Cruise line Virgin Voyages has decided to postpone the debut of the new ship Brilliant Lady due to “unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges”.
The launch of the new Virgin Voyages ship Brilliant Lady, originally scheduled to begin cruising in December 2023, has been postponed indefinitely according to an announcement from the cruise line.
Brilliant Lady will be Virgin Voyages’ fourth ship, after sister ships Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady. The new ship is currently under construction at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy, and was floated out in November 2022.
Related: Virgin Voyages Celebrates Launch of Third Ship: Resilient Lady
The launch of the new Brilliant Lady will be delayed
In a press release, the company stated that “despite careful planning, Virgin Voyages is facing unexpected construction, supply chain and staffing challenges that have delayed the introduction into service of its new ship, Brilliant Lady.”
Given the challenges, Virgin has made the decision to postpone Brilliant Lady’s debut, originally scheduled for December 2023. The company says it’s evaluating new possible launch dates when it is able to deliver the standards that guests have come to expect.
Guests with canceled bookings will receive special offers, exclusive rebooking perks, and onboard credit once the new date is confirmed.
“We’ve built a brand that has taken the industry by storm, but even the strongest businesses face unforeseen challenges every now and then,” explained Michelle Bentubo, the brand’s SVP of Service Excellence and Travel Operations.
“We are sorry that our Sailors and First Mates who were excited about Brilliant Lady will have to wait a little bit longer for her launch. We know they will love the new itineraries as much as we do, and we look forward to welcoming them on-board,” Bentubo added.
Which Brilliant Lady sailings have been canceled?
The delayed ship’s two inaugural sailings, known as MerMaiden voyages, have been canceled, along with all subsequent cruises through April 2024.
Canceled sailings for Brilliant Lady include:
- MerMaiden Voyages scheduled for December 24 and December 30, 2023
- 7-night Sunsets in the Lesser Antilles scheduled for January 6, March 30, and April 13, 2024
- 7-night Southeastern Caribbean Isles scheduled for March 23 and April 6, 2024
- 11-night Transatlantic Puerto Rico to Portugal scheduled for April 20, 2024
Some voyages on Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady have also been canceled and new itineraries added
Brilliant Lady‘s delay has affected the entire fleet, as Virgin Voyages is also canceling, rescheduling, or changing select sailings to accommodate demand.
Guests on the affected sailings have been offered alternatives, resulting in changes to some itineraries on both Resilient Lady and Valiant Lady. Several winter 2024 Caribbean voyages originally scheduled on Brilliant will now be operated by Valiant.
Canceled sailings for other Virgin ships include:
- Valiant Lady: 6-night Western Caribbean Charm itineraries scheduled for January 7, 2024 through March 17, 2024
- Valiant Lady: 8-night Eastern Caribbean Antilles itineraries scheduled for January 13, 2024 through March 23, 2024
- Resilient Lady: 7-night Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems itineraries scheduled for July 28 through September 29, 2024
- Resilient Lady: 7-night Greek Island Glow itineraries scheduled for August 4 through October 13, 2024
Virgin Voyages has also added 27 new itineraries and 19 new ports for the 2024-2025 season.
What to do if you were booked on one of the canceled Brilliant Lady MerMaiden voyages
Virgin Voyages is offering two options to guests impacted by the Brilliant Lady MerMaiden voyages cancellations:
Option 1: Rebook Any Ship, Any Date, With Bonus Onboard Credit and Price Guarantee
Sailors can choose a new voyage date and Virgin Voyages will protect your original voyage fare no matter the duration, as long as it’s in the same cabin category. Plus, they will honor any previous promotions you had when you first booked, including your Bar Tab bonus.
If the new date you choose costs less, Virgin Voyages will refund the difference if you’ve already fully paid. The re-booking window starts on September 11, 2023. You can request your re-booking dates using this form.
Bonus Credit: As an added benefit, Virgin Voyages will include $500 in onboard credit to use when you’re sailing.
Double Bonus: Rebook by October 11, 2023 and receive an additional $500 as a bonus credit, making a total of $1,000 in onboard credit.
Hold Your Spot: An additional bonus offer regardless of what you choose above.
In addition to the above, when the new date for the Brilliant Lady MerMaiden voyage is announced, Virgin Voyages will guarantee your spot, while also presenting you with additional special offers:
- Rebook your same cabin category and apply a $300 discount off the voyage fare
- Receive $600 in onboard credit for that voyage
Click here for a PDF with example voyages you could choose to replace your canceled itinerary.
Option 2: Full Refund – 100% of Your Voyage Fare Back to You
If you decide not to rebook, you have the option to request a full refund using this form (be sure to select “Full Refund” from the dropdown menu).
If you do nothing, Virgin Voyages will automatically process your refund after December 28, 2023. 100% of the refund amount will go back to your original form of payment.
For more information about options for impacted guests, as well as a full FAQ, check out Virgin Voyages’ Offer and Travel Reimbursement Details page for Brilliant Lady‘s MerMaiden voyages.
What to do if you were booked on one of the other canceled Brilliant Lady, Valiant Lady, or Resilient Lady cruises
Virgin Voyages is offering two options to guests impacted by the other Brilliant Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady cancellations:
Option 1: Rebook Any Ship, Any Date, With Bonus Onboard Credit and Price Guarantee
Sailors can choose a new voyage date and Virgin Voyages will protect your original voyage fare no matter the duration, as long as it’s in the same cabin category. Plus, they will honor any previous promotions you had when you first booked, including your Bar Tab bonus.
If the new date you choose costs less, Virgin Voyages will refund the difference if you’ve already fully paid. The re-booking window starts on September 11, 2023. You can request your re-booking dates using this form.
Bonus Credit: As an added benefit, Virgin Voyages will include $300 in onboard credit to use when you’re sailing.
Double Bonus: Rebook by October 11, 2023 and receive an additional $300 as a bonus credit, making a total of $600 in onboard credit.
Click here for a PDF with example voyages you could choose to replace your canceled itinerary.
Option 2: Full Refund – 100% of Your Voyage Fare Back to You
If you decide not to rebook, you have the option to request a full refund using this form (be sure to select “Full Refund” from the dropdown menu).
If you do nothing, Virgin Voyages will automatically process your refund after December 28, 2023. 100% of the refund amount will go back to your original form of payment.
For more information about options for impacted guests, as well as a full FAQ, check out Virgin Voyages’ Offer and Travel Reimbursement Details page for Brilliant Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady sailings.
More news about Virgin Voyages
- Virgin Voyages Adds New Destinations and Itineraries, Changes Some Sailings
- Virgin Voyages Delays Debut of Brilliant Lady Indefinitely
- Virgin Voyages Celebrates Launch of Third Ship: Resilient Lady
- Virgin Voyages Launches “The Voyage” Music Video
Were you booked on one of the Brilliant Lady sailings that was canceled? What do you think about the reimbursement options that Virgin Voyages has offered to affected Sailors? Let me know in the comments below!
