Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady Arrives in New York Ahead of Debut

The latest ship from Virgin Voyages, Brilliant Lady, arrived in New York City on Tuesday, becoming the fourth ship for Richard Branson’s cruise line.

Branson was on deck as the ship sailed into New York Harbor, past the Statue of Liberty and down the Hudson River. This entry mirrored the 2021 debut of the cruise line’s first ship, Scarlet Lady. More than 1,200 crew members and 1,200 Sailors joined a chorus of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” led by Astrid Jorgensen, creator of Pub Choir, an Australia-based live music group.

The debut has been a long time coming for Virgin. Originally scheduled to enter service in late 2023, the ship’s launch was delayed by a combination of construction, supply chain, and staffing challenges.

The ship will now welcome its first guests on Friday for a Bermuda sailing out of New York. From there, it will embark on fall foliage sailings through the Northeast and Eastern Canada until October.

“Brilliant Lady is the embodiment of everything Virgin Voyages stands for,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, Virgin Voyages’ chief executive officer. “Like her sister ships, she creates an atmosphere that is joyous, welcoming, and above all, transformative. What happened today was proof of the profound connections that form when you give people permission to be their authentic selves.”

The ship is debuting with seven new and original productions, new dining concepts including Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, and other enhanced offerings.