Brilliant Lady arrival marks $19M boost for San Juan
San Juan Cruise Port marked two milestones with the inaugural call of Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady and the operational launch of the renovated Panamerican Pier West.
Both developments come as Puerto Rico enters the height of its cruise season, which runs from October through April, and form part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades under the port’s public-private partnership with the government of Puerto Rico.
The transit call brought approximately 2,672 passengers and 1,150 crew members to the island, generating about $300,000 in estimated economic activity. The vessel’s eight-night itinerary departs from Miami and includes stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands before returning to Florida.
Virgin Voyages plans 21 homeport departures from San Juan this season, along with 15 additional port calls. Combined, the visits are expected to generate an estimated $19 million in economic activity.
“Welcoming Brilliant Lady on its inaugural visit is a source of great pride for our entire team,” said Clarivette Díaz, general manager of San Juan Cruise Port.
“Virgin Voyages’ robust schedule this season, along with the launch of operations at the Panamerican Pier West, reflects the commitment we’ve made under the public-private partnership: to modernize port infrastructure, enhance the passenger experience and continue strengthening San Juan’s competitiveness in the global cruise market,” she added.
Panamerican Pier West is one of the main projects in the port’s capital program, which has surpassed $60 million in investment since February 2024. Upgrades include structural rehabilitation of berthing areas, electrical and mechanical improvements, potable water updates and redesigned embarkation and disembarkation zones.
A new seawall spanning more than 1,500 linear feet is a key component of the renovation. The structure is designed to improve stability, support larger vessels and improve long-term operational resilience. Final work continues through mid-December.
The broader modernization plan forms part of a 30-year public-private partnership agreement between San Juan Cruise Port, Global Ports Holding and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.
