ICYMI: Brilliant Lady Inaugurates Caribbean Season while Mardi Gras Departs for Port Canaveral

It’s repositioning season, and cruise lines are moving their star ships to the Caribbean. This past week’s developments included two major ships. Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady made her dazzling Miami debut, and Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras began her transatlantic return to Port Canaveral after a shipyard renovation.

Brilliant Lady Heats Up the 305

Virgin Voyages lit up the Miami skyline with a red-hot celebration to welcome Brilliant Lady, the newest addition to its fleet. More than 2,000 attendees, including Sir Richard Branson, DJ Khaled, and several Real Housewives of Miami stars, joined the Thursday-night, high-energy affair at Terminal V.

The night featured the world premiere of Red Hot, a rockumentary-style show inspired by Virgin Records’ legendary music catalog, with hits by the Spice Girls, David Bowie, and Queen. Guests also previewed onboard exclusives like Secret Vintage, a speakeasy-style wine tasting; The Stitch Up; a retro Social Club experience; and Rojo, a fiery Spanish-inspired restaurant.

Brilliant Lady will cruise the Caribbean from Miami through March 2026. She will then transit the Panama Canal to her inaugural Alaska season, via Los Angeles. Before that voyage, the line says that all four of Virgin’s sister ships will unite in the Caribbean for the first time.

Carnival’s Mardi Gras to Show Off New Makeover

Across the Atlantic, Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras departed from Barcelona, after completing a comprehensive dry dock in Marseilles, France. The 6,400-passenger ship now features 100 new connecting staterooms designed for multigenerational families and larger groups.

The renovation also brought a refreshed casino with new slot machines, upgraded retail shops, and redesigned walkways and public spaces. Several behind-the-scenes enhancements were also made, including technical updates, maintenance work, and refreshed stateroom furnishings.

Mardi Gras will complete her 15-day transatlantic crossing to Port Canaveral, Florida, on October 30, 2025.

Another Standout Caribbean Season to Come

As Brilliant Lady lights up Miami and Mardi Gras heads to her new homeport, the Caribbean is ready for another banner cruise season. More than 45 ships are scheduled to cruise the region between now and March 2026.