Virgin Voyages Confirms Comedy Fest Voyages for 2026
Virgin Voyages has confirmed that its Comedy Fest cruises will continue into 2026, with two sailings announced for New York...
Virgin Voyages has confirmed that its Comedy Fest cruises will continue into 2026, with two sailings announced for New York and Portsmouth. The news follows the first U.S. Comedy Fest earlier this month and the upcoming UK sailing featuring Jack Whitehall.
Comedy Success in the US
In August 2025, Virgin Voyages brought its Comedy Fest format to North America for the first time. Sailing from Miami, the five-night voyage was headlined by Sommore, often referred to as the Queen of Comedy. She was joined by Sahib Singh and Mark Viera, delivering nightly performances across the ship. The voyage also included stops in Costa Maya and Bimini, offering a mix of Caribbean destinations alongside the onboard festival.
Feedback from sailors highlighted how the format worked at sea, with multiple shows spread across different venues and a lineup that felt more like a theater festival than a one-off cruise ship event.
Jack Whitehall Headlines in the UK
The Comedy Fest returns to the UK this month, with a six-night sailing from Portsmouth on August 30. Jack Whitehall will headline the lineup, joined by a roster of British comedians yet to be revealed in full. Scarlet Lady will sail to La Coruña, Bilbao, and Bordeaux before returning to Portsmouth.
This sailing follows on from the sold-out 2024 edition, which featured Russell Howard. Demand for tickets has been strong again, underlining how well the Comedy Fest concept has been received in the UK.
What’s Confirmed for 2026
Virgin Voyages has now confirmed two further Comedy Fest sailings for next year. Both voyages will feature a lineup of established and emerging comedians, with names expected to be announced closer to departure.
U.S. Comedy Fest: April 11–16, 2026 – Valiant Lady
A five-night roundtrip from New York to Bermuda, including an overnight stay on the island.
UK Comedy Fest: August 20–26, 2026 – Valiant Lady
A six-night roundtrip from Portsmouth with visits to Bruges, Amsterdam, and Hamburg.
A Regular Spot in the Calendar
What began as a one-off experiment in 2023 has now become a regular fixture in Virgin Voyages’ calendar. The concept of dedicated comedy sailings has expanded each year, with growing lineups and new departure ports. The 2026 announcement shows that Comedy Fest voyages are set to remain part of the wider festival-at-sea approach alongside music and themed events.
