Welcome aboard the Brilliant Lady, the new gem of Virgin Voyages that carries the allure of its famous sisters while revealing surprises tailored for cooler climates and adventure itineraries. Upcoming: warmer living spaces, cabins with hammocks on the balcony, a completely revamped Roundabout, an Athletic Club offering breathtaking views, a culinary stage where Rojo replaces Razzle Dazzle, and an ambitious entertainment lineup in the Red Room and a Manor with a supper-club twist. The cherry on the wave: a route that stretches from the East Coast to the Aleutians via the Panama Canal, before a summer in Alaska.
Outside, the Brilliant Lady maintains the continuity with the Scarlet, Valiant, and Resilient. But from the moment you board, the nuances take over. The colors warm up, the spaces become fluid, and the whole atmosphere breathes that controlled extravagance that is the hallmark of Virgin Voyages—with a Nordic touch to welcome the more temperate horizons.
Designed for routes where the sun doesn’t always prevail, life aboard effortlessly glides from the sea air to cozy indoor atmospheres. The “beach club” spirit is kept… in a subdued and stylish version, ready to move the party indoors when the thermometer gets shy.
A design crafted for cooler climates
The Athletic Club reinvents itself: more generous seating, glass railings, day beds facing the sea. The result: a panoramic view to savor scenic sails— including those shores of Alaska where, they say, bears like to punctuate the landscape. The outdoor atmosphere becomes more contemplative, cozier, without losing the festive character of the brand.
Cabins: balconies, hammocks, and transit through the canal
To cross the Panama Canal without losing style, the “Slightly Smaller Balcony Cabins” welcome not chairs, but a pair of scarlet hammocks, a signature touch. Same optimized surface, same joy of fresh air, with this swing calling for a nap at sea and sunsets that are savored in sweetness.
Reimagined living spaces
At the heart of the ship, the Roundabout changes its mood. More colorful, warmer, it gains in conviviality thanks to the relocation of the vinyl corner—the DJ is never far away, but the space opens up into a bar and multi-level lounge that melds with the rest of the ship. It’s a gathering spot at any hour, for a quick coffee, a chatty aperitif, or a vibrant after-party.
Dining on board: a craving for novelty
Staying true to its philosophy, Virgin Voyages includes nearly all of the onboard gastronomy. No single large dining room, but a constellation of places with distinct personalities. The big news: Rojo replaces Razzle Dazzle. During the day, the menu maintains its vegetarian leanings. In the evening, we travel through contemporary Spain: confit octopus with olives on a brown butter potato fondue, with almond, chorizo, olive, and date delights… Frank, modern, and devilishly comforting.
At the back, The Dock and its indoor space Dock House roll out a new menu of small grilled dishes to share, perfect in the sun or cozied up indoors. And when night falls, The Wake becomes a grand-style steakhouse—don’t forget its inclusive brunch that dares to offer soft shell crab Benedict, iodized chowder… yes, even accompanied by mischievously sweet churros.
Don’t miss Passport to Flavour in the Galley: a gourmet takeover that celebrates US home ports, from arepas in Miami to cedar smoked salmon from Seattle. A tour of tastes that heads towards authenticity.
The show begins
The Red Room remains the ultimate playground for performances: a flexible theater, aerial gymnasium, incandescent dance floor, anything can happen. The iconic Duel Reality revisits the romantic showdown in a contemporary acrobatics style. There’s also Out Of Time, a wild race behind the machine of a certain Dr. Victoria Vortex, blending music, dance, and acrobatic caverns.
Music fans will recognize the Virgin DNA in Red Hot, a vibrant tribute to five decades of Virgin Records, featuring archive footage, a modernized staging, and a live band. And when nights get chilly, the Red Room turns into the main dance floor, under the watchful eye of a giant inflatable octopus. Yes, the party gladly migrates indoors.
The Manor as a supper club
The grand return of The Manor, reconfigured into a chic supper club. On stage, Murder in The Manor injects a crazy disco whodunit into your dinner: a superstar ghost, glittering suspects, choreographies that snap—far, far away from traditional cruise entertainment. In another vein, Up With a Twist invites you to Lady Valentina’s cabinet of curiosities, the Emporium of Excess, for a musical banquet full of extravagance.
Coming soon, The Diva Goes West: a country show led by the house drag queen, Dixie Krystals. Boots are stomping, glitter is shining, the West has found its diva.
Life aboard when the thermometer drops
The legendary Scarlet Night remains the unifying event, ready to take its place in the Red Room when the wind picks up. The party reinvents itself with trapeze acts and gymnastic flights above the audience. Immersive atmosphere, cabaret for adults, and the assurance that the Virgin energy always finds a roof to dance under.
Why the Brilliant Lady stands out
Compared to its predecessors, the Brilliant Lady refines the experience: warmer palette, more flexible spaces, rethought cabins for transcanal navigation, dining that shifts from vegetarian zest to contemporary tapas, and a performance lineup tailored for indoor evenings. The signature remains the same, but the score gains in nuances—ideal for itineraries that alternate between beaches, cities, and misty fjords.
Where to find it and when to board
After a brief appearance in Portsmouth and a nod to New York, the Brilliant Lady is set for an early autumn on the East Coast of the United States and Canada, before a Caribbean winter departing from Miami. Then heading to the Panama Canal to flirt with the West Coast, before, starting in May, heading north: Alaska season departing from Seattle and Vancouver. Want to board? Now is the perfect time to check the dates and check availability.
