MIAMI, FL – February 20, 2026 – Virgin Voyages is bringing New York’s comedy edge offshore for its third annual US Comedy Fest, sailing roundtrip from New York City to Bermuda, April 11–16, 2026.
For this year’s U.S. edition, Virgin Voyages has partnered with Don’t Tell Comedy, the grassroots live stand-up platform that began as a backyard show in Los Angeles in 2017 and has grown into one of the most influential comedy brands in North America. Known for its intimate, surprise-style performances in unexpected locations, Don’t Tell Comedy has become a proving ground for the next generation of stand-up talent, with alumni who now headline theaters and arenas, appear regularly on late-night television and have gone on to join the cast of Saturday Night Live.
Now, Don’t Tell Comedy’s signature live stand-up experience is being reimagined at sea.
Serving as the official comedy curator, Don’t Tell Comedy has programmed a laugh-out-loud lineup featuring rising and established comedians delivering can’t-miss shows aboard Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady.
Headliners: Shapel Lacey and Tacarra Williams
Shapel Lacey is a Los Angeles-based stand-up whose explosive stage presence is rooted in an unlikely origin story. A former award-winning competitive cheerleader turned diehard punk frontman, Lacey brings physicality, unpredictability and raw self-expression to every set. Now a regular at the iconic Comedy Store, he turns personal chaos into sharp, honest comedy that swings from unfiltered to unexpectedly heartfelt — the kind of high-energy performance built for both intimate rooms and full-ship festival moments.
Tacarra Williams, known in comedy circles as “The Beautiful Beast,” brings a fearless, commanding energy that turns every room electric. A former schoolteacher and life skills coach who now headlines iconic stages from the Apollo Theater to the Hollywood Improv, Williams mines her experiences as one of seven siblings, a mother and a mentor into bold, unfiltered comedy that leaves audiences howling and feeling seen. Currently touring with Katt Williams and recognized by mainstream and cultural tastemakers alike, Williams has hosted Totally Funny Kids on The CW and emerged as a standout on NBC’s Bring the Funny, where she finished as a runner-up. She’s a powerhouse performer whose presence lingers long after the mic drops.
Breakout Talent Curated by Don’t Tell Comedy
- Emma Willmann – Seen on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Netflix’s The Lineup, Emma is a Comedy Cellar regular whose presence and unflinching honesty make her a comedian to be reckoned with.
- Eva Evans – Eva is a Brooklyn and Jamaica–raised comedian currently shooting Kevin Hart’s Funny AF for Netflix. Eva has also appeared in Netflix’s Introducing showcase and on BET.
- Usama Siddiquee – A Bengali-American stand-up comedian, Usama brings his high-energy, rapid-fire charisma to the stage. He’s been showcased in a Don’t Tell Comedy special and on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
- Ian Levy – A New York–based comic with a silly, irreverent lens on life, love and his many shortcomings, Ian has been featured on Don’t Tell Comedy and was a finalist in the San Francisco Comedy Competition.
- Amy Miller – Named Comedy Central’s breakout comedian on Last Comic Standing, Amy delivers fearless, incisive material and has taken the stage at SXSW and San Francisco Sketchfest.
- Shaunak Godkhindi – Based in New York, Shaunak is a writer and actor who performs at the Comedy Cellar and has been featured on Netflix Is a Joke Radio, bringing his crowd-pleasing style to stages and college campuses across the country.
- Laura Peek – A Los Angeles–based stand-up comedian and Nashville native, Laura made her Tonight Show debut in 2025 and is celebrated for her dynamic storytelling.
- Julio Diaz – Julio is a Brooklyn-born stand-up comedian commonly referred to as the Breakroom King, bringing raw, working-class honesty and unfiltered wit to the stage.
- Mark Smalls – Born in New Jersey and raised in San Francisco, Mark is now an LA-based comedian who brings an East Coast flavor to a West Coast vibe. His unique approach of attacking topics from both sides brings audiences of all ages and beliefs together. In addition to his Don’t Tell Specials, fans can also find him live-streaming on Twitch.
- Cole Garrett – Based in Los Angeles, Cole’s style includes energetic act-outs and performative storytelling. He co-hosts Cooked In The Comments and tours nationwide, regularly sharing the stage with Trevor Wallace.
Across five nights, comedians will participate in meet-and-greet moments, surprise pop-up appearances and interactive experiences designed to bring Sailors closer to the talent. Performances will unfold across multiple venues onboard, creating a festival-style format that feels distinctly New York, just offshore.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Virgin Voyages to deliver a standout, premium comedy festival at sea featuring a thoughtfully curated lineup of top-tier comedians from across North America,” said Kyle Kazanjian-Amory, President and Founder of Don’t Tell Comedy. “Creating unforgettable experiences in unexpected venues is core to what we do, and bringing live comedy aboard one of the most innovative brands in travel and entertainment felt like a natural fit.”
The US Comedy Fest builds on Virgin Voyages’ growing investment in live comedy across its fleet, including the introduction of LOLz Supper Club and the rotating Festival Stage, which spotlight emerging talent and surprise residencies throughout the year.
“Comedy is good for the soul,” said Richard Kilman, Vice President of Entertainment at Virgin Voyages. “There’s something powerful about laughing in a room full of strangers and realizing you’re all in on the same joke. Our Sailors love Comedy Fest, not just for the headliners, but for the intimacy and spontaneity of it. We’ve been incorporating more stand-up and rotating comedy acts across our ships because it brings people together. And when you’re at sea, fully present and unplugged from everyday noise, that shared laughter just hits differently.”
Sailing roundtrip from New York City, the five-night voyage blends New York’s stand-up culture with Virgin Voyages’ signature adults-only atmosphere, award-winning entertainment, 20+ eateries, design-forward spaces and two full days to explore Bermuda’s pink sand shores.
Now in its third annual edition, Comedy Fest at Sea continues Virgin Voyages’ investment in culturally relevant, specialty sailings that center music, food and live performance. Following the April U.S. voyage, Virgin Voyages will also host its UK Comedy Fest at Sea in August 2026, with headliners to be announced in the coming months.
For booking information, visit www.virginvoyages.com or contact a First Mate.
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.
