Virgin Voyages has announced several changes to its 2027 Alaska season on Brilliant Lady. The biggest: Tracy Arm Fjord is out again, and Victoria, British Columbia, is in. Here's what's changing and what it means if you're booked or thinking about booking.
Tracy Arm Replaced by Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier
For the second year in a row, Virgin is removing Tracy Arm Fjord from its Alaska itineraries because of ongoing landslide risk in the area. Affected sailings will cruise Endicott Arm to Dawes Glacier instead.
The good news is that Endicott Arm offers a very similar experience: steep granite cliffs, waterfalls, floating ice, and an active tidewater glacier at the end of the fjord.
The change affects 13 Brilliant Lady sailings in 2027:
May 20 and May 27
June 3, June 10, June 17, and June 24
July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, and July 29
August 5
September 2
Victoria Replaces Prince Rupert
Based on Sailor feedback, Virgin is replacing Prince Rupert with Victoria, British Columbia, on 12 sailings. Brilliant Lady will spend a full day there, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with plenty of time for the Inner Harbour, downtown, and whale watching. The former Prince Rupert day becomes a sea day.
Other Updates
Inside Passage cruising will now show as a sea day on the itinerary. The scenic cruising itself isn't changing, just how it's listed.
Juneau, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point have tender and port time adjustments on select sailings.
The August 24 sailing will leave Victoria at 6 p.m. instead of 11 p.m. because of local harbor restrictions.
The September 10 Pacific Coastal sailing drops Astoria, Oregon, for an extra sea day, but stays in San Francisco until 11:59 p.m. Sailors on that voyage will automatically get a $33 per person refund for Astoria's port taxes and fees.
Ship, voyage length, and the onboard experience stay the same on every affected sailing.
What This Means for Sailors
If you've booked Shore Things through Virgin, you don't need to do anything. Virgin will adjust or refund affected excursions automatically. If you booked a tour with an outside company, you'll need to contact them yourself, which is one more reason booking excursions through Virgin is the easier route.
If you're still deciding, these changes are mostly upgrades. A full day in Victoria is a big improvement, and Dawes Glacier delivers the same glacier-day experience Tracy Arm was known for.
Planning an Alaska cruise? Read my Virgin Voyages Alaska Cruise Guide for the ports, glaciers, and what to pack, see what's coming next in Virgin Voyages Alaska 2028 Cruises, and check my Deals page for current Alaska offers.
Want Help With Your Alaska Sailing?
PTO Passport is an independent cruise travel agency and Gold Tier Virgin Voyages First Mate. Already booked? I can walk you through how these changes affect your itinerary. Still planning? I'll help you pick the right sailing and cabin.
Request a free quote at ptopassport.com.
