Holiday Edition sailings are among the fastest-selling voyages in the entire Virgin Voyages calendar. The combination of the Virgin Voyages adults-only experience, Caribbean sunshine, and the festive programming that accompanies Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve creates something genuinely compelling: all the celebration of the holiday season, none of the hosting, cooking, family obligation stress, or cold-weather commuting. Sun. Great food. Entertainment. And the people you actually want to spend the holidays with.
What Makes Holiday Sailings Different
Holiday Edition sailings include all the standard Virgin Voyages programming plus seasonal enhancements:
- Festive menus: Seasonal dishes and holiday-themed options across the 20+ restaurant lineup, including holiday-specific preparations at The Wake and Extra Virgin.
- Themed cocktails: Limited-edition holiday cocktails at bars across the ship.
- Holiday décor: The ship is decorated for the season in Virgin Voyages’s distinctively stylish rather than generic approach.
- Collectible gifts: Holiday-specific souvenirs and gifts available through the ship.
- Themed entertainment: The Happenings Cast incorporates holiday themes into events, parties, and programming across the sailing.
The Holiday Calendar
Thanksgiving sailings: Typically 4-5 nights departing late November. Scarlet Lady from Miami and Valiant Lady from San Juan both offer Thanksgiving weekend sailings. The Mayan Sol 5-night itinerary departing November 28 (Costa Maya and Bimini) has been a popular Thanksgiving escape.
Christmas sailings: Typically 4-7 nights with Christmas Day at sea or in a Caribbean port. The 5-night December 21 Scarlet Caribbean Holidays itinerary covers Christmas week with Cozumel and Bimini.
New Year’s Eve: The 4-night Fire and Sunset Soirees departing December 26 positions Sailors at sea or in Bimini for New Year’s Day. Virgin Voyages’s NYE celebrations onboard are fully produced events built around Scarlet Night-level energy.
Which Ship and Itinerary for the Holidays
Scarlet Lady from Miami: Accessible, 4-5 night options, shorter commitment. Best for: holiday weekenders and travelers who want maximum flexibility.
Valiant Lady from San Juan: Deeper Caribbean, 7-night options, more port variety. Best for: Sailors who want a genuine week-long holiday escape.
Brilliant Lady: The newest ship, updated venues, reimagined PJ Party. Fastest-selling holiday sailings in the fleet. Best for: first-time Virgin Voyages Sailors who want the newest experience.
Insider Tips from Joel and Erin
- Book holiday sailings 6+ months in advance. These are among the fastest-selling voyages in the Virgin Voyages calendar. Premium cabins — RockStar suites, XL Sea Terraces — can be gone within weeks of release.
- New Year’s Eve on a Virgin Voyages ship is a legitimate NYE party. The onboard NYE celebration is produced with Scarlet Night-level investment. It is one of the best ways to spend New Year’s Eve that doesn’t involve fighting for a taxi in a cold city.
- Contact us for holiday sailing availability now. As First Mates, Joel and Erin can check current availability and waitlists and help you find the best remaining options for the holiday season you want.
Ready to Spend the Holidays at Sea?
Joel and Erin are certified First Mates. Let them help you plan the ultimate holiday escape aboard Virgin Voyages.
Related Reading
- Catalina Island, California on Virgin Voyages: A Day in Island Paradise
- New York Sailings: Bermuda, Canada, and New England on Virgin Voyages
- West Coast Sailings: LA, Seattle, and Vancouver on Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady
- Lesser Antilles Itinerary: Aruba, Curaçao, Martinique, and St. Kitts on Virgin Voyages
Book your Virgin Voyages cruise at CruisePlanner.pro — and celebrate the holidays where the sun always shines
