Virgin Voyages sets course for the Last Frontier in the summer of 2026 aboard Brilliant Lady, the line’s newest ship. The cruise line has just unveiled what guests can expect on the upcoming Alaska cruises. Seven- to 12-night itineraries depart from Seattle and Vancouver starting with the MerMaiden voyage (May 21-28). Alaska cruises will visit Ketchikan, Sitka and sail the Tracy Arm Fjord. Brilliant Lady will also dock in Prince Rupert, BC. Access for presale passholders opens this week, while itineraries go on sale for the general public starting November 13. Shore excursions offered include whale watching, salmon fishing, glacier trekking, lumberjack shows and dog sledding. New ‘Treat Yourself’ culinary enhancements will feature locally sourced Alaskan seafood. Virgin Voyages' CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu said, "Soon our Sailors can visit one of the world's most incredible destinations, all while enjoying new and exciting artists, chefs and musicians." Debuting in September 2025, Brilliant Lady kicks off her inaugural season in New York with voyages from Miami, LA and Seattle planned in the months that follow, including a 16-night sailing through the Panama Canal. In addition to Alaska, the Virgin is unveiling an additional seven-night itinerary from Los Angeles. Highlights include Cabo San Lucas, magical Mazatlàn and Puerto Vallarta. 

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Expeditions to the Last Frontier on sale Nov. 13

  Did Juneau that Virgin Voyages is sailing to Alaska? Voted the best large-ship liner in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards and the best mega-ship liner in Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards, Sir Richard Branson’s brilliantly disruptive travel company is setting course for the Last Frontier in the summer of 2026. From cascading waterfalls to vast rugged landscapes, Alaska’s gripping wildlife and sprawling vistas await between May and September. Brilliant Lady, the newest ship in Virgin’s impressive fleet, will celebrate the grand finale of her inaugural North American tour with 17 new voyages – heroing 12 awe-inspiring destinations. Access for presale passholders opens on Thursday, while itineraries go on sale for the general public starting Nov. 13 with inaugural season pricing expected to rise quickly.   Just in time for peak orca season, Brilliant Lady will offer Sailors a front-row seat on an unforgettable journey to the Pacific Northwest’s woody shores. Ports of call promise the adventure of a lifetime and the rare chance to witness majestic creatures in their natural habitat. There will be opportunities to spot bald eagles, seals and humpback whales, while salmon fishing, glacier trekking, lumberjack shows and dog sledding are just a sample of Shore Things on offer.   Seven- to 12-night itineraries depart from Seattle and Vancouver with stops in Alaska’s magnificent wilderness and Canada’s untouched northwest. The MerMaiden voyage (May 21-28), for example, departs from the Emerald City and spends a day sailing to Ketchikan, a quaint village located amongst the Tongass National Forest. From there Brilliant Lady docks in verdant Sitka –  the iconic seaside town teeming with local culture that inspired Ryan Reynolds’ and Sandra Bullock’s rom-com “The Proposal” – followed by a day voyaging up the impressive Tracy Arm Fjord. Brilliant Lady will also dock in Prince Rupert (British Columbia), a picturesque coastal town offering cosmopolitan amenities, before spending a final day travelling back to Seattle.   With all of the incredible wildlife that lies beyond Brilliant’s bow, guests are spoiled for spaces to take in the sights. Sailors can wrap up in their warm, knitted cabin blanket with a cup of hot cocoa or glass of Moët and marvel in the serene beauty as 86% of cabins boast balconies with hand-woven hammocks. The Galley, Virgin’s food hall with food all included, offers floor-to-ceiling windows so Sailors never miss a beat, while cosy daybeds at The Athletic Club and The Dock make for desirable outdoor viewing spaces. Even The Runway, Virgin Voyages’ suspended running track, can serve as a sightseeing platform, making morning runs even more exhilarating. For foodies, new “Treat Yourself” culinary enhancements will feature locally sourced Alaskan seafood.   Virgin Voyages’ CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu said, “We have incredibly high repeat rates, so our Sailors are always challenging us to seek new horizons; they always want to know ‘where else can we sail with Virgin?’ This brand is charting new paths, and the sold-out response to our Front(ier) of the Line passes earlier this year showed us just how sought after our Alaskan itineraries are. We continue to reach for the high seas with our itineraries, with Brilliant Lady being no exception. Soon our Sailors can visit one of the world’s most incredible destinations on the No. 1 cruise line, all while enjoying new and exciting artists, chefs and musicians that bring the Virgin vibe.”   Following the announcement of Brilliant Lady’s North American tour, bookings for the coveted US itineraries surpassed anticipated demand. Debuting in September 2025, Brilliant Lady kicks off her inaugural season in New York with voyages from Miami, LA and Seattle planned in the months that follow, including an epic 16-night sailing through the Panama Canal. The bucket-list Alaskan voyages, however, really stole the show. In May, 2024, members of the brand’s Sailing Club – Virgin Voyages’ loyalty program – were offered a chance to snag Front(ier) of the Line passes to pre-purchase the limited Alaskan itineraries. After selling out, the Front(ier) of the Line passholders get booking access starting this week, with voyages opening to the general public on Nov. 13. In addition to Alaska, the brand is unveiling an additional seven-night itinerary from Los Angeles. Highlights include Cabo San Lucas, magical Mazatlàn and charming Puerto Vallarta.   Virgin Voyages is a brand that believes in offering its Sailors more value and more choice without nickel and diming at every turn. Always included and built into every voyage fare is specialty dining and Michelin-inspired food, essential bevvies, high-speed wifi, gratuities, group fitness classes and entertainment.   To take advantage of the incredible value and start planning a brilliant getaway to explore the glacial waters and aurora-lit skies of the Pacific Northwest, travelers can sail on over to www.VirginVoyages.com or contact their First Mate (travel advisor).  

  Virgin Voyages, the award-winning travel brand created by global entrepreneur Richard Branson, is teaming up with SuperBloom and Purveyors of Pop in the first-of-its-kind development deal. As Hollywood enters into a new era with increasing demand for brand-funded projects, Mystery Voyage will turn Sailors into sleuths as the show sets sail aboard Virgin’s newest vessel, Brilliant Lady, in the ultimate whodunnit.   Promising drama, intrigue and seductive mystery, Mystery Voyage is a new travel competition set to the gorgeous backdrop of the sultry Mediterranean. A group of travelers aboard Brilliant Lady find themselves immersed in the world of a fictional, high-stakes murder mystery plot. Faced with everything from jewelry heists and stolen artwork to kidnapped travelers or uncovering a mole, the cast must collaborate and compete to assemble clues and solve crimes each week. The motley crew of suspects will encompass everyone from past reality competition challengers to docuseries stars and unsuspected personalities. With new information surfacing weekly, alliances may form, but the sleuths will soon learn that trusting anyone becomes impossible.   Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group said, "I've always loved solving problems and puzzles, and have been known to be up for a game of chess. Solving a good mystery is much like that, and with our beautiful Lady Ships as the film set, we're bringing that romantic, mysterious, Hollywood feel to the high-seas."   The fascinating series concept was developed for Virgin Voyages by SuperBloom and Purveyors of Pop, two powerhouses that combined their unique expertise in brand marketing and non-scripted television. SuperBloom, an independent creative company, is built to unearth the unexpected. Purveyors of Pop is the non-scripted producer behind reality franchises like Real Housewives, Ex on The Beach and Married To Medicine.   Matching the radiant elements of Brilliant Lady are the aspirational and scenic backdrops of the Greek Isles and Turkey. These are the two anticipated off-ship sets for Mystery on the Voyage and Virgin Voyages regularly offers sailings to both. Its seven-night “Greek Island Glow” calls on the iconic ports of Mykonos and Santorini along with Bodrum, a seaside town teeming with gothic architecture, warm hospitality, outdoor bazaars and idyllic vacation vibes.   When the high-profile cast of mystery sleuths aren’t investigating, they’ll have their run of the 110,000-ton ship and anything can be a clue. Afternoon tea at Sip, mud baths at the mermaid-inspired Redemption Spa, PJ soirees under the stars, and epic Scarlet Night parties might just be the place the contestants find their next leads. At the very least, the social backdrops offer opportunities for the cast to strategize and form alliances, and for audiences to get a sneak peek into the world of Virgin Voyages.   Hitting the high seas in September of 2025, Brilliant Lady will embark on the ultimate cross-country sea trip with a series of longer itineraries. As the final ship in Virgin Voyages’ current fleet, her inaugural season will take Sailors on an American adventure. Routes include New York City to Bermuda and Canada; Los Angeles to Mexico; Miami to the ABC Islands; Seattle to Alaska; and one epic, 16-night voyage through the Panama Canal with stops in Costa Rica and Guatemala.   Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Brand Officer for Virgin Voyages, said, “Virgin’s known for pushing the bounds of creativity and this is just another example of that. I’m a huge fan of unscripted mysteries, and this fun concept, paired with how the ship will come alive on screen, is just so characteristic of the Virgin brand.”   Over the past three years, the awards and real Sailor feedback have proven that cruising with Virgin is an experience unlike any other on the high seas. Not only will this cast of characters have the first chance to set sail aboard our new flagship vessel, but soon after, travelers around the world will be able embark on more than 30 new itineraries and understand why she’s Brilliant.”   The series is currently in casting and packaging. For more information, please contact Adam Milano, [email protected].

 

Balcony upgrades are back! Book the Limited View Sea Terrace for the price of The Sea View on most sailings in 2025 and 2026. That’s a free balcony upgrade and endless hammock swaying! Plus, get 70% off your 2nd Sailor on gorgeous, worldwide routes.

 

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  While Scarlet Lady will always be the First Lady of Virgin Voyages’ fleet, the ship that earned a coveted spot on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2024 Gold List is getting a fabulous glow-up. While it’s hard to make a good thing even better, Virgin Voyages’ first vessel is heading into dry dock from Nov. 14-28 for a handful of cosmetic upgrades after her introductory seasons sailing the high seas.   “Since her much-anticipated debut in 2021, Scarlet Lady has sailed the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of Sailors on-board while delivering irresistible vacations,” said Nicole Huang, VP of Fleet Experience. “We’re listening and giving travelers more of what they’ve asked for – this includes more suites, luxe new cabanas and fresh, vibey dining concepts – so Sailors can truly live the life of a rockstar.”   Scarlet Lady’s signature experiences — like Scarlet Night, epicurious, award-winning dining and breathtaking acrobatics — are here to stay, but the brand’s OG vessel is reimagining a couple of its eateries. Razzle Dazzle, currently admired for its veggie-friendly brunch and bold interiors, will introduce a new evening concept with enhanced ambience that comes alive at night. On the heels of the wildly successful Asian Night Market, “Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle” will welcome a daring, Chinese-inspired menu with delicious craft cocktails. Paired with a distinctively stylish design that swaps communal tables for intimate, loungey booths, Scarlet’s amplified space brings an elevated dining hideaway to sea.   Matching the overwhelming demand for suites aboard the Lady Ships, several Sea Terrace cabins on deck 11 are being converted to create 24 “Seriously Suite” RockStar Quarters. The most popular among the suite categories, Virgin Voyages’ Seriously Suites measure 352 sq. feet with a European king bed, Peek-a-Boo shower, glamorous vanity, in-room record and vinyls, a stocked bar and the brand’s trademark Yellow Leaf hammock.   “We wanted to give our Sailors a taste of the rockstar life and worked with Tom Dixon to design the 78 RockStar and Mega RockStar Quarters. They did such an amazing job, and there’s so much demand – our Massive Suite is often booked a year or more in advance. We’re answering in a big way by adding suites, so more people can live their best lives,” Huang added.   The glam-up isn’t just for Scarlet’s interiors. On deck, VIP cabanas flanked by breezy white curtains and luxe daybeds overlooking the Aquatic Club will offer a front-row view for A-listers to see and be seen or by anyone wanting to treat themselves. The six bookable cabanas can be reserved individually or connected for larger group celebrations.   Ground Club Too, the sought-after coffee bar in The Galley (Virgin Voyages’ modern food hall), will still serve Intelligentsia Coffee to jumpstart Sailors’ day, but by night, transform into a full-service bar with intimate lounge space and elevated cocktails. Countertop seating, sleek emerald benches, rust-colored couches and wood-slatted accents take the space from energy-inducing breakfast cafe to sophisticated nighttime hangout.   At The Wake, a glamorous Roman and Williams-designed steak and seafood restaurant, the raw bar will be readapted to display the eatery’s impressive collection of high-end wines.   The ship’s non-smoking casino will expand, adding additional slot machines along with exclusive spaces for the world’s most competitive players.   Redemption Spa – an enchanting mermaid/merman hideaway offering everything from awakening bamboo and hot mineral massages to vitamin-infused facials – will see the creation of a couples treatment room where duos can recharge. The current Thermal Suite, outfitted with oversized portholes, heated quartz beds, a steamy mud room, cold-plunges, sauna and salt room, remains untouched.   Finally, Scarlet Lady will debut a new mermaid on its bow, a symbol of strength and safe passage for the seafaring brand.   Once the ship has completed all of its renovations, she’ll make the 16-night trans-Atlantic journey from Rome to Miami before embarking on a series of longer Caribbean voyages. The six-night “Western Caribbean Charm” and eight-night “Eastern Caribbean Antilles” will venture into the tropical Caribbean waters of places like St. Croix, Costa Maya, Roatán, San Juan, Puerto Plata and Bimini. Every voyage aboard the refreshed Scarlet Lady includes a stop at Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club in the Bahamas, renowned for its powdery white sands, free-form pools, swaying palms and epic floatilla parties.   To book one of Scarlet Lady’s spectacular long Caribbean voyages and experience her elevated interiors, visit www.VirginVoyages.com or contact your First Mate. Cabins start at $1,790 USD.

Portsmouth is back on the Virgin Voyages’ cruise map as Resilient Lady is set to begin its inaugural UK season this week. The newest ship in Virgin Voyages' fleet arrived in Portsmouth after a summer of island-hopping through the Greek Islands. Resilient Lady will sail voyages to Amsterdam, Bruges, Lisbon and beyond. Shane Riley, VP of UK and International Sales at Virgin Voyages said: "We're back in British waters once again, this time with a variety of short cultural stints and sunny adventure sailings to help Sailors escape the British weather." Other highlights of the short season include calls in Ibiza, Bordeaux and Casablanca. Virgin Voyages is bringing back its Virgin Celebration Voyage The sold out sailing sees Sir Richard Branson, Boy George and Virgin Galactic astronauts onboard for a series of exclusive events. In mid-September, Virgin hosts its first-ever Comedy Festival at sea. Resilient Lady offers three to six-night roundtrip getaways, as well as a 12-night voyage to Barcelona. Cllr Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said: "We're so pleased Virgin Voyages is coming back for a third time. We're also proud to be the first – and only – port in the world to have welcomed all three Virgin Voyages ships." 

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Virgin Voyages is encouraging ‘astro-tourists’ to come aboard for its solar eclipse cruises. These are among a host of new voyages unveiled for 2026. Eclipse voyages are set for August 2026, cruising towards the path of totality. These 12- and 15-night itineraries include calls in Dublin, Glasgow and Reykjavik aboard Valiant Lady, and Amalfi Coast, Mallorca and Cannes on Scarlet Lady. Virgin says it will outfit the upper decks into observation viewing spaces. In addition to the solar eclipse cruises, the new collection of Marvelous Voyages include longer sailings between March and August 2026, ranging from eight to 16 nights. These voyages span Iceland to Istanbul, the British Isles, The Baltics and more. Ships call at 12 new ports that include Salerno (Amalfi Coast, Italy), Edinburgh, Stockholm, Hamburg, Oslo, Tangier and eventually Greenland. Michelle Bentubo, COO said: "We already sail to more than 100 international ports, but our itineraries are ever-evolving based on what our Sailors and travel partners are asking for.” “We've graduated from only offering short Caribbean escapes and weekender voyages to give our Sailors longer itinerary options up to 14 nights at more ports around the world." Select loyalty members will get first option to book the new cruises starting August 14 before they go on general sale from August 21.   

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Virgin Voyages is teaming up with indoor cycling workout brand SoulCycle. This first-of-a-kind wellness partnership is available to guests through September 6. The partnership includes a cruise giveaway across SoulCycle's 61 studios. Customers can win a Virgin cruise at every studio. Virgin Voyages is turning 15 studios red throughout the summer with branded swag, and cruise inspired food and drink. The themed rides are available at: The Barn (Bridgehampton) - Saturday, July 20 - 11:30 a.m. Tribeca (New York City) - Tuesday, July 23 - 5:30 p.m. NoHo (New York City) - Thursday, July 25 - 6:30 p.m. West Hollywood (California) - Friday, July 26 - 12:00 p.m. Bronxville (New York) - Saturday, July 27 - 7:15 a.m. Old Town (Chicago) - Thursday, August 1 - 8:30 a.m. River Oaks (Houston) - Saturday, August 3 - 1:30 p.m. Seaport (Boston) - Thursday, August 8 - 6:30 p.m. Buckhead (Atlanta) - Saturday, August 10 - 11:45 a.m. Palo Alto (California) - Saturday, August 17 - 11:45 a.m. Union Street (San Francisco) - Thursday, August 22 - 6:30 p.m. Coral Gables (Miami) - Saturday, August 24 - 10:45 a.m. Pasadena (California) - Thursday, August 29 - 9:30 a.m. Brickell (Miami) - Friday, August 30 - 10:30 a.m. Seattle (Washington) - Saturday, August 31 - 10:45 a.m. The Seas the Ride partnership is also setting sail with rides aboard Valiant Lady. Taught by SoulCycle's Isaiah Alexander, Virgin's July 19-24 sailing, "Miami, Grand Turk & Back," will feature both morning and afternoon cycling classes in B-Complex. Each Virgin Voyages sailing feature group fitness classes – from HIIT and restorative yoga to bungee and spinning included in the voyage fare. To mark the partnership, Virgin Voyages is offering SoulCyle riders an exclusive discount on Caribbean and Mediterranean cruise getaways. Guests can book a ride at www.Soul-Cycle.com. 

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Virgin Voyages said it plans to crack down on predatory sales tactics being used by some travel agents. Some of its ‘First Mate’ travel agent partners are soliciting customers and offering misleading ‘discounts’ to boost their sales. This has become an ‘important and serious’ issue, says John Diorio, VP of North American Sales. Diorio sent a warning email to agent partners to stop these activities. The cruise line says some agents are using a portion of their booking commission to offer a discounted cruise fare to their customers. This is misleading as it gives the impression the agent has access to cheaper cruise fares than other agent competitors and the cruise line itself. “We are actively monitoring these tactics and reserve the right to cancel your First Mate account and, in extreme cases, limit or cancel your ability to sail,” the email said. “We do not think the above actions are in the spirit of a good partnership or fair to your industry colleagues.” There has also been solicitation of cruise guests onboard ships and in cruise terminals with business cards and flyers promoting specific travel agencies. Some agents have also solicited Virgin guests on social media to persuade them to shift their booking to them from a competitor or from the cruise line itself. “As a reminder, when you sail with Virgin Voyages, you are agreeing to our ticket contract which covers onboard solicitation and expressly prohibits the activity in our terms and conditions,” the email added. 

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Virgin Voyages’ fourth ship Brilliant Lady will officially debut in September 2025. It will sail its maiden voyage from New York City and offer a short season of five voyages from 5-13 nights to Canada and Bermuda. It will then operate cruises from several US home ports starting in Miami between October 2025 and April 2026. Voyages visit Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman and a first port call to Ocho Rios, Jamaica Brilliant Lady will then transit the Panama Canal for the first time to Los Angeles. The ship has been constructed with an adapted frame which allows the Panama Canal transit and the ability to navigate the glaciers of Alaska. On the west coast Brilliant Lady will later redeploy to Seattle for Virgin’s first Alaska cruise season in 2026. “This ship is going to be brilliant in every possible way which includes all the new places we can travel to. Alaska, LA, New York,” says Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson. Brilliant Lady’s upcoming new dining and entertainment options will be shared in the coming months. 

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