This short stint of cruises will operate from Portsmouth before Valiant Lady heads to summer home Barcelona.
Each Virgin ship has a distinctive mermaid emblazoned on the bow. Valiant Lady’s, in Virgin Voyages’ description, is the embodiment of a ‘strong, beautiful, friendly and modern’ black American woman ‘moving confidently toward her dreams.’
Artist Hillary Wilson
The artist is Boston-based artist Hillary Wilson, whose background in classical art and medical illustration inspired her design of a mermaid that resembles a real woman with authentic features and characteristics.
Diversity at the core of the brand’s ideology
Citing diversity at the core of its brand ideology, Virgin Voyages said it was a natural move to ‘honor and represent different races and nationalities by telling those stories through the mermaids,’ adding: ‘This platform allows international artists to make waves and represent different backgrounds on an expansive, global canvas.’
