Drew's Wife Posted December 12, 2013 #1 Share Posted December 12, 2013 This is our first time on the RCCL boards...we are thnking about "jumping ship" from (well you know, the other cruise line) We do love Carnival and have had many wonderful cruises, but with all the cutbacks over the last few years and now the demise of the tablecloths in the MDR, we are thinking it is time to check out other options. Yes, I know, the tablecloth seems like such a trivial and mundane thing, but it is important to us, along with traditional dining and dressing for dinner. We love the smaller ships and five day cruises as they are perfect for us.. We are thinking about the Brilliance of The Seas and would love to know as much information as possible. Photos of the ship and canins and any cabins that would be very quiet on the ship. Thank you for any help. I know CC folks are always so nice and helpful and hope that I can find out plenty of information that will encourage to book the cruise. Thank you again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilyclub Posted December 12, 2013 #2 Share Posted December 12, 2013 One word: glass. Plenty of windows on that class to see the sea... The pool tables are cool, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epaul3 Posted December 12, 2013 #3 Share Posted December 12, 2013 We have done Carnival... but Royal Caribbean is our favorite. The Brilliance is such a beautiful ship! You will fall in love with her! This class of ship has so much glass and is a very open design! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilyclub Posted December 12, 2013 #4 Share Posted December 12, 2013 There will be a lot of pics in this live review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1954964 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFunInTheSun Posted December 12, 2013 #5 Share Posted December 12, 2013 (edited) This is our first time on the RCCL boards...we are thnking about "jumping ship" from (well you know' date=' the other cruise line) We do love Carnival and have had many wonderful cruises, but with all the cutbacks over the last few years and now the demise of the tablecloths in the MDR, we are thinking it is time to check out other options. Yes, I know, the tablecloth seems like such a trivial and mundane thing, but it is important to us, along with traditional dining and dressing for dinner. We love the smaller ships and five day cruises as they are perfect for us.. We are thinking about the Brilliance of The Seas and would love to know as much information as possible. Photos of the ship and canins and any cabins that would be very quiet on the ship. Thank you for any help. I know CC folks are always so nice and helpful and hope that I can find out plenty of information that will encourage to book the cruise. Thank you again.[/quote'] Make the jump!!! Will be well worth it! I'm a prior Carnival Cruiser (14 cruises) and switched earlier this year to all Royal Caribbean mixed with a few prior to this year and have loved every minute of it! I'm now on Royal Caribbean cruise 8. I sailed on the Jewel of the Seas last April and vowed why I never sailed more RC ships before. I did a "Live" review with pictures which can be seen below. Jewel of the Sea's is the sister ship to Brilliance. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1826302 I'm leaving tomorrow for my first time on Brilliance of the seas and doing another Live from. Feel free to follow along. This class ship is simply amazing. Depending on my wifi experience I always post pictures. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1954964 Happy Cruising! Thanks Bilyclub :-) Edited December 12, 2013 by MrFunInTheSun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted December 12, 2013 #6 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Here is a great informational page on ships; easy to navigate and good photo tour. A great general ship reference site. http://beyondships.com/RCI-BOS-Profile.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted December 12, 2013 #7 Share Posted December 12, 2013 There are also many YouTube videos to watch. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=brilliance+of+the+seas+2013&sm=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattiG Posted December 12, 2013 #8 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Just remember that all the cruise lines have had cutbacks -- whether it is food, tablecloths, wine stewards, lunch in the MDR, etc. Cruising is not what it used to be. Hope you enjoy RCI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew's Wife Posted December 12, 2013 Author #9 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Thank you all so much! I knew I could rely on CC folks to come through with information. I have just talked with RCCL and we are now booked on our first cruise with them. A wonderful aft extended balcony! Although I must say that I am a little sad about not crusing with Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcard Posted December 12, 2013 #10 Share Posted December 12, 2013 The tablecloths....Seriously? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzeluver Posted December 12, 2013 #11 Share Posted December 12, 2013 The tablecloths....Seriously? While I cannot speak for the OP, the tablecloths are just the latest in a long line of cutbacks Carnival has made in the last few years (live music poolside replaced by dj's, live orchestras replaced by pre-recorded music, dumbed-down menus and on and on) that may have become the breaking point for some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonbgd Posted December 12, 2013 #12 Share Posted December 12, 2013 The Brilliance is a nicer version of CCL Spirit class My favorite size ships. We started cruising RCCL after years with Carnival. Im glad we did Enjoy your cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew's Wife Posted December 12, 2013 Author #13 Share Posted December 12, 2013 While I cannot speak for the OP, the tablecloths are just the latest in a long line of cutbacks Carnival has made in the last few years (live music poolside replaced by dj's, live orchestras replaced by pre-recorded music, dumbed-down menus and on and on) that may have become the breaking point for some. Thank you! I could not have not phrased it any more clear that what you did....All of the above....and yes the tablecloths were the last straw. We love to cruise with Carnival and if they find these new and "improved" ideas do not work....should they decide to leave the last bit of elegance and use a tablecloth....we would sail with them again... Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted December 12, 2013 #14 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Thank you all so much! I knew I could rely on CC folks to come through with information. I have just talked with RCCL and we are now booked on our first cruise with them. A wonderful aft extended balcony! Although I must say that I am a little sad about not crusing with Carnival. See if you feel the same way AFTER you have been on Brilliance.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew's Wife Posted December 12, 2013 Author #15 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Thanks, I must say that I am thrilled with all the positive comments I am hearing about this ship. It makes the decision to leave Carnival so much easier when I hear such great comments... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toddcan Posted December 12, 2013 #16 Share Posted December 12, 2013 I would imagine that the dining room tables are nothign special to look at because they were meant to have table clothes on them. Or, are the MDR decent enough tables? To me, the MDR atmosphere has to have table clothes - it's just awkward without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxoocruiser Posted December 12, 2013 #17 Share Posted December 12, 2013 The Brilliance is one of my favorite RCCL's ships. It's a good choice. There's several You Tube videos showing the Brilliance. Suggest you do a Google Search using Videos of the Brilliance of the Seas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew's Wife Posted December 12, 2013 Author #18 Share Posted December 12, 2013 The Brilliance is one of my favorite RCCL's ships. It's a good choice. There's several You Tube videos showing the Brilliance. Suggest you do a Google Search using Videos of the Brilliance of the Seas Thank you.....I did find a video of our exact cabin....NICE...and the balcony is really nice....I'm getting excited! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo&fran Posted December 12, 2013 #19 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Check your countdown clocks. You are listed on oneship 1/11/15 and another 1/12/15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatloafsfan Posted December 12, 2013 #20 Share Posted December 12, 2013 I would imagine that the dining room tables are nothign special to look at because they were meant to have table clothes on them. Or, are the MDR decent enough tables? To me, the MDR atmosphere has to have table clothes - it's just awkward without. Carnival is replacing their previous MDR tables with new ones - they look like glossy dark brown wood tables similar to what you find in many restaurants (Applebees, Red Lobster, etc). They will have tablecloths on Elegant nights but not on cruise casual nights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaLuvCruising Posted December 12, 2013 #21 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Thank you all so much! I knew I could rely on CC folks to come through with information. I have just talked with RCCL and we are now booked on our first cruise with them. A wonderful aft extended balcony! Although I must say that I am a little sad about not crusing with Carnival. I completely understand! Of my 35 cruises, 16 have been on Carnival (starting in 1991). I'm so disappointed in all the recent downgrades. You'll love the Brilliance! It's very beautiful and a great size. Hopefully the shows and food are still impressive, but I expect you'll have a wonderful time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaLuvCruising Posted December 12, 2013 #22 Share Posted December 12, 2013 While I cannot speak for the OP, the tablecloths are just the latest in a long line of cutbacks Carnival has made in the last few years (live music poolside replaced by dj's, live orchestras replaced by pre-recorded music, dumbed-down menus and on and on) that may have become the breaking point for some. Taking away the show band and production shows was HUGE for us. Then they downgraded the menus and took away most soups & salads. Then they removed the freakin' tablecloths and we were done. I do have one more Carnival booked, traveling with others under early saver, so we'll just have to make our own fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare nbsjcruiser Posted December 12, 2013 #23 Share Posted December 12, 2013 This is our first time on the RCCL boards...we are thnking about "jumping ship" from (well you know' date=' the other cruise line) We do love Carnival and have had many wonderful cruises, but with all the cutbacks over the last few years and now the demise of the tablecloths in the MDR, we are thinking it is time to check out other options. Yes, I know, the tablecloth seems like such a trivial and mundane thing, but it is important to us, along with traditional dining and dressing for dinner. We love the smaller ships and five day cruises as they are perfect for us.. We are thinking about the Brilliance of The Seas and would love to know as much information as possible. Photos of the ship and canins and any cabins that would be very quiet on the ship. Thank you for any help. I know CC folks are always so nice and helpful and hope that I can find out plenty of information that will encourage to book the cruise. Thank you again.[/quote'] No tablecloths? Seriously? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bilyclub Posted December 12, 2013 #24 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Everybody has a breaking point..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simpleman Posted December 12, 2013 #25 Share Posted December 12, 2013 We are also jumping ship after 16 cruises with Carnival for various reasons. We are going to try Celebrity October 2014 and then Brilliance of the Seas January 22,2015 followed by Jewel of the Seas March 2015. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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