CruiserMickey

We are currently on Brilliance and booked a Celebrity cruise yesterday. It definitely can be done!

We got our blankets from the towel station on the pool deck, so we didn’t ask our room steward. Honestly, I prefer a private balcony for glacier viewing. Bundle up, enjoy your balcony and you have your own bathroom if you need it. Definitely do find a forward viewpoint for the panoramic splendour, though. We live an hour from the port on a mountain, so the views for us are not new. If this is your first time in Alaska, I hope you are awestruck by the beauty. Bring binoculars so you can search for wildlife!

I think you will love this stateroom. We have done Alaska cruises many times (we just live 1 hour from Vancouver), so are planning on taking advantage of the balcony as much as we can. Ask any questions and I am happy to answer!

We are in JS 1100 on Brilliance right now and we LOVE IT! I would not hesitate to book it again.

Just boarded the Brilliance and the hall doors are closed with signs saying rooms will be ready at 2:00 pm. It would be really great if Royal would allow us to drop off carry-on luggage like Celebrity does.

September in the Med is HOT and HUMID. October weather is much more bearable. (These observations from the past two years.)

Thanks for the info!

I, too, will be on Brilliance going to Alaska (in May). May I ask if you had a favourite bartender at the Schooner Bar? I am going to be on the hunt for a really great lemon drop martini.

Do you recall what this bartender’s name was? I’ll watch for him, too. We love finding fun bartenders!

Thank you! I will look for her when we board in May.

👍🏼

Can anyone tell me which bar on the Brilliance would likely make the best martinis? We are used to sailing on Celebrity ships with a specific Martini Bar, but I know that RC ships are not set up that way. If no suggestions, I guess we’ll have to try out a few locations. Thanks for any advice!

If you are choosing between a Vancouver or Seattle departure, I would recommend Vancouver. Those cruises go through the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland of BC. The waters are protected and you have beautiful views on both sides of the ship. Cruises going out of Seattle sail on the west side of Vancouver Island and the seas are rougher.

I did the food and wine pairing workshop on the Constellation this past October. I would say it was good. If you don’t know anything about food and wine, it is informative, but if wine and food is your passion, it may be info you already know.

Following…I was wondering the same thing.

Personally, I try to get at least premium economy seats, if not business class. With prices the way they are now, your budget may determine what you think is important. Having back issues, I find it much better to be comfortable so I can enjoy my trip. Sitting upright for 10 hours means I have to take a day of vacation to recover from the flight. I don’t know about the other countries you are visiting, but it is a requirement to have your passport with you at all times in Italy. This wasn’t one of your questions, but make sure you are prepared for HOT and HUMID weather.

Thanks for the feedback.

I have no idea what it is. Sulphites, maybe? It is so weird and can ruin an evening if a drink is mixed with certain brands of vodka. I don’t drink often, so am reluctant to try anything when I don’t know if I will react with the ingredients. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thanks for the feedback. On my last cruise I did a la cart, which was fine. Package or not, I am just wondering about supply issues and the current situation.

Thanks, I understand that. All I was wondering is if there are currently any issues with stock.

Thanks…I’m not looking for anything that special or expensive. I just want to know that I can find what I can drink without having an allergic reaction. Believe me, if I could drink cheap wine or spirits, I would be happy with whatever the bartender served me. Unfortunately I have to be careful with what I order and consume due to some brands making me ill.

Thank you…that is exactly what we do. Cheers!

I appreciate where you are coming from, but this is NOT my first-hand experience from my last cruise on Celebrity where many of the “premium” wines on the menu were not available and only lower tier “classic” wines were offered without another up charge. I am hearing from others who have had the premium beverage package on Celebrity (remember…two tiers, so different than RC) that the top shelf liquors have NOT been available. I want to know what is actually on board Royal Caribbean now and if RC is having the same supply or cost cutting issue that Celebrity is.

That is the same conclusion we are coming to. We got AI on our next Celebrity cruise and think it is worth it to upgrade, but the cost of a drink package on Royal Caribbean isn’t worth the list price for us ($89.66 CAD pp/pd plus gratuity).

Thanks…I know all of that, but I am hearing and reading first-person accounts of what is advertised as being a part of the drink package is not actually what is being served. That’s why I am asking what the current stock is like. I don’t want to pay for a drink package thinking I can get a martini made with Belvedere (advertised) but is instead made with Absolut or Tito’s (I am allergic to both).