Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 #1 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Hello from sunny skies and calm seas on Brilliance! We are doing a back to back on this new-to-us-ship. We live on a strict cruise budget so that we can enjoy these special treats! We have therefore been on 30 cruises since 2004, and even moved to Florida to be close to the ships. Our favorite ship to date is Allure, but we found that so many CC members favor the Radiance class that we just had to try it ourselves. So, it became an easy excuse (as if I need another one) to book a cruise. Of course, anything shorter than 7 days is too short, so we booked a back to back. I will not be typing too much in this trip report, as we are enjoying our vacation. I will post pictures, the Cruise Compass, and only make a few comments After our 9 days, I will share the verdict of our view of Brilliance, along with a summary of our experience when we get home. For now, please feel free to ask questions. I will try my best to get answers while we are onboard. With that said, come sail along with Blonde and Bullethead... (Just for the record, I am not responsible for his hair loss 😁) 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #2 Share Posted March 15, 2019 My View: Day 1 - Tampa 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShillyShally Posted March 15, 2019 #3 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Awesome, have a great trip! Can't wait to hear what you think as we too want to try this class of ships! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #4 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Day 1: Cruise Compass for 4-day itinerary: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #5 Share Posted March 15, 2019 We receive an e-mail telling us not to show up at the port until after 12. The shift was undergoing a routine customs inspection. From experience, we knew we could ignore this email. We decided to show up early anyway, as we would rather wait at the park then in a hotel room. We ended up boarding by 11:15 AM. We pre-paid for parking through Park Connect. The parking garage is right across from the port. You just have to park on level 3 or higher, and you end up paying a fraction of the price (I think about half). A few views on the way to the port: Brilliance docked at Terminal 3, which is right next to the aquarium: Check in was a breeze at 10:20. We were seated in the captain’s lounge by 10:30: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #6 Share Posted March 15, 2019 After boarding around 11:15, we went straight to the aft outside seating of the Windjammer for a quiet lunch: The “late” Rita’s Cantina: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted March 15, 2019 A few port views from the ship: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBumb Posted March 15, 2019 #8 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Following really looking forward to your views bon voyage 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #9 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Due to the Coast Guard inspection, our rooms were not ready until 2 p.m. Unfortunately, this caused us to miss out on the CC meet up. The safety briefing (Muster drill) was very easy and quite relaxing. Our muster station is in the Schooner bar, so we were able to sit in the air conditioned space for the duration. A few sailaway from our balcony: Leaving the USA for a few days: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILCTCRUISER Posted March 15, 2019 #10 Share Posted March 15, 2019 4 hours ago, APDMOM said: After boarding around 11:15, we went straight to the aft outside seating of the Windjammer for a quiet lunch: The “late” Rita’s Cantina: The outdoor WJ seating is a plus but it's just one of the reasons we enjoy this class of ship. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #11 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Dinner timing was a bit poor for sailaway. I would have stayed on the balcony, but this was Bullethead’s birthday. So, I decided to go to the main diningroom with him for this dinner. We can always skip dinner on Monday when we sail away for our second leg of the cruise. I did quickly hop over to the outdoor promenade to catch a couple of bridge pictures. Hopefully, we will have good weather again on Monday so that I can catch the bridge from deck 12 forward. Day 1 Dinner Menu: Dinner favorites on tonight’s menu included the Waldorf salad, Fish of the day (Barramundi), Salmon and The Warm chocolate cake: The two of us in front of a waterfall in the MDR: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #12 Share Posted March 15, 2019 2 minutes ago, ILCTCRUISER said: The outdoor WJ seating is a plus but it's just one of the reasons we enjoy this class of ship. I agree! We are finding so many things we love about the ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #13 Share Posted March 15, 2019 On that note... here is another thing we love about the ship: The Atrium. Our stateroom is on deck 8, right by the elevators and atrium. It is super noisy and the music does not stop until after 11 p.m. I thought this would bother me, but it was so much fun last night! We decided to join in from deck 8 and really loved all the activity. From a band performing to “Finish that Lyric” (GO Mr. DC!) and Rock-a-Rokie (karaoke with a live band) to Country Line Dance, the entertainment was endless. The atrium leans itself to a GREAT atmosphere with people cheering all the way from deck 4 to 10. Such Fun! By the way, that band (Locomotion) is excellent! I have not figured out how to add video from my camera to the iPad... will have to do that at home from my computer. 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #14 Share Posted March 15, 2019 End of day 1, First leg... Our room set up with DS on the sleeper couch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 15, 2019 Author #15 Share Posted March 15, 2019 More room pictures to come later this week... Off to prepare for formal night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nivek82 Posted March 15, 2019 #16 Share Posted March 15, 2019 Great review. We join the ship the day you leave and we too are doing a B2B. Thanks for the parking idea. I've cruised out of Tampa a few times but never heard of that site but if it's just right there then sounds like a winner. Looked like it was on the shopping side of the Chanelside parking garage but for as you put it about half off looks like it's a win win. Look forward to reading your adventures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LC2626 Posted March 15, 2019 #17 Share Posted March 15, 2019 LOVE Brilliance!! Enjoy your sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suesnake2002 Posted March 16, 2019 #18 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Apdmom, I've seen you on these boards, how nice to have a review from you 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrFunInTheSun Posted March 16, 2019 #19 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Thanks for bringing us along! Oasis class ships are by far my favorite ships, but 2nd best is this class ship. Almost anywhere you are on this ship you can see the ocean, its wonderful. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuzzBuzzen Posted March 16, 2019 #20 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Thank you for the great photos and review , really enjoying it all, cheers, Buzz :) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 16, 2019 Author #21 Share Posted March 16, 2019 5 hours ago, nivek82 said: Great review. We join the ship the day you leave and we too are doing a B2B. Thanks for the parking idea. I've cruised out of Tampa a few times but never heard of that site but if it's just right there then sounds like a winner. Looked like it was on the shopping side of the Chanelside parking garage but for as you put it about half off looks like it's a win win. Look forward to reading your adventures. Enjoy your final planning days! Here is a map of the parking garage and distance from the port. It is a very easy walk. You drive in from 12th street where there is a large sign announcing Channelside Parking Garage. The elevator exits at Channelside drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 16, 2019 Author #22 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Thank you for following along and for the compliments! It is definitely more fun when there is a virtual crowd “cruising” along.😁 I almost forgot to post this beautiful sunset from day 1: 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 16, 2019 Author #23 Share Posted March 16, 2019 My View: Day 2 - At Sea... Good morning from our balcony: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 16, 2019 Author #24 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Cruise Compass: Day 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare APDMOM Posted March 16, 2019 Author #25 Share Posted March 16, 2019 Carnival Paradise and Rhapsody of the Seas sailing north: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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