Virgin Voyages
Brilliant Lady
- Cruises
- 36
- From
- $357
Ship comparison
Brilliant Lady vs Scarlet Lady
Virgin Voyages
Scarlet Lady
- Cruises
- 59
- From
- $545
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Brilliant Lady is a large Virgin Voyages ship carrying 2,770 passengers, in service since 2025. Scarlet Lady is a large Virgin Voyages ship carrying 2,770 passengers, in service since 2021.
Choose Brilliant Lady if you want better-rated entertainment, a lower starting fare or a more active cruise: it outscores Scarlet Lady for entertainment (7.0 vs 3.0) and active (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $357 (vs $545).
Scarlet Lady does not lead by a clear margin on any measure we track, so pick it for its itinerary or its dates.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Brilliant Lady | Scarlet Lady | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Virgin Voyages | Virgin Voyages |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2025 (better) | 2021 |
| Gross tonnage | 110,000 | 110,000 |
| Passengers | 2,770 | 2,770 |
| Crew | 1,150 | 1,160 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.4 | 2.4 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 39.7 | 39.7 |
| Decks | 15 | 17 |
| Length | 912 ft | 909 ft |
| Beam | 135 ft | 135 ft |
| Speed | 23 mph | 23 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 9 / 10 | 9 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 36 | 59 |
| Upcoming sailings | 71 | 111 |
| Cruise lengths | 3–17 nights | 4–14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $357 (better) | $545 |
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 7 of the ten, Scarlet Lady on 0, 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.
Virgin Voyages
Scarlet Lady
Scarlet Lady, the first ship from billionaire Richard Branson's upstart Virgin Voyages, debuted in August 2021 in England and made its U.S. debut out of Miami in October 2021.
Sailing now
59 cruises on sale, from $545.
Questions
Brilliant Lady or Scarlet Lady?
Which is bigger, Brilliant Lady or Scarlet Lady?
They are the same size, 110,000 gross tons each. Brilliant Lady carries 2,770 passengers and Scarlet Lady carries 2,770.
Which ship is newer, Brilliant Lady or Scarlet Lady?
Brilliant Lady is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2025 against 2021 for Scarlet Lady.
Which has more space per passenger?
They are level at 39.7 gross tons per passenger.
Which has more crew per passenger?
They are level, with one crew member for every 2.4 passengers.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 1.0 out of 10.
Still deciding?
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