Inside Virgin Voyages' new party cruise ship with 17 floors, wild shows and no kids

If you've never been on a cruise, then the idea you have in your head is probably one of a relaxed, formal all-inclusive holiday full of older travellers and families who dine with the captain, dress up in their best formal wear and stick to a regimented schedule.

However, Virgin Voyages are turning everything on its head with their 'Lady' ships. The Brilliant Lady is the fourth and final ship in Virgin's 'Lady' line-up, after Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and the Resilient Lady.

The ship has been designed to represent the intelligence, creativity, and self-worth of women who are smart, thoughtful, and unafraid to own their intellect.

And let me tell you now, it has also been created for those who like a party.

As I said earlier, cruising is usually associated as a holiday taken by retirees who want to relax on the water, but from my time on the Virgin ship, it's definitely not a cruise you'll want to take your nan on unless she's up for a good time.

Virgin are targeting a completely different audience from the normal cruising demographic with their Lady ships. Instead of pensioners and families, everything has been created with millennials and Gen X in mind.

From the branding, to the design, the entertainment and the food, everything has been curated for sailors aged between around 20-50 who are looking for something but more modern (and wild) than your typical cruise. The ship is 18+ so it's perfect for those after some fun and partying with no kids around.

It's also ideal for first-time cruisers and those who never thought they'd go on one, as it offers a more boutique hotel-at-sea experience.

Couples and groups of friends are another big target audience - and I could definitely see a couple going on the ship for a raucous few nights away from the kids to add the spark back in to their relationship. It would even be great for a hen party considering the type of entertainment they have on-board.

Those who head on the ship are said to be "experience-seekers" who are after something unique and fun when it comes to nightlife, fitness and food.

So let me tell you about just the sort of thing you can experience on the ship...

Wild shows to keep you entertained

Forget bingo and shuffleboard, the entertainment on the Brilliant lady is more like you'd find in high-end London than your nan's social club.

There are still shows, however they're more likely to get your blood pumping than send you off on a blissful sleep on the ocean.

Shows to try on the ships cheekily named Red Room include 'Out of Time', a time-traveling comedy adventure blending music, fashion, flappers, and acrobatic cavemen (yes really).

There's also 'Red Hot', which is a high-energy revue celebrating Virgin's 50-year musical legacy, featuring iconic hits from Virgin Records and inspired by Richard Branson's "rebellious spirit".

You can catch a show in the ship's nightclub, The Manor, including 'Up With a Twist', which is a 20s-inspired supper club experience combining elevated dining, live music, and interactive storytelling where guests help shape the ending. If I've been informed correctly, it may involve drinking six cocktails (or mocktails) and you may get pulled up on stage during dinner, so it isn't for the meek.

Alternatively, you can check out 'Murder in the Manor'. It's an immersive murder mystery with a true-crime twist, where sailors join the investigation in a mix of comedy, dance, and spectacle. I saw this myself and have to say it's great and the aerial rope performer is definitely a major standout!

Others include 'Duets', soulful showcase of Motown, classic rock, and modern ballads reimagined with jazz-infused arrangements, as well as 'Electric', a neon-fuelled UV dance party with glowing costumes, face paint, and a jellyfish parade, capped off with the Electric Slide.

Or if you're up for a party, you can head to 'Disco Reimagined', a high-energy 90-minute disco and circus fusion featuring sequins, flares, and jaw-dropping acrobatics.

As I said, not exactly for your nan.

Alongside all this, there's Virgin's signature offerings, such as Scarlet Night, live music and comedy and immersive experiences.

More than just shows

If shows aren't your thing, there are loads of other entertainment onboard from the karaoke lounge with private karaoke rooms, to The Arcade and casino. You can craft cocktails or even get a tattoo or piercing at the onboard tattoo lounge, Squid Ink.

Or, if fitness is your passion, there's morning yoga and meditation, 80s aerobics and The Athletic Club - an adult playground with a boxing ring, oversized swings and giant chess (which Richard Branson himself is supposedly a mega-fan of).

There's also two main swimming pools, multiple hot tubs located around the pool and the Rooftop and a spa that includes hydrotherapy pools and a cold plunge pool.

Those who are keen runners can head up on to the top deck and use the 255-metre running track, which has panoramic ocean views while you exercise.

Dining with no limits

Instead of boring buffets, the Virgin Brilliant Lady has more than 20 unique eateries all included in the cruise fare (apart from a few extra special dishes) that are top-class quality and made to order. Virgin makes sure to use locally sourced ingredients that align with their sustainable philosophy.

Stand-out restaurants and bars to try on board include Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, which is exclusive to the Brilliant Lady. By day, it serves vibrant Spanish-American brunch, however by night it turns into an elevated tapas hotspot offering shared places and bold dishes such as oxtail montadito, grilled octopus and lobster paella.

Created by chefs Justin Severino and Nate Hobart of Morcilla (joined by Virgin's culinary team), the space blends shared tables, intimate nooks, and warm, vibrant tones to bring a communal, sophisticated vibe at sea.

Another one to try is Pink Agave, which is a lively Mexican restaurant where you can get shareable dishes with spicy authentic flavours. It has a wild tequila and mezcal selection if you want to let loose. But don't head there if you don't like a party as there will be a DJ spinning tunes in the background between your bites!

Korean BBQ Gunbae sees chefs grill your meat at your table and you can play lively drinking games hosted by your servers.

Meanwhile, those who are traditional Italian cuisine should meanwhile head to Extra Virgin, where you can get house-made pasta, arancini, seafood specialities and decadent desserts like gelato or bomboloni, fished with apertivos or digestivos.

If that isn't enough for you, there's also The Test Kitchen, which is a creative cooking lab which offers chef-driven avant-garde tasting menus and The Galley which is a modern food hall full of rotating food truck-style stations including everything from burgers to tacos, noodle bows, bakery items and a 24-hour diner.

With tons more than even the ones mentioned, there really is food for every palate aboard the Brilliant Lady and it's safe to say you're be well-fed on your trip away.

You'll have to pay for your drinks

Despite the party atmosphere, you won't be able to buy drinks packages on the Brilliant Lady. The ship has partnered with some of the industry's most esteemed mixologists and bartending experts to delivery top-quality drinks crafted with the very best ingredients, so Virgin say they don't want to 'devalue' any of this with drinks packages.

They do have a Bar Tab system though, where you pre-purchase a credit with a bonus to use for alcohol and other drinks onboard.

Sleek modern interiors

Brilliant Lady delivers Virgin's iconic sleek design and mood-lit cabins that's we've come to expect. However, the ship prioritises comfort, gathering spaces, and weather-appropriate amenities as it has been crafted for Alaska, Seattle and cooler climates.

Those booking a sea terrace cabin will get the luxury of a rain shower and will be able to enjoy the reimagined balconies with two red hammock chairs, adapted for the Panama Canal passage. The cabins have been designed to give you sweeping views of the horizon as mood lighting intuitively matches the light from the oncoming sunset.

Meanwhile those who wants quiet moments with the sea could book a sea view cabin so they can gaze at the waves every morning.

If you're into exclusive access, you could try out a suite in the RockStar Quarters, which feature marble-clad bathrooms with premium amenities and spaces conceptualized by world renowned designer, Tom Dixon.

When do things launch?

Brilliant Lady's inaugural season launches in New York City (5 September-October 2025), featuring 5-13 night voyages to destinations like Bermuda, Quebec City, Maine, Charleston, Boston, Halifax, and New Brunswick

For winter (17 October 2025-April 2026), she'll sail from Miami on extended Caribbean journeys (7-12 nights) to Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Cartagena, and favourites such as Turks & Caicos, Antigua, Grand Cayman, along with introducing Ocho Rios in Jamaica

In March 2026, the ship will cross the Panama Canal on a 16-night voyage from Miami to Los Angeles, stopping in Cartagena, Colón, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Cabo San Lucas

It's the first ship in the fleet capable of transiting the Panama Canal, unlocking access to Alaska, the West Coast, and a broader range of itineraries than before.

From 7 April to May 2026, she'll explore the West Coast from LA - ports include Santa Barbara, San Diego, Ensenada, Puerto Vallarta, and more

Summer 2026 (21 May) marks her Alaska season, sailing from Seattle through rugged landscapes and wildlife-rich waters between May and September

How much will it cost me?

The cost of a Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady cruise depends on the specific itinerary, duration, and time of year, with prices for a single person often starting from around £497 for shorter trips in 2025/2026.

For example, a 5-night SoCal & Ensenada voyage in October 2026 was available from £497 per person, while a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing in November 2025 was priced from £749 per person.

Visit the official Virgin Voyages website to search for voyages and get the most accurate pricing for your desired dates.

The final word

So what did I think of my time on the Brilliant Lady? Honestly I was completely blown away by the size (17 floors), the luxury design and just the sheer amount of entertainment onboard.

As I said, it definitely doesn't have the atmosphere of a typical cruise and I definitely feel like it would be a journey I'd take with friends or a partner than a family break with any older family members, but you would definitely get some amazing experiences and certainly be well-fed and entertained in the process.

I can definitely see why they don't let kids on the ship - as you'll certainly be needing that lay-in after a few nights on the Brilliant Lady!