Sponsored by Virgin Voyages

On Virgin Voyages’ newest ship, action-packed shore visits and blissful sea days give a whole new look to kid-free cruising in the Caribbean

Always a classic in the world of cruising, the Caribbean shines brightly with its soft-sand beaches, clear blue waters and laidback atmosphere.

You might think there aren’t many surprises left among these sun-kissed isles, but Virgin Voyages’ dazzling debutante Brilliant Lady has a few new tricks to reveal when it arrives this September for its maiden voyage.

It’ll offer a mix of four-night getaways and 10-night island-hopping adventures before the ship repositions to North America and Alaska next May.

Here’s what else Sailors can expect when Brilliant Lady finally comes to town.

New horizons

Have guests who fancy cruising from one paradise to another through long days of sunshine on a kid-free and stress-free sailing?

That’s precisely what they’ll get aboard Brilliant Lady, with each new itinerary offering longer stays in exceptional ports like St Maarten, St Croix and more.

Most journeys include a stop-off at Virgin’s Beach Club at Bimini, combining the vibes of St Tropez, the energy of Ibiza and the jaw-dropping beauty of the Caribbean.

Before all that, though, there’s still the chance to book a place on Brilliant Lady’s maiden voyage from New York City to Bermuda, where city and shoreline blend over five unforgettable days.

Come 2026, the ship will be leaving the warm waters of the Caribbean for North America, offering five to 16-day sailings from four unique corners of the country.

Think the iconic metropolis of New York City with its Broadway entertainment and irresistible street food; the vibrant beaches of Miami; and Los Angeles with its inimitable art scene.

Then there’s awe-inspiring Alaska, from Virgin Voyages’ Seattle port. With its stone-cold beauty, the 49th State is perfect for those who like their travel slow, with Brilliant Lady offering a front-row seat to the region’s amazing wildlife and rugged beauty.

That’s entertainment

With not a kids’ club in sight, Brilliant Lady is all about sophisticated entertainment and immersive experiences. If all guests want to do in the evening is sit back and be entertained, they can grab a cocktail or two and enjoy a comedy show, or let a jazz duet lull them with some classic tunes.

Or, turn things up a notch and marvel at the wonder of the UV-reactive staging and cutting-edge projection mapping of Electric Dance Party. The beat will get them going – and while neon clothing is optional, joining in will be hard to resist.

Armchair detectives and gamers can put their skills to good use in Murder in the Manor, a mix of live theatre and an escape room where guests solve clues and find the killer.

For music lovers who remember the good old days, there’s a chance to rediscover the artists of years gone by with Red Hot, a show that celebrates the sounds of Virgin Records using dance and archive footage of their musical heroes.

Taste the difference

Customers can sail the shores of North America, the Caribbean and Alaska by day, then savour the flavours of Spain by night as Brilliant Lady’s diner, Razzle Dazzle, transitions from ever-popular bottomless brunch venue into Rojo, where paella comes by the pan and the cava flows freely.

With Spanish passion in every bite, it’s the ultimate showcase for Virgin Voyages’ award-winning approach to dining at sea. An all-new menu at the Dock brings more choice for diners, and they can pair food with entertainment thanks to Up With A Twist’s new dinner show.

Fine cuisine is served at the table as the spectacular begins, and when the tastes and the entertainment fuse, they’ll have the chance to influence the outcome of the show.

With all this and so much more still to come, don’t miss the chance to help customers be part of the brilliant next chapter in the Virgin Voyages story.

Get on board

Virgin Voyages’ 10-night St Isles & Sun-Soaked Seas cruise aboard Brilliant Lady, round trip from Miami via Philipsburg (St Maarten), Tortola (British Virgin Islands), Basseterre (St Kitts & Nevis), St John’s (Antigua) and Bimini (Bahamas), departs on 15 November 2026, from £2,106 per cabin. firstmates.com