Virgin Voyages
Brilliant Lady
- Cruises
- 36
- From
- $357
Ship comparison
Brilliant Lady vs Queen Mary 2
Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2
- Cruises
- 143
- From
- $359
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Brilliant Lady is a large Virgin Voyages ship carrying 2,770 passengers, in service since 2025. Queen Mary 2 is a large Cunard Line ship carrying 2,620 passengers, in service since 2004.
Choose Brilliant Lady if you want more of a party, a newer ship or a more active cruise: it outscores Queen Mary 2 for party (9.0 vs 5.0) and active (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its maiden voyage was in 2025 (vs 2004).
Choose Queen Mary 2 if you want a more family-friendly ship, more space per passenger or a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Brilliant Lady for family friendly (4.0 vs 1.0) and spa & fitness (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 57.8 gross tons per passenger (vs 39.7).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Brilliant Lady | Queen Mary 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Virgin Voyages | Cunard Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2004 |
| Gross tonnage | 110,000 | 151,400 |
| Passengers | 2,770 | 2,620 |
| Crew | 1,150 | 1,253 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.4 | 2.1 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 39.7 | 57.8 (better) |
| Decks | 15 | 17 |
| Length | 912 ft | 1,132 ft |
| Beam | 135 ft | 148 ft |
| Speed | 23 mph | 35 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 36 | 143 |
| Upcoming sailings | 71 | 204 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–17 nights | 2–35 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $357 (better) | $359 |
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, Queen Mary 2 on 4, with 1 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.
Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2
The ocean liner Queen Mary 2, flagship of the 184-year-old Cunard Line, embodies the grace and classic heritage of ships from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. She is the only ship in operation that retains a scheduled transatlantic service, from New York to England and back.
Highlights
- The planetarium shows
- Lectures by leading academics, scientists, politicians, entertainers and historians
- Canyon Ranch Spa and Thalassotherapy pool, if you can afford it
- The transatlantic crossings from New York to Southampton are really one of a kind.
Sailing now
143 cruises on sale, from $359.
Questions
Brilliant Lady or Queen Mary 2?
Which is bigger, Brilliant Lady or Queen Mary 2?
Queen Mary 2 is bigger at 151,400 gross tons, against 110,000 gross tons for Brilliant Lady. Brilliant Lady carries 2,770 passengers and Queen Mary 2 carries 2,620.
Which ship is newer, Brilliant Lady or Queen Mary 2?
Brilliant Lady is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2004 for Queen Mary 2.
Which has more space per passenger?
Queen Mary 2, with 57.8 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?
Queen Mary 2, with one crew member for every 2.1 passengers against one for every 2.4 on Brilliant Lady.
Which is better for families?
Queen Mary 2 scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 4.0 out of 10, against 1.0 for Brilliant Lady.
Still deciding?
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