Zoe Macfarlane says “Ahoy” with joy as she journeys aboard Virgin Voyages’ latest cruise ship, Brilliant Lady, sailing the Caribbean.
I never thought of myself as a cruise person, but Virgin Voyages was built for people like me. Richard Branson hadn’t even been on a cruise before deciding to design one he’d actually choose. His edict: no kids, no buffets, no formal wear, and activities and spaces that honour the big kid in us all.
It works. I boarded Brilliant Lady for the 11-day sailing to Aruba, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cartagena, Colombia, worried I’d get bored, people’d out, or go feral at sea. Instead, I disembarked a fully-fledged Virgin Voyages Sailor.
The cabins
In my mind, cruise cabins were somewhere to sleep, not retreat: heavy on timber panelling or bland beige with décor I’d describe as yo-ho-ho.
My Central Sea Terrace cabin surprised me: light, modern, and impressively soundproof, it proved a calm cocoon from Brilliant Lady’s buzz.
My balcony’s signature red hammock became my daily reset button, the swoosh of the Caribbean against the hull deeply meditative. It astonished me that the ship felt so steady against the crashing waves. The 110,000-ton vessel made the swell feel like an optical illusion on all but one day, leaving me to DIY swing.
The cabin felt immediately homely: comfy bed, plush pillows, and enough storage to properly unpack. I was travelling solo, but the thoughtfully designed cabin had space for a plus one, with under-bed drawers, a wardrobe, and desk.
The dining
Dining is a headline act on Virgin Voyages. Gourmands and gluttons rejoice with 20+ eateries, not a buffet in sight, and it’s all included.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t food served fast. The food hall-style Galley has freshly-made burgers, noodles, tacos, salads, and more. And it was far too easy to grab Instagram-worthy desserts at the Sweet Spot.
With Michelin-chef-created menus, the specialty restaurants impress. There’s Gunbae, the first Korean BBQ at sea, a social dining experience accompanied by fun drinking games.
Pink Agave serves Mexican fusion in decidedly swanky surrounds. The recommended starter + mid-plate + main sounds fab in theory, but the last time I felt hungry was in Miami, waiting to board. Save room for the chocolate tacos.
The Wake delivered steak and seafood in a sophisticated setting, and Extra Virgin brought Italian flair to the high seas. It was Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, however, that dazzled me.
New to the Virgin Voyages lineup, Rojo’s Spanish meals were so good, I ate there eight times (not a typo), including my birthday at sea. The draw was the best steak I’ve ever eaten, plus Chef Amol, part culinary genius, part guardian angel. He seemed to relish the side quest of getting creative with my dietary restrictions.
Across every ship, Virgin Voyages is well-suited to the ingredient-challenged. From grabbing a quick bite to dining at a signature restaurant, you’re asked, “Do you have any allergies?” This simple, inclusive question makes it easier to speak up when you do.
Amenities
Brilliant Lady is packed with fun places to hang out. Even on day ten, I was still finding new corners to claim, from sound-blocking booths to bed-sized sofas and poolside loungers.
I loved the mellow vibes at Richard’s Rooftop, the suite-only sundeck, and used the Redemption Spa’s thermal suite as an excuse to be horizontal on the divine heated hammam bench. A two-hour visit includes the mud room, salt room, sauna, steam room, and cold pool.
For the active, there’s a high-tech gym, outdoor fitness area, boxing ring, and sports court. Besides the (humbling) bungee class, I chose dance classes over treadmills.
It’s laughable that I thought I’d be bored: entertainment is almost constant: brilliant shows and dance classes in the Red Room theatre; nightlife at The Manor; quizzes and games at the Social Club. There’s even an arcade and private karaoke room.
For those determined to splurge, Brilliant Lady has a casino, hair salon, tattoo studio, and a small shopping area.
Activities
As Branson intended, the ship’s playful design – from trampoline beds to eat-as-much-as-you-want lolly counter and hidey-hole spaces – makes it feel like a giant playground for your inner child, whichever version of little you shows up.
If you were the quiz-and-puzzle kid (ahem, me), your nerd status is immediately unlocked. I even got picked as a contestant in a comedy game show that felt weirdly wish-fulfilling!
For the once-hyper child, there’s a running track and full fitness programme, while the Glee-club kids have a place to shine at themed dance classes and Broadway-calibre shows. There’s also an onboard artist who hosts craft events for the glue-and-glitter lovers among us.
Or you can do none of this: rest, read, and hammock-swing like it’s your job.
Rest may have been my intention, but my FOMO had FOMO on the daily. On my birthday alone, I took a Broadway dance class, made an octopus keyring, tanked at a quiz, dined at Rojo, and watched a bedazzling show.
My time aboard Brilliant Lady reconnected me with what fun feels like. I want more.
The destination
I’ve travelled to the Caribbean before – Bahamas pink-sand days, shark diving in Cuba, kayaking through Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent waters – but it was always one island at a time.
Doing the region independently isn’t simple; connections can be fiddly and between-island flights costly.
With Virgin Voyages, the Caribbean feels upgraded: no airport downtime, no boring transfers, just an 11-day rhythm of ports, playtime, parties, great food, and new friends. All while sailing to places I’d long dreamed of.
Imagine if airports had even half the entertainment of a Virgin Voyages sea day.
The verdict
Over Rockstars happy hour drinks with my new friend Andrew (a British forensic psychiatrist on his fifth Virgin Voyage), we wondered if any other brand could accomplish what Branson has built.
Apple? Maybe Nike? Then we laughed: nah, unlikely.
Who else could get buy-in on such a bold concept, feel – and be – inclusive, and suit people of all ages and walks of life than a visionary like Richard Branson?
I still don’t think I’m a cruise person. I’m a Virgin Voyages Sailor – spoilt forever by a concept that was designed for people just like me.
Zoe was a guest of Virgin Voyages and the Voyage Store.
