Five New Reasons to Sail with Virgin Voyages
Emma Mackey
Fresh itineraries, entertainment, menus and more!
Adult-only, epic entertainment and a ‘foodie’-approved take on dining… the reasons to sail with Virgin Voyages are already plentiful. But should you need a little more convincing, the cruise line have recently unveiled a flurry of new reasons to hop aboard their legendary Lady fleet – let’s take a look...
1. New Caribbean ports & itineraries
You can’t really go wrong with the Caribbean and it’s laid-back vibe, especially if you find yourself craving some winter sun. From sprawling white beaches in Barbados to St. Lucia’s gravity-defying Pitons, it’s little wonder travellers roll in like the waves. Not missing a (reggae) beat, Virgin are releasing fresh itineraries for winter 2026-2027, including new ports in Panama City (Panama) and St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), as well as a new 17-night cruise through the Panama Canal to Miami, which will feature additional stops in Cabo San Lucas, Panama City, and Cartagena.
2. Menu makeovers launching in May
Thanks to a delicious menu refresh, two of Virgin's most popular restaurants – Extra Virgin and Gunbae – will bring even more to the table this year. New pastas, arancini, seafood risotto, and roasted monkfish are just a few additions to Extra Virgin, the ship’s Italian trattoria. While Gunbae, the only Korean BBQ at sea, will debut shrimp kimbap rolls, bulgogi fire meat, and bo ssam (whole roasted pork butt with oysters and caviar) from July.
In case you didn't know...
Virgin Voyages have done away with traditional ‘cruise dining’ and instead opt for a generous helping of restaurants and eateries, ranging from food-truck-style treats in The Galley, to steak & seafood at The Wake and upscale Mexican at Pink Agave.
3. Exciting new entertainment
Following the recent enhancements of Scarlet Lady, the ship will feature two new shows. Immerse yourself in a nostalgic, interactive Y2K-themed party, where turn-of-the-century tunes will have you reliving New Year’s Eve of 1999, or rock out at the epic, concert-style “It’s a Rock Show-ke,” complete with a live band belting out 80s and 90s classics.
Brilliant Lady, the fourth and final ship in the Virgin fleet, will make her debut in September with several immersive new shows, including a production inspired by Virgin Records’ musical catalogue from the past five decades.
4. Comedy Cruise Comeback
After the success of 2024’s Comedy Fest sailings, Virgin Voyages’ are bringing back the belly laughs by popular demand. Returning this August with a 6-night cruise from Portsmouth headlined by stand-up comedian and actor, Jack Whitehall, 2025 will also feature a new 5-night US-based Comedy Festival from Miami. Sailing in August, this speciality voyage will stop at Costa Maya, as well as Bimini in the Bahamas.
5. Group benefits just got better
Whether celebrating a milestone birthday with friends, planning a multi-generational family holiday or hosting a hen or stag party, Virgin Voyages are offering groups or 8 or more a 10% travel discount, up to $300 in free drinks and a dedicated group dinner at one of their six Michelin-inspired restaurants. Over the next few months they’ll also be rolling out enhanced welcome amenities, including fresh flowers, Champagne or prosecco, chocolates and beer buckets, so you can celebrate in style with your whole crew.
Speaking of beer...
Perhaps this should be reason #6 to sail with Virgin Voyages, as they bring a delightful new beverage to their onboard experience – their very own craft beer! Exclusively available on Virgin ships, they’ve partnered with Ommegang Brewery (based in upstate New York) to bring the brew to life. An English-style pale ale, you can enjoy it anywhere, whether that’s poolside, paired with onboard dining or toasting a particularly beautiful sunset.
Want to set sail with Virgin Voyages? Take a look at all their voyages here.
