LIVE FROM THE DECKS OF: BILLIANCE OF THE SEAS - Let's Compare it to X!

[donnaw]

But now I'm seriously confused since you weren't the only one scheduled for this one! Prayers that everything is OK with the others. As to the difficult one, she has been given orders to check in daily or risk a visit! Lots of vacation left and nothing scheduled so definitely do-able!

 

The cute little chubby guy sends his love and says to keep up the good work at training them on Brilliance. He hasn't asked about the burgers and pizza yet but he will!

 

Great review and does sound like Brilliance has a definite edge over Grandeur. Sending sun vibes (it has to be somewhere) so your out laying by the pool!

[teedee]

Difficult one checking in! Seriously, the surgery is not that big a deal anymore.

 

Back on topic - I'm loving your review and wish I was there with you. Can't wait for more updates.

 

Terri

[thepeacha]

You are great I hope to cruise with you soon!

 

If you want X-level service I can send you to three staffers who are amazing: the aforementioned beloved Roxana at Lattletudes, Elena the manicurist, and Susana and Eileen in the Champagne Bar. They care A LOT and take enormous pride in their work- I'd take them home with me. Rafale at the Pool Bar- he circulates- was also very kind and gracious.

 

Funny about the pool towels- they were available poolside on my sailing. Ran low once but in a pinch you can (shh) always snag one form the spa. Maybe YOU should sail with ME!

 

The Spa manager was not as wonderful as his staff, true. Sorry the word is "sell product", I did not get that treatment at all after a lovely massage, a manicure, and a repolish. No one suggested I do anything else but enjoy my pamapering!

 

Fingers crossed for suitcase resolution, cooler cabin, and cold fridge. All are reasonable requests!

[tuggers]

1/06/08 Brilliance of the Seas Day 5

Stayed up until 4 AM! I knew that nap would do me in. Watched almost all of a movie about a man who wanted to build his own rocket to go to the moon. Starred Billy Bob Thornton but I never got the name of the movie. After that I did turn off the TV and got some sleep.

When I woke up at 7:30 we were docked in Aruba. I went down to the dining room for breakfast (my first visit there for breakfast) which was pretty standard stuff: Juices, Cereal, Danish, Eggs anyway, Eggs Benedict, Pancakes, etc. I had a glass of tomato juice, Special K with a Banana and skim milk then splurged on a Bran Muffin.

I talked to some of the Head Waiters and was told that RCCL has anywhere from 17 to 20 menus that the chef’s on each ship can choose from. The difference in number seemed to be the HW’s wanting the pad the great things RCCL has over X. As on X, the Head Chef on each ship can choose the menus he wants to use and his word is final. Was also told that each waiter is given a copy of every menu for the cruise prior to the first day and they keep these in their lockers. They should be able to give one to any passenger to peruse when asked.

By 9:15 I was up at the pool, had traded in my soiled towels for fresh ones (BTW, if you had no towel to exchange they would give you one but wrote down your name and cabin number – they’re real serious about ugly yellow towels!) and had searched out a lounge chair. Since there were only about ten people up at the pool it wasn’t real difficult.

The pool area is wonderful! I love the bronzes. There is a chubby girl reclining on the edge of the main pool and baby elephants walking around the Solarium pool! If only my camera had made it onto the ship I would take pictures! Might have to buy a disposable just to get pictures of some of the ships artwork. And there is a bar about six feet from the pool! How’s that for convenience??

Weather today is sunny but still very, very windy. I read and stayed by the pool until noon, then went inside to the Windjammer (dining room closed again for lunch) to eat. Today’s fare is pretty much the same type of things they have everyday so I’ll list it out here for you. Won’t do this everyday but you’ll get an idea of what is served.

Hamburgers, Hot Dogs with Fixings and Fries

Asian Bar with white rice and a Stir Fried Beef and Chicken dish

Spaghetti Bolognaise, Fish Creole, Breaded Chicken Cutlets, Pot Roast, Leg of Lamb, Mashed Potatoes and Mixed Veggies

Pizza was four kinds, one with Tuna, a Pepperoni or Plain Cheese plus one that looked like it had sliced potatoes on it

Soups were Black Bean and Mixed Fruit (I think the fruit one was hot because it was in the same area as the Black Bean)

Desserts were Pear Tart, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Napoleons and Chocolate Chip Cookies. There is always soft serve ice cream. No sugar free desserts at all today,

I had ½ of a burger (good), one slice Pepperoni Pizza (not bad) and a little bit of Black Bean Soup which I put rice into and added chopped onions (good). The ice cream and cookies are always good!

I tried my card system today (made a card to put on the table that said ‘I’ll be right back – please leave food’) and the waiters loved it. Several came over to look at it and said what a good idea it was and how bad they feel if they take some ones food. They told me it is a very difficult thing for them to please their bosses by keeping tables clean without making the passengers angry by taking their food before they are finished. It worked well and I will continue to use this system for the Windjammer.

I am enjoying a book another passenger gave to me (remember the library is terrible so you have to depend on the kindness of strangers for new books!) called Still Waters by Tami Hoag. It’s an author I haven’t read before. I am so into it that I went back out after lunch to sit in the sun and read some more. Before I knew it over an hour had flown by. I would have stayed longer but the wind had picked up even more than it had been this morning so I got clean towels and called it a day. It’s not much fun sitting in the sun if you are constantly fighting to keep your towels and belongings from blowing away. Had to anchor my Crocs – they took one long flight across the deck!

I will go into town when I finish writing this and hope the computer place I use is open. It’s Sunday and I heard some returning guests saying things were closed. I was just here in mid December so don’t need to buy a thing. Just want internet. You can now pick up ‘Aruba Wireless’ from the ship at $2.95 per hour but no where on the site does it say the payment area is secure so I’m afraid to use my credit card. Would be a good place for one of those one time credit card numbers you can get. I’ll try to remember that for the next time I’m in Aruba.

I looked at breakfast and the dinner menu looked pretty good with Singapore Noodles and Mustard Crusted Beef as the entrees I would have to decide between. I’ll jot the whole thing down tonight so you can have an entire dinner menu to look at along with the Windjammers lunch menu I gave you above.

If it wasn’t for the wind today would be perfect. I guess we are just destined to have that kind of weather on this cruise. At least I got one day of sun and was able to lay out by the pool. Even if I don’t get another, I’m happy for this one.

I will stay awake this afternoon. I will make the Concierge Lounge before dinner. I will make dinner in the dining room and I will go to the show after dinner. I have promised myself I will do these things. Then I’m coming back to my cabin and crashing!

The show tonight looks interesting. It’s called Fallon Magic and from the picture of the two who do it, it looks like those people who can get their bodies into the strange cantilevered poses and hold them. I’ve seen acts like that before and they were incredible. Hope that’s what it is and not a magic act. I’ve about seen my fill of magic shows and slight of hand artists since I started cruising! Unless it’s the Ladder Guy (Michael James) who has a little magic in his show. Him I could watch every cruise!

Oh, and I want to say something about Abe the Cruise Director who says his mom reads Cruise Critic. Yes, we do love Abe! He’s fun to cruise with and is well suited to this job! Tell him ‘Tuggers loves you!’ next time you talk to him!

As for dress, there are two formal nights listed on first days cruise palnner and everything else is Casual. No Smart Casual unless you are going to the Specialty Restaurants! So packing just became even easier!

[tuggers]

oKAY, just had a long post disappear. Will try to quickly re-create!

 

Kay, I may have to up it to 5 miles if cookie consumption continues! And I was doing so good. Right up till I posted how good I was doing!

 

Difficult one, you are definatley getting a visit when I get home! Not mad just worried. Do you know the guilt I would have had out here doing nothing if something had happened to you????:rolleyes: I still love you!

 

Donna and Joe, tell Joe he can relax, burgers and pizza are fine (except I didn't try that tuna one!) and are even better washed down with the free cocktails! This is an option we want to consider in the future! Only drawback really is that even the die hard RCCL folks say these are some of the smallest cabins around. Up side is that there are lots of little mostly private places we can find to sit and kibbitz!

 

Deb C and Host Sheila, thanks for the kind words!

 

Who did I miss? Sorry if I maissed questions, pls ask them gain because I only go back to my last post (at 55 cents a minute I try to be quick!).

[tuggers]

oKAY, just had a long post disappear. Will try to quickly re-create!

 

Kay, I may have to up it to 5 miles if cookie consumption continues! And I was doing so good. Right up till I posted how good I was doing!

 

Difficult one, you are definatley getting a visit when I get home! Not mad just worried. Do you know the guilt I would have had out here doing nothing if something had happened to you????:rolleyes: I still love you!

 

Donna and Joe, tell Joe he can relax, burgers and pizza are fine (except I didn't try that tuna one!) and are even better washed down with the free cocktails! This is an option we want to consider in the future! Only drawback really is that even the die hard RCCL folks say these are some of the smallest cabins around. Up side is that there are lots of little mostly private places we can find to sit and kibbitz!

 

Deb C and Host Sheila, thanks for the kind words!

 

Who did I miss? Sorry if I maissed questions, pls ask them gain because I only go back to my last post (at 55 cents a minute I try to be quick!).

[tuggers]

And then you got it twice! I love the internet!

 

thepeacha, haven't had time to look up your staffers but will try to do so before the end of the cruise. Sorry, but they must be on a selling jag. Word on ship is that they are very much HIGH pressure at this point!

 

elena, I have stayed clear of that Concierge Lounge since I was not happy with Kathleen and her lack of help to file my insurance claim. I do know they have espresso, etc there 24 hours.

 

angelgirl, I was told the sushi is 'most every night' in the Windjammer.

 

Charlie, when things look worst onboard I check my watch and see how far away 4:30 and those cocktails are! Sure helps!

 

everyone, I do have cruise insurance so hopefully will not really be out any money or have to mess with forms from airlines, cruise ship, etc however, as most women know, it's not the money, it's finding the right things to buy. So while I hate to have to search out new formal wear, shoes, etc, I will survive!

[tomatopa]

Sounds like things are improving... nice to see Donna and Terri checking in. Where is Joan?

We can have a mini reunion on Gails thread....LOL

Gail, Are you seeing any berries and whip cream on this cruise????

My Joe says, "HI" to all.

later......Judy

[tuggers]

Ahh, my fonts are working again! Yea!

 

Judy, so far have seen only a few berries and they've all been strawberries. Will ask tonight! Hey to 'your' Joe!

Have also not rec'd even ONE Diamond perk in my cabin this trip! Sure wish there was a list somewhere of what you were supposed to get! I also have not gotten any bottles of toiletries. And I've asked for those!

 

 

I've had a couple of emails from JoAn so she is alive and kicking. Just not checking in here I guess. I don't have everyones email address on my travel computer (I know, lazy, just haven't taken the time to put them all in). Some I know by heart and can email those people, others I catch on here.

 

Okay, if anyone has other questions ask them in the next couple of days or this trip will be just a memory. BTW, you should see people sit up and LOOK when I pull out my pad, start asking questions and writing down the answers!

 

The fridge may be a tad cooler. If it is it's hardly noticable. The a/c is better but still not what I would call cold. Of course some people say my cabin usually feels like a meat locker so...

 

One other thing I haven't posted. Second hand knowledge but one of the CC'ers told me on this ship you can buy cold 20 ounce bottles of Diet Caffeine Free Coke in the gift shop. I'm out of what I brought so will go look tonight or tomorrow.

 

Thanks for praying for the sun. I finally got that today. Now could you pray for the wind to die down or go away completely?? I would sure appreciate it!

[tomatopa]

Onboard Benefits

 

Ultimate Value Booklet* Welcome Back Party**

Complimentary Wine Tasting** Commemorative gift

 

 

 

 

 

Crown & Anchor Society Desk for membership inquiries

Member section on our website

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onboard Benefits

Private departure lounge

Exclusive onboard event

 

Robes for use onboard

Priority check-in (where available)

 

 

1953 ***

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onboard Benefits

Priority wait list for sold-out shore excursions/spa services

Concierge service on select ships +++

 

Priority departure from ship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Onboard Benefits

Personalized amenity delivered to your stateroom or dining room

 

Behind-the-scenes tours *****

 

 

Preferred seating in main dining room

 

And more Cruise Planning Benefits

 

 

 

Additional Benefits

Diamond Plus membership card

Diamond Plus baggage tags

Diamond Plus lapel pin

Extra Diamond Plus benefits available after 49 and then 75 completed cruise credits

 

Special benefit available to those valued members who reach their 100th cruise credit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Savings certificates to use in our spas, casinos, bars, and more - delivered first day of the cruise to your stateroom.

** Offered only on cruise vacations of 7 nights or longer.

*** In order to take advantage of these pre-cruise benefits, complimentary custom air fee, special rates on balcony and suite staterooms, and priority wait list for dining room seating, you must call (888) 437-1953 prior to your cruise. Complimentary custom air fee will only be waived once. For any additional changes made after the initial request, the normal custom air fee will be applied.

**** Earn one cruise credit for each completed sailing and an extra cruise credit when you purchase and sail in a suite (for sailings beginning on or after January 1, 2004) or when you sail on a 12-night or longer cruise/cruisetour (for sailings beginning on or after January 1, 2003).

***** Available only on cruise vacations of 5 nights or longer.

+++ After 5:00 PM, access to Concierge Club is limited to guests 18 and older. During other times, guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

 

this is all I could find....good luck with getting your benefits.

[tomatopa]

Gail, Was just checking posts on the RCL board and there is another person posting live on your ship

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=683894

 

rather fun to compare the 2 postings....

 

Love yours, Judy

[tuggers]

Judy, don't have time (or money) to go over and read but you DO like mine better, right? Besides do they have 39 X cruises to compare it to??? Remember you are sitting at my table\our table on an upcoming cruise!!!!!:D

Will it be the pillow issue all over again?????:rolleyes:

[tomatopa]

Gail,

you did catch the "love yours" right?

yours is the BEST!!!

I know better than to cross you. still can not look at my pillow without thinking it should be with Gail and other 100 pillows from X.....LOL

 

Judy

[tuggers]

Nah! It's yours! You won it fair and square! BTW, I only have 99!:D But if I figured up how much each one cost I'd go crazy!

Actually the perks I was talking about was like the chocolate covered 'welcome back' strawberries, the toiletries, the bag, etc, etc. I think I'm going to go ask the Loyalty guy. Remember I had to go fight to get a coupon book? I'll go back there. See, I think stuff is still messed up because I changed cabins but GR says no, everything has been changed. Called room service the other night and they called me 'Mrs S....' and that's who orginally had the cabin!

Still haven't even gotten my stockholders credits either and Amber faxed that on 12/15! No onboard booking credits either!

[aloanldy]

Gail- At this point on your cruise... would you book the same ship again????

 

 

 

Charlie

[Conanc]

Hi Gail,

Thanks so much for posting. You have a great sense of humor! I am enjoying reading all of your adventures. We will be on the Brilliance next Friday for our Panama Canal cruise and are looking forward to it. I am paying particular attention to what is on the menus. :D

 

I have two questions for you. What are you using for internet (we are trying to decide between Cybercabin or wi-fi). Where in Aruba is the internet cafe you were referring to. Thank you!

 

I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise. Hope the Loyalty Ambassador takes good care of you!

 

Nancy

[cruisegirl]

Thanks for posting your experiences as they're happening on the Brilliance. It really helps to hear from those of you who are there right now. We'll be sailing on the Brilliance next Friday and can hardly wait.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Thanks for posting your experiences as they're happening on the Brilliance. It really helps to hear from those of you who are there right now. We'll be sailing on the Brilliance next Friday and can hardly wait.

 

Take good care of Brilliance. We will be boarding on the 21st when you are getting off!!!:D

[eks1954]

Sounds like you are enjoying the cruise. Cool gift for the M & M. Bet someone enjoyed that! Sounds like a nice ship. Those free drinks are a real perk! X need to get on the stick and offer this to their loyal cruisers. Got to run.....have fun!

[Andy]

Hi Gail !

 

Thanks again for another great update. What's the deal with Tuna Pizza !!! LOL. I'd skip that one too. Have a wonderful Cruise !

[Angelgirl51]

Thanks for the reply to the sushi question I had. I love sushi anykind so I'm happy. I did pray for the wind to leave you and the sun to keep shining. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

[tuggers]

Day 5 (continued)

 

Walked into Aruba but only about two blocks from the ship to an internet place. $3 per hour at this one and I can plug in my own computer.

Added a couple of things to the post that I want to get added here so I’ll remember:

I have rec’d NO Diamond perks in my cabin this trip – not one.

No bottled toiletries on this trip. Just the stuff on the wall in the shower (stain remover) and a couple of bars of soap.

Came back onboard about 5:30 and went up to the Concierge Lounge on deck 13. (Angel says thanks for the scarf and hello!) Chatted with two couples who had both had a bad experience at Chops the night before. Not sure what they ate but they were not particularly happy.

Dinner tonight was:

Baby Shrimp Salad, Fried Cheddar Cheese, Lentil with Root Vegetable Soup, Cock-A-Leekie (chicken broth w/ rice and prunes) and Cherry Cinnamon Soup

Singapore Noodles w/Shrimp, Sole Meuniere, Roast Chicken, Allo Gobi (Curry w/Cauliflower, Sweet Potatoes, Samosa and Roti Bread), Mustard Crusted Beef

Butterscotch Pecan Tart, Low-fat Poached Pears

I had the Singapore Noodles (cellophane noodles and 3 shrimp on a skewer), not much spice and kind of tasteless, IMO. I also had the Lentil Soup which tasted and had the consistency of split pea soup. It was pretty good and nice that it was filling because I didn’t eat much of the entrée. My tablemate had the beef and said it was very good but was only two small slices, not much of a meal for a man. One other pronounced the roast chicken dry.

I have noticed that the portions of beef on this ship have been very small. Most of the beef dishes are good but come with two small, thin slices. That’s okay if you are eating multiple courses or don’t have a large appetite. If you are only eating and appetizer or soup and the entrée it can result in a rather light meal.

The Butterscotch Pecan Tart was good as were the Poached Pears. Those were the only two desserts anyone tried at our table but both got good reviews

I asked for a second Savory roll, the little triangular ones that are about two bites. Never rec’d it. Every night so far neither the waiter or assistant waiter have moved the dessert spoon and fork into their proper places, leaving them instead at the top of the place setting. I find this strange after so many years on X.

I also asked the HW again for the menu for Monday’s meal and was told ‘oh, it’s very good, it’s lobster night’. I am not fond of the lobster on this line. It has a spice that I don’t care for. The lobster does come with four shrimp that are usually nice but there is no potato. I would like the shrimp and a baked potato better if I had that choice. I would also have liked to be shown the menu when I ask. I think I will ask to see the Restaurant Manager and see how that goes.

I hope you all realize that I ask these questions and sometimes ask to see people, like the restaurant manager, so I can tell you how they handle complaints. I would let it go because it’s not all that important. I could just have a baked potato on nights I don’t like the menu. But since it should not be a big deal to let a passenger see the menu for the next night while still at the table, I am going to see what the answer is if I move a little higher up the food chain. In a very, very nice way. I will not do anything but ask why it seems to be a problem and see what the reaction is.

Show tonight was Fallon Magic. I went in and stayed for a little while but left after about 15 minutes. I’ve kind of over dosed on magic shows since I started cruising so the fact that I left was not indicative of the quality of the show. He took a 5 or 6 year old up on stage who apparently didn’t speak English and he was having to translate everything. It got a little tedious. That’s when I left.

On this cruise I have been amazed at the number of two to five year olds that are at the late shows. Last night you could hear children in several areas of the theater, talking out loud, running up aisles, etc. That also lead to me leaving. I do late dinner and late shows to avoid children.

There are lots of children on this ship. The demographics are strange. You have younger families with children and then the retirees. Not much in between. I think there are more 35 to 50 year olds on X. More twenty-something on here but then mostly 60, 70 and up.

I’ve also seen lots of scooter, walkers and canes on this ship.

Tried walking the outer decks last night but the wind was just too strong so ended up going to be pretty early. I was tired after the night with hardly any sleep (and no nap) so it was fine with me.

Bye For Now!

[tuggers]

Charlie, yes. Overall it’s a great ship. Service is adequate to good and staff is pleasant.

You aren’t going to be pampered like on X but it’s still very good.

Nancy, this cabin is right near the hotspot on deck 7 so when I open my cabin door I have in cabin wifi. Pretty good deal! Until this morning service has been pretty good. I bought the 150 minutes for $55 and may have to buy another one. When you leave the ship in Aruba, go through the gate where the security guard is and make an immediate right (it’s more an alley) and just go over to the next street and turn left. It’s about 150 feet up the street on the right. $3 per hour with your own computer.

Cruisegirl, hope your weather is a little better! Not so much wind and more sun!

Angelgirl, thanks! I’ll let you know how the wind is today!

Host Andy, I don’t know! It kind of looked like they had turned a can of tuna upside down on top of it! Yuck!

Hey Earl! Wish you were here!

Bye For Now!

[tuggers]

1/07/2007 Brilliance of the Seas Day 6

Good Morning! I was up at 7:30. We had a time change last night and got back the hour we skipped ahead to be on island time in Curacao and Aruba. I slept great after the music in the Centrum ended at midnight. I enjoyed it but anyone having these cabins at the hump that are so close to the Centrum Lobby should realize that a lot of music is played in there sometimes starting as early as lunch. So if the music would bother your naps or you are early to bed, this cabin, and ones like it, might not be for you.

Went up to the Windjammer for cottage cheese and pineapple, then it was out to the pool. The weather was great! Warm and sunny with little wind. I did the Walk-A-Mile thing with the activities staff this morning but had started before they did so actually did two miles. Have to pick up another mile or mile and a half before dinner. I stayed out until noon and then came in to shower and wash my hair (tonight is formal). Rested a little and then went to lunch about 1:15.

The dining room selection was the same as the second or third day but I didn’t give you that menu so I’ll do it now:

Nasi Goreng

Pazanella Salad

Caesar Salad

Turkey Ptarmigan

Sun Dried Tomato Wrap

Open face NY Strip Steak Sandwich

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Burger

Beef & Avocado Fajitas

Ricotta & Asparagus Cannelloni

Dessert:

Cookies & Cream Cheesecake

Banana Chocolate Crunch

Carrot Cake

Apple Peach Crumble

Apple Strudel

I had the Nasi Goreng (not much spice and too much chicken) and the Apple Strudel (good but under cooked)

I thought it was interesting that I ate lunch with a couple who were just off the Mariner and said Chops was fantastic on that ship. They had eaten at the Chops here and were very disappointed. I asked them if they thought the preparation of the food was the reason it was not as good or if the quality of the beef was lower. They felt it was a definite lower quality of meat and said the staff seemed embarrassed and knew it was not up to their standards. I have not eaten there this trip so I can not say first hand but I now have four couples telling the same story about the food. As for Portofino’s, everyone I asked who has been there loved it.

After lunch I came back to the cabin and (surprise) I had sun on my balcony! I read out there for about an hour and then it was time to go to the CC slot pull!

The slot pull was lots of fun! We used a $1 Wheel of Fortune machine. We had 23 people who put up $15 each. So each person got 5 pulls. We ended up getting $10.50 each back, plus we had a great time screaming and yelling for the machine to give us a ‘SPIN< SPIN< SPIN! We put in almost $400 and only got one spin! That was kind of low! But we did have a GREAT time losing our $4.50 each!

Stopped by the Concierge Lounge and had one Vodka and Tonic, extra lime. Angel knows my order now so she puts the drink on the bar when I walk in. BTW, I did say ‘hi’ to her from the ‘scarf people’ and she sends her regards.

Tonight is the Captain’s Welcome Back party and it’s formal night. Have to be in the Colony Club at 7:15. I’m going just to see how it is. I haven’t been to many on RCCL

so I’ll go take a look see and have a drink.

Entertainment tonight is a production show, Big Time Swing. I’m not much for the production shows so think I may go to the Battle of the Sexes Game Show at 10. I’ve never been to one of those either so I’d like to see how they do it. There’s also a 70’s Disco night at 11 but I think I’ll pass on that. Movie tonight is Music and Lyrics and I want to see that. Decisions, decisions

[Schplinky]

Gail,

 

Not sure how long you're on but there are great late-night snacks on Brilliance at the Sea View Cafe. They will do panini, pizza and pastas, as well as salad. It's tucked out of the way on deck 11 or 12 so you may need to look for it. They're not as elegant as the late night munchies on X but they run a much later service and you don't have to be in a revenue area (bar, casino) to get them.