Virgin Voyages
Brilliant Lady
- Cruises
- 36
- From
- $357
Ship comparison
Brilliant Lady vs Nieuw Statendam
Holland America Line
Nieuw Statendam
- Cruises
- 189
- From
- $719
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Brilliant Lady is a large Virgin Voyages ship carrying 2,770 passengers, in service since 2025. Nieuw Statendam is a large Holland America Line ship carrying 2,650 passengers, in service since 2018.
Choose Brilliant Lady if you want more of a party, a lower starting fare or a more active cruise: it outscores Nieuw Statendam for party (9.0 vs 5.0) and active (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $357 (vs $719).
Choose Nieuw Statendam if you want a more family-friendly ship, a better-rated spa and gym or better-rated staterooms: it outscores Brilliant Lady for family friendly (5.0 vs 1.0), spa & fitness (9.0 vs 8.0) and staterooms (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Brilliant Lady | Nieuw Statendam | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Virgin Voyages | Holland America Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2018 |
| 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 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 36 | 189 |
| Upcoming sailings | 71 | 201 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–17 nights | 7–42 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $357 (better) | $719 |
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 4 of the ten, Nieuw Statendam on 3, 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
Nieuw Statendam
The 2,650-passenger Nieuw Statendam from Holland America debuted in December 2018 as the second in the new Pinnacle class for the cruise line. The ship features several of the innovative venues that were introduced on sister ship Koningsdam as well as a few firsts, including a new specialty restaurant.
Sailing now
189 cruises on sale, from $719.
Questions
Brilliant Lady or Nieuw Statendam?
Which is bigger, Brilliant Lady or Nieuw Statendam?
Brilliant Lady is bigger at 110,000 gross tons, against 99,500 gross tons for Nieuw Statendam. Brilliant Lady carries 2,770 passengers and Nieuw Statendam carries 2,650.
Which ship is newer, Brilliant Lady or Nieuw Statendam?
Brilliant Lady is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2018 for Nieuw Statendam.
Which has more space per passenger?
Brilliant Lady, with 39.7 gross tons per passenger against 37.5 on Nieuw Statendam. 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 Nieuw Statendam.
Which is better for families?
Nieuw Statendam scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 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, Nieuw Statendam or a ship that suits you better.