Brilliance fo the Seas 1st cruise need info.

[Jay Sam]

Hey folks. Am possibly taking Brilliance in late April from Tampa. Anybody with some information re: this ship would be appreciated. Just anything that would be a tip about this ship. Many thanks.

[Clarea]

Hey folks. Am possibly taking Brilliance in late April from Tampa. Anybody with some information re: this ship would be appreciated. Just anything that would be a tip about this ship. Many thanks.

This is a good start:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipClassCode=RD&shipCode=BR&br=R

[Jay Sam]

This is a good start:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipClassCode=RD&shipCode=BR&br=R

 

Thanks Bob, I appreciate.

 

Jeff

[bluegirlum]

I would also read some of the reviews here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/royal-caribbean/brilliance

 

There are a few people who have recently been on the ship and a few have posted pictures and reviews. I think there are some good overviews.

 

Brilliance is a great ship. I sailed on her 4 weeks ago. Embarkation is really easy. There is a cool aerial show in the Centrum around 5 on the first day--try to stand on a lower deck to make the most of it. (It's also during the time you're sailing away, so that's kind of a bummer, but it's a pretty cool 6 minute show).

 

There are a bunch of fun bars, and there is plenty to do on sea days and at night. I think you'll really enjoy it!

[Jay Sam]

I would also read some of the reviews here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/royal-caribbean/brilliance

 

There are a few people who have recently been on the ship and a few have posted pictures and reviews. I think there are some good overviews.

 

Brilliance is a great ship. I sailed on her 4 weeks ago. Embarkation is really easy. There is a cool aerial show in the Centrum around 5 on the first day--try to stand on a lower deck to make the most of it. (It's also during the time you're sailing away, so that's kind of a bummer, but it's a pretty cool 6 minute show).

 

There are a bunch of fun bars, and there is plenty to do on sea days and at night. I think you'll really enjoy it!

 

Wow, I just read one of the reviews from the link. Thanks so much. From what you said and the one review sounds like a hoot. Thanks again.

 

Jeff

[bluegirlum]

Wow, I just read one of the reviews from the link. Thanks so much. From what you said and the one review sounds like a hoot. Thanks again.

 

Jeff

 

You're welcome. Let us know if you have specific questions. It is a lot of fun! :)

[Summerknight]

We were on the Brilliance in December. It is beautiful. We loved Portofino. We were booked for next fall, but transferred to Navigator for something different.

[Kevin's girl]

Our last two cruises were on the Brilliance. She is a beautiful ship and we had great service both cruises. Our favorite dining was the Chef's Table, but the main dining room was also very good. We had requested a table for two next to the window and were given a great table with an even better view. Given that we were in the Baltics this was better than we imagined, due to the late sunsets and great views.

[Jay Sam]

We were on the Brilliance in December. It is beautiful. We loved Portofino. We were booked for next fall, but transferred to Navigator for something different.

 

Navigator is a great choice. I took sister ship, Adventure on a San Juan cruise a while back and it is my favorite of the 11 ships I have sailed on. Perfect size and a great staff.

[flpenguin]

We just got off of the Brilliance 5 day this past Saturday so I can try to answer questions. They have a great English pub which was our favorite hangout. Mickey the bartender was terrific and they have a guitar player that was fantastic.

[Vmb83]

I second your coment on the pub it was awesome entertainment and the bartenders Mickie and Jason were fabulous funny and spot on!!!

Edited April 25, 2015 by Vmb83
Spelling

[negc]

Brilliance also has one of the best, if not in fact the very best, Cruise Directors - Clo(dagh) O'Connor who will be onboard until the ship arrives back Harwich, UK after its transatlantic crossing next month.

[FirstTeacher]

Brilliance also has one of the best, if not in fact the very best, Cruise Directors - Clo(dagh) O'Connor who will be onboard until the ship arrives back Harwich, UK after its transatlantic crossing next month.

 

We just returned from the Brilliance, and I totally agree with you about Clo. She kept us in stitches each evening at the shows!

[JoeRum]

Love the Brilliance. My favorite ship so far. I know I will sail on it again sometime but there are so many others to try out too! Best bartenders are in the "R" bar.

 

Enjoy!!

 

JoeRum

[MM4M]

Thank you for this thread. There are not too many about Brilliance. We are sailing this ship for the first time in November for our daughter's college graduation gift.

On our last sailing of Allure, we had lunch at Giovanni's. We loved it and wanted to try it for this cruise, but when I go to my Cruise Planner page for RCCL, I am only able to see that they are open for dinner...is this really the case? It seems odd to have a restaurant with a captive audience and only serve one meal a day?

[bluegirlum]

Thank you for this thread. There are not too many about Brilliance. We are sailing this ship for the first time in November for our daughter's college graduation gift.

On our last sailing of Allure, we had lunch at Giovanni's. We loved it and wanted to try it for this cruise, but when I go to my Cruise Planner page for RCCL, I am only able to see that they are open for dinner...is this really the case? It seems odd to have a restaurant with a captive audience and only serve one meal a day?

 

That sounds right. Brilliance is sooo much smaller than Allure (I laugh as I write this b/c my bf and I went on Brilliance in March and he kept getting lost--he wants to go on Allure but I don't think I'd see him for a week! :eek:). I don't think it would get much of a crowd for lunch.

[MM4M]

Thanks for the reply Blue. I guess we will have to go for dinner. Their lunch on Allure was just so relaxed and comfortable.

[bluegirlum]

Thanks for the reply Blue. I guess we will have to go for dinner. Their lunch on Allure was just so relaxed and comfortable.

 

It will probably be kind of a shock for you going from Allure's size down to Brilliance. I thought I would hate going back to Majesty after Oasis, but I didn't at all. Obviously there are less food options on Brilliance (as you've already seen), but hopefully you'll enjoy your cruise. I think just knowing it's going to be a lot different--not bad, just different--will help you going into it. Hope you have a great time!

[MM4M]

I'm ready for the size difference. I have been on all sizes except Quantum. I just did Liberty last month, so I know what to expect. I actually enjoy the smaller ships overall. On Allure we had the last Aqua Balcony room and man, was that a hike and a half several times a day. View was amazing, but that walk in heels nearly killed me.

[sr4mjc]

I love the Radiance Class. Make sure you are outside when you sail under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It's pretty cool.

[Justmekaren918]

The back patio deck is nice off WJ to sit in comfy chairs and eat lunch and riding the water facing elevators down too dinner is very cool!

The English pub or schooner is great and usually something great is always going on at the Centrum. I can't wait to get back on Brilliance next March for my 1st b2b. I really like that it doesn't feel like it takes forever to get all over the ship and back again; unlike Liberty. I really enjoyed those forward deck 7 balcony and I can't wait to have my deck 9 crn aft balcony in March.

 

Enjoy and happy cruising!

[Oppalopa]

Hey folks. Am possibly taking Brilliance in late April from Tampa. Anybody with some information re: this ship would be appreciated. Just anything that would be a tip about this ship. Many thanks.

You will love it. Just eat in the main dining room every chance you get. You will not believe the beauty of that ship. They will treat you like a queen.

[kc320]

Thank you for this thread. There are not too many about Brilliance. We are sailing this ship for the first time in November for our daughter's college graduation gift.

On our last sailing of Allure, we had lunch at Giovanni's. We loved it and wanted to try it for this cruise, but when I go to my Cruise Planner page for RCCL, I am only able to see that they are open for dinner...is this really the case? It seems odd to have a restaurant with a captive audience and only serve one meal a day?

 

We just got off Brilliance a couple weeks ago...they had lunch in Giovanni's on the Sea Days...I "think" it was $10, but not positive...I planned on eating lunch there one of the days, but there was always so much else I wanted to do I never made it.

[Bucket Listed]

I went with a group of girlfriends on western Caribbean, ending this past Saturday. We had no difficulties with the Tampa port.

 

We enjoyed Rita's Cantina (at the back of the Windjammer) and their 2 for 1 margaritas before dinner. Also enjoyed the chocolate martini's towards the other end of the ship after dinner at times. We also brought 2 bottles of wine per cabin onto the ship. Others also brought cases of water or 12 packs of soda, but had to carry them.

 

The main dining room dinners were good. Loved the prime rib and lobster tail, and the shrimp cocktail. Also enjoyed the duck. I think the MDR is a great place to have some portion control while dining. I love being served, and our servers did a nice job. We also had breakfasts there, and lunch on sea days.

 

"Hello Clo" was great, opening/ emceeing the shows. The comedian was fun, as well as some of the productions.

 

We watched a couple movies in the cinema and their was plenty of seating.

 

The music in the centrum was entertaining, and many people danced on some of the theme nights.

 

We always found seating by one of the pools, although sometimes in the shade. Watching the belly flop contest and the sexiest man was a hoot.

 

There was never a long wait for an elevator, and there are several small seating areas along the borders of the centrum upward.

 

We enjoyed spending a few bucks in the casino after dinner...no luck! There was a $10 sale in the shop hallway, and a watch sale that were worth perusing if you have time.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[bluegirlum]

I'm ready for the size difference. I have been on all sizes except Quantum. I just did Liberty last month, so I know what to expect. I actually enjoy the smaller ships overall. On Allure we had the last Aqua Balcony room and man, was that a hike and a half several times a day. View was amazing, but that walk in heels nearly killed me.

 

 

Ha--I bet! Our cabin was on the same deck as the dining room on Brilliance so thankfully my walk in heels wasn't very far. :D I think you'll have a lot of fun. Hope you have a great trip!