Virgin Voyages reveals Brilliant Lady's debut sailings following delayed launch
Harry KembleVirgin Voyages’ fourth ship Brilliant Lady will operate longer itineraries of up to 14 nights from a mix of US ports when it launches next year following a delay, the line has revealed.
The 2,770-passenger ship, which had been due to launch this coming December, will offer sailings from New York City, Miami, Los Angeles and Seattle throughout its maiden 2025/26 season.
Starting from 5 September 2025, Brilliant Lady will sail five voyages, ranging from five to 13 nights, from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal.
The ship will visit Canada’s Quebec City, Maine, Charleston, Boston, Halifax and New Brunswick during this deployment. It will also offer 17 voyages, ranging from seven to 12 nights, from Miami to ports such as Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.
Following its Miami deployment, the ship will reposition to Los Angeles where it will sail four cruises to stop-offs in Baja California, Puerto Vallarta and San Diego.
Between May and September 2026, Brilliant Lady will offer a mix of Alaska itineraries from Seattle.
Brilliant Lady’s debut programme will also feature one 16-night voyage through the Panama Canal in March 2026.
The adults-only line confirmed the full details of Brilliant Lady’s programme via a live broadcast on its website on Wednesday (1 May). The ship had been slated to launch from Puerto Rico in December, but supply chain issues caused delays.
The line revealed passengers previously booked to sail on Brilliant Lady will be given priority access to its new inaugural voyages.
Like its sister vessels, Brilliant Lady will feature a new mermaid on its hull, designed by Toronto-based illustrator Janice Sung.
The line said it would “slowly release” details of new dining and entertainment options available on Brilliant Lady.
Virgin Voyages chief executive Nirmal Saverimuttu said: “Virgin fans have been asking for years if we’d consider sailing from places like New York, Los Angeles or Alaska.
"So it’s wonderful to give our Sailors [passengers] and First Mates [travel agents] what they wanted – fresh itineraries spanning North America from five to 14 nights in length with new experiences that they will remember for ever.
“As the fourth and final ship in our fleet for now, Brilliant Lady will not disappoint.”
Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson added: “Virgin Voyages started as a simple idea for me and has blossomed into the world’s top cruise line with a full fleet of ships.
“This ship is going to be brilliant in every possible way, and that includes the incredible new places we can travel to… Alaska, LA, New York – here we come!"
Harry Kemble
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