A well-known company in the world of aviation and space travel is bringing a new cruise line to California.
Virgin Voyages, another venture by billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, is scheduled to begin sailing from Los Angeles in spring 2026.
The cruise company, which launched in 2021, is bringing its newest ship to Los Angeles as part of its North American tour, with its maiden voyage set to begin in New York City.
Brilliant Lady is a 912-foot cruise ship that can accommodate more than 2,700 people and features 20 onboard restaurants, 17 decks, state-of-the-art cabins and designer suites, which the company says are “fit for a rock star.” states. The ship has a frame designed to navigate the Panama Canal and navigate “rugged new terrain, including Alaska’s vast glaciers and fjords.”
The voyage is for those 21 and older and features an entertainment lineup that the cruise line likens to a festival experience.
“Virgin Voyages started as a simple idea for me and has grown into the world’s leading cruise company with an entire fleet,” Branson said in a news release. “This ship is going to be amazing in every way, including the amazing new places we can travel to.”
The “Brilliant Lady” is being built in Italy and is scheduled to depart from New York in September 2025 for its official debut. From there she would travel across North America, spending weeks at busy ports such as Miami, Seattle and the Panama Canal.
It will arrive in Los Angeles in April 2026 and will offer five- to eight-night itineraries that include visits to Baja California, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, and Catalina Island.
The arrival in Los Angeles marks Virgin Voyages’ California debut. The cruise company has three other ships in service, currently sailing from Miami, Barcelona, Spain, Athens, Greece, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal Saberimuthu says the cruise line is always looking for ways to innovate and challenge itself to “stay fresh and exciting”. It starts with expanding into new destinations and showing travelers how this cruise line is different from other cruise lines, he says.
For more information about Virgin Voyages, including booking information on Brilliant Lady, please visit click here.
