Sarah Bretz, ContributorVirgin Voyages has announced details on its 2026 Alaska cruise season, which will take place between May and September. Brilliant Lady, the newest vessel in the fleet, will celebrate the grand finale of her inaugural North America tour with 17 new voyages to 12 destinations.
Access for presale passholders opens on Thursday, while itineraries will open to the general public starting November 13th. Inaugural season pricing is expected to rise quickly.
The seven to 12-night itineraries depart from Seattle and Vancouver with stops in Alaska and Canada. The MerMaiden voyage (May 21-28) departs from Seattle and visits Ketchikan and Sitka in Alaska before cruising through the scenic Tracy Arm Fjord. The vessel will also dock in Prince Rupert, British Columbia before spending a final day traveling back to Seattle.
With all of the wildlife beyond Brilliant’s bow, guests are spoiled for spaces to take in the sights. Travelers can wrap up in their knitted cabin blanket with a cup of hot chocolate or glass of champagne and take in the beauty as 86% of cabins feature balconies with hand-woven hammocks. The Galley, Virgin’s food hall, offers floor-to-ceiling windows and The Athletic Club and The Dock feature cozy daybeds for desirable outdoor viewing spaces. Even The Runway, Virgin Voyages’ suspended running track, can serve as a sightseeing platform, making morning runs even more exhilarating. For foodies, new “Treat Yourself” culinary enhancements will feature locally sourced Alaskan seafood.
Following the announcement of Brilliant Lady‘s North America tour, bookings for the U.S. itineraries surpassed anticipated demand. The ship is scheduled to debut in September 2026 and kick off her inaugural season in New York with voyages from Miami, LA, and Seattle, including a 16-night Panama Canal cruise.
The Alaska voyages, however, stole the show. In May 2024, members of the brand’s Sailing Club loyalty program were offered a chance to snag passes to pre-purchase the limited Alaska cruises. After selling out, the passholders get booking access starting this week. In addition to Alaska, Virgin is revealing an additional seven-night itinerary from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlàn, and Puerto Vallarta.
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