly commenced in March 2019 and the float-out was originally scheduled for March 2020. However, because of the Coronavirus-forced shipyard closure, works were suspended for ~2 months, which also will delay the ship's delivery to the Virgin Group.
Virgin initially scheduled the boat's inauguration for May 2021. Fincantieri's fitting-out period is ~1 year. The Valiant Lady’s maiden voyage has been rescheduled for October 16 and the christening ceremony will be conducted in March 2021.
Valiant Lady is the second of 4 planned units (on order from Virgin Group) at total value EUR 3 billion. The 110,000 GT liner is a sistership to Scarlet Lady - delivered to Virgin in February 2020.
The two other newbuilds (on order from Fincantieri) are scheduled for deliveries in 2022 and 2023. Blocks for the 3rd 'ladyship' are being assembled and Virgin is currently pondering a name for that vessel, due for May 2022 delivery.
Virgin Voyages also decided to postpone the introductory trips for Scarlet Lady through October 2020and then will make itineraries from Miami Florida to the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Valiant Lady will be homeported in Barcelona Spain for summer 2021.
For passengers previously scheduled to sail on one of Scarlet Lady’s impacted voyages, the line is offering a 200% future cruise credit (FCC), one of the most generous in the industry.