Our Honest Review of Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady Alaska Cruise

When people think about Alaska, they often picture glaciers and snow-covered mountains. While those are certainly part of the experience, what surprised me most was just how much there was to see and do every single day.

We recently returned from sailing aboard Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady, and this trip quickly became one of our favorite cruises. From incredible wildlife and breathtaking scenery to unforgettable entertainment and amazing food, Alaska exceeded every expectation.

If you're considering an Alaska cruise, here's what our journey was really like.

Embarkation Day: Getting Settled on Brilliant Lady

The excitement starts the moment you step onboard.

After dropping off our bags, I headed straight to my favorite spot on the ship—Sun Club Café. If you sail Virgin Voyages with me, you'll quickly learn this is my first stop every single time. Their bao buns are one of my absolute favorite things to eat onboard, and they never disappoint.

After grabbing lunch, we met up with the rest of our group in The Galley, explored the ship, and settled into vacation mode.

That evening we enjoyed dinner at Gunbae, Virgin Voyages' interactive Korean BBQ restaurant. Sharing a table with fellow sailors makes it easy to meet new people, laugh together, and start making memories from the very first night.

We planned to stay up for the comedy show, but after listening to live music for a while, we decided a quiet evening on our balcony hammock sounded even better.

Cruising the Legendary Inside Passage

Our first full day was spent sailing through the Inside Passage, including the legendary waters of Seymour Narrows.

The morning welcomed us with thick fog, creating a peaceful and almost mysterious atmosphere. Mountains appeared and disappeared through the mist, making the scenery feel completely different than I expected—but equally beautiful.

One of the biggest surprises of the day was spotting whales in the distance. I never pulled out my phone because I was too busy enjoying the moment. Sometimes the best travel memories aren't recorded—they're simply experienced.

Lunch featured a delicious bowl of ramen before I joined a hula class. Dancing in a walking boot wasn't exactly graceful, but I gave it my best effort and had a lot of fun.

That evening our group enjoyed dinner at Rojo, one of the brand-new restaurants exclusive to Brilliant Lady. The food was outstanding, and spending time together over dinner was the perfect ending to a relaxing sea day.

Ketchikan: Lumberjacks and Axe Throwing

Our first Alaska port was Ketchikan.

We decided to try axe throwing, and while I wasn't very successful, my husband definitely showed me how it was done!

Afterward, we stayed for the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, where competitors battled it out in chopping, climbing, sawing, and log rolling competitions. It was entertaining, educational, and one of those uniquely Alaskan experiences you won't find anywhere else.

Sitka: Wildlife Up Close

If I had to pick one excursion that completely exceeded my expectations, it would be our wildlife cruise in Sitka.

For about 90 minutes we cruised along Alaska's rugged coastline searching for wildlife.

And Alaska delivered.

We watched bald eagles soar overhead, sea otters floating peacefully in the water, and then the moment everyone hopes for—we spotted whales.

Seeing whales in their natural habitat is something I'll never forget. No photograph or video truly captures the excitement of watching them surface just yards away.

Cruising Through Endicott Arm

One of the most beautiful days of the cruise was sailing through Endicott Arm.

Towering mountains surrounded us while waterfalls poured down rocky cliffs into calm waters below. Floating ice drifted quietly past the ship, and every few minutes another incredible view appeared.

While many people focus on the glacier at the end of the fjord, I found the entire journey through Endicott Arm to be the real highlight. The scenery was peaceful, dramatic, and unlike anything I've experienced before.

Prince Rupert: Slowing Down

Our final port brought us to Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Originally we had planned a food tour, but once we realized how much walking it involved, we decided to cancel since I was still wearing a walking boot.

Instead, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the waterfront before heading back to the ship.

Prince Rupert has a quiet charm. Beautiful harbor views, friendly people, and a relaxed atmosphere made for an enjoyable afternoon.

Sometimes slowing down is exactly what vacation is supposed to be.

Life Onboard Brilliant Lady

One of the things I love most about Virgin Voyages is that there's always something happening.

Whether we were listening to live music, enjoying group dinners, relaxing with a drink, or simply spending time together, every evening offered something different.

We also loved the entertainment.

Duel Reality, Virgin Voyages' modern take on Romeo and Juliet, completely exceeded our expectations. The acrobatics were incredible and had the audience cheering throughout the performance.

Later in the cruise we watched Red Hot, the story of Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin brand. It was energetic, entertaining, and a fun way to wrap up our week onboard.

And yes... even with a walking boot, our crew still found time to dance. Maybe not as much as usual, but enough to make some great memories!

Our Final Sea Day

Our last full day onboard was everything a sea day should be.

I spent time relaxing in my favorite place—the hammock on our balcony—watching the ocean pass by.

Then we spotted dolphins swimming alongside the ship.

Moments like that remind you why slowing down is sometimes the best part of travel.

That evening we gathered one last time as a group for food, drinks, games, music, and laughter before saying goodbye to an unforgettable week together.

Would I Recommend an Alaska Cruise?

Without question.

An Alaska cruise isn't just about visiting ports. It's about the journey between them.

• It's waking up to mist-covered mountains.

• It's spotting whales unexpectedly.

• It's watching bald eagles soar overhead.

• It's discovering charming coastal towns.

• It's relaxing on your balcony while dolphins swim beside the ship.

And if you choose Virgin Voyages, it's also about outstanding food, world-class entertainment, beautiful adults-only spaces, and exceptional service.

This trip reminded me that some destinations aren't just vacations—they're experiences that stay with you long after you've unpacked.

If Alaska has been on your bucket list, I hope this encourages you to make it happen.

Ready to Experience Alaska?

If you're thinking about cruising Alaska and want help choosing the right itinerary, cruise line, or cabin, I'd love to help.

At KMD Travel, we specialize in creating unforgettable travel experiences, so all you have to do is enjoy the journey.