Fantastic First Cruise

Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 46

Overall rating:

4.8 out of 5
Brilliance of the Seas

5 Night Western Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 06, 2018

Ship: Brilliance of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 9626

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

The whole cruise was a wonderful experience and a very good vacation value compared to other vacations we have taken. I can't say anything bad. Loved this ship.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Quick and super easy. Tampa has a new terminal building. It wasn't crowded at all and flowed nicely. Didn't take long at all.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
That was the best part. The food was so good in the main dining room that I couldn't convince my husband to try a specialty restaurant. We had mytime dining and I had made reservations in advance and we never had to wait even on the most crowded of nights. The lamb I had one night in the main dining room was exceptional.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
We mostly just enjoyed lounging by the pools and looking at stars and the different entertainment poolside such as the Belly Flop contest.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
We enjoyed the shows, especially the tribute to Broadway. The game shows were hilarious. One was like the newlywed show and the mc was fantastic. it was so funny. we watched another one I believe in the Crown Lounge called quest. It was mostly 20 and maybe thirty somethings participating with maybe 1 or two 40 to 50 year olds. Most of us older folks just watched. It was so funny however as the MC made sure it was not for the easily offended crowd or the kiddies.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Everyone was friendly and smiling and looked like they enjoyed their jobs. If any of them were having a bad day it didn't show.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
They seemed to be sticklers for cleanliness. There wash stations everywhere and they were constantly reminding everyone to wash before dining etc. No norovirus here. It is an older ship but it looked well maintained. How cabin was clean and tidy.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
It was roomy and clean. we were two adults traveling with our adult special need son who is blind. There was plenty of room for the three of us. I am spoiled now It was a Superior Ocean View Balcony cabin. Now that I have been spoiled i don't think I would like anything smaller.

Ship tip

I loved the fact it was a smaller and more personable ship than the mega ships. We kept running into the same groups of people and felt we got to know them a little bit.

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

5 out of 5
Well I have to rate it well LOL we live in Tampa. The channel side area is very nice.

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5
Sorry on this one. Loved that we got to visit somewhere new and British, but I grew up near Sanibel and Captiva Islands in Fl. Sanibel is almost the size of Grand Cayman I think and as flat, but it is so much prettier in my opinion. Still it was a new place. Wish our tour guide had given us a bit more history of the Island. How the British got there and of course pirate stories.The sunken ships we saw were all 20th century.

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
Didn't actually see Cozumel as we took a ferry straight to Playa Del Carmen. It was very picturesque. Loved our Maya guide Irving to and at Tulum.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Quick and Fast. Secret you want to accept baggage handlers help. They will take you through a faster checkout line just for them They will fast track you through customs. Its worth the tip.

Traveler Photos

Playa Del Carmen Our Guide Irving in Tulum See the iguana on the wall? I think he is enjoying the day too. Tulum Temple Tacos at Tulum visitors complex. Beach at Tulum in January. 83 degrees.
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2 Comments

Tcleveland5    6 years ago

Did you visit Tulum?

asinclair    6 years ago

Thank you for the review. Can't wait to go in March.

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