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

[DT10L]

We were on Brilliance with the murder on board trip. As well, our table mate passed away near the end of the Med cruise. They handled his passing very well. From boarding in Barcelona, the food on Brilliance was the pits. From the buffet that reacked of over cooked green peppers to cold yolk fried eggs in the morning. Portofino compared to a regular food venue on other cruises. The Seaside cafe was the only high spot when it came to food.

 

Our room staff was very eperienced and provided entertaining puppets several times a day made with the towels. He also made sure that we had a bucket of ice for our return from excursion scotch with our friends.

 

Brilliance was never ever close to any X ship that we have taken. Oceania has the best food and the best someliers. We were never charged a corking fee for our Pomerol and Margaux. And he even opened a real Chablis for us for lunch while at sea, so that we could enjoy a glass or two.

 

We will be on Summit next week. We shall see. $25 corking fee? Cruise ships are no different than hotels and other resorts. Have anyone been banned from having a few drinks in their room? Club Med used to have a similar attitude charging exorbitant prices for booze and wines. They had to adjust with the othr resorts. Hopefully X will learn.

 

DT10L:rolleyes:

[FinelyCruising]

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.

 

YES!!! Imagine I forgot...The Seaview Cafe!!! We found it very late on our Jewel cruise but were quite on top for Radiance, and we love it!

 

Gail...do find it at the rear of the ship on the jogging deck on the starboard side...it's behind the kids pools and the basketball....It's well worth the time to see what it's all about...there is bound to be a little something you might enjoy there. :)

[cruisegirl]

I am a bit taken back and surprised at the number of negative comments about Brilliance especially in terms of food. I was on Jewel of the Sea about 2 years ago and thought it was fantastic. Do you think this decline in quality is fleet wide or just Brilliance?

[Schplinky]

I am a bit taken back and surprised at the number of negative comments about Brilliance especially in terms of food. I was on Jewel of the Sea about 2 years ago and thought it was fantastic. Do you think this decline in quality is fleet wide or just Brilliance?

 

We were on Brilliance in October and we thought the food was a bit lacklustre compared to the other RCL sailings we've taken but it was by no means a dramatic decline. For some reason, with the exact same menus the food on Enchantment was a great deal better.

[Host Anne]

It's so funny how there are so many differences of opinions on the same ship in a short period of time. We were on the Brilliance transatlantic from Dec. 2 - 17. I have to tell you (we were at a table of 12) that we all thought the dining room food (with the exception of one evening) was very good to outstanding and by far the best overall dining experience we've had on an RCI ship (we've sailed a wide variety of RCI ships in the past). I think there were two factors....the overall quality of the food, on average in the dining room, was very good. Our wait staff (waiter, assistant and head waiter) was superb. Besides what each of us ordered each evening, our waiter brought samples of the other dishes, "family-style" vegetables, and extra desserts. All we had to do was say "gee, I'd like more of this or that" and we had it in moments. We even had a long discussion with our head waiter on "why" the quality of the food on our cruise was far better than past RCI cruises.

 

We did have a lousy experience in Portofino (both service and food) but for a 15 night cruise, we were very pleased with food and service.

[tuggers]

Day 6 (continued)

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!

Got dressed for dinner and decided to skip the Captain’s Party after all. I heard there would be almost 900 people at the late party and that seemed WAY too busy for me. I decided to go back to the Concierge Lounge and have a quiet drink with only 40 or 50 people. It was a good choice because when I talked to my tablemates at dinner they said the party was awful. Crowded, noisy and when the Captain was talking you could hardly hear him because people just kept right on talking! Rude!

Dinner was standard last formal night stuff minus the Baked Alaska which is no great loss to me. I had Cream of Asparagus Soup and Prime Rib both of which were pretty good. Everyone else at the table had either the Lobster and Shrimp or the Scallops and Pasta. Dessert (for everyone) was the Trio with three small portions of Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake and a Puff Pastry. All of my dinner was reasonably good with the exception of the baked potato which really tasted like it had been baked and left-over

for a few days.

After dinner I went to see Music & Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore in the cinema. It’s a nice place. Comfortable chairs, stadium seating so you aren’t blocked by the people in front of you and a big screen. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It’s 12:30 and I have to go walk one more mile. Ocho Rios today!

Bye For Now.

[tuggers]

Schplinky, yes I know about the Seaview Café and have been there. Problem is, until today, we have been having terrible winds and the ship has been rockin and rollin! Going to the Seaview was like taking your life in your hands!

Besides, lots of times, late at night, I just want a little something, not the things they serve.

[signman]

Gail, I'm making my first ever visit to Ocho Rios next month on Century. Check it out for me. Thanks. Have a great year.

[aloanldy]

Gail - Thanks for the updates. Sounds like you finally have the nice weather you've been waiting for.

 

How come no diamond perks in your room?

 

 

Charlie

[tuggers]

Anne, glad your experience was so good on this ship and do agree with you that your service was a large part of your satisfaction with meals.

Take tonight for instance. I had rec’d a bottle of wine as a gift. It’s a bottle of wine off of the regular wine menu. I told them I would like to ‘trade’ that bottle in on a bottle that cost twice as much and pay the difference. The answer? Are you ready for this? No Way. Drink this bottle, take it home with me, give it to someone else. Those were my choices.

I am not a happy camper!

Howard, will do!

[Texed]

Hello Gail.

We are back from Australia/New Zealand, a wonderful cruise. Thanks for the reports. :)

[tomko2]

We are sailing on Friday so we appreciate your reports. I may have missed it but has there been a Platium/D/D+ event? Also, did you not receive any welcome back gift yet?

Hope you continue to enjoy nice sunny days and little wind.

Kathy:)

[Schplinky]

Schplinky, yes I know about the Seaview Café and have been there. Problem is, until today, we have been having terrible winds and the ship has been rockin and rollin! Going to the Seaview was like taking your life in your hands!

 

Besides, lots of times, late at night, I just want a little something, not the things they serve.

 

 

I agree that they need to re-consider the location. So many people would wander by when we were there and look at the seaview with a "when did they put this here" look.

[Host Anne]

Gail ~ funny you should mention the wine issue. I had a somewhat similar issue (while our dining room experience was wonderful, not all aspects of the cruise were up to that standard). Friends of ours sent a bottle of champagne to our cabin to celebrate my 50th birthday. As we don't really drink champagne (a toast and sip is good for me), I asked our cabin attendent if I could send it to the dining room to share with our dinner table. His manager came to our cabin and told me "no, you can only consume it in your cabin." You can imagine how that sat with me. I went and saw guest relations (might as well have been talking to the wall); then to the guest relations supervisor on duty. More banging head against the wall. Requested to see the Hotel Director....the Guest Relations Manager agreed to meet with me.

 

His explanation was that they wanted to improve wine sales in the dining room so I couldn't have the gift (that RCI was already compensated for as it was bought through their "gift" program) I received to the dining room. How ridiculous. Sharing a bottle of champagne that was purchased from RCI with a table of 12 would have zero impact on whether I purchase more wine in the dining room or not. However, the horrible policy (and I was told this was a new policy - who knows for sure) will indeed prevent me from ever ordering another onboard gift for friends and family (which I actually do quite often). This is a terrific example of some beancounter wanting the cruiseline to come up with ridiculous policies that alienate passengers. Funny...when I posted this on the RCI board, I was told to "just pay the corkage fee." Another absurd concept when RCI was already paid for the champagne.

 

Ahhhhh.....the little battles. Will they ever learn that the ill will they are created with this policies simply drive long-time loyal cruisers to venture elsewhere. I'm anxious to see how things are on Celebrity next month.

 

Enjoy your day!

 

P.S. I should say I did talk to our head waiter who ultimately told me he would happily serve the champagne to our table with no corkage fee. However, it shouldn't be this way. Policies should be in place for a good reason and this one definitely isn't!

[Ma Bell]

Gail,

I can't tell you how much I admire the fact that you take the time to do this. I know everyone really enjoys "traveling" with you. Have fun!

Joanie

[Deb C.]

Gail,

Just for your information.....I have sent a couple e-mails to your home address yesterday and today, and they have bounced back to me (failure). Just thought you'd like to know in case you'd like to check into it!

Hope you are continuing to have an enjoyable cruise. Hoping for gentle breezes and warmer days to come your way! Deb

[tuggers]

would someone (deb c, teedee, judy, joan) pls email my neighbor @

 

cliff @ singnet.us and ask him to go next door and check on my email pls?

 

I can't get into it from her either.

 

Thanks,

 

Gail

[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!

Got dressed for dinner and decided to skip the Captain’s Party after all. I heard there would be almost 900 people at the late party and that seemed WAY too busy for me. I decided to go back to the Concierge Lounge and have a quiet drink with only 40 or 50 people. It was a good choice because when I talked to my tablemates at dinner they said the party was awful. Crowded, noisy and when the Captain was talking you could hardly hear him because people just kept right on talking! Rude!

Dinner was standard last formal night stuff minus the Baked Alaska which is no great loss to me. I had Cream of Asparagus Soup and Prime Rib both of which were pretty good. Everyone else at the table had either the Lobster and Shrimp or the Scallops and Pasta. Dessert (for everyone) was the Trio with three small portions of Cheesecake, Chocolate Cake and a Puff Pastry. All of my dinner was reasonably good with the exception of the baked potato which really tasted like it had been baked and left-over

for a few days.

After dinner I went to see Music & Lyrics with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore in the cinema. It’s a nice place. Comfortable chairs, stadium seating so you aren’t blocked by the people in front of you and a big screen. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It’s 12:30 and I have to go walk one more mile. Ocho Rios today!

Bye For Now

[tomatopa]

Gail I forwarded your post to your neighbor by email...hope it goes through....

 

Judy

[tuggers]

Host Anne,

 

Yes, I agree, ridiculous! The strange thing with my situation is that I was trying to upgrade my $26 bottle of wine and pay them an extra $21 plus the 15%!! The wine I wanted was $47 per bottle! Seems they would jump at the chance to do that!

 

Anyway, I will try today by moving up the food chain a little! This ain't my first rodeo!!!:D

 

Ma Bell, you know me, any excuse to tell me what to do and where to go!:)

 

Tom, only perk so far, in cabin was coupon book I had to beg for and a plate of cookies last night for formal night. Only event was welcome back party for anyone who has sailed on RCCL.

 

Our Head Waiter, Leonardo, is not much help. Young and not inclined to go the regular mile much less the extra one! Too bad the HW's on Grandeur didn't talk to him and tell him I tip VERY well. He might have perked up. As it is, he's in line for the standard 75 cents per day!!!

 

Raining today in Ocho Rios so I'm near Margaritaville, didn't stay on the ship as I had Planned. Got quite a deal on a Margaritaville Denim Jacket - $20 marked down from $50! Best deal on the whole cruise!! Now I'm going to walk back there and drink a few Mango Margarita's.

 

Teedee, if you want to book an RCCL for a few days I might go with you. We can use my onboard credits!! If I get my email back you can tell me if you've found us something. Or I'll go to Disney with you. Either one!

[tuggers]

Thanks, Judy, you're a gem! Hope I didn't just forget to pay my bill!:rolleyes:

[tomatopa]

Gail,

After reading the post from Deb I would guess that your email bow is full...just my guess.....Are there things that your neighbor could delelte for you?

 

Judy

[tuggers]

Judy, no not that. I've only used 3mb of my 100 they allow on webmail. It's through the cable company so I just want to make sure my pet sitter has cable.

[tomatopa]

gail,

 

this is what I recieved when I sent you an email:

 

Site (mchsi.com/204.127.203.150) said: 550 [sUSPEND] Mailbox currently suspended - Please contact correspondent directly

 

 

I have no idea what that means......lol

 

Judy

[TechKnowBabble]

You are my hero! :D After a certain number of cruises you should be exempt from those "pesky" boat drills. :D

 

Don't you just love the concierge lounge? I wish X had them!

 

It also works if you hide out in the bathroom, just have something to keep yourself occupied like a Blackberry :D