Brilliant Lady

The Fun Factor: If you're seeking a mellow cruise experience with traditional production shows and predictable activities, Brilliant Lady (or any Virgin ship) isn't right for you. But if you're open to something playful, clever, and irreverent — that still delivers a high-quality cruise experience — it's worth giving Virgin a try. This is a cruise line that takes pride in breaking the mold by being what others are not: an adults-only playground with activities that range from '90s Boy Band Dance Class and On the Upswing Bungee Class to Summer Camp Arts & Crafts. The ship even has an onboard tattoo shop called Squid Ink. Guests can also attend a PJ party and play Bingo with the Diva, Salty Trivia, and nostalgic board games in The Social Club. Adding to the merriment are 10 bars, from the chic Sip Lounge (a Champagne bar) to the beer-centric Draught Haus and The Loose Cannon. On the Rocks is a centrally located venue for nightly performances by classic rock bands and indie solo performers, which are definitely a mellower alternative to the more boisterous theatrical shows.

The Fitness/Wellness Options: There are ample opportunities to get physical on Virgin's ships. The B-Complex indoor fitness facilities are split between a multipurpose studio offering a variety of classes (from boxing to yoga) and a workout/training area stocked with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment. There's also The Runway, a 255-meter running track (it's red, of course!), and some al fresco strength apparatuses in the Athletic Club area, which also features an open-air basketball court and adult-sized seesaws. On the relaxation and pampering front, the ship's sleek Redemption Spa features a menu of wellness options (facials, massages, scrubs, etc.) as well as medi-spa treatments such as Botox, IV therapy, and acupuncture. Just want to relax? Book a day or week pass to enjoy the spa's mud room, sauna, steam room, and hydrotherapy pools.

RockStar Quarters: While the most abundant accommodations on Brilliant Lady are 185-square-foot Sea Terrace cabins featuring atmospheric mood lighting and a red hammock on the balcony, anyone with a more generous budget can reserve (or bid to upgrade to) RockStar Quarters. That's what Virgin calls its eight suite categories. These more exclusive digs, which range from 352 to 2,147 square feet, come with added perks such as early boarding, a stocked minibar, luxe bathrooms, turntables and records (some even have guitars for strumming), and access to Richard's Rooftop sundeck. There, RockStar guests can enjoy shaded sun loungers, two hot tubs, and complimentary pours of Moet & Chandon bubbly every evening from 5 to 6 p.m. It's a chic spot to escape the daytime party scene on the popular (and often crowded) pool deck below.

Culinary Creativity: Who needs a buffet? Not Virgin Voyages, whose dining program is Michelin-starred-chef-inspired and ambitious. Topping my list is the unexpected flavor pairings of Test Kitchen, which features two different six-course menus highlighting a series of ingredients (mushroom, egg, scallops, beef, blue cheese, and chocolate, for example), with vegetarian options available. Also impressive are Extra Virgin for classic Italian, The Wake for excellent steaks and seafood, Pink Agave for modern Mexican (don't miss the Esquitas grilled corn and the Pato roasted duck with mole), and Razzle Dazzle for a fabulous brunch. At night on Brilliant Lady, the space becomes Rojo by Razzle Dazzle, serving authentic Spanish dishes that include jamón croquettes (ham and potato croquettes), patatas bravas ahumadas (fingerling potatoes), costillas de la matanza (baby back pork ribs with harissa honey), and arroz con leche (rice pudding). There's also Gunbae for Korean barbecue paired with drinking games. Tables here seat six people, so gather up some fun fellow Sailors! 

More casual fare is served in The Galley, a food court with waiter service that features a feast of tasty options, such as all-day breakfast and burgers at Diner & Dash, flavorful tacos and burritos at Let's Taco Bout It, sushi at Bento Baby, and Asian bowls at Noodle Around. The Dock House and the adjacent alfresco The Dock serve Mediterranean-inspired tapas. Other options include sushi at Sun Club Café, individual-size pies at The Pizza Place, and creamy, sweet scoops at Lick Me Till…Ice Cream (yes, the double-entendres on Virgin ships are plentiful). 

New Itineraries: Brilliant Lady spends the entire year cruising North America (the first Virgin ship to do so) and the Caribbean, with more than a dozen itineraries in the latter from November to March (port calls range from The Bahamas to the ABC Islands). In early spring, there's a Panama Canal transit, followed by California Coast and Mexico sailings from Los Angeles. In summer, the ship will offer 7- to 12-night sailings to Alaska from Seattle.

High-Energy Entertainment: Virgin's novel entertainment dares to be different. It tends to be immersive, aggressively acrobatic, and intense (read loud). The big shows, most of which are newly developed for Brilliant Lady and have names such as "Red Hot," "Electric," and "Disco Reimagined," take place in the Red Room, a massive space that can be configured in multiple ways. The other, more intimate performance space is called The Manor, where the glittery entryway is the backdrop for stunning selfies and guests can enjoy a retro dinner theater-style show called "Up With a Twist" and a creative mash-up of "Scooby-Doo" meets 1980s murder-mystery movies called "Murder in the Manor." 

The "Bar Tab:" Virgin doesn't offer a beverage package that allows unlimited imbibing. Instead, guests set up what's called a "Bar Tab." Before boarding, Sailors purchase a Bar Tab (in increments from $200 to $1,000). This is basically an onboard cabin credit, and Virgin throws in another $25 to $250 for free. This allows Sailors to choose the amount that best matches their beer, wine, Champagne, or cocktail appetite — but you need to use the Bar Tab or lose whatever money remains.

Scarlet Night: Virgin's signature onboard celebration invites Sailors to wear a dash of scarlet and get ready to party. It begins after dinner with pop-up performances and face glitter application in the indoor public spaces, then transitions to the pool deck for a high-energy and splashy (literally) extravaganza.

Open-Minded, Music-Loving Travelers: Virgin's credo is an openness to diverse lifestyles. Sailors represent a broad cross-section, but are mainly Brits, Americans, Australians, Canadians, and Europeans, and the cruise line's ships are very LGBTQ-friendly. And while there's a youthful onboard energy, generated by the mostly twentysomething Happenings cast who lead activities, Sailors span all age groups, including Millennials, Gen Xers, and young-at-heart Boomers. 

The Tech-Savvy: Before you can enjoy Brilliant Lady, you need to download the Sailor app and upload passport details, check in, and reserve dining. Once you're on the ship, the app lets you reserve entertainment and view the daily event line-up. Instead of keycards, Virgin gives cruisers The Band (red for regular Sailors and black for RockStars), which is worn on the wrist and opens stateroom doors and lets guests charge drinks and other onboard expenses. Every cabin and RockStar Quarters also has a tablet that controls everything, from the lighting to the TV.

The Pools Have a Spring Break Vibe: Expect loud music, with a DJ often at the helm, and bronzing bodies atop sun loungers crowded around the ship's two pools. Neither is big enough for a vessel this size, and their semi-enclosed design and decking material that absorbs heat (sandals recommended at all times to avoid scorched soles) can be an issue in the Caribbean (however, may be a plus in Alaska's cooler climate). 

Sea Terrace Bathrooms Could Be Roomier: While most new cruise ships have carved out space for a larger bathroom, the standard bathrooms in Virgin's Sea Terrace cabins miss the mark. The rainforest shower is terrific, but the tradeoffs are tight floor space right outside it, a shallow sink and low mirror that make face-washing difficult, and paltry storage space. If a bathroom that's better than basic is a necessity, look into trading up to an entry-level RockStar Quarters, such as the 352-square-foot Seriously Suite or 482-square-foot Brilliant Suite.