Not Your Typical Cruise
As far as cruises go, Virgin Voyages is one that exists in its own category for a number of reasons, many of which boil down to it being geared exclusively to adults. It’s not that they have erased the fun, they’ve just removed the kid gloves. This little factor ends up affecting so much of the experience, from the design details to spaces on the ship and even the vocabulary used (for example, there’s an ice cream spot on board, but it’s also called “Lick Me ‘Til I Scream”). Aboard Brilliant Lady, these signature Virgin Voyages touches come together in one distinctive experience. Keep reading to discover five surprising features of this adults-only ship.
Guests dining at Gunbae on Brilliant Lady
Foodie Firsts at Sea
Unlike traditional cruises, Virgin Voyages has no buffet or main dining room. Instead, they boast more than 20 different restaurants, from casual food stalls to elegant specialty dining — all of which are included in the fare. Take your dinner with a side of discovery at the Test Kitchen, an experimental food lab where unique ingredients and innovative techniques take center stage. Or enjoy the adult version of playing with your food at Gunbae, a Korean BBQ joint known for its social atmosphere and lively drinking games. On Brilliant Lady, you’ll even find a Spanish tapas venue, Rojo by Razzle Dazzle.
The Most Sought-After Cruises for 2027
Sea Terrace with a convertible lounge sofa
Convertible Cabins
Cruise cabins have a reputation for being small, and while Virgin Voyages hasn’t magically given everyone a sprawling penthouse, they have made smart use of the space. (And for those looking for a penthouse, they have some incredible MegaRockstar Suites). But even typical cabins feature modern design, clever storage and mood lighting that you can control with an in-room tablet.
And in many Sea View and Sea Terrace cabins, the bed can convert from a sleeping setup into a lounge-style sofa during the day. That means you can sit back with a book, enjoy room service or get ready for a night out in something like a living room, and return at the end of the day to a cozy bedroom when you’re ready to go to sleep.
Red hammock overlooking the sea from a Sea Terrace balcony
The Iconic Red Hammocks
You’ll find plenty of cruise ship features designed to impress you, but few are as recognizable as the bright red hammock on Virgin Voyages Sea Terraces. It’s such a simple idea that makes the balcony a place where you truly want to spend the hours watching the scenery float by.
Imagine starting the day with a morning coffee while the coastline comes into view, or settling in after a day exploring a port with a cocktail and small plates while you sway in the open air. On ships with around 1,400 cabins and suites, about 85% feature a hammock, making it a defining part of the onboard experience rather than a rare perk reserved for a handful of suites.
Getting a tattoo at Squid Ink aboard Brilliant Lady
The Shops at High Street
For some cruise ships, the shopping area is limited to a few duty-free counters and an essentials shop with toiletries and logo-emblazoned souvenirs. Virgin Voyages has a corridor of retail spaces with a more curated vibe. Called High Street, the shops are closer to what you’d find in an actual mall. Think boutiques selling luxury handbags and jewelry, a housewares store where you can find various items on the ship (like the cute stateroom blankets and pretty cocktail glasses) and a cosmetics store with products similar to what you’d see at Sephora. On Brilliant Lady, it’s accompanied by an actual Clarins retail boutique. There’s even a vinyl record shop and a tattoo parlor.
Entrance to The Manor on Brilliant Lady
The Manor
Named after Richard Branson’s first recording studio, The Manor is a unique two-story venue that changes configurations throughout the voyage. During the day, it hosts original productions, immersive entertainment and dinner shows. But by night, it transforms into a full-on nightclub, drawing inspiration from the energy of the 1970s with a little punk attitude sprinkled in. Its entrance alone — an infinity room of mirrors and twinkling lights — is one of the most photogenic spaces on the ship. Every cruise line wants to think it has a great nightlife scene, but Virgin Voyages delivers on its promise in this venue, with theme nights, DJs and dancing that can carry on well into the early morning hours.
It’s features like these that make it apparent why Virgin Voyages has collected so many industry recognitions for its approach. From ranking in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards to Cruise Critic and USA Today 10Best, the awards are impressive, but the real appeal is how the pieces fit together: dining, entertainment and nightlife all combine to create one thoughtfully designed experience unlike any other cruise.
