The UK-based new cruise brand Virgin Voyages unveiled the hull art design for the fleet's second ship Valiant Lady. Created by the Boston MA-based artist Hillary Wilson, Valiant Lady's Mermaid celebrates the beautiful, friendly, strong, and contemporary embodiment of a black American woman.
Bookings for the inaugural, pre-summer voyages aboard Valiant Lady officially opened on Thursday, July 22.
Like the sistership Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady will boast a new mermaid at the helm. The leading ladies of the company, its mermaids, are a major symbol for the brand as well as meant to keep Sailors (cruisers) safe on their journey.
Emblazoned on the ship's bow, Valiant Lady’s black mermaid captures the energy of a woman who is moving confidently towards her dreams. The mermaid resembles a black woman with authentic features.
With diversity at the core of Virgin's brand ideology, it allows international artists to represent different backgrounds on an expansive canvas.
Valiant Lady is scheduled to hit the water in Spring 2022, sailing from the United Kingdom to the most popular islands and cities in Europe, with late-night and overnight stays in Malaga Spain, Palma de Mallorca, the Canaries, Lisbon Portugal, and Belgium.