Brilliance - give me the good, bad, and the ugly about this ship

[jalakim]

Teach 01.. We are going on the 17th. Can't wait. I know I shouldn't be wishing my life away, but I am sooooo ready to go!!!

[jbond]

JBOND...

 

I noticed you have cruised both the Brilliance and the Tahitian Princess.

 

Which cruise would you choose... 12 days Tahitian Princess to Hawaii and Tahiti or the Brilliance 12 day to the Western Med and Greece?

 

Thanks

 

Bruce

Wow, what a choice. The itineraries are both fantastic, but so very different. I'm not sure which I prefer, I'd do either in a heart beat. One is so overwhelming from the cultural/historical point, and the other is that touch of tropical paradise that we just dream about. As for ships, there is no comparison. We didn't like the Tahitian Princess too much. It was much smaller than Brilliance, very friendly crew, good food and excellent service, but it was very poorly laid out. Tendering was a problem and the lounges and bars were, IMO, inadequate, even for the relatively small number of passengers on board. Really Mickey Mouse elevators. The atrium was kind of strange. Lots of psuedo wrought iron on the narrow staircases. Getting a drink before dinner was almost impossible unless you got to the bar very early. We didn't have bad weather, but the ship didn't "sail" well. It had an uncomfortable, short pitched roll. Having said all that, would we go again, absolutely.

I envy you having the decision to make. Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Even on a tugboat, either itinerary would be worthwhile.

[jbond]

If I'm not mistaken, Brilliance OTS just came through dry-dock this Fall (Oct??)

Jane

I don't believe so. We were on Brilliance the last two weeks of October this year, in the Med. It did a three day cruise, another 12 day cruise and then a trans-Atlantic back to the Caribbean.

Like some of the other posters, we saw nothing that looked rundown. Everything we saw was well cared for and in first class condition. Our concierge was Chris, so I can't comment on the service that figment3 experienced, except to say that we have always had great concierge service and choose RCI before Princess on a similar itinerary because of the concierge lounge perk.

[Pumbaamd]

The Seaview Cafe, currently, is like an Italian eatery. They feature Paninni sandwiches, pasta, salads and pizza. I asked why they switched from the other menu and was told they change the menu every six months. We had the sandwiches and pizza, they were both pretty good. They also have beer, wine and soft drinks.

[figment3]

open your eyes when on board,there are lots of things misssing from the ship that where there when she was new,light fixtures out side on deck 5,just lose wires left, lots of jewls missing from the elephants in the coverd pool, a lot of the camodes dont work every time,the in cabin internet is a waste of money,works onley sometimes go with the wifi,look at the marbel in the center elivatores. all the black spots from the glue they used to adhear it has come through the surface, if this was in your home you would have it removed and replaced,a lot of lose paint is on the over hang on the tenth deck, so much so that you have to bush off the deck chairs before sitting down.this ship is due for a major drydock for sand blasting and paiting of the exterior,carpets are still fair as is most of the furniture, but the smelly smoke smell the waffs out of the casino deck almost nocks you down as you get to the door,well as for the brett you spock of i dont know, but the one that was the concearge on her befor was employe of the year so he must have done some thing right.i was also there when she book a tour for these peaple and when it came time for them to go on it it was the worng thing so they said anyway, and where on there way back the to ask for there money back,and for the money you pay to go on a cruise i dont think you should have to wait for a concearge to come up to snuff,there was a lot of talk about her and her adatude,i bet she aint there i a year

[desme]

Do they charge for the seaview cafe? if so, are the prices ok?

Thank you

[teach01]

Do they charge for the seaview cafe? if so, are the prices ok?

Thank you

 

No, it is included in the price of your cruise.

[Zurichguy]

Thanks for all the opinions about the ship. I'm sailing her in November from Barcelona to Miami and I'm looking forward to it.

 

I've sailed the Radiance class once before, on the Serenade's maiden voyage from Amsterdam to Boston -- what a trill to be on a shiny new cruise liner like that!

 

It looks like the Brilliance will live up to that standard.