Brilliant Lady Departs Malaga and Heads to Italy for Wet Dock
Brilliant Lady has officially left Malaga and is heading to Palermo for her wet dock ahead of her debut season to install new fixtures and fittings.
After a long stay off the coast of Malaga, Brilliant Lady has officially set sail and is now en route to Palermo, Italy, where she’s scheduled to begin an estimated two-week wet dock starting Monday, July 7, 2025.
What is a Wet Dock?
A wet dock is a maintenance period where a ship remains in the water while selected updates and final touches are completed. This differs from a dry dock, where the ship is lifted from the water so the underside can be inspected and cleaned.
Because Brilliant Lady is relatively new, she doesn’t require a full dry dock. This wet dock gives Virgin Voyages the chance to carry out cosmetic updates, install any missing features, and prepare the ship for service.
What’s Changing?
As we’re previously reported over the past year, several onboard spaces are getting updated or replaced during the wet dock:
- Razzle Dazzle will be reimagined as Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, a refreshed take on the original concept.
- The Roundabout, the ship’s central hub, will be redesigned.
- Signature elements like Brilliant’s hammocks, which have not yet been installed, are expected to be added.
Virgin Voyages is also using this time for final performance preparations. Entertainers are already on board rehearsing for shows including Red Hot and Murder in the Manor.
For a full breakdown of what sets Brilliant Lady apart from her sister ships, visit our dedicated what’s new page.
A Long Stay in Malaga Finally Comes to an End
We previously reported that Brilliant Lady had been anchored off the coast of Malaga since October 2024. She was stationed there for commissioning, crew training, and technical checks as she awaited her debut following her maiden season delay in 2023. The location was chosen for its calm waters and easy access to international transport links.
Originally expected to leave in May 2024, her stay was extended several times but this week, she finally departed. She briefly stopped in Gibraltar, likely to refuel, and is now heading across the Mediterranean to begin her transformation in Palermo, Italy. The same dock that Scarlet Lady dry docked in November 2024.
What Happens Next?
Once her wet dock is complete, Brilliant Lady will likely float for a few more weeks and then head to the UK for a series of preview events starting August 19. She’ll then head to New York for her MerMaiden voyage on September 5, before launching her Caribbean season from Miami.
With her departure from Malaga, this marks the end of a significant chapter in her long journey to launch and the beginning of her long-awaited debut.
Source: Vessel Finder
