Brilliant Lady underwent a pre-service dry-dock and wet-dock activation project at Fincantieri Palermo from July 20 through August 1, 2025, in preparation for the ship's September 2025 passenger debut. The project included maintenance, repairs, final activation work and refurbishment of passenger areas following the vessel's extended layup after delivery. Public-area improvements included changes to the Athletic Club, the Rojo by Razzle Dazzle dining concept and Grounds Club, along with other finishing work and upgrades throughout the ship.

The Athletic Club's aft outdoor area was reconfigured, replacing solid metal railing sections with glass-panelled railings to improve panoramic views while retaining lounging areas. The Roundabout atrium was substantially redesigned by Virgin Voyages' in-house design team, with MJM as outfitter. Its revised layout opened up the Draught Haus area, added more comfortable social seating and relocated facilities including Squid Ink and Voyage Vinyl to create a more usable central gathering space. The Roundabout project's recorded completion date was August 1, 2025.

Within the Roundabout, bulkheads, dichroic fins and oversized fixtures were removed to improve circulation and sightlines. The Chart Table was replaced with lounge seating, including seating within the portholes, and Shore Things was reorganized into a dedicated enclave. Finishes incorporated jewel-tone upholstery, warm woods, brass accents and sculpted banquettes. Draught Haus was adapted for coffee and juice service in the morning, daytime lounging and evening cocktails.

MJM's outfitting program also included The Snug, a refreshed version of the library, and three retail spaces: a tattoo studio, a Virgin Voyages-branded store and a luxury vintage boutique.

Brilliant Lady underwent a final newbuild dry-dock period at Fincantieri Palermo in February 2024. The ship sailed from Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente yard near Genoa on February 12 and subsequently entered the Palermo facility, where the final docking associated with completion and pre-service preparation concluded on February 24. The vessel then left the yard and entered an extended layup period before returning to Palermo for its separate July–August 2025 activation, maintenance and passenger-area refurbishment project.