Virgin Voyages
Brilliant Lady
- Cruises
- 36
- From
- $357
Ship comparison
Brilliant Lady vs Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Apex
- Cruises
- 54
- From
- $419
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Brilliant Lady is a large Virgin Voyages ship carrying 2,770 passengers, in service since 2025. Celebrity Apex is a large Celebrity Cruises ship carrying 2,910 passengers, in service since 2021.
Choose Brilliant Lady if you want better-rated dining or more of a party: it outscores Celebrity Apex for dining (8.0 vs 2.0) and party (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Celebrity Apex if you want a more family-friendly ship, a better-rated spa and gym or better-rated entertainment: it outscores Brilliant Lady for family friendly (6.0 vs 1.0), spa & fitness (9.0 vs 8.0) and entertainment (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Brilliant Lady | Celebrity Apex | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Virgin Voyages | Celebrity Cruises |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2021 |
| Gross tonnage | 110,000 | 129,500 |
| Passengers | 2,770 | 2,910 |
| Crew | 1,150 | 1,320 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.4 | 2.2 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 39.7 | 44.5 (better) |
| Cabins | — | 1,467 |
| Decks | 15 | 14 |
| Length | 912 ft | 1,004 ft |
| Beam | 135 ft | 128 ft |
| Speed | 23 mph | — |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 10 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 36 | 54 |
| Upcoming sailings | 71 | 88 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–17 nights | 4–14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $357 (better) | $419 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Brilliant Lady leads on 2 of the ten, Celebrity Apex on 5, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Virgin Voyages
Brilliant Lady
Brilliant Lady is Virgin Voyages’ fourth “Lady Ship” — an adults‑only (age 18+) cruise ship built for travelers who want the energy of a boutique hotel, the food-and-nightlife density of a great city weekend, and the convenience of a ship where you never need to dress up unless you feel like it.
Sailing now
36 cruises on sale, from $357.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Apex
The 2,910-passenger Celebrity Apex, which debuted in June 2021, offers groundbreaking design and cutting-edge spaces unlike anything else at sea along with its nearly identical sister ship Celebrity Edge.
Highlights
- The reimagined Resort Deck has a sophisticated vibe with a pool and bar that resemble a 5-star resort in Miami Beach
- Fun sea day activities like the tabletop maze in the Club, puzzles in Eden and outdoor options in the Rooftop Garden
- The you'll-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it Magic Carpet
- The SEA Thermal Suite offers 8 unique experiences, from the typical sauna or Turkish baths to the exotic waterfall shower, salt room and float room
Sailing now
54 cruises on sale, from $419.
Questions
Brilliant Lady or Celebrity Apex?
Which is bigger, Brilliant Lady or Celebrity Apex?
Celebrity Apex is bigger at 129,500 gross tons, against 110,000 gross tons for Brilliant Lady. Brilliant Lady carries 2,770 passengers and Celebrity Apex carries 2,910.
Which ship is newer, Brilliant Lady or Celebrity Apex?
Brilliant Lady is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2021 for Celebrity Apex.
Which has more space per passenger?
Celebrity Apex, with 44.5 gross tons per passenger against 39.7 on Brilliant Lady. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Celebrity Apex, with one crew member for every 2.2 passengers against one for every 2.4 on Brilliant Lady.
Which is better for families?
Celebrity Apex scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10, against 1.0 for Brilliant Lady.
Still deciding?
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