Brilliance or Empress or Freedom?

[Carol28]

So sad. We canceled our cruise that we should have been boarding in 17 days. But, I've asthma and am in that 60+ category. So, we made a decision.  (Worst things have happened.) So, we now have a credit that we have to use by the end of 2021. We probably will go back to New England/Canada for the 6th time.  The three ships I mentioned are the ones in the area in September-October.  Freedom is the newest, but it has many, many passengers. Brilliance and Empress are smaller which we prefer, but old. I'd love some opinions about all three ships, especially if the two older ones are showing their age.

 

[MandyMooToo]

I have sailed Brilliance and Empress (just got off Empress this past weekend) but will not sail on Freedom until this November.  Brilliance was a lovely ship and I would sail her again tomorrow but my biggest issue with her is the casino.  The Brilliance casino is super smoky and since I have asthma myself it was near impossible for me togo in there.  Also the way the ship is designed the smoke travels out into the centrum.  As for Empress, yes it is older and small but the crew was just amazing and the ship does not feel or look worn.  The rooms are very small so that has to be considered but the casino is smoke free so we could go in there and there was no smoke to travel around the ship.  Hope that helps!

[Carol28]

6 minutes ago, MandyMooToo said:

I have sailed Brilliance and Empress (just got off Empress this past weekend) but will not sail on Freedom until this November.  Brilliance was a lovely ship and I would sail her again tomorrow but my biggest issue with her is the casino.  The Brilliance casino is super smoky and since I have asthma myself it was near impossible for me togo in there.  Also the way the ship is designed the smoke travels out into the centrum.  As for Empress, yes it is older and small but the crew was just amazing and the ship does not feel or look worn.  The rooms are very small so that has to be considered but the casino is smoke free so we could go in there and there was no smoke to travel around the ship.  Hope that helps!

That's a fabulous review. I'll look at the Empress now.  We never go into the casino, but I don't like having its smoke follow me around. Thank you!

 

[Havin'fun]

Freedom.

It was a great ship before it was "amped", now the pictures / reviews I am seeing this week look AMAZING 😍

[Icesk8rReedy]

I have been on Freedom a few years ago and will go on her again next month.  LOVE that ship!  I don't see a lot of people like someone mentioned but I tend to sail while schools are in session.

[cb at sea]

I would choose Freedom, too...I think it's the best ship our of your choices.  Yes, there are a few more people, but more SPACE, so it feels less crowded.

[SummerBeee]

The rooms on Empress are very small. I did a solo sailing in an interior, told my husband there is no way we could share the room. There also isn’t any loyalty or suite lounge

I did enjoy my time on Empress, and have 4 cruises booked on her.

 

Haven't done Brilliance but have sailed on her sisters. The Radiance class is my favorite 

[George C]

Have done brilliance and freedom sister ship liberty, definitely would pick freedom for entertainment, love the ice show , which isn’t on the others.