MIAMI, FL. – May 18, 2026 – Virgin Voyages, the three-time Travel + Leisure World's Best mega-ship ocean cruise line, is bringing its newest ship, Brilliant Lady, to Alaska this summer. Seventeen new voyages spanning 12 destinations and the Pacific Northwest are available now at VirginVoyages.com, with the season kicking off this month and running through September 2026.
Alaska represents the grand finale of Brilliant Lady's inaugural North American tour, and Sailors have been clamouring for it. When Virgin Voyages offered loyalty members Front(ier) of the Line presale passes in 2024, they sold out. The demand was not subtle.
Brilliant Lady departs from Seattle and Vancouver on seven- to 12-night itineraries built for front-row access to cascading waterfalls, vast rugged landscapes and the kind of wildlife sightings that stop a person mid-sentence. The MerMaiden voyage departs Seattle on May 21, calling on Ketchikan, a quaint village nestled within the Tongass National Forest; Sitka, the iconic seaside town that inspired the Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock rom-com "The Proposal"; and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, a picturesque coastal town with cosmopolitan amenities, before returning to Seattle.
What Sailors Can Expect in Alaska
Timing couldn't be better – Brilliant Lady arrives at peak orca season. Shore Thing offerings include:
- Bald eagle, seal, sea otter and humpback whale spotting
- Salmon fishing and glacier trekking
- Lumberjack shows and totem trail walks
- Sightseeing and cultural tours
Back onboard, 86% of cabins carry private balconies with hand-woven hammocks, designed for wrapping up in a warm knitted blanket with hot cocoa or a glass of Moët while the scenery does the work. The Galley, Virgin Voyages' all-included food hall, features floor-to-ceiling windows so Sailors never miss a beat. The Dock offers cosy outdoor daybeds, and The Runway, the ship's suspended running track, pulls double duty as a sightseeing platform that makes morning runs considerably more dramatic. New "Treat Yourself" culinary enhancements will showcase locally sourced Alaskan seafood.
Brilliant Lady's signature spaces also received a purposeful glow-up ahead of her North American season, with each venue designed to reflect the character of the coastlines she explores.
- The Athletic Club now features an expansive panoramic glass wall at the stern, with circular daybeds reoriented outward so Sailors can face uninterrupted views of glaciers and coastal waters from their lounge.
- The Roundabout, the social heart of every Virgin Voyages ship, has been reimagined as a cosy indoor retreat with deep navy banquettes, jewel-toned seating and Draught Haus now serving barista-made coffee alongside its taps.
- Razzle Dazzle has evolved into Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, a Spanish-influenced venue with terracotta and crimson hues built for shared plates and vibrant conversation.
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 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.”
Brilliant Lady's North American season is just getting started. Following her Alaska run, she heads to Los Angeles this fall then to Miami for her winter season – with an iconic 16-night Panama Canal sailing among the highlights. Itineraries include:
- Sept. 11-19 - Pacific Coastal: Vancouver to LA - Vancouver, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island, San Diego, Los Angeles
- Oct. 3-10 - Mexican Riviera - Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Los Angeles
- Oct. 29 - Nov. 15 - Panama Canal: LA to Miami - Los Angeles, Cabo San Lucas, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama City, Panama Canal (Cruising), Cartagena, Miami
Every Virgin Voyages fare is Always Included: specialty dining, essential beverages, high-speed WiFi, group fitness classes and entertainment, with no nickel-and-diming at every turn. Plus, Sailors can now enjoy up to $500 onboard credit on select Alaska sailings.
To book, Sailors can sail on over to VirginVoyages.com or contact their First Mate (travel advisor).
About Virgin Voyages
Promising to Create an Epic Sea Change for All, Virgin Voyages is the award-winning, exclusively adult cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Delivering unforgettable, relaxing vacations at sea, Virgin Voyages launched at the end of 2021. Inspired by superyacht design, its fleet of Lady Ships exemplify an elevated, boutique hotel at sea with contemporary spaces that strike the perfect balance of nautical chic and glamour. Currently departing from the sun-soaked cities of Miami, Barcelona, Athens and San Juan, the fleet offers more than 60 unique itineraries, sailing to 150+ incredible ports of call. On-board, 20+ eateries feature culinary experiences from Michelin-star chefs, stylish workout spaces and group fitness classes are offered daily, and a festival-like line-up of intimate and larger-than-life shows are on the agenda. Paired with modern, tech-savvy cabins, designer suites fit for a rockstar and a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, the brand is taking the industry by storm. For three consecutive years – 2023, 2024 and 2025 – Virgin Voyages won best cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s highly coveted World’s Best Awards for mega-ship ocean cruise line, along with the 2023 and 2024 Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards for best large ocean cruise line.
