Virgin Voyages’ newest ship is now sailing out of PortMiami, adding a sleek and stylish vessel to South Florida’s growing cruise scene.
The port rolled out the red carpet to welcome the Brilliant Lady, a one-of-a-kind ship bringing a Miami vibe and new itineraries to the cruise capital of the world.
“We’re so proud of what Brilliant Lady represents for our brand, and I do feel like with Brilliant Lady arriving in Miami, we have arrived,” said Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saverimuttu,
Brilliant Lady is Virgin Voyages’ fourth ship in its expanding fleet. While she shares similarities with her three sister ships, the newest addition features elements found only on board Brilliant Lady, including gourmet restaurants, world-class entertainment, and uniquely designed spaces.
“To me, Brilliant Lady is a combination of all of the feedback we’ve received from all of our sailors and our crew members over the last three years,” Saverimuttu said. “We’ve got seven brand new shows, a brand-new restaurant and brand-new spaces.”
The adults-only cruise line has previously offered four-, five- and seven-night sailings from PortMiami. With Brilliant Lady, Virgin Voyages is now expanding those offerings with nine- and 10-night sailings across the Caribbean.
“With Brilliant Lady, you can do a nine- or 10-night sailing going to the deep Caribbean, so we’ve kind of got a sailing for everybody,” Saverimuttu said. “If you’re traveling without kids, then we are the go-to brand for that.”
The longer itineraries include destinations such as Aruba, Cartagena and St. Kitts, and for the first time in Virgin Voyages’ history, a sailing through the Panama Canal. Saverimuttu said the extended trips not only provide more options for cruisers in South Florida and across the United States, but also help attract international sailors who will spend their dollars locally.
“We’ve got customers all around the world,” Saverimuttu said. “Being here in Miami, we can bring people in from the UK, Australia and other parts of the country who are interested in taking a cruise.”
PortMiami Director and CEO Hydi Webb said those travelers are contributing to the local economy beyond the port itself.
“They’re spending time here locally in Miami-Dade County, spending locally in our hotels, on our restaurants, our local attractions, the transportation industry, Ubers and taxis,” Webb said.
Brilliant Lady also continues Virgin Voyages’ mission to reduce its environmental impact. Saverimuttu said there are no buffets or large dining halls onboard, with everything made to order to dramatically reduce food waste.
Brilliant Lady is slimmer and narrower than her sister ships, allowing her to sail through the Panama Canal. She will also become Virgin Voyages’ first ship to sail in Alaska next year, while continuing to call PortMiami home.