Miami turned up the heat as Virgin Voyages threw a star-studded celebration to welcome its newest ship, Brilliant Lady, to the city. The glittering red-hot event drew more than 2,000 guests — including DJ Khaled, rapper Swae Lee, Selling Sunset’s Polly Brindle, actors Agustina Palma and Lilimar Hernandez, and The Real Housewives of Miami stars Kiki Barth, Alexia Nepola, Marysol Patton, and Larsa Pippen — alongside journalists, influencers, brand partners, and 1,000 of the brand’s beloved First Mates.
The evening was pure Virgin — bold, musical, and unmistakably glamorous. Guests were treated to the world premiere of Red Hot, a rockumentary-style spectacular inspired by Virgin Records’ legendary music catalog. Featuring hits from the Spice Girls, Janet Jackson, David Bowie, Queen, The Killers, and The Sex Pistols, the show celebrates Virgin’s 50-plus-year legacy in music, complete with archival footage of Sir Richard Branson and a high-octane cast that had the crowd on its feet.
The ship’s entertainment lineup also wowed with Up With A Twist, a Gatsby-inspired Supper Club that channels the Roaring Twenties with theatrical flair and old-world opulence. Throughout the day, guests discovered new Brilliant Lady exclusives — from Secret Vintage, a speakeasy-style wine tasting, to The Stitch Up in the Social Club, and Rojo, the ship’s fiery Spanish-inspired eatery. The night ended with Electric, a glowing, neon-drenched dance party in The Manor that pulsed long into the early hours.
Against the backdrop of the shimmering Miami skyline, the evening marked a symbolic and emotional homecoming for Virgin Voyages, recently crowned the World’s No. 1 Cruise Line for the third consecutive year. Brilliant Lady will spend the coming weeks sailing the Caribbean before making her way through the Panama Canal to Los Angeles and onward to Alaska in spring 2026. Soon after, all four of Virgin Voyages’ sister ships — Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady — will unite in the Caribbean for the very first time, marking a defining moment for the brand as it continues to welcome more Sailors to experience its unique, adult-only take on travel at sea.
Image credit: Alejandro Chavarria
