The Panama Canal received the inaugural transit of the cruise ship Brilliant Lady from Virgin Voyages, marking the first operation of this company on the interoceanic route. During its passage through the Neopanamax locks, the vessel received a commemorative plaque, following the tradition established for such crossings. The ship, with a length of 277 meters and a beam of 38 meters, has a capacity for 2,762 passengers and 1,150 crew members. Brilliant Lady is part of a group of five cruise ships making their first transit in the 2025–2026 season, alongside Aidaiva, Celebrity Ascent, Star Seeker, and Disney Adventure, the latter of which recorded its crossing on February 2. The transit of the Neopanamax cruise ship demonstrated the operational precision of the Panama Canal, with coordination between the mooring, tugboat, traffic control, and lock operation teams. The maneuver was carried out under the usual safety and control standards of the waterway. The arrival of Virgin Voyages on the Panamanian route reflects the industry's interest in including the Panama Canal in its itineraries. This attraction is driven by the experience of the ocean-to-ocean crossing and the operational reliability maintained by the interoceanic route. With each season, the Panama Canal remains a key point for cruise ship transit, within an industry that exceeds 30 million passengers annually worldwide.
