Spend the day on Brilliant Lady, the new Virgin Voyages ship, for 7500 Virgin Points!

Virgin Voyages is gearing up to launch its fourth vessel, Brilliant Lady.

Before it sets off, it is holding an open day on Wednesday 20th August in Portsmouth.

Everything is on the house once you are there, including an evening meal in one of the restaurants, shows in the theatre and a late evening party.

Tickets cost 7,500 Virgin Points each via the website here. We’d value these at £75 if used for a premium cabin flight redemption, so the event certainly isn’t ‘free’.

However, if you are thinking of a Virgin Voyages cruise or – like me – like the idea of having a good poke around a cruise ship without the bother of actually having to sail somewhere, it is quite tempting.

This is how the event is described:

That’s right, Brilliant Lady is throwing open her gangway for a launch party like no other – and you’re invited to step aboard and discover what it means to sail The Virgin Way.

You’ll have a full afternoon and evening to explore. Once onboard, the bars will be on hand to serve up a sample of your favourite tipples – whether it’s bubbles, spritzes, or something a little stronger.

Live music will echo through the decks and vibrant pop-up acts will appear in unexpected places. Signature karaoke lounge, The Groupie, will be available for those who fancy a singalong or just want to soak up the fun. Plus, you’ll be among the first to enjoy one of Brilliant Lady’s brand-new shows, created exclusively for her debut season.

Of course, no visit would be complete without a taste of Virgin Voyages’ award-winning dining. For your evening meal, you’ll pre-book a glamorous, one-night-only dinner show or a table at one of the ship’s six elevated restaurants. Whether it’s perfectly cooked steak at The Wake, upscale Mexican at Pink Agave, or modern Spanish-inspired fare at Rojo – a new concept unique to Brilliant Lady – you can expect nothing short of exceptional.

Either side of your dinner reservation, there are plenty more options for casual bites and late-night cravings. Grab a slice from the pizzeria, cool off with a scoop from the ice cream parlour, or graze your way through countless food market-style eateries. One thing’s for sure: you won’t go hungry.

As the sun sets, prepare to dive headfirst into Scarlet Night, Virgin Voyages’ iconic ship-wide celebration, brought to life in full. Think dazzling visuals, immersive characters, pulsating beats, and surprises around every turn. A splash of red is encouraged, whether in your outfit or accessories – because this is no ordinary evening: it’s bold, brilliant, and unmistakably Virgin.

Please note this event is not an overnight stay, and there will be no access to cabins, spa facilities, the casino, or retail spaces during your visit. The party will conclude by 23:00, so be sure to make the most of every minute onboard.

You can find out more, and redeem, on the Virgin Red website here or in the Virgin Red app. You may need to search in the app for the word ‘brilliant’ to bring it up.

Note that no under 18s are allowed. This is, in theory, a full day event if you stay for the party in the evening – you’ll have nine hours on board if you are there at the start.

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How to earn Virgin Points from UK credit cards (July 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Virgin Points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses.

You can choose from two official Virgin Atlantic credit cards (apply here, the Reward+ card has a bonus of 18,000 Virgin Points and the free card has a bonus of 3,000 Virgin Points):

Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard

18,000 bonus points and 1.5 points for every £1 you spend Read our full review

Virgin Atlantic Reward Mastercard

3,000 bonus points, no fee and 1 point for every £1 you spend Read our full review

You can also earn Virgin Points from various American Express cards – and these have sign-up bonuses too.

The American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card is FREE for a year and comes with 20,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 20,000 Virgin Points.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with 50,000 Membership Rewards points, which convert into 50,000 Virgin Points.

The Platinum Card from American Express

50,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Small business owners should consider the two American Express Business cards. Points convert at 1:1 into Virgin Points.

The American Express Business Platinum Card

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

The American Express Business Gold Card

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Virgin Points.