Virgin Voyages Ships: The Triplets and Her Sister.
You’re cruise-curious about Virgin Voyages and you want the real talk. Here’s the guide I wish I had on my first sailing. So I have taken a few sailings on Virgin, and 2 of them being Solo sailings so I had to learn things fast and on my own. .
The Familar Three: Scarlet, Valient and Resilient Ladies
If you’ve sailed one of these, you’ll slide right into the others. From the Cabins, the venues and the dining location on all three ships will give you an absolute feeling of deja-vu. You will be reminded of the Tablet in your room to set the lights and open the drapes. The Galley for all the amazing food options and most importantly for me the ice cream shop, Lick me to Ice Cream. Besides that you can take advantage of all the transformable venues for shows. Whether you are watching the #UntitledDanceShowPartyThing or Duel Reality; you can see as many shows and then watch the same venues turn into the Nightclub style venue for some of the parties.
Pool decks, gyms, and the spa follow the same template too. You’ll see the Aquatic Club as the social pool, the Athletic Club with that oversized net and track, and Redemption Spa with its thermal suite. Cabins lean modern and smart: Sea Terrace rooms give you that signature hammock, storage is better than it looks, and lighting scenes make the space feel bigger. The Ships have space for about 2700 with double occupancy; which is a far cry for the Royal and Norwegian Mega Ships this gives it a more intimate vibe where you can really get to start recognizing your fellow sailors. The ships sail the major cruise destinations, Caribbean and the Mediterranean; however you can get an amazing deal on a repositioning cruise if your open to a longer sailing.
Why Brilliant Lady is Different
Brilliant Lady is the outlier in the best way. She was engineered with a narrower beam and small superstructure tweaks, plus lifeboat and clearance adjustments, so she can transit the Panama Canal and manage ports and routes the sisters skip. That opens coast-to-coast itineraries, Alaska seasons, West Coast and Mexican Riviera runs, and even New England and Canada swings when she’s on the Atlantic side. It’s not just about where she sails, though. Because she’s built for scenic cruising, you’ll notice more intentional viewing zones on deck. Canal day? Glacier day? You’ll have natural places to post up without playing musical chairs.
Layout and Onboard Feel
You won’t need a new learning curve. The restaurants, bars, and show spaces are where you expect them. Your favorite routines still work: espresso at Grounds Club, a Dock House snack, sunset at the wake, and The Manor later. What changes is how the ship frames the outside world. Brilliant leans into sight lines and lingering spots. Some of the standards of the ship have been adjusted account for the views that one doesn’t get to experience in the other destination; such as watching the glaciers in Alaska or seeing the Panama Canal.
Which Ship to Pick and Why
You want the classic Virgin vibe with max date flexibility: choose Scarlet, Valiant, or Resilient. These are your dependable Caribbean and Med workhorses with tons of sailing options, easy airfare, and familiar weather patterns. They’re ideal if you care more about onboard fun than the map.
You want routes the others can’t do: book Brilliant Lady. If you want to take that Alaska Cruise but were previously concerned with a stodgier sailing; than Brilliant Lady may be for you. If the Private Island in the Bahamas is a destination you want to experience; select that sailing. Or if you goal is to see Greece and the Mediterranean there is absolutely an sailing for you as well.
Cabins, Suites and Solo Thoughts
All four share the same cabin DNA. Sea Terraces with hammocks are the sweet spot for most travelers. Solo sailors can do Insider or Sea View and put the savings toward dining add-ons, spa, or shore time. If you want to go big, the RockStar Quarters and Mega RockStar suites bring outdoor space, upgraded bath setups, and that “you’re on vacation, act like it” feeling. You’ll get the same suite playbook across the fleet, so choose based on itinerary and dates, not fear of missing a special cabin type.
Dining, Shows, and Late Nights
Virgin keeps dining included without a main dining room or buffet. You book dinners in the app, mix in The Galley when you need speed, and linger at The Dock or Sun Club for slow, sunny bites. The show roster rotates by ship and season, but the format stays playful: immersive pieces, strong vocals, acrobatics, cheeky comedy, and late-night pop-ups. Theme nights like Scarlet Night hit across the fleet, so pack one red look and a pair of shoes you can dance in. If you’re new to Virgin, think “city night out,” not “formal night.”king?
Weather and Motion
Caribbean and Med runs are generally smooth, with a few breezy days. Alaska and Pacific routes can be moodier. If motion worries you, book midship, lower deck, and plan a light first meal on embarkation day. Brilliant’s scenic routes reward slower sailing, but they can also mean cooler decks and layers at sunset. Pack a windbreaker and call it a day.
Spa, Fitness and Quiet
Redemption Spa and the Athletic Club feel the same across the fleet, so you won’t lose a favorite class if you switch ships. If you’re booking a scenic itinerary on Brilliant, consider a thermal suite pass on the day you do the canal or a glacier approach. Steam, soak, and watch the view between rounds. For pure quiet, find the tucked corners along the promenade early in the morning. Coffee, a hoodie, and the sea. That’s the move.
Ports and Planning
For the Caribbean and Med, DIY days are easy: short taxi rides, walkable old towns, and lots of beaches and cafés. For Alaska or the Canal, lean into curated tours or a private driver so you can see more with less stress. Brilliant’s longer scenic legs make sea days feel intentional, so bring a small book and let yourself do nothing on purpose.
A Note on Specs and Pricing
All four sit around 110,000 gross tons, which is the sweet spot for Virgin’s style. You’re not on a mega-ship where you need a map to find a lounge, but you’re not on a small ship that runs out of energy after dinner. Since cabins, restaurants, and entertainment are consistent, you can choose itinerary first, then dates and price. If a Brilliant Lady sailing prices higher, you’re paying for the special route and those scenic days you’ll remember long after you unpack. For the sisters, hunt promos, look at shoulder-season fares, and pounce when air prices line up with your preferred port. Meet out Gorgeous Lady Ships
Bottom Line
If you want the dependable Virgin mix with lots of dates, book Scarlet, Valiant, or Resilient and relax. If you want brag-worthy routes and long, pretty views, choose Brilliant Lady. Either way, you’ll get the same dining, the same hammock naps, the same late-night sparkle, and the same adults-only calm that makes these ships feel like a modern hotel at sea. Pick the map that makes your heart jump, then let the rest fall into place.
