{"id":31035,"date":"2026-08-25T20:17:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T01:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/?p=31035"},"modified":"2026-08-25T20:17:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T01:17:24","slug":"sixteen-days-four-countries-and-one-epic-voyage-our-valiant-lady-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/?p=31035","title":{"rendered":"Sixteen Days, Four Countries, and One Epic Voyage: Our Valiant Lady Adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sixteen days. Four countries. Nine ports. One solar eclipse. More food, drinks, games, dancing, comedy, sightseeing, and questionable decisions than I can possibly remember.<\/p>\n<p>Our adventure aboard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginvoyages.com\/ships\/valiant-lady\"  rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Virgin Voyages\u2019 Valiant Lady<\/a> was far from perfect\u2014but somehow, that made it even more memorable. From missing a riverboat in Dublin to watching the sky turn dark in the middle of the North Atlantic, from highland cows and castles to breweries and cathedrals, this was one heck of a vacation.<\/p>\n<p>And, without a doubt, the best cruise we\u2019ve ever taken.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 1: Let the Voyage Begin!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After all the planning, packing, and anticipation, we finally stepped aboard the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginvoyages.com\/ships\/valiant-lady\"  rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Valiant Lady<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55460925328\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55460925328_21d6d82469_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We kicked things off with the voyage kickoff party before heading to dinner at the Wake. Then came some adult coloring, a comedy show, and finally the PJ party.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55477146364\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55477146364_7cf40af122_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Not a bad way to start a 16-day adventure.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 2: Getting to Know Our Home<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Our first sea day was spent exploring the ship and discovering all the nooks and crannies of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.virginvoyages.com\/ships\/valiant-lady\"  rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Valiant Lady<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476970806\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476970806_547d5de992_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It was on this sea day that Brian discovered Virgin beer. Contrary to what you might think, it is not a non-alcoholic beer. It&#8217;s Virgin branded.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55482792814\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55482792814_372917d37f_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We found the pickleball court, shuffleboard, and the pink karaoke room.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55475980317\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55475980317_f1c3384462_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55477359855\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55477359855_a4a738067a_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55475979917\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55475979917_95fda4a4ea.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There is a LOT to see and do on this ship, and we knew we had barely scratched the surface. Next up: Dublin!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 3: Dublin\u2026 or How We Literally Missed the Boat<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not one to complain, but Dublin was a bit of a disappointment.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476977506\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476977506_db7da03ff9_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We had high hopes because we had booked a riverboat tour. Unfortunately, getting off the ship required tenders, and the tender operation was running WAY behind.<\/p>\n<p>By the time we finally made it ashore, we were an hour late. And, well\u2026 We literally missed the boat. Instead, we got a bus tour.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55477158589\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55477158589_43f338ee2f.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After sitting on a bus for a couple of hours, my period cramps were making me miserable and my butt was officially over bus seats. Brian had hoped to find a local pub for a proper pint, but by the time the tour was over, we just wanted to get back to the ship.<\/p>\n<p>I took some Tylenol and decided to sleep it off. And sleep we did. We napped so hard that we missed several lectures I had really wanted to attend. <\/p>\n<p>Thankfully, we eventually dragged ourselves out of bed in time to listen to some music before joining our group for a super fun dinner at <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/uzCWvn7kOls?si=aH0TVn-Uf390ZsnH\" >Gunbae<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Dublin, we&#8217;ll be back. Do-over required.<\/p>\n<p>By the way, we found out later that the delay had nothing to do with the tenders. A technical glitch caused several passengers to disappear from the ship\u2019s system just as sailors were trying to disembark. Everything had to stop until the issue was fixed. Because of a special passport process, the ship was holding everyone\u2019s passports while we were in Dublin, and our wristbands were also needed to reboard. If guests left before the system was restored, they could potentially be unable to get back on the ship\u2014or even return home. So, frustrating as the delay was, it was absolutely critical that they resolved the problem before anyone could leave the ship.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 4: Highland Cows, Loch Lomond &#038; Bagpipes<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55475890157\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55475890157_06c8b3765a.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Scotland more than made up for our disappointing day in Dublin. We started with breakfast and a view before heading out to see highland cows and Loch Lomond, Scotland\u2019s largest freshwater loch (I think we call them lakes) by surface area, surrounded by dramatic mountains, forests, and picturesque villages.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55475876287\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55475876287_97bbe987fb.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We rode a motor coach (we call them tour busses in the US) to Monty&#8217;s Farm Park at Ardardan Estate in Cardross, Scotland. We saw various farm animals like sheep and goats but the highland cattle (they look like shaggy cows with horns) and adorable belted galloways (shaggy cows that look like big dogs) were the main attraction. Or should I say &#8220;mane&#8221; attraction? I&#8217;m such a dork. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476844826\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476844826_b48fb385f7.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476871166\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476871166_e3dd42e96f.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After exploring the farm and enjoying some coffee, tea, and biscuits in the Ardardan tea room, we went back on the coach to go to Loch Lomond. The Saturday market was happening while we were there so there were lots of vendors and people. Brian got to sample some whiskey from one of the booths and we also witnessed some wrestling. It was an interesting day at the loch. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55477258130\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55477258130_62583475d7_b.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476840086\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476840086_1b0670c818.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Afterward, we stopped for drinks at Scott\u2019s at the port for some bevvies (Brian wanted a pint) before heading back to the ship.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55475877512\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55475877512_e127fd6570.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our return was perfectly Scottish: we were serenaded by bagpipers as the ship readied for departure. We got to watch the performance from our port-side balcony (Virgin calls them sea terraces) as we got ready for our dinner reservation at Test Kitchen. I&#8217;ll write a completely separate post about Test Kitchen because it was a really interesting dining experience.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"500\" height=\"255\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/OGEEoWbgDbA?si=RSzZAXajF9Crp80z\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 5: Liverpool on Foot<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We decided to skip a formal excursion and explore Liverpool at our own pace. And what a day it was!<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476891823\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476891823_00d6813826_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We started at Royal Albert Dock before walking to Liverpool Cathedral, which was easily the largest and most impressive cathedral we had ever seen.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55464261602\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55464261602_61b7fbb87c_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>From there, we wandered along Bold Street, saw the entrance to Chinatown, stopped for photos at St. Luke\u2019s \u201cBombed Out\u201d Church, and walked to the Beatles Story Museum.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476663326\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476663326_b4330dd1dc_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The line was long, though, and our feet were getting tired, so we decided to skip the museum. Sometimes the best travel decision is knowing when you&#8217;ve had enough.<\/p>\n<p>Back on the ship, Brian enjoyed his favorite beer at the Dock while I had a sangria. Then we napped\u2014hard (again).<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55465212341\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55465212341_ab4e0da843.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/Zc0bTTe3fmk?si=3m_V8YhGif9C8Ryj\"  rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dinner at Extra Virgin<\/a> followed, along with the Griffin and Jones comedy\/magic show. Fantastic day overall.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 6: Belfast &#038; a Game of Thrones Adventure<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We spent the day docked in Belfast, exploring the city and Northern Ireland countryside on our way to the Game of Thrones Studio Tour.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463659920\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463659920_1b4c8dc481.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It was another great port day, but the fun didn&#8217;t stop when we returned to the ship.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463374813\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463374813_1268345924.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We celebrated our anniversary with a special dinner at Ariya, followed by Around the World with the Diva, one of Valiant Lady&#8217;s many entertaining shows.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55462268327\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55462268327_ec27529c56.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After four consecutive port days\u2014Dublin, Glasgow, Liverpool and Belfast\u2014we were MORE than ready for a sea day. And maybe\u2026 just maybe\u2026 I&#8217;d finally get to play some pickleball!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 7: Pickleball, Chess &#038; Way Too Much Clam Chowder<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463427439\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463427439_cdf168808d_b.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Sea day! The highlights included pickleball, chess, and several rounds of &#8220;Go F** Yourself&#8221; before dinner.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55462264132\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55462264132_cfc2137d90_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But my favorite story of the day involves a reservation mistake. When I booked our brunch and dinner reservations, I apparently forgot that I had already booked the Wake. So we had brunch at The Wake\u2026<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55482536796\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55482536796_e769f5657b_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2026and then dinner at the Wake. Twice. In one day.<\/p>\n<p>Honestly, though, I&#8217;m not even mad because I love their clam chowder, and yes, I had it at both breakfast AND dinner. <\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463426054\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463426054_7e0241f899.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After dinner, we watched the Magnets perform in the Red Room. We figured the late show wouldn&#8217;t be as crowded. We were wrong. It was packed.<\/p>\n<p>I also missed the official Scarlet Night dance lesson earlier in the day\u2014but that didn&#8217;t stop me from learning the dance anyway.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 8: Halfway There\u2014and Eclipse Day!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Somehow, we were officially halfway through the voyage. And this wasn&#8217;t just any day. It was solar eclipse day!<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463417944\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463417944_e6f22e096d.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The skies were cloudy where we were, so we didn&#8217;t get the spectacular view we had hoped for. But there was still something incredibly cool about watching the day turn into night for about four minutes.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463411119\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463411119_6f7e199088_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Standing on a cruise ship in the middle of the North Atlantic while the world briefly went dark? Pretty unforgettable.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463371758\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463371758_45fe2fa2d4_b.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And now it was time for Iceland. Three ports. Three days. Let the adventure continue!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 9: Siglufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Siglufj\u00f6r\u00f0ur was our first Icelandic port.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463407969\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463407969_c43622fca9.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We spent the day exploring at a leisurely pace\u2014checking out a bakery and brewery, walking around the harbor, visiting the Herring Era Museum and Folk Music Center, and taking in the scenery.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463598630\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463598630_591ed49d2c.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We also squeezed in a comedy show before wandering around the ship and calling it a day. Small town. Big scenery. A very Icelandic kind of day.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 10: Whalebones, Rainbows &#038; Breweries<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463303178\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463303178_afa6288c2d_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In \u00cdsafj\u00f6r\u00f0ur, we walked around the harbor and discovered the famous whalebone arch. Of course, we had to take pictures on the rainbow path. And, because apparently every Icelandic port needs a brewery, we found another one.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55463355799\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55463355799_11850c63dc.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Back aboard Valiant Lady, we had dinner at Extra Virgin, caught the early show, and ended the evening watching the sunset. Iceland was definitely delivering.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486177279\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486177279_7869ef2b63.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 11: Reykjav\u00edk &#038; Scarlet Night<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486181304\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486181304_a643047a0e.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our final Icelandic stop was Reykjav\u00edk. We packed a LOT into this day: Rainbow Street, the cathedral, the Phallic Museum, the Sun Voyager sculpture, Harpa, and plenty of wandering around the city.<\/p>\n<p>Back on the ship, we had dinner at the Wake before seeing the Miss Behave Show.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55485032512\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55485032512_be170c4f1e.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We also learned the story behind the mysterious octopus tentacles.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55485068057\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55485068057_667494fe06.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And then came Scarlet Night. Dancing, music, costumes, and all the wonderfully chaotic energy that makes Virgin Voyages feel different from any other cruise line.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486020531\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486020531_dc5597de67_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 12: Astronauts, Ice Cream &#038; Dirty Laundry<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sea day\u2014and somehow I spent most of it at the Manor. We started with brunch at the Wake because, naturally, I needed more clam chowder.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55482713464\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55482713464_2a349aa475.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>They also serve a layered crepe cake at breakfast, so obviously I had to try that too. Brian doesn&#8217;t really care for breakfast at the Wake, but he was a good sport and humored me.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486204588\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486204588_f81f9e2709.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Later, Becca and I took a Dance Remix class with Christian &#8220;the Spark&#8221; while the boys got creative with some art. Jay was painting with coffee while Brian colored.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55485101887\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55485101887_0e60005b51.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then came one of the coolest experiences of the entire trip: a lecture about the construction of the International Space Station presented by actual NASA astronauts Tony Antonelli and Pam Melroy. I totally geeked out.<\/p>\n<p>Lunch was at the Pizza Place, where I finally tried the pizza after nearly the entire voyage had passed. Brian was happy because they also serve Virgin&#8217;s beer\u2014which has officially become his new favorite. Then we grabbed ice cream at Lick Me Till Ice Cream.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486259469\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486259469_3f477330dc.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Later, we returned to the Manor for the &#8220;Pay Attention!&#8221; game show, which was hilarious. Then came Dirty Laundry at the Social Club with Happenings Cast members Caitlyn &#8220;the Gamer&#8221; and Sammy &#8220;the Hype.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486260004\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486260004_8ed095850e.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Brian even earned a free drink for spilling some personal tea.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486205203\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486205203_eac0ea4c46.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We ended the night at Club Caliente with a salsa and bachata lesson led by Sammy in his alter ego, Captain Caliente, and Megan &#8220;the Glow&#8221; aka Mami Caliente.<\/p>\n<p>Another sea day. Another ridiculously full schedule.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 13: Dancing, Games &#038; Happenings Cast Magic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This sea day was all about dancing and games. After breakfast, I headed to Zumba with Danica &#8220;the Balancer,&#8221; who I believe is taking over for AJ &#8220;the Balancer&#8221; from Happenings Cast 11.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486477795\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486477795_16969a2289.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Later, I played trivia hosted by Caitlyn &#8220;the Gamer&#8221;\u2014not once, but twice. We lost both times. But we had fun, which counts for something, right?<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486204768\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486204768_3513e7e4c5.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486478240\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486478240_b0c7fca00d.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We also played &#8220;Ready, Set, Draw,&#8221; caught part of &#8220;Sink Oar Swim,&#8221; and joined Lili\u2019u &#8220;the Flare&#8221; for Dancing Through the Decades.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486087766\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486087766_57a25362af.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>That evening, Brian and I watched &#8220;Love, Love, Love,&#8221; a show centered around love languages.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486477685\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486477685_7084b81a68.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One of the unexpected highlights of this trip has been meeting the Happenings Cast 12 cast members who are taking over for their Happenings Cast 11 counterparts.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486088571\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486088571_3562489107_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Every cast member I&#8217;ve met has been absolutely fabulous, and future Valiant Lady sailors are in for a treat.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55478390922\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55478390922_bb58e46c1c_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 14: Edinburgh!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55482698723\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55482698723_645b77ae41.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We finally made it to Edinburgh. Our all-day excursion included a panoramic bus tour of the city, lunch at Twenty Princes Street with an amazing view of Edinburgh Castle, and a tour of the castle itself.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55485096457\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55485096457_5b9d3201c4.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>And thank goodness for that bus! Edinburgh was absolutely packed with thousands of people attending the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The streets were INSANE.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476404616\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476404616_3c3f9ec03f_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Our coach driver, Barry, somehow maneuvered those narrow streets like a professional.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55480011900\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55480011900_fac9825921_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Back on the ship, we had our final dinner at Pink Agave, watched a piano show and comedy show, and picked up a little souvenir. Another fabulous day aboard Valiant Lady.<\/p>\n<p>And by this point, one thing had become very clear: This has been, hands down, the best cruise we&#8217;ve ever taken. Not perfect. But absolutely unforgettable.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 15: One Last Day<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>And just like that, our final day aboard Valiant Lady arrived. We weren&#8217;t going to waste it.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55478391717\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55478391717_cdd5577dd0_b.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I played pickleball, squeezed in a workout class and a line dancing class, watched a comedy show, played games, listened to live music, and basically tried to absorb every last bit of the ship.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476827712\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476827712_0d47b71f93_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>We finished with one final dinner at Extra Virgin. It was bittersweet.<\/p>\n<p>This trip had been so much fun that we were already looking forward to doing it all again in February.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 16: Salisbury, Stonehenge &#038; Goodbye<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We disembarked from Valiant Lady\u2014but our vacation wasn&#8217;t quite over yet. We took one final excursion to make the most of our last day in England.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55485086107\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55485086107_14404631cc.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>First stop: the medieval city of Salisbury, where we visited the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral and saw the Magna Carta.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486071696\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486071696_5db00a374f_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then it was off to Stonehenge.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55486072681\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55486072681_a720d84239.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The weather wasn&#8217;t exactly cooperative. It rained for about half the time we were there. But hey\u2014it&#8217;s England. You can&#8217;t have the full experience without a little rain, right?<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/ching\/55476866861\/in\/datetaken\/\"  title=\"Untitled\"><img src=\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/55476866861_bed6c8c24e_c.jpg\" width=\"500\" alt=\"Untitled\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After Stonehenge, we headed to our hotel and found a local pub for a quick dinner before finally calling it a day.<\/p>\n<p>Sixteen Days Later\u2026 Looking back, this trip had pretty much everything. <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We missed a riverboat in Dublin.<\/li>\n<li>We saw highland cows in Scotland.<\/li>\n<li>We explored Liverpool on foot.<\/li>\n<li>We celebrated our anniversary in Belfast.<\/li>\n<li>We watched the world go dark during a solar eclipse.<\/li>\n<li>We explored three Icelandic ports.<\/li>\n<li>We walked rainbow streets, visited breweries, chased sunsets, toured castles and stood among ancient stones at Stonehenge.<\/li>\n<li>We played pickleball, danced, laughed at comedy shows, played games, listened to music, ate our way through the ship, and met an incredible group of people.<\/li>\n<li>We even managed to eat clam chowder at The Wake for both breakfast and dinner on the same day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And while not everything went according to plan, those unexpected moments became part of the story. That&#8217;s what I love about travel. The perfect days are wonderful. But sometimes it&#8217;s the missed boats, rainy afternoons, tired feet, wrong reservations, unexpected naps and ridiculous stories that make a trip unforgettable.<\/p>\n<p>Sixteen days. One incredible ship. So many memories. And the best part? We&#8217;re already looking forward to doing it all again in February. We&#8217;ll be on Valiant Lady&#8217;s sister ship Brilliant Lady for the Sisters at Sea rendezvous. If you&#8217;re looking to sail on Virgin, <a href=\"https:\/\/share.virginvoyages.com\/cherriebrubaker!32dd9cedb0!a\"  rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">follow this link to get $150 toward your bar tab<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sixteen days. Four countries. Nine ports. One solar eclipse. More food, drinks, games, dancing, comedy, sightseeing, and questionable decisions than I can possibly remember. Our adventure aboard Virgin Voyages\u2019 Valiant Lady was far from perfect\u2014but somehow, that made it even more memorable. From missing a riverboat in Dublin to watching the sky turn dark in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[21],"tags":[47,2972,3891,3885],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31035"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31035"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31035\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31054,"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31035\/revisions\/31054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/brubakers.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}