Guide to Virgin Voyages' Newest Ship, Brilliant Lady

Virgin Voyages, an adult-only cruise line that launched in 2021, has introduced its newest ship, Brilliant Lady. This ship, the fourth in their fleet, recently visited the Flynn Cruiseport in Boston, as part of her voyage from New York City to Canada. I had the opportunity to tour the ship for the day and interview Michelle Bentubo, COO of Virgin Voyages.

While the four ships are very similar, with common offerings, there are some differences. Whether you are familiar with Virgin Voyages or are brand-new to the line, this guide will let you know what to expect when sailing on the Brilliant Lady.

Disclosure: I have sailed on Virgin Voyages 3 times at my own cost, but my media day visit on the Brilliant Lady was complimentary. All opinions are my own.

Note: Virgin Voyages is an adult-only cruise line, and kids aren't allowed. While we typically review family-friendly travel here, we do make exceptions for great options for parent getaways, girls' trips, or travel with adult kids. Virgin Voyages is a great option for these types of trips.

Colorful cruise ship mural with abstract sea life, tentacles, and the words “Ahoy” and “Brilliant” on Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady

Guide to Virgin Voyages' Newest Ship, Brilliant Lady

Virgin Voyages has transformed the cruise experience for adults, offering premium dining, entertainment, and service at sea. In addition to being adult-only, Virgin Voyages has eliminated the concept of the main dining room and buffet. Instead, the à la carte restaurants on Virgin Voyages are complimentary, and they offer the Gallery, a food-hall style venue that replaces the traditional buffet.

Additionally, on Virgin Voyages, gratuities and Wi-Fi are included in the fare. There are no drink packages; instead, guests can add money to a bar tab or choose to pay à la carte.

Running track on Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady cruise ship with red deck, modern design, and ocean views under a bright blue sky.

Similarities Of the Brilliant Lady

Like the other three ships, Brilliant Lady can accommodate 2,770 passengers. There are 1,330 cabins and 78 RockStar Quarters.

The ship offers six sit-down restaurant venues - the Wake, Razzle Dazzle, Test Kitchen, Pink Agave, Extra Virgin, and Gumbae. Unique to the Brilliant Lady, Razzle Dazzle transforms into Rojo (a Spanish restaurant). It also offers the Pizza Place, the Dock, and the Galley.

Virgin Voyages places a strong emphasis on wellness, offering numerous fitness activities throughout the day. Offerings include the Athletic Club, a running/walking track, B-Complex, and the Redemption Spa. Complimentary classes are also offered. If you want to enjoy some time in the sun, you can visit The Aquatic Club pool area.

Other offerings on board Virgin Voyages ships include a shopping area, Squid Ink Tattoo and Piercing parlor, Stubble and Groom barber shop, The Dry Dock hair salon, and The Tune Up nail salon.

Cabins on the Brilliant Lady are similar to those on the other ships. Eighty-six percent of the staterooms offer a balcony, and ninety-three percent offer a water view. Most balcony rooms have a unique hammock, perfect for enjoying a day at sea on your balcony. For a premium experience, choose RockStar Quarters or Mega RockStar Quarters, which come with premium services and perks.

Rojo by Razzle Dazzle restaurant on Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady cruise ship with modern wood ceilings, red booths, and stylish dining tables.

Differences on the Brilliant Lady

The Brilliant Lady is almost identical to the other three ships in the Virgin Voyages fleet, with a few exceptions.

The ship was made thinner by moving the lifeboats up (to accommodate passage through the Panama Canal)
The Roundabout area offers more indoor seating areas, and the Shore Things desk has been moved
In the evenings, Razzle Dazzle transforms into Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, with a unique Spanish menu, and the decor has been updated
The Athletic Club (pool deck) has been redesigned

The Roundabout atrium on Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady cruise ship with modern design, curved staircase, digital screens, and lounge seating.

Entertainment on the Brilliant Lady

The Brilliant Lady, like the other ships, offers groundbreaking entertainment in several unique venues on board. These include the Red Room, a theater that transforms into three different configurations, and the Manor, a modern nightclub at sea. There's also the Groupie, which offers private karaoke studios that guests can book.

Current shows on the Brilliant Lady include the following:

Duel Reality - an acrobatic, modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet
Red Hot - a musical revue focused on the music of the last five decades, celebrating Virgin's music history
With a Twist - Dinner and a show
Murder in the Manor - immersive show from No Ceilings, including dancing and a murder mystery

Like the other ships, Virgin's Brilliant Lady has a 12-member Happenings Cast, which replaces the traditional cruise director on other lines. The Happenings Cast offers additional entertainment options, which can be found on the app, including cabarets, bingo, game shows, trivia, and more.

Athletic Club pool deck on Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady with blue and purple lounge chairs, swimming pool, and poolside bar under a partly cloudy sky.

Itineraries on the Brilliant Lady

Virgin Voyages is offering a wide variety of itineraries on the ship in some brand-new destinations and home ports for the cruise line. These itineraries include:

New England and Canada from NYC (stops including Eastport, Maine, St. John, New Brunswick, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec City, Canada)
The Caribbean from Miami (stops including Philipsburg, Tortola, Bimini, Puerto Plata, San Juan, Ocho Rios, and Grand Turk)
Bermuda from New York City
Panama Canal (from both New York City and Los Angeles)
Alaska from Seattle (including stops in British Columbia, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Victoria)
Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles (including stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta)