VIDEO: Part 2 of LA to Vancouver: Astoria, Victoria, Scarlet Night & Vancouver
San Francisco, Astoria and Victoria, Scarlet Night indoors, a chaotic whale watching trip, Up With a Twist, Part 2 of our LA to Vancouver voyage.
In this standalone trip report, David shares the second half of VV Insider’s Brilliant Lady voyage from Los Angeles to Vancouver, covering San Francisco sailaway, Astoria, Victoria, sea days, Scarlet Night indoors, and a very memorable whale watching excursion. It’s a useful look at what this Pacific Coastal sailing actually felt like on board, along with practical tips on dining, entertainment, port days, and a few mistakes to avoid.
What We Cover
- Brilliant Lady LA to Vancouver voyage recap
- Why this second half of the sailing stood out
- Brilliant Lady ship guide
- Watch the earlier LA and San Francisco portion of the trip
- San Francisco highlights
- Taking a Waymo robotaxi across the city
- Dinner at The Wake
- Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge
- On board entertainment and nightlife
- Bingo Blitz After Dark in The Manor
- Live music from Larger Than Lions at On the Rocks and The Dock House
- Up With A Twist and why it stood out as a favorite paid experience
- Scarlet Night moved indoors for a colder weather sailing
- Circus Disco on the final night
- Astoria port day
- What the walk from port to downtown was like
- First impressions of Astoria
- Why it worked well as a relaxed small-town stop
- Sea day tips and observations
- Using Gunbae overflow seating from The Galley
- Opa Hour at The Dock
- Shopping on board, including Alaska-themed merchandise
- Victoria shore excursion
- RIB boat whale watching
- Spotting orcas near San Juan Island
- Choppy return conditions and why the afternoon trip was canceled
- More on Virgin Voyages Alaska shore things and experiences
- Post-cruise Vancouver stay
- Granville Island
- Trying a seaplane flight
- Sea to Sky Gondola and Shannon Falls
- Planning a similar sailing
Related Content
- Brilliant Lady ship guide
- Brilliant Lady arrives in Los Angeles / LA MerMaiden context
- Future Pacific Coastal sailing: LA to Vancouver on Brilliant Lady
- Future Pacific Coastal sailing: Vancouver down the Cali Coast 2026
- Future Pacific Coastal sailing: Vancouver down the Cali Coast 2027
- Brilliant Lady Alaska shore things and experiences
- Brilliant Lady Alaska 2027 itineraries guide
- Alaska itineraries and pricing details
- Plan and book a Virgin Voyages sailing with VV Insider
