Virgin Voyages' newest ship finally hit the high seas.
Brilliant Lady set sail from New York City on Friday, September 5, on her highly anticipated "MerMaiden" voyage. Now, Virgin has four adult-only ships in its modest fleet.
During her inaugural year, Brilliant Lady will offer a variety of itineraries, ranging from 11- and 12-night Southern Caribbean cruises to week-long escapes to the Mexican Riviera and Virgin's first-ever Alaskan voyages.
I was among the first to sail aboard Brilliant Lady and got to experience everything this new ship has to offer.
If you've sailed with Virgin Voyages before, you'll find that Brilliant Lady feels familiar. Virgin has continued to double down on its signature product, with sleek cabins, edgy entertainment, and high-energy fun. However, there are a few minor changes.
Here's a first look at Virgin Voyages' new Brilliant Lady cruise ship.
Pool deck
Brilliant Lady has one main pool surrounded by plush daybeds and lounge chairs.
Considering the ship holds around 2,770 passengers at double occupancy, the pool deck can feel lively during peak hours.
As such, it's best to wake up early to claim your spot, especially if you're eyeing a daybed.
Athletic Club
Because Brilliant Lady is scheduled to sail on scenic voyages through the Panama Canal and Alaska's Inside Passage, Virgin knew that the ship needed more spaces to take in the passing views.
As such, they removed an entire wall in the Athletic Club to create an uninterrupted, outward-facing glass canvas.
Squid Ink
When Scarlet Lady launched, she became the first cruise ship in the world to have a tattoo and piercing parlor onboard.
Appointments go quickly, though. If you want to get a tattoo on board, make sure you visit Squid Ink on night one.
My partner and I secured some of the last available appointments. We both got small tattoos for $350 each.
Pink Agave
Virgin revolutionized the dining experience by eliminating noisy dining rooms. Instead, there are six "specialty" restaurants onboard, each focusing on a different cuisine — from Mexican to Italian and even Korean BBQ. They're all included in the price of the cruise, too.
Pink Agave is the Mexican restaurant on Brilliant Lady. The menu features everything from chicken enchiladas to guacamole, stuffed poblano peppers, and achiote-marinated smoked pork. There's an impressive Mezcal selection, too.
Rojo by Razzle Dazzle
Razzle Dazzle on Brilliant Lady has a new menu than on her sister ships. To go along with the updated Spanish, tapas-style cuisine, the restaurant also has a new design highlighted by terracotta and crimson hues.
Test Kitchen
The Test Kitchen is perhaps the most unique restaurant on the Brilliant Lady. The laboratory eatery was designed for adventurous eaters and features a fixed rotating menu.
The Wake
The Wake was one of our favorite restaurants onboard. Think of it like a classic steakhouse with a modern twist, featuring premium cuts, seafood platters, and more.
The Galley
Virgin also got rid of the traditional cruise ship buffet.
The Galley is Virgin's food hall-style eatery, with different stalls that offer everything from fresh tacos to spicy ramen, burgers, sushi, salads, rotating specials, and more.
There's even a 24-hour diner with made-to-order eggs and other breakfast favorites, available at all hours of the day.
The Manor
The Manor is one of the central late-night spots for partiers. It's also an entertainment venue that hosts dinner theater shows. The entrance is home to the famous hall of mirrors.
Events in the Manor are wildly popular, so you'll want to line up early. Some passengers waited close to two hours for the Murder in the Manor show one afternoon!
Sip Lounge
Sip Lounge is a sophisticated bar that offers afternoon tea, handcrafted cocktails, and premium wines.
The Groupie Karaoke rooms
Not a fan of public Karaoke sessions? Don't worry. You and up to 15 of your closest friends and reserve a private room at The Groupie for free!
Inside cabin
Brilliant Lady offers cabins to suit all budgets and preferences, ranging from cozy interior staterooms to lavish Rockstar suites.
We chose the cheapest option on board, a standard interior cabin, and were impressed with its stylish layout and rainfall shower. It cost $2,010 for the "MerMaiden" voyage.
One thing to note about Brilliant Lady is that the new Sea Terrace (or balcony) cabins are slightly smaller than those on previous ships. However, these staterooms have two Virgin red hammocks instead of one.
The Dock House
The Dock House quickly became one of my favorite places to relax. Even on sea days, we could easily find a seat, whether inside in the air conditioning or outside watching the ship's wake.
The Dock House also has complimentary bites from the open-fire grill and mezze cart. Everything I tried, from the grilled shrimp to the beef kafta skewer, was tasty.
The Grounds Club
We kick-started our morning with iced lattees from the Grounds Club. There's a secondary location in The Galley, too.
These specialty drinks aren't included in Virgin's fare but are priced similarly to land-based coffee shops.
The Roundabout
Brilliant Lady doesn't have a traditional atrium. Instead, the Roundabout is a two-story hub on Decks 6 and 7 that serves as a central gathering place.
Loyal Virgin fans may notice one major difference about Brilliant Lady's Roundabout: there's no record shop. Virgin removed the store to add more seating.
Draught Haus
Draught Haus, a popular bar in the Roundabout, features an expanded menu on Brilliant Lady, offering more than just beer.
Now, guests can order everything from barista-made coffees to wine, cocktails on tap, and more.
Lick Me Till...Ice Cream
Lick Me Till...Ice Cream offers a variety of freshly made ice cream flavors, including vanilla, key lime pie, pistachio, and mixed berry.
There are also three different flavors of cones: red velvet, midnight vanilla, and vanilla.
Juice Sea
Juice Sea is a wellness-focused space with fresh juices, health shots, and grab-and-go bites on Deck 7.
Arcade
Cruise ship arcades are typically huge rip-offs. However, adults don't have to worry about paying $3.00 for a classic game of Pac-Man.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
