The virgin voyages 2026 holiday cruises lineup brings festive celebrations to the Caribbean across all four ships in the fleet. Running from late November through New Year’s Eve, these Holiday Edition sailings combine Virgin Voyages’ signature adults-only energy with seasonal touches — holiday decor, festive menus, themed cocktails, exclusive entertainment, and collectible gifts that make each voyage feel like a celebration. Whether you want a Thanksgiving escape, a Christmas at sea, or a New Year’s Eve party on the open ocean, the 2026 holiday season offers sailings on Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady, and Brilliant Lady across multiple itineraries and durations. This guide covers every holiday sailing, explains what makes Holiday Edition voyages special, and shares strategies for booking and maximizing your festive cruise.
Holiday Edition sailings are limited-run voyages that add seasonal programming on top of the standard Virgin Voyages experience. Everything you already love about a regular sailing — included dining at 20-plus restaurants, headline shows, the pool deck, and the nightlife — remains fully available. The holiday additions layer on top without replacing anything.
Here is what Holiday Edition sailings include that standard voyages do not:
The virgin voyages 2026 holiday cruises programming makes the season feel special without overproducing it. The result is a warm, modern holiday experience at sea — all the celebration with none of the hosting, cooking, or cleaning. For sailors who want to skip the stress of traditional holiday obligations and replace them with Caribbean sunshine and premium dining, these voyages deliver exactly that.
Scarlet Lady departs from Miami for the entire holiday season, offering a mix of four and five-night itineraries that cover Key West, Cozumel, Grand Turk, Nassau, and the Beach Club at Bimini. The Scarlet Lady holiday schedule runs from November 28 through December 30, giving you multiple options for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations.
Key Scarlet Lady holiday sailings include a five-night Mayan Sol itinerary departing November 28 that visits Costa Maya and Bimini — perfect for a Thanksgiving getaway. The December 21 Scarlet Caribbean Holidays sailing covers Christmas with a five-night Cozumel and Bimini route. A four-night Fire and Sunset Soirees voyage departs December 26 for a New Year’s at sea experience visiting Nassau and Bimini.
Scarlet Lady’s Miami departure makes it the most accessible ship for US-based sailors during the holidays. The shorter four-night sailings work well for travelers who have limited vacation time but still want a festive escape.
Valiant Lady sails from San Juan during the holiday season, offering seven-night Southern Caribbean itineraries that visit ports across the US Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Aruba, Curacao, Martinique, and St. Kitts. The longer itineraries and deeper Caribbean routes make Valiant Lady the premium holiday option for sailors who want a more immersive tropical experience.
The Valiant Lady holiday season begins November 28 with an Antiguan Elegance and Sunny St. Isles voyage visiting Charlotte Amalie, Tortola, Basseterre, St. John’s, and Philipsburg. A Southern Caribbean and Aruban Nights sailing departs December 5 with stops in Oranjestad, Willemstad, Fort-de-France, and Basseterre. Additional seven-night sailings continue through late December, covering Christmas and New Year’s.
San Juan departures require a flight for most US sailors, but the deeper Southern Caribbean itineraries and longer voyage durations make the trip worthwhile. Review the flight deals guide for tips on booking affordable flights to San Juan during the holiday season.
Resilient Lady offers holiday sailings from Miami with itineraries that typically include Dominican Republic ports, Puerto Plata, and Beach Club at Bimini. The mix of five and seven-night voyages gives flexibility for different holiday schedules. Resilient Lady’s entertainment lineup — including the Miss Behave Show and Sweet Tooth After Dark — adds its own unique flavor to the holiday experience.
Brilliant Lady, the newest ship in the fleet, brings its upgraded venues and refined layouts to the holiday season. Brilliant Lady holiday sailings typically depart from Miami with Caribbean itineraries that showcase the ship’s new dining venues and reimagined PJ Party at The Manor. As the newest ship, Brilliant Lady holiday sailings tend to sell out faster than other ships.
Across all virgin voyages 2026 holiday cruises options, all four ships maintain the same holiday programming — festive menus, seasonal cocktails, holiday gifts, and themed events — regardless of itinerary. The main differences between ships are the ports visited, voyage duration, and departure city.
Holiday sailings are among the most popular voyages in the Virgin Voyages calendar. They sell out faster than standard sailings because demand from couples, friend groups, and celebration parties peaks during the November-December season. Here is how to secure your preferred cabin and itinerary:
Book early. The best cabin categories — RockStar suites, XL Sea Terrace, and Central Sea Terrace — sell out months before holiday sailings. The when to book guide explains optimal timing for securing the best fares.
Use MNVVs for savings. Apply MNVV certificates to your holiday booking for an instant $150 discount per certificate. The repricing strategy works particularly well on holiday sailings because fares can fluctuate significantly as the sailing date approaches.
Choose your fare tier carefully. For holiday bookings, the Premium VoyageFair Choices tier is worth considering because it provides full cancellation flexibility, a $15 per day Bar Tab, and a 60-day dining reservation window. Holiday plans change more often than regular vacation plans, and the Premium tier’s flexibility protects your investment. The Base vs Lock-It-In comparison helps you evaluate whether the lower fare tiers make sense for holiday travel.
Plan dining early. Restaurant reservations for holiday sailings fill up faster than standard voyages because the festive menus attract extra demand. Premium tier sailors can book 60 days out, while RockStar guests book at 120 days. Sailor Loot from booking promotions can cover specialty dining upgrades and Treat Yourself menu items during holiday meals.
Pack for celebrations. Holiday sailings attract more dressed-up sailors than standard voyages. Many guests bring festive outfits for themed nights, holiday dinners, and the PJ Party. If you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary during the holidays, the Splash Your Bash package adds champagne, a group dinner, and bottomless brunch to your celebration. Champagne delivery and flower delivery add personal touches to your cabin.
Book boarding time early. Holiday sailings reach full capacity, and early boarding slots fill quickly. Select your boarding time as soon as it becomes available in the app to maximize your first day onboard.
Consider a solo holiday voyage. Holiday sailings are surprisingly popular with solo travelers who want to celebrate the season without the obligations of traditional family gatherings. The festive atmosphere and social events create natural opportunities to meet other sailors.
Yes. Holiday sailings carry premium pricing because demand is higher during the November-December season. The exact premium varies by ship, itinerary, and cabin category. Booking early and using MNVV certificates can offset the higher fares significantly.
Holiday Edition sailings include festive menus at specialty restaurants, seasonal cocktails at all bars, holiday-themed entertainment and shows, collectible gifts like ornaments and Sailing Club pins, and holiday decor throughout the ship. All holiday additions are included at no extra charge.
It depends on your priorities. Scarlet Lady offers convenient Miami departures with shorter four and five-night options. Valiant Lady provides deeper Southern Caribbean itineraries from San Juan. Brilliant Lady delivers the newest ship experience with upgraded venues. All four ships share the same holiday programming.
As early as possible. Holiday sailings sell out faster than standard voyages, especially in premium cabin categories. RockStar suites and XL Sea Terrace cabins often sell out six or more months before departure. Book early to secure your preferred cabin and itinerary.
The virgin voyages 2026 holiday cruises offer a modern, adults-only alternative to traditional holiday celebrations. With festive programming across all four ships, Caribbean itineraries ranging from four to seven nights, and seasonal touches that enhance the standard Virgin Voyages experience, the virgin voyages 2026 holiday cruises deliver celebration without the stress. Book early, use MNVVs for savings, choose a fare tier that matches your flexibility needs, and plan your dining reservations ahead of the rush. Browse Virgin Voyages holiday sailings and trade your traditional holiday routine for sunshine, premium dining, and a voyage you will actually look forward to.
