So easily to embark and disembark in Tampa
Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western
5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)
Sail date: January 12, 2015
Ship: Brilliance of the Seas
Cabin type: Oceanview
Cabin number: 4544
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 9 years ago
Review summary
Tampa needs a new port that is not effected by the height of the Skyway Bridge, which limits the size of the ships that can use the port. Remember small ships equals older ships, and the bathrooms tend to have an odor of sewer gas. Brillance is a nice small ship that is kept well by RCI crew. Port window was great on the 4th floor for my husband who tends towards sea sickness when the weather causes the ship to rock and roll. Midship and lower decks are the best if you tend to get sick. Smaller ships mean very small showers with the cloth shower curtains that I hate. We purchased the beverage package, which was probably a waste for both of us, but wine by the glass is around $10.00. Alcohol prices have increased, photo prices are truly ridiculous, RCI and Celebrity have discontinued all of their wonderful buffets, including the ones for loyality members, and services cannot match what they were even a few years ago. Bottom line, RCI and Celebrity are getting greedier and services are declining. The dining room would not serve us wine that we were able to obtain at the wine bar, and I am talking about < $10.00 bottle wine, so my husband went to the wine bar "Vintages" to obtain refills for us at dinner. The bartender could not believe it and the dining staff we not the least bit concerned. Embarking and disembarking is so easy in Tampa, compared to Ft Lauderdale and Miami. Most people walk off with their luggage. It was a fun and relaxing 5 days, even with a decline in overall services.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
Best coffee is at the speciality coffee bar, which is the main reason that I purchased the alcohol package, as coffee bar was included. Coffee in Windjammer's and dining room is awful, but this is true for most RCI and Celebrity ships.
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