We recently had the opportunity to take a short 4-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas. I’ve wanted to sail on Brilliance of the Seas for many years because she is a fan favorite among many long-time Royal Caribbean cruisers. Sailing on this ship is especially popular for European and transatlantic itineraries, but more on that later.
Shortly after boarding, I was reminded just how charming the smaller and older cruise ships could be and I wanted to share my Brilliance of the Seas – Ship review with my readers. In this post, I’ll share with you all of the things that we really appreciated about our experiences as well as a couple of “Worrier’s Guide” notes for those traveling with kids and teens.
Brilliance of the Seas was the second ship for the Radiance class and entered into service in July 2002. She carries around 2100 passengers and hosts an international crew of nearly 850.
That old cruise feeling and ocean views
If you have been reading my blog for a while you may already know that Allure of the Seas is my favorite ship. I like big ships! I cannot lie. Ok, sorry, that was bad. However, it’s true. I love all of the offerings that an Oasis Class has to offer including the stage productions, the amazing aqua show, and the neighborhood concept. I love it all.
Related Post: Allure of the Seas
But, the minute I step foot on the smaller ships, I realize I love them, too. The charm on the smaller ships is just as compelling as the excitement is on the mega-ships. The biggest difference to me is the relationship with the ocean.
In the past, I have sailed on several smaller ships including Jewel of the Seas (also part of the Radiance-Class), Empress of the Seas which is unfortunately no longer in service, and Serenade of the Seas. I recalled the same feeling. The ships all featured several areas of floor-to-ceiling windows. Large sitting areas that just faced windows to the sea. Probably because of their smaller size, even the dining room and bars seemed to have more ocean views than on the larger ships. The relationship between the ships and the sea really speaks to me and I have a deep love and appreciation for it when I cruise. In my opinion no Brilliance of the Seas – ship review would be complete without conveying that relationship to the sea. In addition, there are rich, dark wood elements with a historic nautical theme throughout the ship.
Related Posts: Empress of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas
There are fewer Venues but they are sized appropriately.
Another great thing about Brilliance of the Seas is that most of the gathering places around the ship are large. On smaller ships, there are fewer places to spend your time but the venues can accommodate the appropriate amount of guests. I have been on an Oasis-class ship and the pub is tiny and it’s a favorite hang-out spot. That is not the case on Brilliance of the Seas. Vintages wine bar, the King and Country Pub, and the Schooner bar are all able to serve a nice evening crowd. Additionally, there are several evening events held in the very large, Colony Club. The Colony Club offers a range of seating styles, a full-service bar, pool tables, and entertainment. You can also live the life of a star during Karaoke time! There also always seemed to be something fun happening in the Atrium at the R Bar.
Cinema at Sea
You may have experienced movies under the stars. Many cruise ships show movies out on the pool deck throughout the cruise. Brilliance of the Seas has its own little cinema on board. Yes, it’s adorable. Can you imagine sitting in the theatre eating popcorn and catching a movie on a rainy day of your cruise? I just loved this little spot.
Friendly Staff
Brilliance of the Seas is known for its staff. Especially cruisers that sail her for transatlantic sailings rave about the staff in cruise forums. I also think that because there are fewer venues and fewer guests on board, there is a better opportunity for guests to meet the staff and engage with each other more throughout the cruise. It is not uncommon for bartenders to quickly learn your drink preference or ask you about your day in port.
Great Itineraries and Pricing
Brilliance of the Seas offers guests some amazing itineraries. Currently, Brilliance is sailing from Tampa to the western Caribbean during the winter but in the summer sailings some very popular itineraries in Europe. Due to its smaller size, it can port in many European locations that cannot accommodate the mega-ships.
You can also have a price advantage as well. Many cruisers seek the latest ships with the biggest wow factor and those opportunities will sail at a premium price tag. Cruisers willing to sail on a ship that’s a little older can get a better price for the same or even more desirable itinerary.
Related Post: Pre-Cruise Hotel in Tampa
Stateroom
For this sailing, I chose an interior cabin. I have not sailed in an inside cabin for many years and oddly enough I was looking forward to it. First, there was plenty of room for a couple. The room was clean and had plenty of storage. However, I would be hesitant to sail as a family of 3-4 in an interior room. The only negative of the stateroom, for me, is the shower curtain. I know, some people prefer the curtain but for me, it’s a sign or an older ship and although this one was nice and clean, in general, I find shower curtains to be a little gross.
Do you prefer the shower curtain to a shower door? Let me know in the comments below or join the conversation on Facebook.
Worrier’s Guide: Choosing Brilliance of the Seas
- My personal opinion is that Brilliance of the Seas is a fantastic ship for an older or more seasoned cruiser.
- While Brilliance does have a small sports court, mini-golf, rock climbing wall, Adventure Ocean, and some teen activities, it lacks the “thrills” of the new ships.
- Our March 2022 sailing was right before the ship was scheduled for its drydock and refurbishment. We saw the ship in its most worn-out state and still really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to sail Brilliance again after it’s been freshened up. 🙂
- If gambling is your jam, you should know that the casino is very small on Brilliance of the Seas and the offerings are limited.
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