President’s Day may celebrate George Washington’s birthday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save some celebrating for yourself. If the country’s most famous founding father were alive today, he’d probably be celebrating this weekend, too, with chants of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (you know, with a few upgrades and adjustments of 2026 modernity).

Well, what makes people feel more alive, freer, and happier, than taking a cruise? We’re not saying the Declaration of Independence was — among many other things — just about giving the colonists the eventual freedom to take cruise vacations, but ultimately, it kinda turned out that way, didn’t it? So make the most of your upcoming day off by booking yourself a President’s Day vacation, and pursuing happiness in style. 

Top 10 reasons to travel for Presidents’ Day Weekend 

The best thing about President’s Day (besides, of course, reflecting on the lives and significance of all the US presidents)? Vacation time. Put it to good use by treating yourself to a much-deserved holiday. Here are 10 reasons why you should plan a cruise over President’s Day Weekend.

1. Escape the Daily Routine.

Same is boring. Break free of your tedious routine and set sail for a new adventure – whether that adventure means quality r&r time in our Redemption Spa, exploring multiple new ports, or dancing the night away with new friends.

2. Experiences & Lasting Memories.

Travel almost always means new experiences, new people, and new landscapes. Couple that with breathtaking days at sea, watching sunrises and sunsets, it’s impossible not to make new and lasting memories.

3. Romance & Love.

Gone are the days of the traditional “Love Boat” cruise, but Virgin is bringing a new, more modern spice to romance at sea. From our couples spa treatments and date nights at Michelin-starred restaurants to cabin mood lighting, there’s no better place than a Virgin ship to celebrate your love.

4. Self-care & Wellness.

Going on vacation doesn’t have to mean abandoning your health routine. Keep your wellness in check, or kickstart your wellness journey, with our onboard group fitness classes, yoga, gym, and running track.

5. Celebrations.

Got something to celebrate besides President’s Day? Perfect. Whether it’s marking a milestone birthday with some Korean BBQ action, or celebrating a bachelorette party at our nightclub and karaoke lounge, we’ve got your festivities covered.

6. Bring and Meet New Friends.

Traveling solo? Traveling with friends but looking to meet new ones? With onboard meetups for solo sailors, bar crawls, communal drinking games in our Gunbae restaurant, and more, our cruises are the perfect way to broaden your social horizons.

7. Relaxation.

The whole point of a vacation is to relax, right? We get it. That’s why we installed hammocks on every cabin balcony and have plenty of pools and jacuzzis throughout the ship for Sailors to embrace their inner sloth. 

8. Adventure.

Our Shore Things are designed to get you out and exploring ports. Go ziplining through the jungle in Roatan. Take a wine-tasting tour of the vineyards in the French countryside. See the wildlife of Tasmania. We’re always thinking of new ways to give our Sailors an exhilarating land experience.

9. Explore.

The best part about cruising in general is the lack of decision paralysis. You don’t have to decide on a single destination for your trip. Whether it’s two ports or over 10, you can look forward to checking multiple new places off your list, and diving into new cuisines, architecture, landscapes, and experiences. Speaking of exploring new destinations, you can now book your spot on Brilliant Lady’s Summer 2026 Alaska and Canada cruises.

10. Learn Different Cultures.

No other form of travel allows you to see as many different cultures in such a short period of time as a cruise. On a one-week voyage, you might stop at four or five ports, each with its own unique traditions, culinary style, and language.

Presidents’ Day cruise deal offers

In case you need a more solid excuse to book a cruise besides “It’s President’s Day and I have Monday off,” our Presidents’ Day cruise deals and special packages make it a no-brainer. 

Limited Time Offer – 80% Off 2nd Sailor + Free Drinks

Our limited-time offer cruise deal, gives you 80% off your second Sailor, and up to $300 in free drinks, depending on the length of your sailing. The offer is eligible on select voyages.

Fair & Flexible Fares

Our Fair & Flexible Fares are designed to give you as much bang for your buck as possible. There are no hidden costs or extra fees for basic services. On every voyage, you get over $1,000 in value, including access to premium dining at our 20+ eateries, group fitness classes, WiFi, gratuities, a soda and drinks package, and award-winning entertainment.

Book Now. Pay Later.

Booking a cruise should be fun and exciting, not stressful. That’s why we offer 0% APR with no money required at the time of booking, and a flexible monthly payment plan so you can pay at your own pace. 

Travel itineraries & destinations for Presidents’ Day Weekend & beyond

If you’re not sure where to start (it’s a big world out there), we’ve got a few voyages taking place around President’s Day Weekend and beyond that would be the ideal way to take advantage of holiday deals – especially if you’re itching for a tropical getaway.

Caribbean Cruises on Sale

Forget the winter weather and picture yourself lounging on pristine beaches, sipping cocktails while enjoying life. Cruise into the sun-soaked bliss of a Caribbean cruise, all thanks to our epic Presidents’ Day deals!

Fire & Sunset Soirées, 4-Night Cruises from Miami

Ports of Call: Miami, Florida • Key West, Florida • Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas • Miami, Florida

Cruise from vibrant Miami to Key West for a day spent splashing around in the cerulean waters or exploring the lively downtown scene. Afterwards, you’ll head to our private Beach Club experience in Bimini, Bahamas.

Eastern Caribbean Antilles, 8-Night Cruises from Miami

Ports of Call: Miami, Florida • Puerto Plata, San Juan • St. Croix • Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas • Miami, Florida

Embark on a spectacular eight-night voyage through the Caribbean featuring a day in Puerto Plata, a late-night stay in San Juan, and a visit to St. Croix. After 3 days of indulging in the (very) good life on board, you’ll sail to The Beach Club at Bimini to revel in our private beach club experience.

Western Caribbean Charm, 6-Night Cruises from Miami

Ports of Call: Miami, Florida • Costa Maya, Mexico • Roatán, Honduras • Cozumel (Playa del Carmen), Mexico • Miami, Florida

Cruise through the Caribbean on a six-night sailing featuring a full day of unrivaled experiences in Costa Maya, Mexico, and another in Roatán, Honduras. With 2 days at sea to indulge in the good life on board, you’ll also get to explore the rich history and turquoise waters of Cozumel.

Dominican Daze, 5-Night Cruises from Miami

Ports of Call: Miami, Florida • Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic • Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas • Miami, Florida

A shorter Caribbean jaunt, this 5-night cruise from Miami is the perfect way to take advantage of a long weekend and dip your toes in the Caribbean. Dominican Daze cruises from Miami to the Dominican Republic, and then to our exclusive Beach Club in Bimini, Bahamas – so get your dose of jungle exploration and luxe beach club life all on the same trip. 

European Cruises on Sale

Picture yourself sipping Aperol spritzes in Santorini, exploring ancient ruins in Rome, or getting your groove on in Ibiza’s legendary nightclubs – all while saving some serious coin thanks to our current cruise deals and special offers for booking a cruise on President’s Day.  Your European adventure awaits!

Cruises from Athens

Athens – Europe’s action packed, oldest capital, considered by many as an archaeological theme park. As you approach the port of Piraeus, you’ll find its entryway lined with visitors eager to be catapulted into one of the most exciting spectacles on the planet.

Dubrovnik Days & Mykonos Nights, 7-Night Cruise from Piraeus (Athens)

Ports of Call: Piraeus (Athens), Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Mykonos & Piraeus (Athens)

Craving a getaway that’s equal parts ancient history and modern mischief? Say opa! to our 7-night roundtrip cruise from Piraeus (Athens), hitting some of the hottest spots throughout Europe! Cruise into a world of sun-drenched beaches, cobblestone streets, and enough culture to make your head spin (in a good way, of course).

Greek Island Glow, 7-Night Cruises from Piraeus (Athens)

Ports of Call: Piraeus (Athens) • Santorini • Rhodes • Bodrum • Mykonos • Piraeus (Athens)

Cruise from Athens to the most idyllic Greek Isles in the Med — like Santorini, Rhodes, and Bodrum (Turkey). With an overnight in the glamorous hot spot of Mykonos, you can immerse yourself in the quiet charm of the island and attend those world-famous beach club parties.

Cruises from Portsmouth

From the historic dockyard with the world’s oldest naval ship still in operation to the iconic Spinnaker Tower’s sweeping views, Portsmouth blends maritime heritage and modern charm. A gateway to diverse adventures and our homeport in the UK, it’s the ideal launch point for Sailors eager to explore.

England to Iceland & Norway, 10-Night Cruise from Portsmouth

Ports of Call: Portsmouth • Amsterdam • Bergen • Lerwick • Akureyri • Ísafjörður • Reykjavik • Reykjavik

Enjoy a one-way cruise from Portsmouth to Reykjavik, embrace the thrill of an adventure-packed journey hitting some seriously cool ports along the way. This cruise is heavy on the scenery, light on the routine, and packed with lots of amazing” moments.

Portsmouth to Ireland , Scotland & more, 13-Night Cruise from Portsmouth

Ports of Call: Portsmouth • Amsterdam • Zeebrugge (Bruges) • Kirkwall • Stornoway, Isle of Lewis • Greenock (Glasgow) • Belfast • Dublin • Portsmouth

This 13-night dreamy voyage sails from Portsmouth and first docks in the capital of art and architecture, Amsterdam for two days of excitement and exploration before hitting Bruges, Belgium. You’ll then spend a day sailing to Kirkwall, then Stornoway, Scotland. Then, you’ll sail to Glasgow followed by Belfast, and one more self-care day at sea heading to Dublin before sailing back to Portsmouth.

Cruises from Barcelona

Barcelona to France, Italy & Greece, 8-Night Cruise from Barcelona

Ports of Call: Barcelona • Cannes • Civitavecchia (Rome) • Valletta • Mykonos • Piraeus (Athens)

This 8-night journey departs from brilliant Barcelona and spends a day at sea headed to the epitome of a classic European city, Cannes. The next day arrive in Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome. Spend a day sailing to Valletta, Malta, a breathtaking fortress city known as the sunniest city in all of Europe. Relax another day on board on the way to Mykonos before finally arriving in Athens.

Barcelona to Palma, Ibiza & more, 7-Night Cruise from Barcelona

Ports of Call: Barcelona • Cannes • Ajaccio, Corsica • Palma de Mallorca • Ibiza • Barcelona

This 7-night romantic rendezvous starts in Barcelona and arrives the following day in the cultural heartbeat of France – Cannes, before heading to France’s breathtaking island Ajaccio, Corsica. Next, get your base tan at sea on the way to Palma de Mallorca. Finally, spend two full days experiencing everything Ibiza has to offer under the sun – and the stars before returning to Barcelona.

From Presidential Inaugural Speeches to Beaches on MerMaiden Voyages

Ready for more inaugural speeches? Well, while they may not be from the President of the United States, it’ll still be historical. Here’s your chance to experience our brand-new cruise ship, Brilliant Lady, by being amongst the first Sailors on her MerMaiden voyages. For a limited time, book an inaugural cruise with our current cruise sale of 80% off the second Sailor + free drinks.

Brilliant Lady Inaugural Season

Enjoy once-in-a-lifetime journeys on four MerMaidens from New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Enjoy all included luxury, with never-seen-before experiences while sailing to iconic destinations. 

Brilliant Lady New York MerMaiden, 5-Night Cruise from New York City

Ports of Call: New York City, New York • Kings Wharf • New York City, New York

Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime MerMaiden Voyage from NYC to Bermuda for a perfect blend of city life and island paradise. After a sea day, you have two days to discover King’s Wharf’s gorgeous coastline and the chance to dance under a sky of endless stars. Back in NYC, wander Central Park, catch a Broadway show, or grab some street fare — experiencing the vibrant energy that defines The Big Apple.

Brilliant Lady Miami MerMaiden, 8-Night Cruise from Miami

Ports of Call: Miami, Florida • Philipsburg, St. Maarten • Tortola • Beach Club at Bimini • Miami, Florida

This round-trip voyage from Miami stops at three beautiful islands including Tortola, Bimini (home to our exclusive beach club), and St. Maarten. In St. Maarten, you’ll experience a Caribbean melting pot of cultures, including Dutch and French (as both nations have their own “side” to the island), plus West African, British, Indian, and Spanish heritage influences the island as well.

Brilliant Lady Los Angeles MerMaiden, 5-Night Cruise from Los Angeles

Ports of Call: Los Angeles, California • Santa Barbara, California • San Diego, California • Ensenada • Los Angeles, California

This 5-night round trip MerMaiden sails from one of the most dreamed about cities in the world — Los Angeles. View the iconic Hollywood sign on a gorgeous hike, or soak up the scene in funky Venice Beach before sailing to Santa Barbara. Next, head down to sunny San Diego — a city that truly embodies the essence of West Coast living, over to Ensenada, Mexico, then back up to the City of Angels.

Brilliant Lady Seattle MerMaiden, 7-Night Cruise from Seattle

Ports of Call: Seattle, Washington • Inside Passage (Cruising), Alaska • Ketchikan, Alaska • Sitka, Alaska • Tracy Arm Fjord (Cruising), Alaska • Prince Rupert • Seattle, Washington

This 7-night MerMaiden voyage from Seattle spends a day sailing to Ketchikan, Alaska, a quaint village located amongst the Tongass National Forest. From there we’ll dock in verdant Sitka followed by a day voyaging up the impressive Tracy Arm Fjord (Cruising). Next, we’ll sail to Prince Rupert, BC before spending a final day sailing back to Seattle.

Book now & take advantage of Presidents’ Day cruise deals 

Whether you’re only taking a couple PTO days for a short hop to the Caribbean or really taking advantage of the long weekend for a weeklong voyage, don’t let this President’s Day go to waste. If George Washington could celebrate his own birthday, we like to think he’d do it with a Splash for Your Bash, and ever the shrewd dealmaker, he’d certainly take advantage of our special President’s Day offers.

Let’s book your Presidents’ Day getaway.