Info on Brilliance? Looking to book 1/05 11-day Carribean

[mcbrides]

Can anyone give me a general review of their experience on Brilliance? My fiance and I are looking for a cruise that has a good mix of land/sea days, and I'm curious to hear opinions on this ship. I've read lots of reviews on the Voyager class, but wanted a little more input on Brilliance.

Thanks!

[isujim]

mcbrides:

 

My wife and I just came off the Brilliance Easter sailing Panama Canal cruise.......in general the Brilliance is a beautiful ship and doesn't seem crowded at all.....It is our favorite ship to date......maybe because it was our last cruise......

 

I don't think you can go wrong with the Brilliance. I will try and answer any specific questions you might have.

 

Jim

 

Nordic Prince 8/88

Viking Serenade 3/93

Enchantment 3/01

Rhapsody 9/02

Splendour 4/03

Rhapsody, 9/03

Brilliance, 4/04

 

Until Our Caribbean Princess Cruise

 

 

Until Hawaii on Inifinity

[mcbrides]

Thanks for your response. You are also an Okie! If you could give some specifics regarding entertainment on the ship, that would be helpful. We are looking at this for a honeymoon cruise, and the itinerary we are looking at includes 4 days at sea. I think this will be wonderful, but I'm concerned my fiance might get weary without activities during the day.

What was your favorite thing about the ship?

 

Thank you!

Stasha

[isujim]

Stasha:

 

The sea days are great and our favorite thing about cruising.....(or one of them) there are plenty of activities on board and you won't get board......of course there is always the sun and pool or a good book in the Solarium pool area.......

 

We enjoyed the Schooner Bar which is pretty quiet if you are looking for a drink after dinner.......that is where the piano bar is.

 

We also enjoyed Chops specialty restaurant....best meal I have ever had at sea. My wife liked Portofino's which is the Italian specialty restaurant but it wasn't my favorite......just don't like Italian that much but to each his own.

 

The entertainment was very good. We had Marty Allen as our headliner......which you are probably too young to remember......he put on a great show......One comedian was very good and one was just so so.......the production shows by the RC singers and dancers were also very good, but we had already seen a couple of the shows on previous cruises.

 

It will be a great ship for your honeymoon. Congratulations.......let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Jim

 

Nordic Prince 8/88

Viking Serenade 3/93

Enchantment 3/01

Rhapsody 9/02

Splendour 4/03

Rhapsody, 9/03

Brilliance, 4/04

 

Until Our Caribbean Princess Cruise

 

 

Until Hawaii on Inifinity

[canucks4]

We did the opposite itinerary in March - the ultimate caribbean - St. Thomas, St. Marten, Antigua, St. Lucia, San Juan - also excellent choice - great islands and the ship is lovely - never a dull moment unless you choose it to be.

I agree with the Chops assessment, no big deal on Portofino's except that it was our Murder Mystery Night - great time - book early. I loved all the bars, coffee nooks, theatre, casino (when winning )...yes I'd say it would be a great choice!

Canucks 4

[cruisingrightalong]

Easy answer! GO!

 

We have done the 10 day Brilliance Panama Canal and considered doing it again....but decided to take the 11 Day Ultimate Caribbean next year....can't wait for those sea days!!! and exciting ports to visit....Brilliance is superb....relax have a great time....but GO!

 

 

Lou

 

Radiance of the Seas May 2, 2004

Brilliance of the Seas November 14, 2003

Imagination June 30, 2002

 

[mabinbklyn]

I was on the Panama Canal cruise with Jim--have to echo what he said. It's a great ship, I actually like it better than the Voyager class (which I also enjoy)--more ship-like and less hotel-like. There is always something to do--or not to do, as you prefer. I would love to go on the Brilliance again (Jim--hint, hint for April 2006!)

 

Mary

 

BOS: 2004

QE2: 2003 & 1987

AOS: 2002

NE or SOA: 2003, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1986

Cunard Princess: 1989

Home Lines Atlantic: 1988

HAL Viendam: 1984

SS United States: 1968

 

until the Voyager of the Seas!

 

 

[isujim]

Mary:

 

I thought about that as well........would hope that it falls though where we do the 11 night ultimate caribbean.......that way we could do both itineraries.......hope they post them soon.

 

Jim

 

Nordic Prince 8/88

Viking Serenade 3/93

Enchantment 3/01

Rhapsody 9/02

Splendour 4/03

Rhapsody, 9/03

Brilliance, 4/04

 

Until Our Caribbean Princess Cruise

 

 

Until Hawaii on Inifinity

[stretch]

We were with the Canucks in March on the 11 day Ultimate. Love the ship (that's why we've already sailed on her twice). San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Lucia, St. Maartin, and Grand Bahama were all good ports. Great snorkling in St. Thomas and St. Maartin. St. John's, Antigua was the most disappointing port, but all we did was the Jolly Roger excursion (never that again!). Shows were so-so, buffet food was very good, main dining room was rather disappointing (our opinion) in both service a food quality. Portofino's was OK, but it was the Murder Mystery night that was alot of fun. We did Chops the year before and found it to be excellent in all respects. Pool, solarium area are great. Lots to do, especially on sea days, if you want to stay active. The casino was pretty loose when we were on her in March, actually came away about $1200 to the good. (Wife won one of the Slots Tournaments for $900). Love the ship and the people and will be a great choice if you're not too picky about the food in the Main dining room. We had an aft cabin (9256) and would take that cabin again in a second. Very large balcony, great views, and no very windy. The motion at night just rocked us to sleep. (Not necessary for newlyweds, LOL). I'd be happy to answer any specific questions if you email me. We also have lots of pictures from our March cruise I just haven't gotten around to posting anywhere.

 

HEY CANUCKS!!!

Good to see you're still around there, Debbie. How's "Big Daddy, the Blackjack Guy" doing, EH???

Be sure to say, Hi! for us.

Stretch

 

Barcrawlers on ice, where will we turn up next?

 

Carnival Celebration 08/97

Carnival Fantasy 02/99

RCI Explorer 05/02

RCI Brilliance 04/03 The Barcrawler Legend Begins

RCI Brilliance 03/04 The Return of the Barcrawlers

Celebrity Summit 06/10/2005

Barcrawlers in Alaska

 

email address: Stretchcrawler@yahoo.com

[CAPinBoynton]

McBrides,

 

Congrats on the wedding! Although we did a different itinerary on the Brilliance, I can tell ya, the ship is fabulous. Try to get either a cabin on the bump or an aft. We had 8596 on the bump and loved it so much that we booked the same cabin on the Brilliance's sister ship the Jewel of the Seas. We leave in one more month!!!

 

Do be aware when you are chosing your cabin that most of the ones on deck 7 have an obstruction from the cover over the life boats. This only blocks your view looking straight down to the water. The bump and the aft cabins do not have the problem.

 

I have to disagree with Stretch about the food. We thoroughly enjoyed every meal and had excellent service in the main dining room. We also ate in Chops, and you should plan to do so even though it cost extra.

 

The BOS is such a beautiful ship with lots and lots of glass. I loved the elevators that looked out onto the ocean. There are many activities to keep you occupied, and your sea days will be what you decide to make them.

 

If you are interested, you can check out our review and pictures of the Brilliance at the link below my signature. Look under Mediterranean.

 

 

 

 

See our reviews and pictures at Mike and Carol's Website

 

Costa Classica 3/94

Celebrity Mercury 4/98

Carnival Destiny 4/99

Crown Princess 7/01

Norwegian Star 11/01

Grand Princess 12/01

Sun Princess 3/02

Celebrity Constellation 11/02

Brilliance of the Seas 6/03

Navigator of the Seas 11/03

Jewel of the Seas 06/04

Tahitian Princess 02/05