Virgin Voyages’ adults-only Alaska cruises are now live. Brilliant Lady is sailing the Pacific Northwest and Alaska from Seattle and Vancouver throughout summer 2026, with an expanded second season already on sale for 2027. With itineraries ranging from 7 to 12 nights, it’s the first time Virgin’s adults-only formula has been applied to the Last Frontier, and it’s a noticeably different take on the traditional Alaska cruise.
Originally published 6 November 2024. Last updated 26 May 2026.
For the latest Brilliant Lady Alaska itineraries, suite availability and prices, browse our Virgin Voyages cruises, our Alaska cruise holidays, or speak to a cruise specialist on 020 7947 0270.
Brilliant Lady: Virgin Voyages’ Newest Ship in Alaska
Brilliant Lady is the fourth ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet and the line’s first dedicated Alaska vessel. She carries around 2,770 sailors (adults only, no children on board) and was purpose-positioned in Seattle and Vancouver for the 2026 and 2027 Alaska seasons. The ship’s design prioritises panoramic viewing space: floor-to-ceiling windows in the main public rooms, generous open-air decks, red-hammocked balconies in most cabin categories and a heated outdoor pool for those crisper Alaskan days.
Virgin Voyages Alaska Itineraries 2026 & 2027
Five itineraries are currently sailing or on sale, ranging from 7 to 12 nights. Most are one-way between Seattle and a Pacific Northwest or Canadian port, which lets Virgin go deeper into Alaska rather than retracing the same Inside Passage route twice.
- Inside Passage & Glacial Fjords, 7 nights, round-trip Seattle. Ketchikan, Juneau, Tracy Arm Fjord, Prince Rupert.
- Inside Passage & Glacial Fjords, 7 nights, round-trip Seattle. Ketchikan, Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord, Prince Rupert.
- Inside Passage & Hubbard Glacier, 9 nights, round-trip Seattle. Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Victoria.
- Alaska: Seattle to Vancouver, 8 nights, one-way. Sitka, Icy Strait Point, Skagway, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Ketchikan, Vancouver.
- Inside Passage & Hubbard Glacier, 12 nights, round-trip Seattle. Ketchikan, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Prince Rupert, Victoria.
The 12-night sailing is the most comprehensive option and visits every major Inside Passage port plus Haines, a smaller community most large-ship lines skip.
Ports of Call
- Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World”, set against the Tongass National Forest. Strong Indigenous art scene and easy access to fishing, floatplane and Misty Fjords excursions.
- Sitka, Russian colonial heritage meets coastal rainforest. Excellent for kayaking, raptor centres and small-boat coastal expeditions.
- Skagway, gateway to the Klondike Gold Rush. The White Pass & Yukon railway and surrounding hikes are the standout shore options.
- Icy Strait Point, owned and operated by Alaska Natives. Home to the world’s largest ZipRider and reliable wildlife encounters.
- Juneau, Alaska’s capital. Mendenhall Glacier dog-sledding-by-helicopter is the marquee excursion; seaplane flights to Taku Lodge are a close second.
- Haines, a small Lynn Canal port most cruise lines bypass. Bald eagles, brown bears and the Chilkat River draw most visitors.
- Prince Rupert, British Columbia, the Canadian counterweight to the Alaskan ports, with First Nations heritage and rainforest hiking.
- Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Inside Passage, the four cruising experiences are essentially “ports without docking” and are where Brilliant Lady’s panoramic viewing spaces earn their keep.
Shore Things: Virgin’s Take on Alaskan Excursions
Virgin Voyages calls its shore excursions “Shore Things” and curates them more tightly than most lines, fewer cookie-cutter coach tours, more small-group active and culinary experiences. Standouts in the Alaska programme include the Mendenhall Glacier dog-sledding heli-tour (Juneau), the world’s largest ZipRider (Icy Strait Point), the Yukon Rail and Suspension Bridge expedition (Skagway), the seaplane adventure to Taku Lodge (Juneau) and the coastal expedition with a Fin Island Lodge feast (Sitka).
What’s Included Onboard
Virgin Voyages’ all-inclusive model is one of the cleaner ones in the cruise industry. Bundled into the fare:
- All 20+ onboard restaurants (no specialty dining surcharges)
- Standard drinks throughout the ship (soft drinks, drip coffee, still water, basic beers and house wines)
- Tips and gratuities
- WiFi across the ship
- Group fitness classes
- Most entertainment and onboard programming
Premium drinks (cocktails, premium wines, spirits) are charged separately rather than bundled into a drinks package, which can work out cheaper than the all-inclusive packages on other lines if you’re a moderate drinker.
Why Choose Virgin Voyages for Alaska?
Virgin Voyages does Alaska differently from the lines that have been running the route for decades. The differences worth knowing:
- Adults only. No children on board at all, a meaningfully different atmosphere from family-focused Alaska cruise lines.
- Longer port stays. Virgin’s Alaska itineraries deliberately include late-night and overnight stays so you can experience ports after the daytime crowds have left.
- Off-the-beaten-path stops. Haines, Prince Rupert and the Endicott Arm cruising experience aren’t on most Alaska itineraries.
- Recently recognised. Virgin Voyages has been named #1 Mega Cruise Ship by Travel + Leisure (World’s Best Awards 2025), Best Cruise Line for the Money by U.S. News & World Report (2026), and Best Ocean Cruise Line by Cruise Critic (Cruisers’ Choice 2025).
- Smaller than typical Alaska cruise ships. At around 2,770 guests, Brilliant Lady is at the lower end of mainstream cruise capacity, which means fewer crowds at the port gangway and shorter tender queues.
Virgin Voyages Alaska FAQs
When did Virgin Voyages start sailing Alaska?
Brilliant Lady’s first Alaska season began on 11 May 2026, departing from Seattle. The 2027 Alaska season is already on sale.
Which ship does Virgin Voyages use for Alaska?
Brilliant Lady, the newest ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, is dedicated to the Alaska and Pacific Northwest programme.
Where do Virgin Voyages Alaska cruises depart from?
Most sailings depart Seattle, with selected one-way itineraries between Seattle and Vancouver.
Are Virgin Voyages Alaska cruises adults-only?
Yes. Virgin Voyages is exclusively adults-only across its entire fleet, including the Alaska programme. The minimum age is 18.
How much do Virgin Voyages Alaska cruises cost?
Fares vary by sailing date, cabin category and itinerary length. For current pricing and early-booking promotions, speak to a Paramount cruise specialist on 020 7947 0270 or browse our Virgin Voyages cruise offers.
What’s the best Virgin Voyages Alaska itinerary?
It depends on what you want. The 7-night Inside Passage sailings are the best entry point. The 9-night Hubbard Glacier itinerary adds the most dramatic glacier viewing. The 12-night sailing covers every major port plus Haines and is the most comprehensive option. The 8-night Seattle-to-Vancouver one-way is the most “destination-led” route, with longer stays in each port.
Ready to book? Brilliant Lady’s Alaska seasons book up early, the smaller-ship inventory means premium suites and prime sail dates sell out faster than mainstream lines.
