Virgin Voyages Makes Its Debut in Hamburg with First Call of Valiant Lady
Cruise Gate Hamburg (CGH) is welcoming a new cruise brand to the Port of Hamburg: Valiant Lady is making the first-ever call by a Virgin Voyages vessel in Hamburg on 24 and 25 August 2026.
The inaugural visit marks the cruise line’s debut in the Hanseatic city and further strengthens Hamburg’s position as an internationally attractive cruise destination.
Virgin Voyages has reimagined the traditional cruise experience with an adults-only offering centered around elevated dining, immersive entertainment and contemporary design. The arrival of Valiant Lady adds another international cruise brand to Hamburg’s diverse portfolio and highlights the city’s appeal to a broad range of cruise lines and passenger groups.
“We are delighted to welcome Virgin Voyages and Valiant Lady to Hamburg for the first time,” says Simone Maraschi, Managing Director of Cruise Gate Hamburg. “Maiden calls are always a special moment for us. They demonstrate the continued interest of international cruise lines in Hamburg and provide an opportunity to introduce new cruise brands and their guests to our city. We are pleased to further diversify Hamburg’s cruise portfolio with Virgin Voyages and are proud to welcome the ship and her guests to Hamburg.”
Natasha Salzedo, Senior Director of Itineraries & Destinations at Virgin Voyages, said: “Hamburg has a creative energy and maritime spirit that make it a perfect fit for Virgin Voyages. From exploring the city’s iconic Speicherstadt district and waterfront to discovering its incredible food, music and cultural scene, there’s so much for our Sailors to experience. We’re excited to make our first call here and continue expanding the destinations we can bring to life through unforgettable journeys.”
As the operator of Hamburg’s cruise terminals, Cruise Gate Hamburg sees the inaugural call as another positive development for the city’s cruise sector. Hamburg combines a strong maritime heritage with a vibrant cultural scene, international connectivity and a central location in Northern Europe, making it an attractive destination for cruise lines and their guests.
A maritime welcome programme accompanies Valiant Lady’s inaugural visit. Upon her arrival at Cruise Center Altona on Monday, 24 August, the vessel was welcomed by a fireboat escorting the ship into the Port of Hamburg with a traditional water salute. On Tuesday morning, 25 August, Sailors (guests) disembarking for excursions in Hamburg and the surrounding region were welcomed at the terminal by a traditional shanty choir. The musical performance offered visitors an authentic first impression of Hamburg’s maritime heritage.
Also on Tuesday, representatives of the city and the Port of Hamburg were welcomed by the ship’s captain, Damir Rikanovic, and his Crew during the traditional Plaques and Keys Ceremony on board Valiant Lady. The exchange of commemorative plaques is a long-standing maritime tradition marking a ship’s first visit to a port and symbolising the beginning of a new relationship between the cruise line and the destination.
Valiant Lady will conclude her inaugural visit to Hamburg on Tuesday evening, departing Cruise Center Altona at approximately 5 p.m. The vessel will be accompanied by a harbour launch boat as she leaves the Port of Hamburg. Both departure and arrival are documented by drone, capturing images of Virgin Voyages’ Hamburg debut.
The inaugural call of Valiant Lady is one of nine maiden calls scheduled in Hamburg during the 2026 cruise season. A further three maiden calls are expected before the end of the year. In total, almost 330 cruise ship calls are scheduled across Hamburg’s three cruise terminals in 2026, underlining the continued importance of the Hanseatic city as one of Northern Europe’s leading cruise destinations.
(Virgin Voyages Makes Its Debut in Hamburg with First Call of Valiant Lady)
