Brilliant Lady
Brilliant Lady current position
Brilliant Lady current location is at West Mediterranean (coordinates 42.08025 N / 11.74616 E) cruising en route to Civitavecchia-Rome. The AIS position was reported 24 minutes ago.
All Itineraries Current PositionCurrent itinerary of Brilliant Lady
Brilliant Lady current cruise is 5 days, round-trip Brilliant Lady New York MerMaiden. Prices start from USD 3720 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 05 Sep, 2025 and ends on 10 Sep, 2025.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
05 Sep 17:00 | Departing from New York, NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn hotels |
07 Sep 18:00 - 08 Sep 16:00 | Kings Wharf, Bermuda |
10 Sep 06:30 | Arriving in New York, NYC Manhattan-Brooklyn hotels |
Specifications of Brilliant Lady
Year of build | 2025 new ship |
Flag state | Bahamas |
Builder | Fincantieri (Sestri Ponente, Genoa Italy) |
Class | Lady Ship |
Building cost | EUR 700 million (USD 810 million) |
Engines (power) | Wartsila ( MW / 0 hp) |
Speed | 22 kn / 41 km/h / 25 mph |
Length (LOA) | 278 m / 912 ft |
Beam (width) | 38 m / 125 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 110000 gt |
Passengers | 2770 - 2860 |
Crew | 1160 |
Passengers-to-space ratio | 39 |
Decks | 17 |
Cabins | 1408 |
Decks with cabins | 9 |
Sister-ships | Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady |
Christened by | tba |
Owner | Virgin Voyages Ltd (Virgin Group UK + Bain Capital USA) via VC SHIP FOUR LTD |
Operator | Virgin Cruise Line |
Brilliant Lady Itineraries
Date | Itinerary | Departure Port | Price from |
---|---|---|---|
2025 Sep 05 | 5 days, round-trip Brilliant Lady New York MerMaiden | New York | $3720 |
2025 Sep 10 | 5 days, round-trip The Big Apple to Bermuda | New York | $2876 |
2025 Sep 15 | 8 days, round-trip Northeast Atlantic Adventure | New York | $3926 |
2025 Sep 23 | 10 days, one-way from New York to Quebec City | New York | $4442 |
2025 Oct 03 | 13 days, one-way from Quebec City to Miami | Quebec City | $4494 |
2025 Oct 17 | 8 days, round-trip Brilliant Lady Miami MerMaiden | Miami | $5780 |
2025 Nov 01 | 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean From Miami to Bimini | Miami | $3218 |
2025 Nov 08 | 12 days, round-trip Colorful Curacao to the Charming Caymans | Miami | $4646 |
2025 Nov 20 | 8 days, round-trip From Miami to St. Croix | Miami | $3026 |
2025 Nov 28 | 9 days, round-trip Miami to San Juan | Miami | $3706 |
2025 Dec 07 | 11 days, round-trip Aruban Sunsets Calm Cayman Days | Miami | $4418 |
2025 Dec 18 | 8 days, round-trip Brilliant Caribbean Holidays | Miami | $3834 |
2025 Dec 26 | 9 days, round-trip Brilliant New Years Ahoy | Miami | $5494 |
2026 Jan 04 | 11 days, round-trip Miami to the Cayman Islands | Miami | $4236 |
2026 Jan 15 | 8 days, round-trip Grand Turk Tranquility St. Croix Charm | Miami | $3412 |
2026 Jan 23 | 9 days, round-trip Miami to San Juan | Miami | $3578 |
2026 Feb 01 | 11 days, round-trip Magnetic Miami to Gorgeous George Town | Miami | $4308 |
2026 Feb 12 | 8 days, round-trip From Miami to St. Croix | Miami | $3418 |
2026 Feb 20 | 9 days, round-trip Miami to San Juan | Miami | $3644 |
2026 Mar 01 | 11 days, round-trip Aruban Sunsets Calm Cayman Days | Miami | $4372 |
2026 Mar 12 | 9 days, round-trip Gorgeous Antigua, St. Kitts Bimini | Miami | $3788 |
2026 Mar 21 | 16 days, one-way from Miami to Los Angeles | Miami | $7034 |
2026 Apr 07 | 5 days, round-trip Brilliant Lady LA MerMaiden | Los Angeles | $3390 |
2026 Apr 12 | 6 days, round-trip California and Mexico Dreamin | Los Angeles | $2424 |
2026 Apr 26 | 7 days, round-trip Hollywood Sunsets Mexican Horizons | Los Angeles | $3036 |
2026 May 03 | 8 days, one-way from Los Angeles to Vancouver | Los Angeles | $3116 |
Brilliant Lady Review
Review of Brilliant Lady
The 2023-built/2025-inaugurated MS Brilliant Lady cruise ship is the fourth/last in the Virgin Voyages fleet. The name was officially announced on April 26, 2022. Brilliant Lady's three sisterships (of the same design) are Scarlet Lady (2020 February), Valiant Lady (2022 May) and Resilient Lady (2023 May).
All Virgin cruise ships were constructed at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente yard (near Genoa Italy). Brilliant Lady was initially scheduled for delivery in July 2023 but was delayed (until March 2024), for which the company cited supply chain disruptions (affecting the construction) as well as staffing/crewing challenges (shortage of skilled workers/crew).
These liners are known as "Lady Ships" - a play on "your ladyship" term regarding Virgin Group's British heritage. A number of renowned designers were chosen to create a new "cruise ship" style and "adult cruising" vacation concept. For the ship's interior design, the Virgin Cruise Line contracted the marine architecture and naval design companies Roman and Williams (NYC), Concrete Amsterdam, Tom Dixon's Design Research Studio (London UK), Gem Srl (Italy), Softroom (London UK), WORKac (NYC), Knibb Design, HL Studio (UK), HKS Architects (Dallas USA), PearsonLloyd (London UK).
Virgin Voyages (fka Virgin Cruises) is a new cruise line company headquartered in Plantation (Florida USA). Virgin Voyages was created in December 2014 as a joint venture between Virgin Group Ltd (UK-based multinational holding company, 49% stake) and Bain Capital LP (USA-based multi-asset investment company, 51% stake). Virgin is an adults-only cruise company (passengers' minimum age is 18) and officially starts operations in April 2020.
The vessel (IMO number 9870654) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311001167) and registered in Nassau.
Brilliant Lady is owned by the company VC SHIP FOUR LTD and managed/chartered by VIRGIN VOYAGES LTD.
Decks and Cabins
MS Brilliant Lady staterooms (a total of 1408 passenger cabins) include 78x Suites, 1030x Balconies, 95x Oceanviews and 105x Interiors. The entire staff and crew (total 1160 people) are accommodated in 813 cabins.
The boat has 17 decks, of which 13 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.
In mid-January 2019, Virgin Voyages announced details on RockStar Suites. Staterooms were designed by Tom Dixon Design Research Studio (interior, product and design consultancy). All staterooms are "smart", with mood lighting and sensors auto-adjusting the lighting according to passenger's movements. The cruise ship has a total of 78 cabins in the category "RockStar Suite", including 15x "Mega RockStar Suites" (9x Gorgeous, 2x Posh, 2x Fab, 2x Massive). Most of them are on Deck 15, with the above Deck 16 housing one "RockStar Suite Sailor" (bow-facing Owner Suite).
The decor is music (rock-and-roll) themed, with a retro-futuristic design, a color palette of deep blues with iridescent dichroic elements in the cabin's bathroom. Massive Suite has a separate bedroom that doubles as a music room (fitted with electric guitars and an amplifier). The cabin's terrace (bow-facing) is fitted with Jacuzzi, dining area (6-seat table with built-in stairs), lounge area (circular sofa with low table), padded sun loungers, 2 hammocks, outdoor shower, catamaran net (canopy partially covering the terrace), live plants. Keeping with the music theme, each of the 78 suites boasts a record player.
All categories RockStar Suites (SB-Brilliant, SG-Gorgeous, SP-Posh, SF-Fab, SM-Massive) have marble-clad bathroom (with hot tub, premium brand bath products, rain-shower head, multi-colored dichroic glass doors and windows / Peek-a-Boo shower), Terrazzo flooring, Tom Dixon brand furniture, large mirrored vanity tables, modern L-shaped sofabeds (for 2), low tables, cabinets, 3-door wardrobe, large smart TV (55-inch), vinyl turntable (gold-plated player with a collection of records), complimentary full bar (nautically-themed barware kit), brass and leather finishing, chaise lounge chair (bedroom).
RockStar Suite passengers enjoy exclusive access to "Richard's Rooftop" (VIP club lounge located forward on Deck 16). RockStar Suites receive as perks (price-inclusive amenities and complimentary services) airport-ship transfer (via private drivers), priority helicopter arrangements, luggage assistance, private walk-down service (express VIP pathway) at Virgin Voyages Miami Cruise Terminal (upon arrival), anytime boarding, early access to special shipboard events, complimentary laundry service, clothing pressing, nightly swimsuit drying, RockStar Agents (dedicated butlers per stateroom), dedicated hair and makeup crew (upon request), complimentary Thermal Suite access (Redemption Spa), all-inclusive premium drinks (in all shipboard eateries and bars), personalized bottomless in-room bar (free of charge), option to curate in-port activities.
All Virgin cruise ship staterooms offer as standard amenities European King-size bed (premium linens, plush bedding), wall-mounted reading lamps, bedside tables, mirrored vanity table / writing desk with stool, large wardrobe, electronic safe box (in the closet), 4K smart Ultra HDTV (with infotainment system), large balcony (with padded loungers, low table, 2-seat sofa, Yellow Leaf hammock, dining table / custom-designed champagne table fitting an ice bucket). Balcony access is via floor-ceiling sliding glass doors.
Every cabin is equipped with a custom-designed "seabed" and "mood lighting" which is familiar to customers of Virgin America (part of Alaska Airlines). Cabin lights automatically adjust according to passenger's movements. There are also staterooms suited for groups (each with 4 bunk beds) and single cabins (designed for solo travelers). Staterooms are divided into 21 categories. Balcony cabins have "sea terrace" (private, step-out veranda) and are serviced by "Rockstar Coordinators" (personal assistants), while "personal wardrobe teams" provide luggage packing and unpacking.
Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks
Dining on Virgin Voyages ships is ticket price-inclusive - no extra charges are applied to any of the 20-plus onboard dining options. The cruise company doesn't believe in "paying more for great food", so it ditched traditional surcharges levied in specialty restaurants. All eateries on Brilliant Lady offer "exceptional made-to-order eats" - complimentary.
As part of the company's sustainable travel policy, Virgin Voyages banned single-use plastics and there is no buffet food on the ships. All shipboard food is made-to-order - to reduce waste and lower energy consumption and emissions. Savings are reinvested into fresh (locally sourced) top-quality products, exotic ingredients, highly trained staff, and clean technologies.
The company doesn't follow any traditional cruise dining concepts. Virgin ships don't have the main dining room, buffet restaurant, dress code (formal wear policy), assigned dining times or seating. All these concepts were replaced with intimate (boutique hotel-type) eateries offering 20+ dining options - all of which are included in cruise fares.
Follows the complete list of Brilliant Lady restaurants and food bars.
- The Galley (main venue for casual dining and quick meals) is modeled on popular food halls. Here guests can taste food from various onboard restaurants via 8 shops and carts, including panini shop, bakery and pastry shop, a taco shack, noodle bar, a burger grill, a sushi bar with bento boxes, soup, and salad island, 24-hour American diner.
- The Test Kitchen (laboratory-like eatery with metallic furniture, beakers, test tubes) offers "avant-garde cuisine". It is a part restaurant, part cooking school. Chef-driven menus are presented in the form of ingredient list to guests to discover how the chef combines the flavors throughout the course of each meal.
- Wake (sized 5866 ft2 / 545 m2) is a steakhouse-seafood restaurant located aft and featuring views of the ship's wake. It serves "theatrical take" food inspired by The Grill-New York and The Wolseley-London.
- Geonbae (Korean barbecue restaurant) is "hosted by the loudest servers at sea". Meals start with complimentary soju (distilled beverage) for the table with guests encouraged to take part in Korean drinking games.
- Pink Agave (Mexican restaurant) provides shared plate experience with DJ music until late. It features porthole windows, metallic lighting fixtures, large tables, elongated curved area (intimate seating with 2-seat tables), separate bar (in the Lobby), private dining room (can be booked for parties and other private events).
- Extra Virgin (trattoria restaurant) serves traditional Italian food specialties, including handmade fresh pasta.
- Dock (sized 220 ft2 / 20.4 m2 beach club-inspired restaurant) offers Mediterranean cuisine with small plates, dips, mezze, salads. The Dock features wooden deck chairs, day beds, and loungers.
- The Pizza Place (beach club-inspired restaurant) offers complimentary oven-baked gourmet pizzas by the slice.
- Razzle Dazzle is the vegan-vegetarian restaurant. Part of Razzle Dazzle Restaurant is the Red Bar - juice bar offering fresh-squeezed juices and tonics, as well as crafted cocktails from a menu that varies every night. In two days per cruise, at Razzle Dazzle is hosted Drag Brunch featuring live entertainment by "sassy drag queens". Considered one of the ship's most energetic spots, Razzle Dazzle gets its design and name from the practice of camouflaging vessels during both World Wars via patterns of black and white paint.
- Sun Club Cafe - Outdoor Eatery
- The Sip is the ship's wine bar lounge (Virgin's champagne house) where along with a selection of premium wines can be enjoyed traditional British Afternoon Tea service.
Virgin cruise ship passengers (Sailors) are offered complimentary water (filtered and sparkling) at all onboard bars and dining venues. Throughout the ship, there are also complimentary water stations.
Via the Sailor App (when your phone is shaken) a secret "Champagne button" allows Sailors to order Moet-Chandon Champagne (Brut Imperial, 750 ml bottle) delivered in an ice bucket and with two glasses. The service is called "Shake for Champagne" and provided anywhere on board.
Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport
Each Virgin ship features 93% oceanview cabins and 86% balconied staterooms (called "sea terraces"), casino, several live entertainment venues (similar to traditional theatre lounges).
Ship's signature venues include:
- Athletic Club (training center) is an outdoor gym area with a boxing ring and gym club equipment) located top-deck aft. Part of the Sports Deck is also the raised jogging track (Runway track, red-white colored), sundeck with open-air lounge (furnished with double daybeds and semi-circular loungers), triple netting area (220 ft2 / 20.4 m2 overlooking below decks), 10 private cabanas (cushioned bed, low table, 2 lounge chairs), beverage service (from the outdoor Sports Bar), foosball tables, swimming pool, showers. The Athletic Club was designed by Concrete Amsterdam and inspired by New York City's sports clubs in the 1920s.
- Sun Club - Sun Worship Sanctuary
- MyBeast is an outdoor playground / poolside gym area.
- The Crow's Nest (aft sundeck) offers 360-degree views and is furnished with loungers and mats colored in Virgin's signature red. Here are also hosted sunrise and sunset outdoor yoga classes.
- The B Complex is an indoor fitness center with Technogym ARTIS equipment, floor-ceiling windows and separate rooms (studios) for cycling, yoga, cardio and spinning classes.
- Gym and Tonic Bar serves cold-pressed fresh juices.
- Aquatic Club Sundeck - Poolside Oasis and Aquatic Club Bar.
- Two Pools (including the Well-being Pool - ship's main pool surrounded by an adult playground and fitness apparatus named MyBeast).
- The Manor is the ship's 2-deck high Disco Nightclub with a large dance floor. The NYC-based design studio Roman and Williams designed The Manor (ballroom), which is a venue for innovative entertainment, dancing, music, and fun, destined to be one of the most exciting spots onboard. The Manor Nightclub was inspired by Richard Branson's first Virgin music studio of the same name and has been expertly outfitted with platforms, corners, and details that make it both somewhere to see and to be seen.
- The Dock is an outdoor lounge (aft on Deck 7) with cushioned wooden furniture (loungers, deckchairs, daybeds).
- Richard's Rooftop is a top-deck VIP area (Suite passengers only sundeck) furnished with daybeds, deckchairs, circular loungers, large umbrellas, colored crystals. Named after the company's founder Richard Branson, it has a futuristic feel with giant umbrellas, circular loungers, and accents of colored crystals that cast rainbow reflections.
- "Ministry of Ground" and "Ministry of Ground Too" are specialty coffee bars serving Intelligentsia coffee (Virgin Voyages Blend) and made-to-order beverages made by expert baristas. Ministry of Ground (designed by Softroom of London) is located midship on Deck 7 (in The Galley food market) and features round-shaped/porthole-type large windows with window seats, purple and aquamarine hues for seating, comfy loungers and modern tables. In addition to the hand-crafted Intelligentsia Coffee brews, passengers receive complimentary cakes and light bites. Retail items (bags of Intelligentsia Coffee and JoJo loose-leaf teas, kettles, coffee cups, and others) are available for purchase.
- Redemption is the ship's Spa complex (on Deck 5) consisting of Reception, Mud Room, Salt Room, Hydrotherapy Pool, cold plunge pool, Jacuzzi, Thermal Suite (indoor spa with porthole windows, plunge pool and Jacuzzi), treatment rooms (for massages and treatments) with quartz-mattress beds, Dry Dock Salon (hairdressing services), Stubble and Groom (barbershop), Blow Dry Bar, Male pedicure Spa, Mani-pedi Spa. At night, the wellness complex transforms into a dancing lounge with live DJ music.
- The Scene Event Space
- Squid Ink is a tattoo studio via a partnership with World Famous Tattoo Ink. The facility is operated by two full-time tattoo artists (handpicked by Lou Rubino Jr) plus celebrity artists. All tattoos are created by using original vegan ink. Other services at Squid Ink include body piercings and permanent makeup treatments (using certified vegan Perma Blend pigments).
- The Red Room was designed by theatre consultants Auerbach Pollock Friedlander and renowned architects WorkAC as the first-ever transformational multi-form theatre at sea. The Red Room transforms into 4 different configurations: an alley stage used in fashion shows, a traditional Proscenium stage, a dance flat-floor configuration, and a unique reverse stage setup. The first at-sea theatre enables the cruise line to create different experiences for each day of the cruise. Brilliant Lady offers 6 original shows that include production by Randy Weiner (The Donkey Show, Queen of the Night, Sleep No More).
- The Groupie (privately bookable karaoke room/for sing-alongs) also doubles as Cinema and VIP Casino (gaming lounge).
- The Den Flex Event Space
- Local DJ celebrities perform live onboard Brilliant Lady at all ports of call.
- Voyage Vinyl (record store) features listening stations, record collections and a DJ spot for live performances (by resident and guest DJs).
- "JLo Beauty" is an onboard shop selling skincare products of Jennifer Lopez's brand "JLo Beauty & Lifestyle".
- Draught Haus (on deck 7, adjacent to Voyage Vinyl) is the ship's taproom - an exclusive bar serving craft beers.
Draught Haus offers 8 different draft beers, also boilermakers (beer cocktails), bottled craft beers, shots, shot cocktails. The bar also provides growler/jug service that allows passengers to take their drinks throughout the ship (public spaces and in cabins). The beerhouse features themed furniture, rustic decor, a beer tap display (behind the bar).
Onboard MS Brilliant Lady is served Virgin's own brand of craft beer (English Pale Ale) created by Wynwood Brewing Company (Miami). For the new "Virgin cruise beer" is used English yeast and American malts and hops.
Virgin cruise deals
In regard to onboard gratuities, the company has "No Tipping" policy, which means all gratuities are included in the base cruise fares. Also included in basic fares are beverages, all eateries, group fitness classes. The company also doesn't charge penalties or change fees. Customers are able to hold staterooms for 24 hours with no money down once they've placed a 20% non-refundable deposit. They also have a 7-day grace period allowing them to change bookings for any reason. Cruise departure date and names on bookings can be changed without fees or penalties.
In February 2019), Virgin announced all-inclusive deal policy by which cruises are sold "by cabin price". Fares are also inclusive of dining (shipwide / 20 options, some 24-hours), unlimited WiFi, all fitness classes. Cabin pricing only varies by the number of occupants. For 5-day itineraries, fares start from ~USD 250 pp per day (excluding taxes-fees).
Itineraries
Virgin's Brilliant Lady inaugural cruise season (September 2025 through May 2026) was originally largely based on homeporting in San Juan Puerto Rico. Initially, from Puerto Rico were scheduled 7-night roundtrip itineraries themed as "Sunsets In The Lesser Antilles" (Oranjestad Aruba, Willemstad Curacao, Fort de France Martinique, Basseterre St. Kitts) and "Southeastern Caribbean Isles" (Tortola BVI, Pointe-a-Pitre Guadeloupe, Bridgetown Barbados, Castries St Lucia, St Johns Antigua). However, the ex-Puerto Rico program was eventually canceled and replaced with importing in several USA port cities
Brilliant Lady's Maiden Voyage starts from NYC New York on September 5th (2025) and visits Bermuda/King's Wharf. Follows a deployment in the Caribbean (roundtrips from Miami/October 2025-March 2026), then West Coast USA (California from Los Angeles CA and Alaska from Seattle WA), with a relocation itinerary through the Panama Canal.
- From homeport Manhattan Cruise Terminal NYC (September-October 2025) are scheduled 5x departures (5-to 13-night-long itineraries) to Bermuda and Canada/USA New England.
- From homeport Miami (October 2025-April 2026) are scheduled 17x departures (7- to 12-night itineraries) starting with the MerMaiden Caribbean Voyage (October 17th).
- From homeport Los Angeles (April-May 2026) are scheduled 4x departures (5- to 8-night West Coast USA and Baja California itineraries) starting with the MerMaiden California Voyage (April 7th). The itineraries visit San Diego and Mexican ports.
- From homeport Seattle (May-September 2026) are operated roundtrips to Alaskan destinations (tba soon) starting with the MerMaiden Alaska Voyage in May (date tba).
Brilliant Lady's rescheduled 2025-2026 (October-April) Caribbean program lists islands like Grand Turk/Cockburn Town, Antigua/St John's, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica/Ocho Rios (first-time port for Virgin Voyages). In March 2026 there is a 16-night Panama Canal transition itinerary (Miami to Los Angeles) visiting Costa Rica, Antigua, Guatemala, and Mexico (Los Cabos). For April-May 2026 are scheduled California Coastal voyages out of LA, followed by Alaskan roundtrips out of Seattle WA (May-September 2026).
Seasonally, during redeployment from the Caribbean to Europe and Alaska, the ship offers, respectively, Transatlantic crossings and Panama Canal transits (RepositionCruises.com).
Virgin's Caribbean programs are based on 7-day roundtrip itineraries and homeporting in Miami (Florida USA) and San Juan (Puerto Rico).
Brilliant Lady ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
Puerto Vallarta joins 2026 itinerary for Virgin Voyages' newest ship Brilliant Lady
Virgin Voyages has announced that its newest ship - Brilliant Lady, will include Puerto Vallarta (Mexico) in her West Coast USA itinerary, debuting...
June 25, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Brilliant Lady to offer North American cruises from USA homeports (NYC, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle)
Virgin Voyages' newest ship - Brilliant Lady debuts in 2025 with a range of North American itineraries with departures from various homeports in...
June 7, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Virgin Voyages unveils inaugural cruise itineraries (2025-2026) for Brilliant Lady ship
Virgin Voyages has unveiled the itineraries for its 4th ship, Brilliant Lady, scheduled for launch in September 2025. Brilliant Lady's maiden...
May 2, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Brilliant Lady ship completes final drydocking before delivery to Virgin Voyages
The newbuild Brilliant Lady cruise ship has successfully concluded her final dry dock period ahead of her imminent delivery to Virgin Voyages. This...
February 28, 2024 - Cruise Industry
Virgin Voyages unveils 19 new ports and 27 cruise itineraries through April 2025
Virgin Voyages is unveiling 19 new ports and 27 exciting itineraries available until April 2025. These offerings cater to diverse preferences...
September 8, 2023 - Accidents
Virgin Voyages changes Scarlet Lady's itinerary for engine maintenance
Virgin Voyages made an announcement on August 16th regarding alterations to its forthcoming August 18th voyage (5-day Dominican Daze itinerary...
August 18, 2023 - Cruise Industry
Virgin Voyages' 4th ship Brilliant Lady floated out at the Sestri Ponente (Genoa) shipyard
The floating-out ceremony of the last of 4 ships that Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages ordered to Fincantieri Italy, Brilliant Lady, took place...
November 27, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Virgin Voyages to name its 4th Lady Ship "Brilliant Lady"
With all 3 ships in the water by the end of the summer (Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady), Virgin Voyages is welcoming its 4th Lady...
April 26, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Section of the 4th Virgin Voyages' ship floated at the Fincantieri shipyard (Castellammare di...
A section of Virgin Voyages' 4th newbuild (Brilliant Lady) was floated at the Fincantieri shipyard (Castellammare di Stabia, Italy). An official...
February 25, 2022 - Cruise Industry
Fincantieri to Build 4th Virgin Voyages Ship
Fincantieri will build a 4th liner for Virgin Voyages, due to be delivered at the end of 2023. The newbuild will be sister ship to the 3 others on...
October 31, 2018 - show more news
Other Virgin Voyages cruise ships
Brilliant Lady Wiki
On October 31, 2018, Virgin Voyages signed a contract with Fincantieri for the construction of a fourth cruise ship, with delivery planned for the end of 2023. The deal was valued at ~EUR 700 million (~USD 810M / ~GBP 615M).
Like the sisterships, the vessel (IMO number 9870654, Fincantieri yard/hull number 6304) is constructed at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente shipyard (near Genoa Italy).
On February 24, 2022, at Fincantieri's shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia (near Naples) was launched/floated out from drydock the troncone (hull's forward lower/bow section). The troncone was then towed by tugboats to Sestri Ponente for completion (final assembly and outfitting). Brilliant Lady was launched at Sestri Ponente on November 25, 2022.
The next timelapse video shows part of Fincantieri's Virgin ship construction (block assembly) process.
On April 26, 2022, was officially announced the name of the 4th Virgin liner - "Brilliant Lady". According to the official press release, the ship's name exemplifies Virgin's values and ethos and represents the cruise brand's mission to "Create an Epic Sea Change For All". As brilliance has a double meaning (radiance and exceptional intelligence), the name also aims "to highlight the powerful intelligence of women across the globe".
The ship was launched/floated out from drydock at Fincantieri's Palermo shipyard on February 24, 2024.
Inaugural cruise itineraries 2023
In October 2022 was officially released the new ship's itinerary program and schedule 2023-2024.
The next tables show the Maiden Voyages (in 2023 and 2024) canceled due to construction issues. The Inaugural Cruise was first postponed to 2024 (March) and later to 2025 (September).
(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2023/canceled) 5-day Christmas Holiday, repositioning from Florida to Puerto Rico. Prices started from US$550 per person with double occupancy.
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
24 Dec 18:00 | Departing from Miami, Florida USA |
26 Dec 10:00 - 19:00 | Puerto Plata, Dominicana |
28 Dec 08:00 - 18:00 | Frederiksted, St Croix USVI |
29 Dec 06:30 | Arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico USA |
(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2024/CANCELED) 7-day "Southeastern Caribbean Isles" (from US$920 pp)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
13 Jan 20:30 | Departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico |
14 Jan 08:00 - 17:00 | Road Town, Tortola Island BVI |
15 Jan 10:00 - 18:00 | Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe |
16 Jan 09:00 - 18:00 | Bridgetown, Barbados |
17 Jan 08:00 - 19:00 | Castries, St Lucia Island |
18 Jan 08:00 - 22:00 | St Johns, Antigua |
20 Jan 06:30 | Arriving in San Juan, Puerto Rico |
(INAUGURAL CRUISE 2024/CANCELED) 7-day "Atlantis Exotic Southern Caribbean Cruise" (roundtrip from Puerto Rico)
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
16 Mar 18:30 | Departing from San Juan |
18 Mar 09:00 - 23:59 | Oranjestad, Aruba, Netherlands Antilles |
19 Mar 09:00 - 23:59 | Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles |
21 Mar 09:00 - 19:00 | Fort-de-France, Martinique |
22 Mar 08:00 - 17:00 | Port Zante/Basseterre, St Kitts |
23 Mar 07:00 | Arriving in San Juan |
Godspeed!
Virgin ship technology
Virgin cruise ships are with passenger capacity 2750 (plus 1150 crew), GT tonnage 110,000 tons, ABB Azipod XO propulsion system (electric drive motors with off-hull submerged azimuth thrusters / 360--degree rotating propellers). These units provide the best maneuverability (allowing in-port navigation without tug assistance) and minimal vibrations/noise. By placing the propulsion units outside the hull, the Azipod system frees up space for more lower-deck staterooms. ABB Ability technology is based on a network using real-time data transferred to remote centers monitoring and analyzing the propulsion system data and also offering remote technical support.
These vessels stand out with innovative design ideas and solutions, as well as the latest marine technologies for energy recovery and environmental impact reduction. The ship's cleaning energy system is provided by the Swedish company Climeon Ocean. The technology allows for reducing CO2 emissions by converting diesel engines generated heat into electricity (capacity approx 1 MW) for onboard use. Each of the Virgin liners has 6 such units, saving annually approx 5400 tons of CO2. The waste processing system is provided by Scanship.
Wartsila (Finnish marine technologies corporation / former shipbuilder) was contracted to provide ships' powerplants. Each liner is powered by two 8-cylinder plus two 12-cylinder "Wartsila 46F" marine diesel engines. Wartsila's Hybrid Scrubber System operates in both open and closed-loop and uses seawater to remove SOx from the vessel's exhaust, also significantly reducing NOx emissions. The Wartsila-made navigation and automation control systems are from the company's latest NACOS Platinum series.
Alternative power is provided by 4-stroke engines powering the 4 electricity gen-sets, each equipped with TPL-C turbochargers (by ABB).
In February 2020 Virgin announced "The Band" - smart wearable technology introduced on Scarlet Lady (April 1st). The device is made from recycled marine plastic (sustainability initiative) and developed via partnership with The Bionic Company. The lightweight device (RFID wristband) is mailed to all passengers and is complimentary (keepsake). The Band is activated upon boarding the ship and used for onboard purchases and payments (beverages, Casino gaming), booking tours, cabin access (room key), room service ordering (points to guest's current location), VIP pass (for Richard's Rooftop).
Virgin Cruises' private island resort "Bimini Beach Club" (Bahamas)
The liner Scarlet Lady was the first cruise ship to stop at "Bimini Beach Club" (Virgin Group's private island resort in Bimini Bahamas). The exclusive destination allows Virgin's Sailors to enjoy world-class entertainment from a rotating cast of DJs led by Mark Ronson.
Virgin's Bimini Beach Club offers premium food with locally sourced ingredients and traditional Bahamian favourites like banana leaf-wrapped queen snapper, conch and mango salad, Bahamian rum cake. The complex has 6 bars, outdoor lounge areas with hammock groves, beach loungers, watersport activities, (optional/at extra cost) private poolside and beach-side cabanas for rent.
RockStar Suite passengers benefit from complimentary food service, exclusive bar and outdoor terrace lounge, VIP beach cabanas. The 7-mile (11-km) long island offers extraordinary activities like boating, snorkeling, wreck diving. The partially sunk wreck of SS Sapona (concrete-hulled steamship that ran aground in 1926) is located just a few miles off the island's southern coast.
Virgin's private resort is located on North Bimini Island and at a short bus transfer from the docking pier. It was built via a partnership with Resorts World Bimini. This is a 750-acres (3 km2 / 1,2 mi2) beachfront resort-casino-marina-hotel complex operated by Genting Group (Malaysia-based multinational corporation). North Bimini is approx 68 km (42 mi) east of Miami. Resort's estimated building cost is USD 220 million.
Virgin's Bimini Beach Club overlooks the sea and features a large lagoon-style swimming pool. The "resort experience" also features morning open-air exercises (yoga and meditation), afternoon DJ poolside parties, night beach bonfires and live musical performances.