Virgin Voyages
Brilliant Lady
- Cruises
- 36
- From
- $357
Ship comparison
Brilliant Lady vs Koningsdam
Holland America Line
Koningsdam
- Cruises
- 47
- From
- $399
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Brilliant Lady is a large Virgin Voyages ship carrying 2,770 passengers, in service since 2025. Koningsdam is a large Holland America Line ship carrying 2,650 passengers, in service since 2016.
Choose Brilliant Lady if you want more of a party, a more active cruise or a newer ship: it outscores Koningsdam for party (9.0 vs 6.0) and active (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2025 (vs 2016).
Choose Koningsdam if you want a more family-friendly ship or better-rated entertainment: it outscores Brilliant Lady for family friendly (6.0 vs 1.0) 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 | Koningsdam | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Virgin Voyages | Holland America Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2016 |
| Gross tonnage | 110,000 | 99,500 |
| Passengers | 2,770 | 2,650 |
| Crew | 1,150 | 1,025 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.4 (better) | 2.6 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 39.7 (better) | 37.5 |
| Decks | 15 | 12 |
| Length | 912 ft | 935 ft |
| Beam | 135 ft | 115 ft |
| Speed | 23 mph | 28 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 10 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 36 | 47 |
| Upcoming sailings | 71 | 101 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–17 nights | 4–35 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $357 (better) | $399 |
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 5 of the ten, Koningsdam on 2, 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.
Holland America Line
Koningsdam
Launched in April 2016, ms Koningsdam from Holland America Line helped usher in the new Pinnacle class of ships for the venerable cruise line. The 2,650-passenger ship is the first in more than a century to bear the name Koningsdam (pronounced CONE-ings-dam, not CON), which honors Willem-Alexander, the first king of the Netherlands.
Highlights
- Billboard Onboard features Top 50 music for passengers
- Hands-on kitchen in the Culinary Arts Center
Sailing now
47 cruises on sale, from $399.
Questions
Brilliant Lady or Koningsdam?
Which is bigger, Brilliant Lady or Koningsdam?
Brilliant Lady is bigger at 110,000 gross tons, against 99,500 gross tons for Koningsdam. Brilliant Lady carries 2,770 passengers and Koningsdam carries 2,650.
Which ship is newer, Brilliant Lady or Koningsdam?
Brilliant Lady is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2016 for Koningsdam.
Which has more space per passenger?
Brilliant Lady, with 39.7 gross tons per passenger against 37.5 on Koningsdam. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Brilliant Lady, with one crew member for every 2.4 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Koningsdam.
Which is better for families?
Koningsdam scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 6.0 out of 10, against 1.0 for Brilliant Lady.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about Brilliant Lady, Koningsdam or a ship that suits you better.