The newbuild cruise ship Brilliant Lady has recently completed her last dry dock before her much-anticipated delivery to Virgin Voyages. This significant milestone took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Sicily, on Saturday, February 24, 2024. As the fourth and final vessel tailored for Virgin Voyagesthe Brilliant Lady is poised to make waves in the coming months, although the exact date for her operational debut remains under wraps.

This announcement follows a period of adjustment for Virgin Voyages, which, in September 2023, had to postpone the scheduled operational start of Brilliant Lady originally set for December 2023. Shipbuilding delays were cited as the primary reason for this postponement, leading to the cancellation of some trips and an operational focus on the company’s three sister ships—Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, and Valiant Lady.

Constructed at Fincantieri's Sestri Poente shipyard near Genoa, Brilliant Lady has undergone rigorous test runs in the Mediterranean, alongside her recent final docking in Palermo. These steps indicate that construction is nearly complete, setting the stage for Fincantieri to proceed with the timely handover of the vessel. Brilliant Lady marks the completion of Virgin Voyages' fleet, all of which were built by the renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri.

A crew member posted photos of the crew and the ship ready for their next adventure.

An unusual note in Virgin Voyages' approach is the absence of any current bookings available for Brilliant Lady. Traditionally, cruise lines make itineraries available for booking at least a year in advance of a new ship's service start. This has led to speculation regarding the Brilliant Lady's operational timeline, particularly whether she will commence voyages in the summer of 2024.