Quick answer: In May 2026 we flew from London to Vancouver, spent two nights in the city, then sailed Brilliant Lady’s very first Alaska voyage: 10 nights from Vancouver to Seattle, calling at Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point, with a day at Hubbard Glacier. This page is the whole trip in one place, with links to our detailed guides for each stop.
This is our Alaska trip from start to finish. We’d done Alaska before, but this one was special: Brilliant Lady’s first-ever Alaska season, and Virgin Voyages’ first time at Hubbard Glacier. Below you’ll find the trip at a glance, what each stop was like, and links to the full guides we’ve written so far. We’ll keep adding to it as each new guide goes live.
Our trip at a glance
- When: May 2026
- Ship: Brilliant Lady, Virgin Voyages
- Cruise: 10 nights, Vancouver to Seattle (one way)
- Before the cruise: two nights in Vancouver
- Stops: Ketchikan, Sitka, Hubbard Glacier (scenic cruising), Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point
- Our cabin: a Sea Terrace
- Our guides from this trip: Vancouver before an Alaska cruise · Ketchikan · Sitka · Virgin Voyages Alaska review (the ship) · Alaska menus
Watch: Alaska on Virgin Voyages
Why we chose this trip
Two reasons. First, it was Brilliant Lady’s first Alaska season, and as Virgin Voyages First Mates we wanted to see how Virgin would do Alaska. Second, Sitka and Icy Strait Point were brand new to us.
We’ve done Alaska with Holland America too. We had a lovely time, but we found ourselves a bit bored: the ship wasn’t really our vibe and suits a more mature cruiser. Most lines that sail Alaska are traditional, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you want a fun, younger way to do Alaska that takes the faff out of it, Virgin is now our number one recommendation. We felt more ourselves: we dressed how we wanted and relaxed how we wanted.
Two nights in Vancouver
From the UK, we always recommend arriving at least two nights early, and Vancouver makes that easy. We took the SkyTrain from the airport, stayed by Coal Harbour, crossed the Capilano Suspension Bridge, met Grinder and Coola, the grizzly bears on Grouse Mountain, rode the SeaBus back from Lonsdale Quay, and watched Brilliant Lady make her first-ever arrival into Canada Place on embarkation morning.
Check-in at Canada Place took us about 15 minutes, and then it was sail-away bubbles under the Lions Gate Bridge.
Full guide: our 48-hour Vancouver itinerary before an Alaska cruise
Life on board: how Virgin does Alaska
Virgin hasn’t just bolted Alaska onto its usual playbook; it has built a season around it. There are cosy red fleece blankets in every cabin and more around the open decks, three new Alaska Happenings Cast members (including a lumberjack and a naturalist), Alaska-only Happenings, regional dishes in the restaurants, and Alaska-branded shopping on the High Street.
Our top tips: book the Alaska Happenings the moment you board, because they sell out, and pack a windproof layer. It’s the wind on deck, more than the cold, that gets you.
Full guide: our Virgin Voyages Alaska review, plus the Alaska menus, the Brilliant Lady gluten-free guide and the Brilliant Lady deck plan.
Ketchikan: the best port to do without a tour
We sailed into Ketchikan at about 5am, and it’s still one of our favourite ports in Alaska. Everything is a short walk from the ship: gluten-free crêpes, Creek Street and the Married Man’s Trail, totem poles, the best souvenir shops and the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, which we booked through Virgin for our own covered seating and a drinks voucher.
Full guide: the best of Ketchikan without booking a tour
Sitka: the surprise of the trip
Sitka was the port we knew least about, and it became one of our favourite days. A free Virgin shuttle takes about 10 minutes into town. We booked the Haunted Sitka bar crawl (Virgin Sailors get exclusive access and a drink at every stop), had gluten-free buffalo wings at Mean Queen, and walked out to the free Sitka National Historical Park for the totem poles.
Full guide: is Sitka worth it? A full day in Sitka on Virgin Voyages
Hubbard Glacier: one of the best sea days we’ve ever had
This was Virgin’s first-ever visit to Hubbard Glacier, and our first time too. Hubbard is the largest tidewater glacier in North America. The approach takes around two hours, then the ship holds position and slowly turns, so both sides get time facing the ice. There was live narration from Sue, the naturalist, and hot chocolate and mulled wine up on deck. We’d seen Glacier Bay before, and we think we prefer Hubbard for sheer scale.
Our tip: The Runway is one of the best places to watch from, and your Sea Terrace is a great spot too when your side of the ship is facing the glacier.
More detail: the glacier day section of our Alaska review
Juneau: whales and Mendenhall Glacier
Juneau was a tender port on our sailing, so we went ashore on Brilliant Lady’s red tenders. We’d booked a whale-watching and Mendenhall Glacier Shore Thing through the Sailor App before we sailed, which took us out on the water and then to the glacier and Nugget Falls.
Our full Juneau guide is coming soon.
Skagway: gold-rush streets and snow
Skagway is a proper gold-rush town, with wooden fronts along the main street and snowy peaks behind. The Red Onion Saloon even hung out a “Welcome Virgins!” banner for us. We also headed up into the snow in the mountains above town.
Our full Skagway guide is coming soon.
Icy Strait Point: into the clouds
Icy Strait Point was brand new to us. Virgin had a welcome tent on the pier, and we took the gondola up the mountain, where the fog rolled in so thickly the cabins disappeared into the cloud. Down at sea level, there’s a lovely boardwalk along the water. Virgin also offers the ZipRider here as a Shore Thing, with a video of your ride included.
Our full Icy Strait Point guide is coming soon.
Disembarking in Seattle
The sailing ended in Seattle, and Virgin has late disembarkation compared with other lines, so there’s no need to rush off. The app’s Homecoming guide pops up on the last morning with everything you need. We usually carry our own bags off so we can leave as late as possible.
What we’d tell a friend before they book
- Arrive early. Two nights in Vancouver (or Seattle) protects you against flight delays and jet lag.
- Book Shore Things early, especially the popular ones in Juneau and Ketchikan, and book the Lumberjack Show the moment you can.
- Book Alaska Happenings as soon as you board. If one’s full, turn up about 15 minutes early, as there are often last-minute drop-outs.
- Pack layers: a jumper, a woolly hat, a waterproof and a windproof layer for glacier day.
- Take a waterproof ashore every day. Ketchikan was glorious and Sitka drizzled all day.
- Check port prices before buying Alaska merch on board, as some of it is cheaper ashore.
So, would we do it again?
In a heartbeat. Virgin has properly built a season around Alaska, from the Happenings to the Shore Things, and Hubbard Glacier was one of the best sea days we’ve ever had. If you want Alaska’s scenery without a traditional cruise feel, this is the way to do it.
Want to keep going down the coast? Read our Vancouver to LA trip review, and see our 2027 hosted group cruise from Vancouver to LA. New to cruising Alaska? Start with our first-time guide to cruising Alaska.
FAQs
How long was the Virgin Voyages Alaska cruise? Ours was 10 nights from Vancouver to Seattle on Brilliant Lady in May 2026. Most of Virgin’s Alaska sailings are 7-night round trips from Seattle, with some longer options.
Which ports did Brilliant Lady visit in Alaska? On our sailing: Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway and Icy Strait Point, plus a day of scenic cruising at Hubbard Glacier.
Should you arrive in Vancouver before an Alaska cruise? Yes. We recommend at least two nights, especially from the UK. See our 48-hour Vancouver itinerary for how we spent ours.
Is Virgin Voyages good for Alaska? We think so. Virgin has built a proper Alaska season, with Alaska-only Happenings, regional food, cosy blankets, exclusive Shore Things and a younger, more relaxed feel than the traditional Alaska lines.
What should you pack for an Alaska cruise in May? Layers, a woolly hat, a waterproof and a windproof jacket, plus comfortable walking shoes. It felt mild rather than cold, but the wind on deck and the rain ashore make it feel colder.
Plan it with us
Phil and I are award-winning travel specialists, Destination Vancouver specialists and Virgin Voyages First Mates, and we’d love to plan your Alaska cruise, including flights and hotels as an ATOL-protected package. Book Virgin Voyages with us and you’ll get our bonus Sailor Loot as a thank you. Call 07307 602030, email hello@magical-traveller.com or get in touch.