3Star experience

Item: Brilliance of the Seas
Rating: 3.9
Author: Ellabreeze

Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Review to Europe - Northern Europe

Ellabreeze

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 33

Overall rating:

3.9 out of 5

12 Night Baltic (Amsterdam Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 24, 2019

Ship: Brilliance of the Seas

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 3536

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

Royal Caribbean seems to lack a target audience and therefore tries to meet too many agendas. We enjoyed the mixture of nationalities and the itinerary was excellent. The cruise was great value if you don’t drink and don’t take the cruise tours.We had a great 2 day trip in St Petersburg externally organised at half the price.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very well organised, no queues, the best embarkation I have experienced.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

Our best meals were in the main dining room. Excellent staff and reasonable choice.The waiters went to extremes to ensure we enjoyed our evening dinner. We found drinks very expensive and the Windjammer Restaurant too busy, felt more like a canteen with variable quality food. Deserts generally disappointing, good for the waist line.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Very disappointing lectures, first time I have been bored on sea days. No library and very little to do. The gym however was very good and some of the fitness sessions.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Stage shows very good especially the visiting acts and dancers. Great Russian dance group in St Petersburg. The Centrum is not a good venue for dancing with limited seating and no bar. We would have attended more events had they used a larger venue.

Children's Programs

No children

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

All the staff were well trained, friendly and professional. Our table and cabin staff great!

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

The ship was clean but there were many under utilised areas. Too much focus on The Centrum and virtually no use of the deck even in good weather. Sail always very low key....

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Usual compact cabin but next to one of disembarkation doors which was a little noisy. Otherwise no complaints. Cabin flooded by burst hot water pipe on corridor which was very efficiently dealt with.