back Back to news

Current Valiant Lady Sailing: Leaks Reported and Bimini Stop Missed

The December 11th Valiant Lady cruise has faced unexpected issues, including two reported leaks overnight and the cancellation of its much-anticipated stop at Bimini.

Posted on by 15 comments

news Travel Updates
tag Cancelations
tag Valiant Lady
Valiant Lady Pool Deck
Valiant Lady Pool Deck

The December 11th Fire & Sunset Soirées cruise aboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady has hit a few unexpected issues including leaks and a missed port stop.

Missed Bimini Stop

A key highlight of this itinerary is the much-anticipated visit to Bimini due today (December 14th) and its exclusive Beach Club for Virgin Voyages, but it appears that the ship has turned away (according to our ship tracker) from the Bahamian island, leaving travelers set to miss this signature stop. Missed stops on cruise lines can be common when it is not safe to dock.

The captain made an announcement at 9:20am local time canceling the stop due to high winds. Sailors will now have a day at sea with a refund of port fees, $50 sailor loot and free bubbles on Deck 6 & 7 at 2pm promised for the missed port.

Valiant Lady turning from Bimini on our ship tracker
Valiant Lady turning from Bimini on our ship tracker

Reported Leaks

Adding to the disruption multiple minor leaks have occurred on board. Sailors were alerted around 9pm last night with an announcement about a leak on board. This incident reportedly occurred in the crew area and the water tight doors were used. Virgin Voyages assured sailors through ship-wide announcements and a follow-up message in the app, stating:

“We’re dropping by to let you know there was a minor leak in the crew area, and our Epic Technical Team is already on it. The announcement you heard was just to keep you informed that everything is under control, and no action is required from you. Continue to enjoy your night aboard Valiant Lady! Cheers!” – Virgin Voyages App Communications

A second leak occurred at 3 a.m which led to another ship-wide broadcast in the middle of the night. This incident was reportedly a burst pipe in a sailor deck area.

Overview

Virgin Voyages has offered compensation for the missed port and reassurances about the onboard issues. Sailors will now spend a day at sea before Valiant Lady returns to Miami tomorrow. The ship is expected to be fully functional for the next voyage ahead.

About the author

Co-Founder and Editor. An iOS developer with a passion for cruises and theme parks. Blending technical know how with a love for Virgin Voyages with over 15 sailings around the world.

15 Comments

  1. Jennifer Collins Brever says:
    24 December 2024 at 13:35

    What was the cause of the leaks? Like a plugged and burst pipe?
    It would help me, as a sailor, to hear it explained as an internal leak verses just a leak. Not much experience sailing but hearing “leak”is a bit alarming while on the ocean.
    Either way I look forward to sailing Virgin again and bringing my entire family next time.

    Reply
    1. Rob Sammons says:
      24 December 2024 at 13:57

      As mentioned in the article Virgin Voyages described it as a “minor leak” to all sailors on board via their in app communications. It appears it was two incidents of a burst pipe and the water tight doors were used.

      Reply
    2. Misti Teague says:
      1 January 2025 at 21:08

      I was on the ship and it wasn’t a “minor leak” and it wasn’t “just in the crew quarters”. We came out of our room on deck 12 at 8:20am to water pouring from the ceiling in the hallway. It continued for a couple hours and they worked on it most of the day, so we weren’t able to go down that hallway/ get by them.

      It was at least 3 leaks, not 2. Crew confirmed that they had been up since 2am from the “flooding” in their area, which is not near the 12th deck midship where we were.

      I have contacted the cruise multiple times for resolution because I don’t believe it was due to high winds since the calmest day we had was whole we were circling the port, whereas the test of the cruise we were rocking so much we stumbled while trying to walk and many got sea sick. The skies were blue and water was calm. Again, I have tried multiple times to reach someone, they say they respond within 72 hours, but I haven’t received any responses and it has been 4 emails and over 2 weeks.

      Reply
      1. Rob Sammons says:
        2 January 2025 at 00:31

        That sounds crazy, good to hear the first hand account!

        Reply
  2. Anne says:
    15 December 2024 at 22:07

    We were told the EPIC maintenance ppl fixed the first one, sprinklers in the crew area on Deck 4 went off and wouldn’t shut off …… The second one in the middle of the night – 2:13 AM they called for crew to stations and water door closures — by 2:35 the EPIC crew was done with that flood — and the freindly crew at breakfast said it was a ‘seam’ leakage, again Deck 4 ……..The apology for the interuption came around 9AM …….. Bimini is Bimini – it happens …………

    Reply
    1. Rob Sammons says:
      15 December 2024 at 23:19

      Glad to hear it’s all resolved!

      Reply
    2. Beverly says:
      16 December 2024 at 12:59

      I actually talked to people who were involved in both “leaks” on Saturday. The first leak was on deck 8, sailor berthing areas. 5 cabins were flooded and needed to be moved. The leak in the middle of the night was the crew quarters. I spoke to one crew member at breakfast and after the water tight doors were shut, they were up to their knees in water before it was contained, which was scary to be sure.
      As far as Bimini is concerned, I was up on deck at 7 AM and saw that we were so close to the island, but then turned away. Yes, it was windy and I understand why we couldn’t dock, but the lack of communication until after 9 AM was frustrating. You don’t want to make announcements, fine I get that, but post something on the app about our delay, etc. Don’t keep people guessing/wondering what is happening.

      Reply
      1. M. Teague says:
        1 January 2025 at 21:13

        I agree! Residual solve I was texting Sailor services at 8:40 about my cinema with regards to getting further from the ship, the multiple alerts about leaks and the immemorial pouring of water from the ceiling in deck12 hallway outside our room, and the resound was “Everything is fine and we are about to dock. The captain is about to make an announcement letting you know exactly when we will be leaving the ship”. Not to mention that the skies were blue and the water was calmer than it had been the whole cruise. So I just don’t understand…

        Reply
      2. M. Teague says:
        1 January 2025 at 21:15

        Let me try that again – dang autocorrect! Lol

        I agree! Especially since I was texting Sailor Services at 8:40 about my concerns with regards to getting further from the shore, the multiple alerts about leaks and the current pouring of water from the ceiling in deck 12 hallway outside our room, and the response was “Everything is fine and we are about to dock. The captain is about to make an announcement letting you know exactly when we will be leaving the ship”. Not to mention that the skies were blue and the water was calmer than it had been the whole cruise. So I just don’t understand…

        Reply
    3. M. Teague says:
      1 January 2025 at 21:18

      And yet water was pouring from the ceiling in the hallway outside our room on deck 12 for a while as we circled the island, and they worked on it FOR HOURS long after we left Bimini. They never mentioned that leak to anyone….

      Reply
  3. S Hayned says:
    14 December 2024 at 16:56

    It’s still a beautiful day to be on Virgin Voyages!

    Reply
  4. Evan Hawks says:
    14 December 2024 at 15:48

    Safety is always got to be the number one priority. And per the Sailor contract everyone signs, they have to give you jack if we miss a port. So compensating Sailors as they have done is extremely generous

    Reply
  5. Jill Gerew says:
    14 December 2024 at 15:11

    Thanks Rob. As always you are right on top of all things Virgin. Virgin always goes above and beyond to make up for any issues when Ship happens.

    Reply
    1. Jodi Jackson says:
      14 December 2024 at 18:15

      Yes, I woke up in the middle of the night to the announcement and then early this morning to the next announcement about Bimini. I cruise this ship in September where all ports were cancelled due bad weather so I booked this one. I must not be meant to experience Bimini.

      Reply
      1. Rob Sammons says:
        15 December 2024 at 12:02

        One day Jodi! Such a shame

        Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *