Miami shimmered under the glow of Virgin red as Virgin Voyages officially welcomed its newest ship, Brilliant Lady, with an unforgettable celebration at Terminal V on October 16, 2025. The night was pure Virgin—playful, provocative, and overflowing with star power—drawing more than 2,000 guests, including DJ Khaled, Swae Lee, Selling Sunset’s Polly Brindle, actors Agustina Palma and Lilimar Hernandez, and The Real Housewives of Miami stars Kiki Barth, Alexia Nepola, Marysol Patton, and Larsa Pippen. The festivities marked a glamorous homecoming for the brand, whose roots in Miami run deep.

As the sun set over Biscayne Bay, the evening came alive with Red Hot, a rockumentary-style production celebrating Virgin Records’ five-decade legacy in music. The immersive show featured hits by The Spice Girls, Janet Jackson, David Bowie, Queen, The Killers, and The Sex Pistols, interwoven with archival footage of Sir Richard Branson and scenes that traced Virgin’s audacious history in sound. Performed by a high-energy cast, the spectacle turned the ship’s debut into a standing-ovation moment, honoring the brand’s creative DNA with theatrical flair and electric energy.

Guests were also treated to a preview of Brilliant Lady’s onboard entertainment lineup. Up With A Twist, a Gatsby-inspired Supper Club, evoked the decadence of the Roaring Twenties with jazz-infused performances and a menu that channeled the era’s opulence. Meanwhile, new ship-exclusive experiences like Secret Vintage, a speakeasy-style wine tasting; The Stitch Up, a tongue-in-cheek game night inside the Social Club; and Rojo, a Spanish-inspired culinary concept, showcased the brand’s ongoing commitment to imaginative dining and discovery at sea.

The night culminated in Electric, a neon-drenched afterparty inside The Manor, where beats pulsed deep into the early morning—proof that when Virgin throws a party, it’s an affair to remember.

Against the backdrop of the city’s iconic skyline, Brilliant Lady’s Miami debut felt like both a celebration and a statement. Recently named World’s No. 1 Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure for the third consecutive year, Virgin Voyages has continued to redefine what modern cruising looks like: adult-only sailings that blend boutique luxury, culinary excellence, and festival-style entertainment.

For the coming weeks, Brilliant Lady will sail through the Caribbean, offering itineraries that embrace both indulgence and adventure before transiting the Panama Canal to Los Angeles and continuing north to Alaska in spring 2026. The brand’s next milestone will bring all four of its sister ships—Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady—together in the Caribbean for the first time, symbolizing a defining era in Virgin Voyages’ evolution.

Since launching in 2021, Virgin Voyages has charted a course unlike any other in the cruise industry. Each ship, inspired by superyacht design, merges the sophistication of a boutique hotel with the energy of a luxury resort. Across its fleet, Sailors can dine at more than 20 eateries created by Michelin-starred chefs, enjoy daily fitness programs, explore a mermaid-inspired spa and thermal suite, and experience a lineup of intimate performances and large-scale productions that blur the line between travel and entertainment.

For Sir Richard Branson, who has spent decades turning industries on their heads, Brilliant Lady’s arrival in Miami represents another milestone, a tribute to the brand’s roots in creativity and its future as one of travel’s most dynamic names.