Virgin Voyages has delayed Valiant Lady's arrival and subsequent departure from New York after a powerful nor'easter forced the port to close.
The ship is now expected to dock at approximately 4pm on Sunday 27 September 2026. Passengers completing the current voyage are not expected to begin leaving the vessel until around 5pm, once customs and immigration clearance has been completed.
Embarkation delayed until Sunday evening
Passengers joining Valiant Lady's next cruise will face a substantially delayed and divided boarding process.
Virgin Voyages plans to begin embarkation at 8pm on Sunday, continuing until midnight. A second boarding window will operate from 7am until 10am on Monday 28 September, with the ship now scheduled to sail at approximately noon.
The cruise line has assigned passengers new arrival times generally six-and-a-half hours later than their original slots. Guests have been asked not to arrive early because the crew must first disembark the current passengers and prepare the ship for its next voyage.
Once passengers have boarded, they will not be permitted to leave the vessel again before departure.
Bermuda overnight stay reduced to one day
The late departure means the forthcoming voyage can no longer include its planned overnight stay in Bermuda.
Valiant Lady is instead scheduled to arrive at 9am and depart at 4pm, giving passengers a single seven-hour visit. Virgin Voyages said the change allows Bermuda to remain on the itinerary while keeping the remainder of the cruise on schedule.
Shore excursions booked for the original first day in Bermuda will be cancelled automatically and refunded as refundable onboard credit. Tours booked for the second day are expected to operate as planned.
Onboard credit and future-voyage compensation
Every passenger booked on the affected outbound voyage will receive:
- $200 in non-refundable Sailor Loot for use onboard; and
- a $200 Future Voyage Credit towards another Virgin Voyages sailing.
Virgin Voyages has also said passengers whose travel to New York has been seriously disrupted can contact Sailor Services to discuss moving their booking and receiving a future-voyage credit equal to the value of the cruise.
Existing restaurant reservations for the first evening have been cancelled. Selected restaurants and The Galley will operate with limited service as passengers arrive.
Port closure caused knock-on delays
Virgin Voyages said the storm forced the Port of New York to close on Saturday. Although it was expected to reopen on Sunday morning, vessels already ahead of Valiant Lady needed to depart before the ship could berth.
The vessel also adjusted its course to avoid the roughest weather during the approach to New York.
Passengers completing the current voyage will not receive compensation for disrupted onward travel because Virgin Voyages considers the delay to be weather-related and outside its control. Airport transfers booked through the Virgin Voyages app will be adjusted automatically, while other New York excursions arranged through the cruise line will be cancelled and refunded.
Frequently asked questions
When will Valiant Lady arrive in New York?
Virgin Voyages expects the ship to dock at approximately 4pm on Sunday 27 September 2026, subject to port and weather conditions.
When can passengers board the next cruise?
Boarding is scheduled from 8pm until midnight on Sunday, with an additional embarkation window from 7am to 10am on Monday 28 September.
When will Valiant Lady leave New York?
The revised departure is planned for approximately noon on Monday 28 September.
Has Bermuda been cancelled?
No. The overnight visit has been shortened to one day, with the ship scheduled to call from 9am until 4pm.
What compensation is being offered?
Each passenger on the outbound voyage will receive $200 in non-refundable onboard credit and a $200 Future Voyage Credit.