very old ship

Item: Brilliance of the Seas
Rating: 2
Author: Cruiser924

Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruiser924

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 6

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 22, 2016

Ship: Brilliance of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7516

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

The ships appearance was very old. The rugs to rooms were so stained from water. Lost electricity for half day in room. The shipped rock around the clock sometimes we could even walk to dinner without swaying from wall to wall. I have been on at least 5 other ships on this line. So many cutbacks and disapointments. I know what they did before and now it's like being on a training ship.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

5 out of 5

George Town, Grand Cayman

1 out of 5

Never got there

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7 Comments

mattward 8 years ago

@ So-called CruisinTim... while built in 1989 the ship was ONLY operated by Royal Caribbean between 2004 - 2008 as Empress of the Seas. It was reaquired in 2015 and only started sailing recently again in Royal's fleet. Brilliance of the Seas was laid down in 1998 and was aquired and launched in 2002, two years prior to Empress. Perhaps you are confusing Empress with the Majesty of the Seas, she started sailing in 1992 to the present while never leaving Royal's fleet of ships. Sovereign, Vision and Radiance class ships are all 'entry-level' ships.

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carolinev 8 years ago

I was on Brilliance last month and I agree, very tired looking. Even though Brilliance is larger than Vision she is darker, more cramped and felt more crowded. I would take Vision any day and Vision is an older ship too but she still shines. I won't be booking Brilliance again.

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CrusinTim 8 years ago

@Mattward....Actually, the first (or as you put it, entry level) ship RCCL had was the Empress of the Seas back in 1989. The Brilliance didn't come along until 2001.

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lauriebaker 8 years ago

@randy110. Well said. If people did research before hand then they know what they are getting into...ive been on the larger ships..i prefer the smaller ones..all are nice..but some people will bitch when its their own fault for booking the ship and a time of year with rough seas

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randy110 8 years ago

I thought it was very clean and well kept. If you we're worried about swaying, then maybe you should go cruising later in the year when the seas aren't as rough, or sail on an Oasis class ship. If you want to complain about age, then maybe you should sail on the Anthem of the seas! It sounds to me like nothing makes you happy, and you obviously don't do your research! This ship is a beautiful ship with a great crew, for people who like to have the feeling of being at sea instead of a steel island.. Not only that, but it is the largest ship that will fit under the SKYWAY bridge. If you don't like it, then don't sail out of Tampa.

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mattward 8 years ago

People, do your homework before you cruise. It is an old ship that started sailing in 2002... you get what you pay for. It's one of RC's entry level ships. It in noway compares to it's vast fleet.

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christianv 8 years ago

I was on the Brilliance last year. I have to agree with you. Very tired in places. The pool tables were both out of action too. Probably the worst ship I've been on.

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