Skip to main content
Destinations Jan 08, 2026

From palm trees to glaciers: A dramatic cruise journey

Our voyages give you sun-soaked beaches, icy fjords, included luxury, and adults-only vibes.

Virgin Voyages

Some trips are about going far. Others are about going different.

And this one? It’s about contrast — the kind that makes you feel like you’ve lived multiple vacations in one beautifully cinematic journey. Imagine starting with salt in your hair and sand between your toes… and ending with glaciers calving into icy blue water beneath snow-dusted peaks.

From the Mexican Riviera to Alaska, this is the most dramatic cruise journey you can take — and it’s even better when it’s done the Virgin Voyages way. Kid-free. Effortlessly luxurious. Packed with destinations that couldn’t be more different, yet somehow flow together perfectly.

Same ship. Same ease. Entirely new surroundings.

Where palm trees set the tone

Every great adventure needs a strong opening act, and the Mexican Riviera delivers in full color.

Think golden beaches, warm Pacific breezes, and coastal towns where life moves at a sun-soaked pace. Days here unfold slowly; morning coffee with an ocean view, afternoons wandering local streets or floating just offshore, evenings that stretch long past sunset.

Our Pacific Coast sailings ease you into vacation mode fast. The vibe is relaxed, open-air, and unapologetically indulgent. And because you’re sailing on an adults-only cruise, the atmosphere stays effortlessly grown — no cannonballs, no whistles, no early curfews (though if you want to call it an early night, who are we to judge? You do you).

It’s the kind of setting that reminds you how good it feels to do absolutely nothing… exceptionally well.

Included luxury, no matter the latitude

Here’s where the contrast gets clever. While the scenery transforms dramatically, the experience on board stays beautifully consistent.

From the warmth of Mexico to the chill of Alaska, included luxury travels with you. Dining at more than 20 eateries? Included. Essential drinks? Included. WiFi? Included. Group fitness classes? Included.

There’s no mental shift required when the climate changes, and the best part? No recalculating what’s “worth it” or what’s extra. Whether you’re sipping something cold by the pool or warming up with a cocktail after a glacier-filled day, the ease remains the same.

That’s the magic of a Virgin Voyages sailing. Your surroundings evolve and your comfort never wavers.

Award-winning dining that adapts to the journey

Food has a way of reflecting where you are and where you’re going.

As the journey unfolds, award-winning dining becomes part of the storytelling. Lighter, sun-friendly bites feel right in warmer ports. Heartier, soul-warming dishes hit differently as the air cools and the landscapes turn dramatic.

With no main dining room and no assigned seating, you’re free to let your appetite guide you. Long lunches on sea days. Cozy dinners after glacier viewing. Spontaneous late-night bites because the sun never really sets in Alaska.

Every meal feels intentional, flexible, and perfectly matched to the moment — wherever in the world you happen to be.

When the scenery shifts — dramatically

Then comes the moment where everything changes.

The palm trees fade. The air sharpens. Mountains rise straight out of the sea. Welcome to Alaska — where scale, silence, and raw beauty take center stage.

Sailing into Alaska feels cinematic in the truest sense. Glaciers glow electric blue. Waterfalls ribbon down towering cliffs. Wildlife sightings turn casual conversations into excited whispers.

Our Alaska sailings are designed to let the destination do the talking, with scenic cruising, thoughtfully timed ports, and plenty of space on board to take it all in. Wrapped in a blanket on deck or watching from a warm lounge, you’re fully immersed without ever feeling rushed.

A kid-free ship makes the contrast even sharper

Here’s something you don’t always realize until you experience it: quiet matters.

In Alaska, especially, the kid-free onboard environment becomes part of the luxury. The stillness of a glacier-filled morning. The collective hush as the ship glides through fjords. The ability to linger, observe, and absorb without distraction.

It’s not only about being exclusive, but it’s also about being present. About letting the destination set the tone and having the space to truly feel it.

When the world outside is this dramatic, the calm on board becomes the perfect counterbalance.

Wellness that meets the moment

From sun salutations to snow-capped views, wellness on this journey evolves right alongside the scenery.

In warmer climates, movement feels energizing: morning workouts, fresh air, long walks on deck. As the ship sails north, wellness becomes more restorative. Stretching. Thermal experiences. Slowing down without guilt.

With included fitness classes and spa experiences designed to complement every kind of day, taking care of yourself never feels prescriptive. It feels intuitive, guided by how you feel and what surrounds you.

Because the best wellness routine is the one that fits the moment.

Why contrast is the ultimate luxury

Travel is more than just escaping — it’s about being perspective.

When you sail from palm-lined beaches to glacier-carved coastlines, the contrast sharpens everything. Colors feel brighter. Silence feels deeper. Comfort feels more meaningful because you’ve seen what lies beyond it.

Virgin Voyages makes this kind of journey seamless. Same ship. Same ease. Entirely different worlds — stitched together by thoughtful design, diverse destinations, and an onboard experience that adapts without ever missing a beat.

Why choose between warm and wild? You don’t have to commit to one mood, one climate, one version of vacation.

You can have the full spectrum.

One voyage. Two worlds. Endless perspective.

From the laid-back glow of the Mexican Riviera to the awe-inspiring drama of Alaska, this goes beyond cruising — it’s a masterclass in contrast.

New scenery. New sensations. Same effortless luxury all the way through.

If you’re craving a journey that actually changes how travel feels, Brilliant Lady’s routes from the Mexican Riviera up along the West Coast and into Alaska are your gateway.

Share article
Virgin Voyages Spinner