Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady Cruise Review – Day 2: October 18, 2025

After a great first day onboard for Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady’s MerMaiden Voyage from Miami, I’m starting to get settled in and more in-tune with the whole Virgin cruises style.  Sir Richard Branson himself is onboard for this inaugural sailing, which makes this already special voyage even more memorable, as he’s been out and about mingling with guests, I mean sailors. Headliner Kelis, who I had to Google to see who she is, will perform on the final night of the cruise. For this sailing, Brilliant Lady is calling on just three ports – St. Maarten, Tortola, and Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini – with four sea days scattered about.

Today was the first of those four sea days as we make our way toward St. Maarten. Some sailors have already started grumbling about the number of sea days, but honestly, any day on a ship is better than a day on land.

And speaking of St. Maarten – it’s on my list of favorite islands to visit. I can’t wait to get back to the Cuban cigar lounge right at the port that sells only authentic Cubans and offers premium liquors, and to Whiskey Paradise, a shop about a 30- to 40-minute walk away known for its impressive selection of Blanton’s bourbon. There’s also Great Bay Beach, just a short walk from the pier, with its boardwalk, bars, and plenty of beach, and then there’s the famous Maho Beach where planes land right over your head. But I’ll talk more about St. Maarten once we get there.

For now, it’s all about the sea-day. On Brilliant Lady, brunch is served in The Wake – the ship’s steakhouse and seafood restaurant (and also where I had dinner later in the evening). If you’re in the mood for something quicker, there’s The Galley, which is Virgin’s take on a buffet – except it’s not a buffet. Think of it as a modern food hall with different food stalls offering everything from all-day breakfast and burgers to salads, bento boxes, tacos, and noodles. You walk up, order, and they make it fresh for you. If it’s not ready immediately, you’ll get a buzzer and pick it up when it’s done.

Brilliant Lady’s Pool Decks and Outdoor Spaces

As expected on a sea day, the pool decks were the place to be – and the people-watching didn’t disappoint. Virgin Voyages attracts quite the mix of personalities, and there’s always something happening by the pool.

The main pool, The Aquatic Club, is located on Deck 15 forward. It’s the ship’s largest pool, though “large” is generous – it’s more of a plunge pool surrounded by oversized daybeds (which go fast) and plenty of loungers. There’s a bar right there, so you’re never far from your next drink. If you prefer to bake in the sun, there are loungers overlooking the pool with zero shade and maximum rays.

A short walk away midship is the Well-Being Pool, near the Gym & Tonic Bar and the jogging track. It’s smaller and a little quieter – a good place to relax after a workout.

All the way aft is The Athletic Club, one of the most unique spaces on the ship. It features a boxing ring, outdoor fitness equipment, a basketball court, a massive wrap-around daybed overlooking the wake, and the Catamaran Net — a giant hammock suspended 16 decks above the ocean. It’s a must-try for the view alone.

There are also cabanas for rent: $200 per day for up to four sailors or $250 for up to eight. Each includes a dedicated server, towels, daybed seating, a mini fridge with water, snacks, and a bar tab credit ($40 or $80 depending on size).

Even with a full ship, there were always open spots to relax – it never felt chaotic.

The Perfect Spot – My Balcony Hammock

After some exploring, I headed to my favorite spot on the ship – my Virgin red hammock on my stateroom balcony. I’m not sure whose idea it was to put hammocks on cruise ship balconies (Sir Richard, maybe?), but whoever it was deserves a raise. It’s genius. It saves space, it’s comfortable, and it sways perfectly with the motion of the ship. Add in a cool breeze and the sound of the sea, and it’s pure bliss. My balcony’s shaded, so I can use it anytime without roasting. I’ll admit – I’ve already fallen asleep in it more than once.

What You Pay For (and What You Don’t)

Before getting into the evening activities, let’s talk about some of the things you do pay for on Virgin Voyages. Like I mentioned yesterday, there are no drink packages. All your non-alcoholic drinks – except specialty coffees -are included. Want a Coke? It’s free. Sparkling water? Free. Juices, sodas, even snacks like cereal bars or licorice? All included.

When it comes to alcohol, Virgin uses the Bar Tab system. If you buy one before your cruise, you usually get a small bonus. For example, a $250 bar tab might cost you $200 depending on the promo. Once onboard, there are no discounts – you just pay as you go. Drink prices are pretty standard: about $8–$10 for beer and $12+ for cocktails or wine.

Another thing that’s free (and optional to upgrade) is Wi-Fi. Every sailor gets complimentary basic Wi-Fi for checking email, web browsing, and social media. If you need to stream or make video calls like I do, you can upgrade – the streaming plan for this eight-day cruise was $210. VPN access costs extra, but single-day passes are available too if you only need it occasionally.

Evening Activities

Since I’ll be at sea for quite a while, surrounded by delicious food and sugary temptation, I figured I’d better get moving. After polishing off some of those cereal bars and licorice, I told myself, “You need to burn this off before dinner, fat ass!”

I try to keep up with my daily four-mile walk routine, and on sea days that means hitting the suspended jogging/walking track on the top deck. It’s a great track with ocean views and some strong wind resistance to make you work a little harder. The only downside? The number of influencers using it as their personal runway. I spent half my walk dodging couples staging windblown photo shoots with tripods and light rings with the Virgin logo as the backdrop. I kindly reminded them it’s a jogging track, not an audition for “America’s Next Top Content Creator” as one dude got a little pissy that I was getting in the way.

Influencers, you’re a scourge. There, I said it.

Casino and Dinner at The Wake

I kicked off the evening in the casino, which unfortunately didn’t show me much love. I won a few small rounds on the slots but nothing to recover what I’d lost the night before.

Virgin’s main casino is non-smoking, which I like, but they also have a tiny smoking section tucked away behind the cage called The Smoking Room. The name makes it sound like a classy cigar lounge where you can enjoy a Cuban with a drink in hand. The reality? It’s a sad little room with a handful of slot machines, no bar, no music, and a vibe somewhere between awkward and depressing. I stayed long enough to lose a few bucks and left before I caught the melancholy.

Originally, I had a reservation at Gunbae, the Korean BBQ restaurant, but I wasn’t in the mood to grill my own dinner. So I checked the app for last-minute openings and lucked out with a walk-up at The Wake. The host offered me a seat at the bar – well, technically a bar counter that doesn’t serve drinks – and I took it. It actually turned out to be a great spot!

The Wake Menu on Brilliant Lady

I started with an iceberg wedge salad – small but crisp with plenty of bacon – and ordered a filthy martini. When it arrived, it looked like someone had taken a sip before bringing it over; it was barely half full. For $15, that’s a crime. Thankfully, the second round came filled to the brim. Consistency matters!

For my main course, I went with the New York strip cooked perfectly medium rare, with twice-baked potatoes and sautéed mushrooms. Everything was flavorful, and the roasted garlic served alongside was the perfect touch. Since I wasn’t planning on having a heavy make-out session with any pineapple people onboard, that garlic was eaten all up!  I finished with the coconut panna cotta – coconut ice cream encased in a rich, hard chocolate shell – and it was the perfect ending to the meal.

Service was attentive, the pacing was just right, and unlike last night’s rushed dinner at Pink Agave, this one felt relaxed and well-timed.

The Red Room Show: Red Hot

After dinner, I headed to the main theater – The Red Room – for tonight’s production show, Red Hot. This two-story venue is where Virgin hosts its big shows, and tonight’s was a tribute to all things Virgin. The performance celebrated Sir Richard Branson’s many ventures, from Virgin Records to Virgin Galactic to Virgin Voyages itself, complete with music, storytelling, and great choreography.

Billed as “a turbo-charged tribute to Virgin’s fearless legacy,” it delivered just that – loud, colorful, high-energy fun. The music, dancers, and massive LED walls made for an impressive show. The only thing missing? Branson himself making a surprise appearance – which would’ve been the perfect finale, especially since he’s onboard this sailing.

After the show, the ship was buzzing. Unlike the first night, when things went quiet early, tonight things were much different. Bars were packed, live music was playing in multiple venues, and even the shops were full of late-night browsers. I called it an early night, though – we’ve got another sea day tomorrow before reaching St. Maarten on Monday.

Thanks for following along on the MerMaiden Voyage of Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady from Miami. Stay tuned for Day 3 – another relaxing day at sea!

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