Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady, the fourth and newest ship from the trendsetting brand, beckons clients to come for standout dining and entertainment and stay for a glorious hammock — yes, a hammock.
I’m not saying your clients should book a sailing just for the line’s signature terrace amenity, but it’s high on the list of reasons to board the new ship. After all, my wife and I fell so in love with the hammocks from our previous Valiant Lady trip that we purchased two that we now enjoy daily at home.
Brilliant Lady — like the Virgin ships before it — offers a unique premium lifestyle paired with luxury offerings, resulting in a different kind of cruise experience. The ship also launched significant structural enhancements and made modifications to its offerings without diluting any guest favorites, setting it up nicely for its 2026 arrival in the West Coast and for next summer’s Alaska season.
What’s New
Speaking of the hammocks, most balconies on Brilliant Lady still only feature one. However, due to changes made to the ship so it could fit through the Panama Canal, its lifeboats were raised up and tucked in. As a result, the lowest level of terraces has its view partially blocked. As consolation, that particular category is outfitted with two hammocks, ideal for couples.
Because of the ship’s Alaska sailings, the line considered enclosing Richard’s Rooftop as an indoor observation lounge, according to Michelle Bentubo, chief operating officer at Virgin. But that idea was ultimately nixed. Instead, The Roundabout atrium was opened up by omitting Virgin Vinyl and adding in more seating. The Athletic Club was redesigned by removing the daybed backs that had previously blocked the views.
Brilliant has also planned for inclement weather with an indoor version of its Scarlet Night pool party that can be staged in the Red Room if needed. As fate would have it, the festivities were rained out on my voyage, so my fellow cruisers and I got a taste of that very substitute, and the experience remained entertaining thanks to bonus aerial acts in the transformational theater.
Still small, though, is Brilliant’s main pool, but its deep center was lengthened by about six feet. There are also an even smaller secondary pool and a plunge pool in the Redemption Spa’s extra-cost thermal suite.
Guests can enjoy body treatments in the thermal suite.
Credit: 2025 Jason LeppertFresh to the culinary scene is Rojo by Razzle Dazzle showcasing delicious Spanish tapas. For a rare surcharge, I would recommend splurging on the stellar lobster paella. Elsewhere, fare has been further perfected. For example, the Extra Virgin Italian restaurant is my top choice for exceptional made-from-scratch pastas and affogatos prepared tableside.
Inclusions
For those clients seeking it all, Virgin luxuries can include the most palatial RockStar Quarters (brand speak for suites) with exclusive access to Richard’s Rooftop sun deck, named after founder Richard Branson, and front-of-the-line activity queues.
Inclusions offered to everyone are Wi-Fi internet access, gratuities, soft drinks and water, as well as the line’s portfolio of fine dining. Virgin avoided the industry preference for a massive singular main restaurant, instead presenting multiple smaller ones plating a wide array of culinary genres. Specialty restaurants that competitors would charge extra for are therefore complimentary once reservations are made.
Dining
Coming from a native Southern Californian with plenty of gustatory experience, Pink Agave still takes the cake for offering the best Mexican food at sea. Patrons can relish everything from pomegranate-seeded guacamole to Oreo-like chocolate tacos.
Other exceptional eateries carried over from Brilliant’s sisters are The Wake steakhouse, The Test Kitchen for experimental tasting menus, Gunbae for Korean barbecue, The Dock House for Mediterranean, The Social Club diner, The Pizza Place, punny Lick Me ‘Till Ice Cream parlor and al fresco light bites at the Sun Club Cafe.
Rather than have a self-service buffet, Virgin touts The Galley full-service food hall for an array of a-la-minute alternatives, such as tasty breakfast burritos, all-day burgers, noodle bowls, sushi and lots more. Here I sampled the ship’s tasty Alaska roll (a California roll topped with salmon) in honor of its future destination.
Sea Terrace and Wellness
As a solo traveler, I thoroughly enjoyed the Sea Terrace cabin category, which includes a single hammock.
Compared to previous vessels, the bathroom and bedroom are unchanged with a good size bathroom and a mattress that can be converted into an L-shaped sofa upon request. Given the unorthodox configuration, bedside USB charging ports and light switches are placed lower and farther apart than usual, but a vanity desk has additional ports and outlets.
The Sea Terrace cabin category includes a single hammock.
Credit: 2025 Jason LeppertThe hammock is just one way the line focuses on wellness. There are fitness offerings such as The Runway jogging track, The Perch outdoor yoga studio and Sports Arena; a health-conscious smoke-free casino; and the Redemption Spa and its therapeutic body treatments (some of which include time in the thermal suite).
Entertainment
Also remarkable is how much more entertainment there is on Brilliant, not the least of which is excellent live music throughout. Besides included dinners, The Manor serves as a double-decker supper club for an added-cost dinner show. “Up With a Twist” is a vintage-themed romp definitely worth the $50 price of entry. Also not to be missed is the ship’s intriguing but macabre “Murder in the Manor” mystery narrative.
Besides these interactive events, The Red Room can be transformed again into an alley configuration of opposing bleachers for the reprised “Duel Reality” retelling of “Romeo and Juliet” or with a traditional configuration for the all-new “Out of Time,” a campy chromatic musical full of hilarious pop culture references. In typical Virgin fashion, irreverent comedy is infused ship-wide as part of a playful vibe that Brilliant never takes too seriously.