Brilliant Lady Bags First Panama Canal Transit for Virgin

A cruise ship transiting the Panama Canal
The Americas Cruise Industry
By
Updated Published

Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady has successfully completed its first transit through the Panama Canal, marking a milestone for the brand as its first ship to navigate the historic waterway.

In a social media post, the Panama Canal Authority highlighted the occasion as one of the standout moments of its 2025-26 season. The authority also noted that Virgin Voyages’ presence reflects increasing interest among cruise lines in incorporating Panama Canal crossings into their itineraries.

To commemorate the event, a ceremony was held onboard, where ship officers and local officials exchanged plaques to mark the inaugural transit.

Part of a Broader Trend

Brilliant Lady is one of several vessels making their first journey through the canal this season. Four additional ships are also scheduled to complete inaugural transits in 2025-26, including Disney Adventure, which earlier this year became the largest ship to pass through the canal.

Current Voyage and Itinerary

After entering service in late 2025, Brilliant Lady is currently on a repositioning cruise to the U.S. West Coast. The 16-night sailing departed PortMiami on March 31, 2026, with stops in Panama and Colombia before transiting the canal. The voyage will conclude in Los Angeles, with additional calls in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico along the way.

West Coast and Alaska Deployment

Following its arrival in Los Angeles, the 2,770-passenger ship will begin its first season in the region, offering cruises to California and the Mexican Riviera between April and May.

These itineraries include visits to:

  • Cabo San Lucas
  • Mazatlán
  • Puerto Vallarta
  • Ensenada
  • Santa Barbara
  • San Diego

The vessel will then reposition further north for Virgin Voyages’ inaugural summer season in Alaska and Canada. From May through September, BrilliantLady is scheduled to operate 17 cruises to 12 destinations, including Ketchikan, Sitka, and Prince Rupert.

In early November, the ship will return to the Panama Canal for a second crossing before beginning a winter season in the Caribbean.