Brilliant Lady to Make UK Debut with Preview Events
Brilliant Lady will visit Portsmouth for exclusive preview events not open to sailors, showcasing Virgin Voyages’ latest ship before her official debut in New York.
Portsmouth, a port with a rich history tied to Virgin Voyages, will once again play host to an exciting milestone. This time, it will welcome Brilliant Lady for her debut in the UK, adding another chapter to the city’s connection with the cruise line. Previously, Portsmouth was the launch port for the MerMaidens of Scarlet Lady in 2021 and Valiant Lady in 2022, with Resilient Lady also having a season in 2024.
Late August Scheduled for UK Visit
This August, Brilliant Lady will follow suit. However, as revealed in Virgin Voyages’ latest announcements, her UK visit will not be for the general public at this time. Instead, she will host a special overnight sailing from August 18th to 19th, offering the trade industry a chance to experience the ship before her official launch.
With her schedule showing availability on August 20th, there is speculation about whether Brilliant Lady could host an open-ship event during her UK stop. Virgin Voyages held a similar event for Resilient Lady’s launch in Australia, and it remains to be seen whether the day will be used for a public preview or another event.
Following the trade event, Brilliant Lady will embark on a non-revenue private sailing to New York on August 21st. She is expected to arrive in New York on September 2nd as mentioned in the cruise schedule, marking her first appearance in the United States. Her first official voyage will be the September 5th 2025 MerMaiden.
Portsmouth: The First Port to Host the Entire Fleet
With Brilliant Lady’s visit, Portsmouth International Port will become the first port to have hosted all four Virgin Voyages ships. The port underwent significant upgrades in 2023 to better accommodate cruise ships, and it proved to be a successful hub for Resilient Lady in 2024.
2025 at Portsmouth
Looking ahead to 2025, Portsmouth will also welcome the return of Scarlet Lady, she will set sail on inaugural sailings to Iceland, British Isles round trips, and voyages to Amsterdam and beyond.
For those planning to sail from Portsmouth, we’ve updated our 2025 Portsmouth Guide with all the essential details.
Guide to Sailing from Portsmouth
Stay Tuned
As the countdown to Brilliant Lady’s debut continues, with just over 200 days to go, excitement is building. With mention of new entertainment and potential dining changes in the works for the new ship, there’s plenty to be revealed by Virgin Voyages in the months ahead!