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Alaska cruise rush: Here's where this trendy cruise line will visit in the Last Frontier

Oct. 29, 2024
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3 min read
Brilliant Lady Exteriors: fore
Alaska cruise rush: Here's where this trendy cruise line will visit in the Last Frontier
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Add one more cruise line to the growing list of brands that will offer Alaska sailings in 2026. Following brief stints sailing from New York and Los Angeles, new 2,770-passenger ship Brilliant Lady — the fourth in Virgin Voyages' fleet, set to debut in late 2025 — will offer cruises to the Last Frontier as part of its spring and summer 2026 schedule.

The vessel, which has been delayed since 2023, will operate seven- to 12-night itineraries from Seattle and Vancouver. The ship’s first voyage, sailing round-trip from Seattle May 21–28, 2026, is set to call on ports that include Ketchikan, Sitka and Prince Rupert. It will also feature scenic sailing through Tracy Arm Fjord.

A view of Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska, featuring colorful buildings on stilts
A view of Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska. DORADALTON/GETTY IMAGES

The ship's 12-night cruises include the same ports as the seven-night ones but with Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Haines added, as well as additional scenic sailing by Hubbard Glacier.

Excursions — known as “Shore Things” in Virgin lingo — include whale-watching, salmon fishing, glacier trekking, lumberjack shows and dogsledding, among other options.

Although passengers will pay extra for shore tours, they won’t shell out additional money for much else. Unlike most mainstream cruise lines, Virgin Voyages includes basic Wi-Fi, gratuities and nearly all specialty dining in its cruise fares. (Passengers will pay extra for alcohol and some specialty food items.)

Virgin Voyages will join MSC Cruises in sailing to Alaska for the first time in 2026. Other lines have also recently announced news related to the 49th State. That includes Royal Caribbean, which will assign mega-ship Ovation of the Seas to do one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward (the port for Anchorage) beginning in 2026, complete with pre- and post-cruise land tour options. (Virgin is offering cruises only; there are currently no cruisetour land extensions available through the line.)

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As for Brilliant Lady’s other itineraries, travelers can expect to see the ship running Bermuda and Canada/New England voyages from New York’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal, Caribbean cruises from Miami, and Mexico and California coastal sailings from Los Angeles in 2025 before repositioning to the Pacific Northwest.

Want to learn more about Virgin Voyages? We've got you covered.

Featured image by VIRGIN VOYAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Why We Chose It

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.