THE PORT OF QUÉBEC WELCOMES A NEW CRUISE LINE AND BRILLIANT LADY, THE NEWEST SHIP IN THE VIRGIN VOYAGES FLEET
A wave of adults-only cruise experiences has landed in Québec City
Québec City, October 3, 2025 – Today, the Port of Québec is welcoming Virgin Voyages and its newest ship, Brilliant Lady, for the very first time. This maiden call marks the official arrival of the cruise line founded by Sir Richard Branson. Sailing in the capital, this milestone cements Québec City’s status as a must-see destination along the St. Lawrence.
An Exceptional Adults-Only Vessel
Hailing from the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, Brilliant Lady is the fourth vessel in the Virgin Voyages fleet, following her sister ships Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, and Resilient Lady. She is 278 metres long and 38 metres wide and can accommodate up to 2,770 passengers and 1,160 crew across 17 decks.
This ultramodern ship is designed like a boutique hotel and has a reputation for its kid-free atmosphere, immersive shows, designer suites, high-tech cabins with personal hammocks, and impressive dining options in more than 20 onboard eateries including six signature restaurants.
Maiden Call Puts Québec in the Spotlight
The arrival of Brilliant Lady marks much more than a maiden call: it signifies Virgin Voyages’ entry into the provincial capital. With its distinctive, elevated concepts and younger, more diverse Sailor demographic, the line is bringing a breath of fresh air to the cruise options in Québec City. This new player is helping boost the Port’s international appeal and strengthen its role as a must-see destination along the St. Lawrence.
The arrival of Brilliant Lady is a major event for our Port and our city. It speaks to Québec City’s appeal to the world’s leading cruise lines and illustrates our ability to offer an incredible experience to passengers and locals alike. We are very pleased to be welcoming Virgin Voyages and collaborating on this maiden call, which will become a milestone in our cruise history.
We couldn’t be more excited to sail into Québec City. It’s one of those places that instantly charms you with its cobblestone streets, European-style architecture and the kind spirit of the people who call it home. Add in the incredible food scene, the vibrant fall foliage and the lively culture, and it’s the kind of destination our Sailors will fall in love with the moment they step ashore.
Brilliant Lady’s arrival is putting Québec City in the spotlight for international visitors in search of original, upscale experiences. The distinctive ship enhances the passenger experience and reasserts Québec City’s position as a must-see port of call on the St. Lawrence. Every new cruise line that chooses to stop here helps raise the profile of our destination and generates economic spin-offs for the region.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability
In line with the Port of Québec’s interests, Virgin Voyages’ ethos – to Create an Epic Sea Change for All – means the brand wove sustainability into its original business model. Brilliant Lady embodies this vision by eliminating unnecessary single-use plastics and advanced wastewater treatment systems, as well as technologies that promote food waste reduction and energy efficiency. What’s more, the ship is equipped for shore power, reducing its environmental footprint during stopovers.
These initiatives testify to the Port’s and Virgin Voyages’ shared commitment to forging a more responsible future for the cruise industry.
A Day of Festivities
Brilliant Lady‘s arrival from New York is being celebrated in style. Media and institutional partners can attend an official plaque exchange ceremony and a tour of the ship, while Sailors are receiving a warm welcome at the terminal with music and food that showcases local products. Finally, the general public is invited to take part in this historic moment by attending the ship’s departure in the early evening. At dusk, the grain silos will be lit up to wish Brilliant Lady a safe journey as she sets sail for Miami.
About the Port of Québec
The Port of Québec is strategically located 1,100 km from the Atlantic Ocean, close to the Great Lakes market. It is the last deepwater port in the St. Lawrence corridor, with a depth of 15 metres. This unique position allows Canadian companies to achieve significant economies of scale in both import and export trade.
With links to more than 40 partner countries, the Port of Québec and its employees handle an average of over 26 millions tonnes of goods every year, representing a commercial value of over $15 billion.
The Port is also recognized as the leading cruise port on the St. Lawrence; along with all its partners in Québec’s maritime industry, it contributes to $2 billion in economic spin-offs while supporting some 12,000 jobs nationwide.
The Québec Port Authority (QPA) is ranked 4th out of the 17 Canadian port authorities in terms of revenue. While it is economically powerful, it is also know for its contributions to the area’s urban and social fabric thanks to port spaces like the Agora, the Oasis, the Cale, the Discoglace, the Village Nordik, and the Baie de Beauport.
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Source and information
Frédéric Lagacé
Director, Communications et public relations
418 929-5031 | [email protected]