In a moment that will be remembered as one of the most breathtaking celebrations in recent maritime history, the world’s No. 1 cruise line, Virgin Voyages, created pure magic today as 2,400 voices sang as one in New York Harbor.
As Brilliant Lady, the crown jewel of Virgin Voyages’ now-complete, award-winning, adults-only fleet, made her triumphant entrance into the United States past the Statue of Liberty, something extraordinary unfolded on the very waters where millions first glimpsed America.
Crew members and Sailors who had crossed the Atlantic together lifted their voices in perfect harmony, transforming the iconic harbor into a cathedral of connection.
To mark this incredible milestone, everyone onboard came together for something truly unforgettable: singing as one voice, one family, one community.
“Today, we completed our fleet and celebrated a moment that will leave a legacy far beyond our ships,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group. “What makes Virgin Voyages so intangibly special is our people. As we entered New York, with our crew and sailors singing as one, it was truly brilliant.”
The unprecedented moment brought tears and goosebumps as more than 1,200 crew members and 1,200 Sailors became a single, powerful voice echoing across the water.
Against the backdrop of Lady Liberty herself, that eternal symbol of hope and new beginnings, they performed Queen’s anthemic “Don’t Stop Me Now,” led by the brilliant and joyfully irreverent Astrid Jorgensen, creator of Pub Choir.
The Pub Choir experience focuses on participation and connection rather than technical vocal ability or memorization.
Astrid has brought this transformative musical experience to tens of thousands of people, from pubs in Brisbane to stages in New York to America’s Got Talent.
Known for her ability to turn a room full of strangers into a harmony-filled, joy-fueled community in a matter of minutes, Astrid orchestrated a performance of 2,400 voices on the top deck of Brilliant Lady during the ship’s historic sail-in to New York.
The brand showed that in a world that often feels divided, a brand can still create moments of pure, unfiltered human connection.
Brilliant Lady’s arrival marked the end of one chapter and the beautiful beginning of the brand’s next, an era where the line doesn’t just promise connection, but delivers it in ways that take travelers’ breath away.
For Virgin Voyages – the No. 1 mega-ship cruise line in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards – this moment holds special significance.
Four years ago, Richard Branson helped welcome the line’s very first ship, Scarlet Lady, from these same New York waters with a dream of revolutionizing what it means to cruise with his ingenious kid-free business model.
Today, as Brilliant Lady sailed past the Verrazzano Bridge and into the embrace of Manhattan’s glittering skyline, that dream became a reality that moved hearts and stirred souls.
“Brilliant Lady is the embodiment of everything Virgin Voyages stands for,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, Virgin Voyages’ Chief Executive Officer.
“Like her sister ships, she creates an atmosphere that is joyous, welcoming, and above all, transformative. What happened today was proof of the profound connections that form when you give people permission to be their authentic selves. We built this brand alongside our incredible Crew, and they are the beating heart of why our Sailors fall in love with Virgin Voyages time and time again. This moment perfectly captured the magic that happens when you create space for people to shine exactly as they are, free from judgment and full of possibility.”
The magic continues as Brilliant Lady prepares to welcome her first guests for her MerMaiden Voyage on Sept. 5. She’ll set sail for the sun-soaked shores of Bermuda, carrying with her the spirit of connection forged in today’s unforgettable celebration.
Throughout October, Brilliant Lady will offer Sailors front-row seats to the breathtaking fall foliage of the Northeast and Eastern Canada, where autumn paints the coastline in brilliant gold, crimson and amber.
“Today’s performance perfectly captured what happens when you step aboard Virgin Voyages,” said First Mate Jana. “You leave the world as it is and enter the world as it should be: a place where strangers become family and every voice matters.”
To find out more about Brilliant Lady and Virgin Voyages’ epic itineraries, visit virginvoyages.com or contact your First Mate.
Source: Magrino PR
Images: ©2025 Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited
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