Alaska the Virgin Voyages Way: What to Know About a First Season in the Last Frontier

In just six months’ time, a Virgin Voyages’ Lady Ship will make its inaugural call to the Great State of Alaska, followed by a series of sailings from Seattle. Advisors know that as a perennial favorite cruise destination, Alaska attracts plenty of ships to its shores for the season (May to October). However, Virgin Voyages is aiming to bring something different to the Last Frontier — and those differences paired with Virgin’s signature style and a stunning destination like Alaska might just bring in a whole new crop of clients.

With so many brands to choose from when it comes to the 49^th State, how should you position an Alaska adventure with Virgin Voyages? The milky blue glaciers, the smell of spruce pines and the friendly locals remain the same, but the following are a few ways that Virgin plans to shake up Alaska itineraries for its Sailors.

Alaska With an Adult Twist

Perhaps the biggest difference when it comes to sailing Virgin Voyages in Alaska is its adults-only atmosphere. Even upscale and luxury brands who primarily sail with older adults onboard often make exceptions for Alaska itineraries that attract families during summer break. This is not the case onboard a Lady Ship, which never strays from its 18-and-over age limit.

Virgin Voyages’ onboard entertainment has always been geared toward an adult crowd, but Sailors might also see a notable difference in the shore excursion offerings, which Virgin refers to as Shore Things. With more than 250 Shore Things on offer across Alaska, your clients won’t have to rifle through juvenile gold-panning trips designed for young families. Every tour ashore in Alaska has been curated with adults in mind and appeals to a wide range of interests from dogsledding and glacier hiking to cultural immersion with Indigenous communities.

New Destination, New Ship

Making a true splash in Alaska for its inaugural season, Virgin Voyages will deploy its newest ship, the 2,700-passenger Brilliant Lady, which debuted in September 2025. Brilliant Lady, which received upgrades to enhance its seaworthiness for Alaskan waters and enhanced its unimpeded views, will sail 16 voyages in 2026.

Onboard, the experience is every bit as special. Brilliant Lady has been designed for scenery, with spaces that balance intimacy and sweeping views. The reimagined Roundabout now features more comfortable, open lounge seating and a revamped bar, perfect for panoramic glacier viewing in cooler weather. And because Virgin Voyages is adults-only, every venue feels sophisticated, calm and crafted for grown-up escapes. Exciting new additions including Spanish tapas concept Rojo by Razzle Dazzle and an interactive, Supper Club show called “Up With a Twist.” As with the rest of the Lady Ships, Brilliant Lady features sea views across 93 percent of its cabins, with 86 percent sporting a Sea Terrace balcony.

Unique Port Differences

With a dozen ports and scenic stops in Alaska, Virgin Voyages covers the desirable itinerary highlights (Juneau and Tracy Arm Fjord), while also featuring further afield ports-of-call like Haines, Prince Rupert and native-owned Icy Strait Point. A combination of seven-, nine-, 10- and 12-night sailings allows your clients to customize their Alaska voyage to fit their schedule.

An emphasis on unhurried exploration is another facet that Virgin Voyages is aiming to bring with them to Alaska. In addition to small-group, adult-only excursions; itineraries up to 12 nights in length; and unique ports, Brilliant Lady will also be spending more time in port. In Juneau, the ship will be docked from noon to 8 p.m., offering your clients more time to explore, beating the early departures of many other cruise lines.

Even More Alaska Itineraries in 2027

In addition to the 2026 inaugural season of 16 sailings across seven different itineraries, Virgin Voyages will expand its Alaska departures in 2027. Adding three new itineraries to the mix, Brilliant Lady will sail seven- to 12-night voyages from Seattle and Vancouver. Clients can book the 12-night “Alaska: Glaciers and More” round trip from Seattle calling on Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Haines, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and the Hubbard Glacier with scenic sailing days. The weeklong, round-trip Alaska sailing from Seattle remains a popular option, and is the itinerary with the most departures.

No Hidden Pricing

Travel is all about transparent pricing these days, and your clients want to know the full cost for their trip up front — especially when it comes to Alaska. Virgin Voyages provides an all-inclusive value, with more than $1,000 of amenities — Wi-Fi, all dining, fitness classes, entertainment and soft drinks — factored into its fare. With more than 20 distinct eateries spanning global cuisines and everything from boozy brunch to late-night diner bites, your clients will have no problem fueling their Alaska expedition. This includes a morning meditation session followed by a drip coffee, some social scrolling and plans to catch the show later.

As a travel professional, Virgin Voyages offers you a 16 percent commission on voyage fare and prepaid gratuities, any time, plus 10 percent on all pre-voyage sales. A high repeat rate for the brand means that whether Alaska is your clients first or latest experience with Virgin Voyages, you’re likely building upon a future relationship.

From the Sponsor

Virgin Voyages is an award-winning, adults-only ocean cruise line created to redefine what it means to sail in style. Inspired by the spirit of the Virgin brand, the company delivers an experience that blends Always Included Luxury with exceptional value for money, giving every Sailor the freedom to enjoy the voyage without hidden costs. With dining across more than 20 world-class eateries, essential drinks, fitness classes, and Wi-Fi always included, Virgin Voyages offers an effortless, elevated escape on the open ocean.

The brand’s striking Lady Ships, Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady, sail to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations, from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, North America and beyond. Celebrated for its bold design, curated entertainment, and commitment to sustainability, Virgin Voyages has been recognized with multiple global awards, including Best New Cruise Line, Best Ship Design, and Best Dining Experience at Sea.

With innovation, authenticity, and guest experience at its heart, Virgin Voyages continues to chart a new course for the travel industry delivering unforgettable journeys, meaningful partnerships, and a sea change in what modern luxury cruising can be.