Virgin Voyages: Key West Bites and Cruise Delights

I’m proud to say I’m no stranger to Virgin Voyages and its spectacular Valiant Lady ship! This time around, I introduced a couple girlfriends to Virgin Voyages, all of us excited for a much-needed getaway. While my previous blog highlighted the ship, entertainment, and ports, this entry is all about one thing: food.

Bon Voyage!

Seafood to Key Lime – Savoring the flavors of Key West!

Our first port was Key West, the ideal spot for us to explore the island through our shared passion for food. With around 300 restaurants packed into an island just 2 miles wide and 4 miles long, it might seem impossible to experience the best in a single day. Enter: the food tour. I booked one outside of the cruise’s excursion options—it was more affordable and had stellar reviews. Here is the link if you want to go! We loved every bite and couldn’t recommend it enough!

We started at Garbo’s Grill, a retro airstream food truck nestled outside Hank’s Saloon. The fish taco was an impressive mix of sweet and savory flavors. We paired it with refreshing mimosas and lavender lemonade. The casual vibe was bliss, and I loved checking out the tribute to dogs inside the bar. Fun fact: Garbo’s gained fame after being featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives! Hearing about its journey to success was inspiring.

Next, we visited Cuban Coffee Queen for their Cuban sandwich. Fresh bread and succulent meat made this messy dish a so worth it – Tracy’s favorite of the tour.

Then came Bagatelle, a charming historic venue serving rich lobster mac and cheese. Creamy and delicious, this dish was a delight.

At Eaton Street Seafood Market, we enjoyed fresh prawns and wine. A simple yet satisfying stop, and a place I’d frequent if staying in Key West.

Of course, no trip to Key West would be complete without key lime pie! We wrapped up at Kermit’s Key Lime Shop and indulged in both the traditional pie and its chocolate-covered counterpart. Sharing bites with friends gave us the best of both worlds, though the classic pie stole my heart—I wish I could’ve taken a whole one home.

Between food stops, we explored the island’s vibrant seaport, artisanal shops, and local gems like Kino Sandals and Rodriguez Cigar Company. I really enjoyed visiting Island Contemporary, the local artists were fun to talk with and learn more about their history and I really loved their style and paintings. Their unique prints and original artwork can also be purchased online.

Quick Key West Facts

We soaked in the history and quirky charm of Key West along the way:

• The island boasts the second-largest seaport in the U.S., employing 4,000 people.

• A conch shell displayed outside a home signifies a birth.

• Key West has the most bars and churches per capita.

• Porches with blue ceilings are believed to ward off evil spirits.

• Pepe’s is Florida’s second-oldest restaurant.

• Top Gun actress Kelly McGinnis once owned a Key West restaurant, now known as First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery, which pays homage to Pan Am Airlines, its birthplace.

• Jimmy Buffett’s recording studio is sticker-covered—a visual tribute to visitors from all corners of the globe.

With colorful sights, mouthwatering food, and fantastic company, Key West was nothing short of perfection!

Valiant Lady shines with her Restaurant Selections

The food journey continued on the Valiant Lady, with her diverse dining options truly delivering once again.

• The Wake: A new discovery for me this trip, offering both brunch and dinner experiences. Dinner highlights included Hamachi, wedge salads, perfectly cooked steak, and heavenly desserts. The flexibility to customize dishes, like switching up sides, made dining here extra special. A relaxed yet upscale vibe makes The Wake a must for future cruises and a perfect start to Scarlet Night!

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  
  
  

• Pink Agave: Elevated Latin cuisine that hits the mark! The food packed rich, bold flavors, complemented by sweet and spicy drinks.

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

• Extra Virgin: Once again with a delight with traditional Italian main dishes that weren’t so large that you couldn’t enjoy all the courses they had to offer.

  
  

• The Test Kitchen: While this visit wasn’t as magical as my first, the beautiful presentations and top-notch wine stood out. It was definitely still worth the visit! We toured the kitchen as well, a treat my friend Heidi—a skilled cook—always requests.

• The Pizza Place: This will always be a must for a quick bite. The crust is just the perfect blend of crispy and chewy and the sauce doesn't overpower.

Finally, during our brief stop in Bimini, Bahamas, the sun was shining but the temperature was a very comfortable 70 degrees. With that weather we thought it would be less busy, but we underestimated the beach club’s popularity and returned to the ship sooner than expected.

It all turned out for the best and we passed the afternoon away at the pool with sushi and burgers from The Galley, paired with mimosas for a perfect reprieve. Did you know you can bring two bottles of wine per person on the ship to enjoy during your cruise? Also, on Virgin Voyages, soda, juices and mixers are free - a cost-effective approach to our day.

As our cruise was coming to an end, enjoying a cocktail at my favorite bar Sip, had me reflecting on how Virgin Voyages continues to exceed my expectations. As we parted ways the next morning, I was already daydreaming of my next adventure and trying to plan the next trip with my friends, because "mermaid for each other".