"To the dizzying rhythm of whirring slot machines and the thrum of a live blues trio, a woman in a cobalt-blue sequin dress twirled past blackjack tables. Elsewhere in the casino, chips clinked, a drag queen called out bingo with irreverent gusto, and guests dressed in everything from sequins and silk to linen and loungewear sipped on all sorts of sparkling beverages. But I wasn't partying on the Las Vegas strip or at a Miami nightclub, I was on board the Brilliant Lady, Virgin Voyages's newest ship."
"The mood was particularly celebratory leading up to the nearly sold-out "MerMaiden" voyage from New York City to Bermuda in September, attended by none other than the Virgin's fun-loving billionaire founder Sir Richard Branson. "We get a lot of weddings and hen parties," he told a group of journalists while the ship was docked in New York Harbor. "I just married somebody on board the ship this morning.""
The Brilliant Lady creates an energetic onboard party scene with casinos, live blues, drag bingo, sequined nightlife, and a diverse beverage culture. Virgin Voyages positions itself as adults-only, replacing buffets with sit-down restaurants and offering unique amenities such as a tattoo parlor at sea. The MerMaiden voyage to Bermuda was nearly sold out and featured founder Sir Richard Branson, who participated in a wedding onboard. Weddings and hen parties are common. Passengers span multiple generations, with activities that cater to food, wellness, quiet, and reading preferences, ensuring no one feels out of place.
Read at Conde Nast Traveler
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