Virgin Voyages ship guide · Updated October 2026

Brilliant Lady

The newest lady

Brilliant launched in 2025 with the most open Roundabout in the fleet, a glassed-in Athletic Club, Rojo for Spanish tapas, and a show lineup that’s almost entirely her own. She’s also the only ship with the (Slightly) Smaller Balcony cabins, with two hammock chairs.

Find a voyage on BrilliantExplore the deck plan
Debuted2025
Sailors / crew2,770 / 1,160
Cabins1,330 + 78 RockStar
Only hereRojo
Where she sails: Alaska from Seattle, the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles, the Panama Canal and the Eastern Caribbean from Miami. See itineraries ↓
Why Brilliant

What’s different on Brilliant Lady

The four Lady Ships share the same bones, but the restaurants, shows, cabins and even the Italian menu change from ship to ship. Here’s what you only get on Brilliant.

01

A new show lineup

Red Hot, Out of Time, Duets, Up With a Twist, Murder in the Manor, The Diva Goes West, Electric and Disco Circus are only on Brilliant.

02

Rojo by Razzle Dazzle

Spanish tapas and pintxos from chefs Justin Severino and Nate Hobart, with a $35 Sip & Savor menu that pairs three courses with drinks.

03

The most open Roundabout

No Red Table and no partition walls, so you get more seating, window seats and a big screen for live music and games. Draught Haus also adds a coffee and juice counter.

04

(Slightly) Smaller Balconies

88 cabins, mostly on Deck 8, that only Brilliant has. Most have two hammock chairs instead of one big hammock, and a few on Decks 9 to 11 have none.

Where she sails

Where Brilliant Lady sails, 2026–2028

Each Lady Ship has her own calendar, and it changes every season. Here’s where Brilliant is headed and the sailings I’d book first.

  1. Oct 29 – Nov 15, 2026

    Los Angeles → Miami

    A 17-night Panama Canal crossing with Cabo, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama City and Cartagena.

  2. Nov 2026 – Mar 2027

    Miami

    Longer Caribbean sailings: 10-night Eastern Caribbean trips to St. Maarten, Tortola, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Croix and San Juan, plus short Bimini runs.

  3. Mar 26 – Apr 11, 2027

    Miami → Los Angeles

    A 16-night Panama Canal transit, Atlantic to Pacific.

  4. Apr – May 2027

    Los Angeles

    7-night Mexican Riviera (Cabo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta), then a Pacific Coast cruise north to Vancouver.

  5. May – Sep 2027

    Seattle & Vancouver

    Her second Alaska season: 7–12 nights with the Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Dawes Glacier and Hubbard Glacier.

  6. Sep – Nov 2027

    Los Angeles

    Pacific Coast and Mexican Riviera sailings, including Cabo overnights and a Baja Halloween cruise.

  7. Nov 27, 2027 – Mar 2028

    LA → Miami, then Miami

    A 17-night Panama Canal crossing, a Caribbean winter from Miami, then the Canal again on Feb 21, 2028.

Swipe or scroll the timeline

Notable Brilliant itineraries

Only on Brilliant12 nights

Alaska: Inside Passage & Hubbard Glacier

Aug 12–24, 2027
  1. Seattle
  2. Ketchikan
  3. Sitka
  4. Hubbard Glacier (cruising)
  5. Skagway
  6. Icy Strait Point
  7. Juneau
  8. Haines
  9. Victoria
  10. Seattle

Brilliant’s longest Alaska sailing in 2027, round-trip from Seattle, with six Alaska ports and Hubbard Glacier. If you only do Alaska once, do this one.

Book this voyage →See every date for this route
Bucket list16 nights

Panama Canal: Miami to Los Angeles

Mar 26 – Apr 11, 2027
  1. Miami
  2. Cartagena
  3. Colón
  4. Panama Canal (cruising)
  5. Puntarenas, Costa Rica
  6. Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
  7. Cabo San Lucas
  8. Los Angeles

A full transit of the Panama Canal, plus Cartagena, Costa Rica and Guatemala. Brilliant is the only Lady Ship that does the Canal.

Book this voyage →See every date for this route
Longer Caribbean10 nights

Eastern Caribbean & Bimini Beach Club

Jan 11, Feb 8 & Mar 8, 2027
  1. Miami
  2. St. Maarten
  3. Tortola
  4. St. Croix
  5. San Juan
  6. Puerto Plata
  7. The Beach Club at Bimini
  8. Miami

Brilliant’s longer Caribbean sailings from Miami: six ports, and no flight to San Juan needed.

Book this voyage →See every date for this route
West Coast8 nights

Pacific Coastal: Vancouver to LA

Sep 10–18, 2027
  1. Vancouver
  2. Astoria
  3. San Francisco
  4. Santa Barbara
  5. San Diego
  6. Catalina Island
  7. Los Angeles

An underrated West Coast trip: Oregon, an evening in San Francisco, and Catalina at the end.

Book this voyage →See every date for this route

Itineraries from Virgin Voyages Destination & Itinerary Guide and Brilliant Lady winter 2027–28 itineraries and Brilliant Lady Alaska announcement, as published October 2026. Ports, dates and times can change, so I’ll confirm your exact sailing when you book.

Live tracker

Where is Brilliant Lady right now?

Her last reported position and the past 24 hours of her route. Tap the map to move around, and tap the ship for her next port and arrival time.

See all four Lady Ships →

Live AIS position via VesselFinder (IMO 9870654). Far from shore, updates can lag by several hours.

Dining & menus

Where to eat on Brilliant Lady

Every restaurant is included in your fare, and you can book them in the app before you sail. These are Virgin’s current menus for this ship, straight from the First Mate library. Tap any menu to flip through it.

Rojo by Razzle DazzleRojo by Razzle DazzleRojo by Razzle Dazzle
Only on Brilliant · Deck 5

Rojo by Razzle Dazzle

Spanish tapas, dinner and brunch

Rojo takes the Razzle Dazzle space at night and turns it into a Spanish tapas bar. Order jamón, croquettes and pintxos for the table, or do the Sip & Savor menu for three courses with drinks included.

  • Jamón ibérico with Marcona almonds
  • Jamón croquettes with porcini aioli
  • Gambas en escabeche
  • Grilled ribeye with chorizo piperade
  • Basque cheesecake
  • Churros with chocolate hazelnut fondue
Extra Virgin
Extra Virgin · Deck 6

Brilliant’s own Italian menu

Extra Virgin is on every ship, but each one has its own menu. These dishes are on Brilliant’s Extra Virgin menu and not on her sisters’ (menus dated January 2026).

Spaghetti alla puttanescaFritto mistoBraised lamb girellaYoung chicken cacciatore

On every ship

The rest of the lineup is the same fleetwide. Swipe through, tap a menu, or find it on the deck plan.

The Wake
Steak and seafood · Deck 6

The Wake

Steak and seafood with wake views, at the very back of Deck 6.

Pink Agave
Modern Mexican · Deck 5

Pink Agave

Upscale Mexican with a mezcal bar, and a late-night party after dinner.

Gunbae
Korean barbecue · Deck 15

Gunbae

Tabletop Korean barbecue with drinking games. Go with a group.

The Test Kitchen
Tasting menu · Deck 6

The Test Kitchen

A playful, multi-course tasting menu. The most adventurous meal on board.

The Galley
Food hall · Deck 15

The Galley

Virgin’s answer to the buffet: made-to-order food hall stations.

The Pizza Place
Pizza · Deck 7

The Pizza Place

Thin-crust pizza, open late.

The Dock House
Mediterranean · Deck 7

The Dock House

Mediterranean mezze and cocktails out on the back deck.

Shows & parties

What’s on Brilliant Lady

7 shows and 7 parties and nights out. Shows are free unless noted, and most are walk-up; I’ve flagged the ones you need to book. Tap any one to see exactly where it happens.

Red HotOnly on Brilliant
The Red Room · Deck 6

Red Hot

High-energy musical revue celebrating Virgin’s 50 years, with iconic hits and archival clips.

Duel Reality
Only on Brilliant
The Red Room · Deck 6

Duel Reality

Acrobatic retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

Out of TimeOnly on Brilliant
The Red Room · Deck 6

Out of Time

Time-travel musical as Dr. Victoria Vortex races to fix her time machine.

Up With a TwistOnly on Brilliant
The Manor · Deck 6

Up With a Twist

Paid 1920s-inspired supper club with dinner, live music, couture fashion and interactive performances.

Murder in the ManorOnly on Brilliant
The Manor · Deck 6

Murder in the Manor

Playful 1980s-inspired murder mystery cabaret.

DuetsOnly on Brilliant
The Manor · Deck 6

Duets

Classic duets with jazz arrangements, with The Manor turned into a jazz bar.

The Diva Goes WestOnly on Brilliant
The Manor · Deck 6

The Diva Goes West

Country-inspired drag show with classic hits and audience participation.

ElectricOnly on Brilliant
The Manor · Deck 6

Electric

Glow party that runs past midnight.

Disco CircusOnly on Brilliant
The Manor · Deck 6

Disco Circus

Brilliant-only disco party with acrobatics and live performances that closes out the voyage.

Scarlet NightEvery ship
The Roundabout · Deck 6

Scarlet Night

Brilliant’s version is reworked to run mostly indoors (The Manor, the Red Room, the Roundabout and bars) for colder-weather sailings. Wear red.

The PJ PartyEvery ship
The Athletic Club · Deck 16

The PJ Party

Usually the first night around 11pm at the Athletic Club, moved to The Manor if the weather turns.

Let's Set Sail (Sail Away)Every ship
Aquatic Club · Deck 15

Let's Set Sail (Sail Away)

Pool-deck sail-away party with bubbles and the Happenings cast as you leave port.

Club NightEvery ship
The Manor · Deck 6

Club Night

Late-night DJ sets in The Manor, with themes that vary by ship.

Pink AgaveEvery ship
Pink Agave · Deck 5

Pink Agave After Dark

Late-night party at Pink Agave.

The Diva and the rest of the Happenings Cast host most of these. Meet the cast →

Lineups from Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady page, October 2026. Shows rotate, so I’ll confirm your sailing’s lineup before you go.

Cabins

Cabins that are different on Brilliant

Same cabin names across the fleet, but not the same layouts. Use the deck plan below to check what’s above and below any cabin, then send me the number.

(Slightly) Smaller Balcony, Deck 8

Only on Brilliant. You trade a little terrace space for a lower fare and two hammock chairs. Great value if you’re out of the room all day.

Central Sea Terraces, Deck 11

Regular balcony cabins where Scarlet has suites, high up and mid-ship.

Alaska tip

On Alaska sailings, a balcony earns its keep on glacier days. Mid-ship and a little higher up is what you’ll be glad you booked.

RockStar on Brilliant

78 RockStar suites on Brilliant

That’s 24 fewer than Scarlet, so the suite you want can sell out sooner. Tell me early and I’ll also watch for upgrade bids. Perks, fares and my upgrade-bid playbook are the same on every ship, so they live on one page.

RockStar Quarters guide →See suite fares
Photos & 3D tours

Tour every cabin and suite

Cabin categories are the same on every Lady Ship, so all the photos and Virgin’s 3D tours, from Insider cabins to the Massive Suite, live on one page. Then use the Brilliant deck plan below to pick your spot.

Open the cabin tours →Brilliant deck plan
Interactive deck plan

Explore Brilliant Lady, deck by deck

Tap any cabin for its category, beds and what’s above and below. Tap a venue for photos and notes, or use the finder to filter for egg chairs, glass railings, quiet picks and more. Compare all four ships

Deck 9

Drag to move, pinch or use + / − to zoom. Tap a cabin or venue for details.

Deck plans redrawn by At Ease Travel Co. from Virgin Voyages' official First Mate deck plans for each ship (Scarlet, Resilient and Brilliant Lady updated 01/25/2026; Valiant Lady updated 05/12/2026). Layouts can change during dry docks, so I'll confirm the exact cabin and category on your ship before you book. Railing and egg chair details come from Virgin Voyages' First Mate terrace guide. Noise notes are based on what's above, below and beside each cabin plus sailor reports, and they're a guide, not a guarantee. Venue photos are from Virgin Voyages' First Mate media library. Menus link to Virgin's own dining pages because they change often. Cabin availability isn't shown here; it changes by the minute, so ask me or check the booking link.

From a Top 100 First Mate

My Brilliant tips

I sail Virgin myself and book it every week. These are the things I tell my clients before they board Brilliant.

Derek, At Ease Travel Co.
  1. Murder in the Manor needs a reservation in the Sailor App from 5pm on embarkation day. Set an alarm.
  2. Up With a Twist is a paid supper club. Book it for a celebration night.
  3. Scarlet Night on Brilliant runs mostly indoors on cold-weather sailings, so pack red layers for Alaska.
Keep planning

Compare the other ships

Scarlet Lady

Scarlet Lady

The original, now with Seriously Suites on Deck 11

 Valiant Lady

Valiant Lady

Fresh from her 2026 glow-up, home of Ariya

 Resilient Lady

Resilient Lady

Lola’s Library, Another Rose and the original Razzle Dazzle

What will my bar tab be?

Estimate your drinks spend on Brilliant and see whether a Bar Tab bonus makes sense.

Open the calculator →
Questions

Brilliant Lady FAQ

What is different about Brilliant Lady?

Brilliant launched in 2025 with the most open Roundabout in the fleet, a glassed-in Athletic Club and Rojo for Spanish tapas. Her show lineup is almost entirely her own, including Red Hot, Duets, Murder in the Manor and Disco Circus, and she is the only ship with (Slightly) Smaller Balcony cabins.

Where does Brilliant Lady sail in 2026 to 2028?

Panama Canal crossings between Los Angeles and Miami, Eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami from November 2026 to March 2027, the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles in spring 2027, and Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver from May to September 2027.

How big is Brilliant Lady?

Brilliant Lady debuted in 2025 and carries about 2,770 sailors and 1,160 crew, with 1,330 cabins plus 78 RockStar Quarters.

What are the best cabins on Brilliant Lady?

The (Slightly) Smaller Balconies on Deck 8 trade a little terrace space for a lower fare and two hammock chairs. The Central Sea Terraces on Deck 11 are high up and mid-ship. On Alaska sailings, a mid-ship balcony a little higher up pays off on glacier days.

Do you pay more to book Brilliant Lady with a travel agent?

No. You pay the same Virgin Voyages fare as booking direct, with $0 planning fees. Booking with me gets you a Top 100 First Mate handling your cabin, dining and Shore Things, plus Sailor Loot on eligible bookings.

No planning fees

Ready for Brilliant Lady?

Send me your dates, or book through my First Mate link. As a Virgin Voyages Top 100 First Mate, I’ll help you pick the cabin, book the shows that need booking and make sure your perks land where they should.

Find a voyageEmail Derek
Photos, show artwork and menus: Virgin Voyages (First Mate marketing library and virginvoyages.com). Menus and lineups change; check the Sailor App on board. Ship facts: Virgin Voyages fact sheet.
Sail Brilliant with DerekTop 100 First Mate · $0 fees, same fare as direct
Find my voyageText Derek