Malaga on Where in the World is Kat Kong?

Virgin Voyages: Malaga Heights & Madeira Green - October 19-21, 2022

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation - October 8-9, 2022

Part 6: Prague: Arrival, The Augustine & Old Town - October 9-10, 2022

Part 7: Prague Castle, Cold War History, & Musical Evenings - October 11-14, 2022

Part 8: Barcelona: From the Vltava to the Mediterranean - October 14-15, 2022

Part 9: Embarking Valiant Lady, Ibiza & Day at Sea - October 16-18, 2022

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Malaga Heights & Madeira Green - October 19-21, 2022

Part 11: Virgin Voyages: Crossing the Atlantic & Miami Arrival - October 22-30, 2022 (Coming Soon)

Malaga: The King’s Little Path

When Valiant Lady arrived in Malaga, Kaleb and I had a specific adventure in mind: the Caminito del Rey. Because this hike starts at one entrance (North) and ends at another (South), and is located about an hour’s drive into the mountains, we decided a ship-organized excursion was the most practical choice. Even though the ship was docked overnight, the logistics of an independent trip were just too complicated to arrange on our own.

Walking the Cliffs

Our excursion started on our second day in Malaga. After the bus ride, guests were dropped off near the North entrance. We still had a bit of a trek to get to the official start, including a walk through a very low-clearance rock tunnel.

Before beginning the 3km hike, everyone was fitted with hard hats to protect against falling rock and—for sanitary reasons—hair nets to wear underneath. It wasn’t our most stylish moment, but safety comes first!

The Caminito was once known as the “world’s most dangerous walkway,” though today it feels very secure. The path is built into the sheer sides of limestone cliffs and was originally constructed to allow workers to maintain the hydroelectric plants in the chasm below.

The scenery is stunning, winding through narrow chasms and past heavily textured rock walls. At one point, we even spotted ancient fossils embedded in the stone.

For those who don’t mind heights, there is a transparent glass ledge that offers a direct look at the drop below…certainly a thrill! There was also a suspension bridge ahead with a grid floor so you can see all the way down to the river.

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What a unique way to see the Malaga mountainside!

Exploring Malaga Town

After the hike, the bus dropped us off in the center of Malaga. We spent the rest of the day exploring the pedestrian-friendly streets and striking architecture of the town center. The shopping area was expansive, and the mix of historic and modern design made for a great walk.

On our walk back to the port, we passed by the local beach area—it was quiet in October, but it clearly would be a fantastic spot during the summer months.

Dinner & Sea Days

Gunbae: Korean BBQ at Sea

Tonight’s dinner was at Gunbae, the ship’s high-energy Korean BBQ venue. Every meal here starts with a drinking game involving complimentary soju. I actually won the game tonight, and my prize was…another shot of soju! lol.

When we ate here on the Scarlet Lady, we felt the meats were a little underseasoned, but Virgin clearly listened to guest feedback. The food this time was delicious and marinated nicely. One of the best things about Gunbae is that the server handles the actual grilling at the table, so everyone can relax and eat without worrying about burning the food.

In addition to the standard soft-serve dessert, Kaleb and I were surprised with a special anniversary dessert (a little early, but very much appreciated!).

A Day of Relaxation & Italian Dining

The following day was spent at sea as we cruised toward Madeira. We kept things low-key until our dinner at Extra Virgin, the ship’s Italian restaurant.

Extra Virgin was just as good as we remembered, offering fantastic fresh pasta and great wine. We particularly enjoyed the affogato cart at the end of the meal, where they prepare the dessert right at your table.

We finished the evening by attending a magic show in the Red Room—a perfect end to our transition from Spain toward the Atlantic islands.

Funchal: Misty Levadas and Hidden Waterfalls

The next morning, the Valiant Lady arrived in the lush, mountainous port of Funchal, Madeira. We had booked an independent hiking excursion to Pico Arieiro through Shore Excursions Group, but as any seasoned traveler knows, sometimes you have to go with the flow.

The Great Hiking Swap

We were supposed to meet our guide at 8:15 AM, but by the time the clock ticked past our meeting time, no one had appeared. After a quick call to the tour company, we learned that the Pico Arieiro hike was cancelled due to poor weather. Apparently, we were rebooked on a different hike that would pick up shortly…we just hadn’t received the notification. I doubt that Shore Excursions Group would have forwarded anything.

Fifteen minutes later, a small bus arrived, and we were off. Even if it wasn’t the peak we planned for, a day of Madeira’s “green” sounded perfect. Before leaving the port, we spotted some cool cruise ship “graffiti” painted on the harbor walls, a tradition similar to what you see in Skagway, Alaska.

Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains

Our new destination was the Rabaçal trail, also known as the 25 Fountains (25 Fontes) hike.

During the hour-long drive into the mountains, we stopped at a local market. I couldn’t resist picking up a couple pastel de nata (a traditional Portuguese egg tart). It’s remarkably similar to Chinese-style egg tarts.

The trailhead was cloudy and misty, providing that quintessential “mystical” Madeira atmosphere.

The trail followed a levada, one of Madeira’s historic irrigation channels that snake through the landscape.

The path was a varied mix of rock stairs and flat stretches through the dense foliage. Because of the wet climate, waterfalls were everywhere, spilling over mossy rocks and into the basins below.

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By lunchtime, it was finally time to unpack that egg tart.

One of the more unique parts of the trek was a massive 800-meter tunnel near the end of the hike. It was pitch black inside, so we had to use our phone flashlights to navigate the long, damp corridor. It felt like something out of an adventure movie!

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After finishing the hike, the bus took us to a restaurant called Calheta Green for some well-earned refreshments before dropping us back at the port. Even though it wasn’t the hike we originally booked, the waterfalls and the tunnel adventure made for an unforgettable day.

Evening On Board: Razzle Dazzle

Back on the Valiant Lady, it was time for dinner at Razzle Dazzle. With just five nights on our previous Scarlet Lady cruise, we only managed to try the breakfast there, so I was excited for the full dinner experience.

Razzle Dazzle is known for being “veggie-forward,” which originally gave it some lukewarm reviews from meat-lovers. However, the restaurant has since introduced daily specials that include meat, as well as a “Naughty” side of the menu for those not feeling particularly virtuous.

The food was vibrant and creative. It’s definitely one of the most “fun” dining rooms on the ship with its bold, striped decor and lively atmosphere.

It was a fantastic way to cap off our final day in Europe. We said goodbye to the emerald hills of Funchal as the sun went down.

Now, we prepare for the ultimate test of sea legs: eight straight days at sea as we cross the Atlantic toward Miami…stay tuned!

Embarking Valiant Lady, Ibiza & Day at Sea - October 16-18, 2022

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Planning & Pre-Cruise Athens - September 28-October 1, 2022

Part 2: Embarking Norwegian Jade, Ephesus & Patmos - October 2-3, 2022

Part 3: Rhodes & Mykonos - October 4-5, 2022

Part 4: Argostoli & Corfu - October 6-7, 2022

Part 5: Santorini & Disembarkation - October 8-9, 2022

Part 6: Prague: Arrival, The Augustine & Old Town - October 9-10, 2022

Part 7: Prague Castle, Cold War History, & Musical Evenings - October 11-14, 2022

Part 8: Barcelona: From the Vltava to the Mediterranean - October 14-15, 2022

Part 9: Embarking Valiant Lady, Ibiza & Day at Sea - October 16-18, 2022

Part 10: Virgin Voyages: Malaga Heights & Madeira Green - October 19-21, 2022

Part 11: Virgin Voyages: Crossing the Atlantic & Miami Arrival - October 22-30, 2022 (Coming Soon)

The Long Journey to Miami

Our 14-night transatlantic itinerary consisted of a fascinating mix of Mediterranean culture and long stretches of open ocean. We would stop in Ibiza first, followed by a sea day then an overnight stay in Malaga. After another sea day, we would reach Funchal, Madeira. Then, the real test of our sea legs would begin: eight straight days across the Atlantic before reaching Miami.

Prior to this, the longest stretch I had ever spent at sea was four days during our 2019 Transpacific crossing on Celebrity Millennium. Eight days of nothing but blue horizon would be a new experience.

Boarding the Valiant Lady

After breakfast at the Hilton, we checked out at noon and took a Welcome Pickups transfer to the Barcelona World Trade Center cruise terminal. Our arrival time slot was set for 1:30 PM. The port was very well-organized, with dedicated queues for baggage drop and specific time slots, which made the initial arrival process quite smooth.

The Status Match: Deep Blue Extras

While Virgin Voyages was a relatively new player in the cruise industry (launching in 2021), they were already building a loyal following. Though their official “Sailing Club” wouldn’t debut until 2023, they offered a temporary suite of perks in 2022 called Deep Blue Extras.

These benefits were available to those who had sailed on Virgin during the inaugural year, those who sailed twice in 2022, or—more importantly for us—to those who status-matched from another cruise line’s elite program. Kaleb, my parents, and I all successfully matched our status from other lines. The benefits were impressively generous, including a free “Shake for Champagne” and a $10 daily coffee credit per cabin, and expedited boarding.

The expedited boarding worked perfectly. A staff member verified our Deep Blue status against their clipboard, and we were given cards to use during the boarding process.

Settling into the Sea Terrace

We began the boarding process right at our designated time and were inside our rooms within 25 minutes. We booked a Sea Terrace cabin, which featured the same layout and signature red hammock we enjoyed on the Scarlet Lady earlier this year.

Lunch at The Galley

With our bags dropped, we headed straight to The Galley for lunch. For those used to traditional cruise buffets, The Galley is a significant departure—it’s more of a food hall. Everything felt familiar from our Scarlet Lady experience: QR codes to view menus, servers to take your specific orders, and various stations for fresh fruit, salads, desserts, and pre-packaged bento boxes. I recommend walking around to each station to see the daily specials as they are not listed on the QR menus.

Dinner at The Wake

For our first dinner on the Valiant Lady, we headed to The Wake, the ship’s traditional steakhouse located at the very back of the ship. The experience was very similar to our time on the Scarlet Lady, though noticeably more crowded post-pandemic. The atmosphere is grand, with the staircase entrance making it one of the most visually impressive dining rooms on the ship.

Ibiza: The White Isle

Exploring Dalt Vila

The next morning, the Valiant Lady arrived in Ibiza. Since it was a Monday in October and we were there during the day, the island’s famous “party” reputation was nowhere to be seen. It was surprisingly quiet and peaceful. After having breakfast and lunch in The Galley, we headed off the ship to explore the local area on our own.

We made our way toward Dalt Vila, the historic Old Town. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its massive stone fortifications are incredibly well-preserved.

We spent a few hours exploring inside the walls and climbing to the top of the fortifications. The effort was rewarded with some truly beautiful views of the city, the crystal-clear Mediterranean water, and our ship in the distance.

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Afternoon Scoops & Evening Invitations

After our hike through Dalt Vila, we headed back to the ship for a well-deserved treat. We stopped by “Lick Me Till Ice Cream” for some hand-scooped cones, included in the cruise fare (and dangerous for the waistline). The many varieties of ice cream are handmade on board, paired with different flavors of crispy cones (or in a paper cup).

Once back in the cabin, we found an invitation to a cocktail party on the sports deck, part of the Deep Blue Extras benefits. It looked like a fun event, but unfortunately, it clashed with our dinner reservations.

Dinner at Pink Agave

For tonight’s dinner, we visited Pink Agave, the ship’s upscale Mexican restaurant. We let the server decide which small plates to serve us, and ended up with way too much food, with hardly enough stomach space left to eat our entrees. Surprisingly, the ribeye steak with cheese on top was a standout—it sounded like an odd combination, but it was really delicious.

Pro-Tip: Booking Your Dining
Making dining reservations for a 14-night cruise can be overwhelming. While most guests use the Virgin app, I found the interface a bit clunky for such a long itinerary. I ended up making my arrangements through the travel agent booking engine. Being able to see all the information on a large monitor versus a phone screen made the puzzle much easier to solve. If you’ve booked through a travel agent and the app is giving you trouble, don’t hesitate to ask them for help!

After dinner, I noticed on the Virgin Voyages app that reservations for “It’s a Ship Show!” dinner and variety show opened up, so I booked it for next week. This offering was relatively new and was not available for advanced dining reservations.

Fun and Games at Sea

The next day was a sea day, so we took my parents around to explore the ship. We ended up having a little too much fun on the sports deck—there’s something about a four-person seesaw that brings out everyone’s inner child.

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Lunch at The Dock

For lunch, we stopped by The Dock, which serves excellent Mediterranean-inspired small plates. We ordered a spread of grilled octopus, grilled shrimp, and chicken skewers. For dessert, I tracked down the fruit popsicle cart in The Galley for a refreshing finish.

Valiant Lady reached Malaga in the late afternoon, staying overnight.

Dinner tonight was at Test Kitchen, the ship’s laboratory-style dining venue. When Kaleb and I ate here on Scarlet Lady, we thought it was a fun concept, but I was worried about it being repetitive.

Pro-Tip: The Menu Rotation
Test Kitchen now offers three distinct menus (Menu A, Menu B, and Menu C) depending on the ship. The menus rotate every 3-4 days. As long as you time your reservations at least 4-5 days apart, you can experience different menus during a long crossing like this one!

Tonight was Menu A, which we had enjoyed previously. The presentation is always striking, and while I still really enjoy the mushroom and venison courses, I have to admit that the “bleu cheese mousse” course does not work for me. All in all, it was a nice meal and a great way to introduce my parents to the more experimental side of Virgin’s dining.

We didn’t have plans tonight in Malaga - leaving the ship just to take a picture of Valiant Lady all lit up in red.

Tomorrow, Kaleb and I go hiking on the “world’s most dangerous walkway”, the Caminito del Rey…stay tuned!

Malaga on Where in the World is Kat Kong?

Virgin Voyages: Malaga Heights & Madeira Green - October 19-21, 2022

Malaga: The King’s Little Path

Walking the Cliffs

Exploring Malaga Town

Dinner & Sea Days

Gunbae: Korean BBQ at Sea

A Day of Relaxation & Italian Dining

Funchal: Misty Levadas and Hidden Waterfalls

The Great Hiking Swap

Rabaçal and the 25 Fountains

Evening On Board: Razzle Dazzle

Embarking Valiant Lady, Ibiza & Day at Sea - October 16-18, 2022

The Long Journey to Miami

Boarding the Valiant Lady

The Status Match: Deep Blue Extras

Settling into the Sea Terrace

Lunch at The Galley

Dinner at The Wake

Ibiza: The White Isle

Exploring Dalt Vila

Afternoon Scoops & Evening Invitations

Dinner at Pink Agave

Pro-Tip: Booking Your Dining

Fun and Games at Sea

Lunch at The Dock

Test Kitchen: Menu A

Pro-Tip: The Menu Rotation