This is the cruise for people who think cruising is for ‘older people with money’

Lauren didn’t quite realise what a treat she was in for aboard the Valiant Lady (Picture: Virgin Voyages)

Despite being an Instagram star with almost 350,000 followers and a fashion model, Lauren Worboys had never been on a cruise before.

Well, not unless you call a cross-channel ferry a cruise, which you don’t.

However, stepping on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady, she didn’t quite realise just what a treat she was in for…

Had you ever been on a cruise before this one?

This was my first one. The nearest I’d ever been was on a ferry to France with my parents, and brothers and sisters.

I’d always thought cruises were for older people with money, and I was one of five kids and I don’t come from money, so it had never really been on my radar. And I didn’t realise there were cruises for younger people.

Influencer Lauren Worboys loved her time out at sea on the Virgin Voyages cruise ship (Picture:

I knew kids could go on cruises, because my boyfriend went on some when he was younger, but this cruise was ‘no kids allowed’, which means you have an adult environment.

So, what did you think when you got on board?

The cabin was a lot bigger than I was expecting. I was very surprised. And I loved the style of it: very modern, very impressive, perfect really.

I got loads of content when I was on there. I really couldn’t fault it.

Lauren was impressed by the ship’s cabins (Picture: Virgin Voyages)

The perfect place to stay (Picture: Virgin Voyages)

What surprises were there for you?

I had never realised you could get on and off so much, whenever they dock up – it never really crossed my mind.

This year, I was head down, focused on business, so I didn’t have much time, so it was a great way of seeing so many places.

We went to Marseilles, then to Cannes, then to Palma de Mallorca, then Ibiza and back to Barcelona, where we started off from.

The cruise began in Barcelona, on to Marseilles, Cannes, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza and then back to Barcelona (Picture: Getty)

Lauren made sure to get off at every stop including the beautiful city of Cannes (Picture: Getty)

I got off at every single stop just to explore. All the places were pretty new, even Ibiza, which I’d only been to on a modelling thing and we were there for 24 hours.

If you stop at somewhere like Ibiza, can you go out partying through the night?

Yeah, you can. You don’t have to stay on the boat that night… as long as you’re back when they’re going to leave, they’re all about, ‘Yeah, go off! Go party!’

You get the Virgin app and they send you messages like, ‘Hey guys, we’ve just arrived in Ibiza!’ so they’re always notifying you, getting you involved, so you know what’s going on.

And when you stayed on board?

There was always so much going on, so much entertainment.

There was a PJ party the first night, scarlet night… and they send you a message saying, ‘Have you packed for the PJ party and the scarlet night…’ so even before you get there they’re getting you excited.

You went with your boyfriend, but would it be a good one to go on with mates?

You could definitely go with your mates, if you wanted to.

I’d say there were more couples on the boat, but if you went with your mates it would be so fun because everyone is so lovely and there’s a real mixture of people.

I did find we were chatting to other couples loads. It becomes a real little community.

You could go with your girls, go with your guys and it would be a real laugh.

Despite going with her boyfriend, Lauren thinks the cruise would be just as fun for friends (Picture: Lauren Worboys)

What were the facilities like?

There were loads.

They had the arcades, the casinos, the clubs, loads of different areas for lounging and sunbathing…

I didn’t realise how much you could get on these ships.

They even had basketball, and one evening me and Elliot did play basketball.

I’m not going to lie, basketball is not my forte but it was fun to have a play-around. And they have these big swings… it’s all really playful.

Lauren lounging (Picture: Lauren Worboys)

There was even a see-saw, so I’m like, ‘Come on, babe. Get on!’

You’re just a couple of big kids…

That’s what I said to El.

It’s so nice to be on there and just get away from reality, just be a big kid.

Everyone wants to just have fun and relax. And hats off to the staff, they were amazing, so lovely.

You could see they loved their job and wanted to help you. And 100 per cent, what a great job.

Is it a romantic thing?

There’s no pressure to party because there’s so much to see and do (Picture: Lauren Worboys)

It could be if you wanted it to be but we’re very much like, ‘Let’s get out and explore, do this, do that…’

You don’t have to stay up and party, you can make it what you want to make it. You’ve got really fine dining, so that could be really romantic.

The food was actually unreal.

The Wake was my favourite – they’ve got quite a few restaurants on there – because they do the nicest steaks.

There’s a Korean barbecue where they cook it in front of you.

The food all round was incredible. They’ve got The Galley, which is like a buffet, but it’s not like the food’s just sitting there, it’s all freshly done, which is so nice, and you can tell the quality and everything is so nicely presented.

Lauren’s breakfast; off the shore of Cannes (Picture: Lauren Worboys)

I think the food is key: people want to be eating well and if you’re eating well, everything else is a bonus.

So, you’ll be going on another one?

One hundred per cent. I’ve got to go on another. I’ve got the cruise bug now.

For more information on how to book your own experience aboard the Valiant Lady visit: virginvoyages.com

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‘It’s so nice to be on there and just get away from reality, just be a big kid.’