The virgin voyages pj party is one of the most iconic traditions in the fleet — a first-night pajama party where every sailor shows up in sleepwear, sips champagne, and dances their way into vacation mode. But if you have sailed on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, or Resilient Lady, you will notice something immediately aboard Brilliant Lady: the PJ Party is not just relocated, it is completely reimagined. The venue change from The Roundabout to The Manor transforms the energy, atmosphere, and social dynamics of the entire experience. This guide breaks down every difference between the Brilliant Lady PJ Party and the original format on the other three ships, explains what to expect, what to wear, and how to get the most out of Night 1.
On Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady, the Pajama Party traditionally takes place in The Roundabout — the central atrium that every sailor passes through naturally. The Roundabout version is high-energy, high-traffic, and intentionally chaotic. It works as a “you can’t miss it” kickoff because the party literally occupies the main thoroughfare of the ship. Sailors who are heading to dinner, the casino, or a show have to walk through the party, which creates a spontaneous, everyone-is-invited atmosphere.
Brilliant Lady moves the party to The Manor, and that single change transforms the entire experience. The Manor is a dedicated nightlife venue with professional lighting, a built-in sound system, and a performance stage. Instead of a pop-up party in a multi-use atrium, the virgin voyages pj party on Brilliant Lady feels like a curated nightclub event. The lighting is designed for atmosphere rather than general-purpose traffic flow. The sound system delivers club-quality audio. The stage allows performers and DJs to command the space rather than improvise in an open hallway.
The result is a more immersive, more intentional, and more polished version of the same tradition. If the original PJ Party is a flash mob, Brilliant Lady’s version is a nightclub takeover.
The venue upgrade has a noticeable effect on what sailors wear to the party. On the other three ships, the Roundabout setting encourages casual, playful pajama choices — standard sleep sets, fuzzy robes, and novelty onesies dominate. The atmosphere is spontaneous and low-pressure because many sailors stumble into the party while passing through the atrium.
On Brilliant Lady, The Manor’s nightclub atmosphere pushes the dress-up energy higher. Sailors tend to lean into more stylized pajama looks:
On the other ships, you will still see creative outfits, but the vibe is more casual and spontaneous. On Brilliant Lady, the dress code feels more intentional. If you are sailing on Brilliant Lady, pack pajamas you want to be photographed in — the lighting makes everything look better than a phone flash in an atrium.
The production value of the virgin voyages pj party on Brilliant Lady is significantly higher than the other ships. In The Roundabout, the party is essentially a DJ set with a crowd — fun and energetic, but limited by the space’s acoustic and lighting capabilities. In The Manor, the party becomes a mini-production with enhanced lighting sequences, a more structured DJ set, professional sound mixing, and performers who use the stage rather than improvising in an open space.
The music programming is tighter and more intentional. The DJ set builds momentum throughout the evening rather than maintaining a steady energy level. Transitions into the rest of the night’s entertainment feel more seamless because The Manor already serves as a nightlife venue for the rest of the voyage. The party is still loose, playful, and unmistakably Virgin Voyages — but the technical execution is noticeably better.
This higher production value extends to the overall Brilliant Lady entertainment lineup, which benefits from lessons learned across the three older ships. The entertainment team uses The Manor’s capabilities to create more polished experiences across the board.
The social dynamics of the PJ Party shift in an interesting way on Brilliant Lady. On the other three ships, The Roundabout placement means many sailors pass through the party without specifically choosing to attend. This creates a mixed crowd — some are actively partying, others are just walking to dinner and pausing to watch. The energy is broad but diluted.
On Brilliant Lady, everyone who shows up to The Manor chose to be there. This creates a more cohesive, more committed crowd from the start. The energy builds faster because the audience is self-selected — these are sailors who specifically came to dance and celebrate. People tend to stay longer instead of drifting off to dinner or the casino. The result is a shared kickoff ritual that feels more like a communal event and less like a passing-through moment.
For solo sailors, the Brilliant Lady version can be better for meeting people because the dedicated venue creates natural conversation opportunities. In The Roundabout, it is harder to connect with strangers when half the crowd is just passing through. In The Manor, everyone around you is in party mode, which lowers the social barrier.
Regardless of which ship you sail, the virgin voyages pj party follows a similar structure. The party typically starts between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM on embarkation night. There is no reservation, no dress code enforcement (you can attend in regular clothes, though you will stand out), and no cover charge. The party is included for all sailors in every cabin category and VoyageFair Choices fare tier.
Here is how to make the most of Night 1:
Arrive on time. The best energy is in the first 30 to 45 minutes. If you arrive late, you miss the buildup that makes the party feel electric. On Brilliant Lady, this matters even more because The Manor fills up and the atmosphere peaks early.
Eat dinner before the party. Book an early dinner reservation on embarkation night — 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM — so you have time to eat, change into pajamas, and arrive at the party by opening time. Alternatively, eat at the casual venues (The Galley or Pizza Place) for a quick meal that leaves maximum time for the party. Check the cabin comparison guide to pick a stateroom close to The Manor for easy access on party night.
Bring your Bar Tab. Drinks are not included in the PJ Party itself — they charge to your onboard account. If you have Bar Tab credits from a Premium tier booking, this is a great time to use them. Sailor Loot also covers bar purchases after your Bar Tab is depleted.
Pack your pajamas in your carry-on. Checked luggage often arrives in your cabin later in the evening. If your party pajamas are in checked bags, they may not arrive before the party starts. Pack them in your carry-on bag to avoid this common frustration.
Yes. The PJ Party is a fleet-wide tradition on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady. It takes place on embarkation night on every sailing. The format is the same across the fleet — the main difference is that Brilliant Lady hosts the party in The Manor instead of The Roundabout.
No. There is no enforced dress code. You can attend in regular evening attire if you prefer. However, the overwhelming majority of sailors wear pajamas, and showing up in regular clothes means you will stand out. Wearing pajamas is part of the fun and helps you integrate into the social atmosphere.
The PJ Party typically starts between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM on embarkation night. The exact time is published in the Virgin Voyages app on the day of sailing. Arrive at or near the start time for the best atmosphere and energy.
Most sailors who have experienced both versions prefer Brilliant Lady’s Manor-based party for its higher production value, better lighting, and more focused atmosphere. The Roundabout version on other ships has a more casual, spontaneous charm. It comes down to whether you prefer a curated nightclub experience or a communal atrium celebration.
The virgin voyages pj party remains one of the best traditions in cruising — a first-night icebreaker that sets the tone for your entire voyage. On Brilliant Lady, the move to The Manor elevates the experience with better lighting, sound, and atmosphere while keeping the playful, inclusive spirit intact. On Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady, The Roundabout version delivers its own charm with spontaneous energy and communal chaos. Whichever ship you sail, pack your favorite pajamas in your carry-on, book an early dinner, and arrive on time. If you are celebrating a special occasion, pair the PJ Party with a Splash Your Bash package or champagne delivery to make your first night even more memorable. The PJ Party is where your Virgin Voyages experience truly begins. Book your next sailing and prepare for the most fun you will ever have in sleepwear.
