--- title: "Virgin Voyages makes its debut in Hamburg with first call of Valiant Lady; one of nine maiden calls in 2026" sdDatePublished: "2026-08-25T14:54:00Z" source: "https://www.cruisegate-hamburg.de/en/latest/news/virgin-voyages-makes-its-debut-in-hamburg-with-first-call-of-valiant-lady/" topics: - name: "waterway and maritime transport" identifier: "medtop:20000343" - name: "tourism" identifier: "medtop:20000564" - name: "travel and tourism" identifier: "medtop:20000563" - name: "festive event (culture)" identifier: "medtop:20000041" - name: "music" identifier: "medtop:20000018" locations: - "Hamburg" --- Virgin Voyages makes its debut in Hamburg with first call of Valiant Lady; one of nine maiden calls in 2026 Cruisegate Hamburg | Virgin Voyages Makes Its Debut in Hamburg with First Call of Valiant Lady Terminals Cruise Center Steinwerder Cruise Center Altona Cruise Center HafenCity Cruise Center Baakenhöft Parking Parking rates Parking FAQ Expected Vessels Expected Vessels Schiffsankünfte Vessel Movements Expected Vessels Schiffsankünfte Vessel Movements Home Terminals Cruise Center Steinwerder Cruise Center Altona Cruise Center HafenCity Cruise Center Baakenhöft Parking Parking rates Parking FAQ Expected Vessels Expected Vessels Schiffsankünfte Vessel Movements Eventlocation Altona Steinwerder HafenCity discover Hamburg Latest News Press Contact Team Contact Virgin Voyages Makes Its Debut in Hamburg with First Call of Valiant Lady Hamburg, August 24, 2026 – 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. Press photos available for editorial use in connection with press coverage (Photo credit: © Cruise Gate Hamburg). Photo: "Plaque & Key Ceremony" aboard Valiant Lady in Hamburg, from left to right: Simone Maraschi (Managing Director, Cruise Gate Hamburg) and Damir Rikanovic (Captain, Valiant Lady). About Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH Cruise Gate Hamburg GmbH is a subsidiary wholly owned by Hamburg Port Authority AöR. As the operator of Hamburg’s cruise centres Altona, Steinwerder, and HafenCity, CGH is the single point of contact for all cruise liner companies. The company manages terminal operations and continuously develops Hamburg's cruise infrastructure, ensuring high-quality services for cruise lines, passengers and partners. Through its modern terminal network, Cruise Gate Hamburg supports Hamburg's position as one of Northern Europe's leading cruise destinations. About Virgin Voyages Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, adult-only cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the alluring cities of Miami, Barcelona, Athens and Seattle, the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 150+ incredible ports of call. On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows. Paired with modern, tech-savvy cabins, designer suites fit for a rockstar and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. For four consecutive years – 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 – Virgin Voyages won best cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted World’s Best Awards for mega-ship ocean cruise line, along with the 2023 and 2024 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for best large ocean cruise line. © 2026 Cruise Gate Hamburg | Imprint | GTC | PRIVACY NOTICE Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube