We recently had the chance to sail on Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady, and one of the biggest changes onboard is a brand-new dinner experience: Ariya by Razzle Dazzle, an Indian-inspired restaurant that takes over the Razzle Dazzle space each evening. In this review, I’m sharing everything about the new Ariya Valiant Lady menu: what we ordered, what we loved, and what the experience was like in this refreshed venue. Plus, I’m giving you a look at all the food we ordered!

But first, a little background on Razzle Dazzle and why it changed.

Let’s Chaat About Razzle Dazzle: Why Virgin Voyages Changed the Menu

When Virgin Voyages launched, they ordered 4 identical ships – and not just the stateroom layouts. Every restaurant and bar was meant to match across the fleet. Several years into service, frequent sailors are seeking out more variety between the Lady Ships.

So Virgin Voyages did something bold. They reviewed their dining options to find the best candidate for a makeover, and they landed on the vegan and vegetarian restaurant, Razzle Dazzle. Brunch stays the same across all four ships (with a few surprises on each ship), but each ship now has its own personality at dinner:

• Scarlet Lady was first, with the Asian-inspired Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle.
• Brilliant Lady launched in 2025 with Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, a Spanish concept with tapas, pintxos, mains and desserts.
• Valiant Lady came out of her 2026 dry dock with Ariya by Razzle Dazzle.

I’ll admit it: this change made us sad when we first heard it. Mark adores the Razzle Dazzle dinner menu, often raving about those carrots. And I loved Razzle Dazzle’s “Cheat” dishes. The menu had a small selection of meat-based options for anyone wary of all things plant-based. They were a favorite of mine. I absolutely loved the Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank. It was fall-off-the-bone good, served with glazed baby vegetables, taleggio cheese puree and red wine sauce. Hold that thought, because there’s a happy ending.

The Story Behind Ariya

Ariya was developed with celebrity chef Maneet Chauhan and seats around 220 guests. The name has a great story behind it. It comes from Sir Richard Branson’s great-great-grandmother, Ariya, a curious traveler from the coastal town of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu, India. She believed food could cross oceans more easily than language.

That idea shows up on every plate. The menu moves across regional Indian flavors, with shareable plates and a heavy focus on chaat, the family of savory Indian snacks.

Upon entering the space, your nose picks up scents of India. The lighting is dark and warm, with music playing that fits the theme. We were quickly greeted by our server who went over the menu with recommendations for dinner.

What We Ate at Ariya: Starters

We kicked off the voyage with our first dinner at this new restaurant, and it did not disappoint. Our group dove right in, and we enjoyed at least one of every starter (7 of them, if you’re counting). Our favorites:

• Puffed Rice & Avocado Chaat: a fresh, crunchy way to start the meal.
• Gol Guppa Shot: inspired by pani puri, the beloved Indian street snack (you may also see it spelled gol gappa).
• Chicken 65: the star of the table. We may have ordered several servings.

Drinks at Ariya: Jaljeera and the Bangalore Old Fashioned

Every table at Ariya starts with a complimentary welcome sip of jaljeera, a chilled tamarind and cumin drink. It was tasty and got my palate ready for the meal ahead.

For my cocktail, I ordered the Bangalore Old Fashioned, a unique spin on the classic with Indian spices coming through. I really enjoyed the flavors of this beverage, and others in the group enjoyed different beverages from the drinks menu, including Darbar Diva and Bombay Bitter.

Mains: The Lamb Shank Returns

I was elated to see the triumphant return of the lamb shank. At Ariya, it’s the Lamb Shank Biryani, served over fragrant saffron basmati rice with fryums (crispy fried snack wafers). The lamb was cooked to perfection, and the Indian spices in the biryani were a wonderful complement.

Vegetarian and Plant-Based Options at Ariya

Razzle Dazzle built its reputation on plant-based dining, and Ariya hasn’t forgotten that. You’ll still find plant-based options across the starters, mains and desserts.

One standout is the Sunchoke & Cauliflower Tandoori Kebabs with mint chutney, pickled red onion and radish. If you loved the Nashville Hot Cauliflower from the original Razzle Dazzle menu like our group did, this is its successor. It’s a different flavor profile, but the cauliflower is back.

Desserts: Chocolate Cake Wins (For Me)

Dessert had some standout dishes and a few that were just okay. The Kulfi Trio is perfect if you want a sweet ending without going overboard. The two highlights, though, were the Garam Masala Dark Chocolate Cake and the Gulab Jamun Stuffed Cheesecake.

If you know me, you’ve heard me go on about my love of chocolate, so the cake was an easy choice. It was moist, with a wonderful texture in the chocolate ganache, and it hit the spot. The rest of the group agreed that the cheesecake, while unique, was delicious.

The One Upcharge: Tiffin Surf & Turf

Dining at Ariya is included in your fare, however, they have one upcharge item: the Tiffin Surf & Turf, which is $60. It includes lobster moilee, gunpowder petite filet, morel biryani and truffle naan. None of the group opted to try this option during our time dining here.

Brunch at Ariya by Razzle Dazzle

Razzle Dazzle stays open for breakfast and brunch, and some Ariya dishes have found their way onto that menu. Look for the Naanzanella Citrus Salad, the Sunchoke & Cauliflower Tandoori Kebabs, and an Eggplant Saag Napoleon.

Naan to See Here: What Didn’t Make the Cut

While we love variety across the ships, it’s hard to say goodbye to favorite bites. Razzle Dazzle was famous among our group for the carrots, the Nashville Hot Cauliflower, and my beloved lamb shank. Sadly, the carrots fell off the menu completely. But the cauliflower returned in the form of the tandoori kebabs, and the lamb shank is back, now in biryani form. Virgin Voyages did a great job of keeping some of our favorites through the transformation.

One person was missed at the table. My partner in crime, Mark, couldn’t join us on this adventure. He loves Indian food, and I know he’d have been right there with us ordering more Chicken 65. Mark, we’ll just have to go back together!

Our Honest Take on Ariya

Our experience was so enjoyable that we cancelled another dinner reservation to go back for a second visit. If you love bold flavors, sharing plates with your group, or just want a break from the usual cruise menu, put Ariya on your must-book list.

Our must-orders: Chicken 65, Puffed Rice & Avocado Chaat, Lamb Shank Biryani, and the Garam Masala Dark Chocolate Cake (if you like chocolate).

Heads up: Ariya is currently exclusive to Valiant Lady, and dinner reservations go fast, so book early in the Sailor app.

Want help planning your own Virgin Voyages sailing? As a Travel Advisor, I’d love to help.

So tell us in the comments: which Ariya dishes would you want to try first? Do you miss the original Razzle Dazzle menu, or do you like that Virgin Voyages keeps updating its menus for variety? It is, after all, the spice of life!

Ariya Valiant Lady Menus

To see the full, high-definition version of the Ariya Restaurant food or drinks menu (as of September 26, 2026), click on the corresponding image below.

FAQ: Ariya by Razzle Dazzle

Which Virgin Voyages ship has Ariya?
Ariya by Razzle Dazzle is exclusive to Valiant Lady.

Is Ariya included in the cruise fare?
Yes, with one exception: the Tiffin Surf & Turf, which is $60.

Do I need to make a reservation for Ariya?
Reservations are required and we highly recommend making them prior to your cruise or as soon as you board.

Can I walk in without a reservation?
Availability is limited, so we wouldn’t count on it. Check with the host stand if your plans change.

How much does Ariya cost?
Almost everything is included in your fare. The Tiffin Surf & Turf is the one exception at $60.

Does Ariya have vegetarian options?
Yes. There are plant-based options in the starters, mains and desserts.

Is Ariya good for groups?
Yes. The menu is built for sharing, so a larger table can sample many dishes.

Is Ariya gluten-free friendly?
Many Indian dishes use naturally gluten-free ingredients. Tell your server about any allergy, so they can guide your choices.

Can Ariya accommodate food allergies and dietary needs?
Yes. Let the team know when you book your reservation. We always recommend informing your server, again, once you are seated at your table.

Does Ariya serve cocktails and drinks?
Yes. Drinks with Indian-inspired flavors are on offer. Bar tabs and drink packages vary by sailing, so check your booking.

Is Ariya open for brunch?
Razzle Dazzle serves breakfast and brunch, with a few Ariya dishes on the menu.

What is the best dish at Ariya Valiant Lady?
Our group’s favorites were the Chicken 65 and the Lamb Shank Biryani.

How spicy is the food at Ariya Valiant Lady?
While I talk about the spices a lot throughout this post, know that I’m referring to them as it relates to flavor. I can’t handle spicy food; I leave that to Mark. Everyone in our group was able to enjoy every dish without an issue. The spices add a wonderful taste and aroma, but carry little-to-no heat. Of course, if you have any concerns, I’d recommend talking to your server.