This is where this trendy cruise line will visit Alaska
Add another cruise line to the growing list of brands that will offer voyages to Alaska in 2026. After a short time sailing from New York and Los AngelesThe new 2,770-passenger ship Brilliant Lady — the fourth in Virgin Voyages’ fleet, scheduled to launch in late 2025 — will offer cruises to the Last Frontier as part of its seasonal schedule spring and summer 2026.
The ship, delayed from 2023, will operate seven- to 12-night itineraries from Seattle and Vancouver. The ship’s maiden voyage, round-trip from Seattle from May 21 to 28, 2026, is scheduled to call at ports including Ketchikan, Sitka and Prince Rupert. It will also feature canoeing through Tracy Arm Fjord.
The ship’s 12-night cruises cover the same ports as the seven-night cruises but add Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Haines, as well as the addition of a scenic cruise through Hubbard Glacier.
Excursions – called “Shore Things” in Virgin lingo – include whale watching, salmon fishing, glacier trekking, lumberjack shows and dog sledding, among many other options .
While passengers will have to pay extra for shore excursions, they won’t spend extra money on anything else. Unlike most mainstream cruise lines, Virgin trip includes basic Wi-Fi, gratuities and nearly all culinary specialties in the cruise fare. (Passengers will have to pay extra for alcohol and some specialty dishes.)
Virgin Voyages will participate MSC Cruises IN sailed to Alaska for the first time in 2026. Other routes have also recently announced news related to the 49th State. That includes Royal Caribbeanwill assign the task to the super ship Ovation of the Seas to perform One-way travel between Vancouver and Seward (port for Anchorage) starting in 2026, complete with pre- and post-cruise land tour options. (Virgin only offers cruises; there are currently no land cruise extensions through the line.)
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As for Brilliant Lady’s other itineraries, guests can expect to see the ship sail Bermuda and Canada/New England sailings from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Caribbean cruises from Miami, and Mexico and California coastal sailings from Los Angeles in 2025 before repositioning to the Pacific Northwest.
Want to learn more about Virgin Voyages? We’ve got you covered.
