I've lost faith in Royal Caribbean

Item: Brilliance of the Seas
Rating: 2.9
Author: stevejensen

Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Review to South Pacific - Australia

stevejensen

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 24

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5

Verified Review

11 Night Great Barrier Reef (Sydney Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 08, 2023

Ship: Brilliance of the Seas

Cabin number: 7508

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 10 months ago

Review summary

I've taken 6 or 7 cruises on Royal Caribbean in the past but after this cruise I am no longer looking at Royal Caribbean cruises. They have lost my business.

Embarkation

1 out of 5

There was no notification from Royal Caribbean on where the cruise ship was departing from. All internet searches said Brilliance of the Sea was boarding at White Bay Cruise Terminal. Incorrect. The Brilliance of the Seas was actually tied up at the Circular Quay near the Opera House. It added an hour and a half to our travel through downtown traffic and an extra $20 in tolls. Totally unhappy! Why couldn't the terminal information be included on the website or in emails> I received the change in itinerary a day before sailing so I know Royal Caribbean had my contact information.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Very negative experience. The itinerary was changed 48 hours prior to sailing due to Cyclone Jasper. Our group did not pre-purchase the drinks package when it was on sail prior to the cruise as we had planned on scuba diving the GBR. Since the itinerary changed, we decided a drinks package would be the way to go on a long 11-day cruise with little to do. Royal Caribbean would not offer any compensation or reduced price on the drinks packages. Nothing whatsoever other than a a "sorry, there's nothing we can do". One nitty on the dining. Every fork I came across had the tongs bent out of alignment. That 11-days of bent silverware...morning, noon and night.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

I'm not sure what was going on. Let's just say the performers brought on board for the cruise were not good. Are the Australian standards lower than the rest of the cruise line standards? Seriously, they were really pitiful. One evening had a Beatles cover band in which one of the performers didn't even play the guitar and barely sung. He just stood there lip-sinking and holding a guitar. Also, the small music groups on the ship were not very good either.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

The only bright spot on the cruise were our servers in the main dining room. They were awesome!

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Despite its age, the ship was clean and fully functional. No worn areas.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ship tip

Book elsewhere. Brilliance of the Seas is dated.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Sydney, Australia

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

3 out of 5

12 Comments

799spence 9 months ago

So let me get this straight, you didn't purchase the drink package ahead of time so you're mad that you weren't offered a discount when you decided to buy? That's on you and your entitlement.

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Ladyjunecliff 10 months ago

Bummer cruise experience! Hope your next cruise is fabulous!

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karencruiser 10 months ago

Heavens I’m booked on this ship 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

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Marzipan1 10 months ago

Why would RCL offer a discount drinks package as compensation for altered Itinerary ? You can't predict weather, which can alter any cruise Safety is paramount and so is the comfort of passengers There is always people that can't be pleased We look forward to Cruise 10 on Brilliance in March Loyal to Royal

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javawoody 10 months ago

Understand your disappointment

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PaulzyJC 10 months ago

Why didn't they just call the cruise line directly and ask where the ship was embarking from?

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Ruby13 10 months ago

Sorry for your experiences

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kef2016 10 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience. Sorry it didn’t meet your expectations. Hope your next cruise or vacation will.

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Niavlys 10 months ago

Try another one that suits better your needs..

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jallaway 10 months ago

Had a similar experience on a Galveston cruise. My RCCL documents said the original terminal but the ship had.moved to another. My wife got an email from them the day before the cruise noting the change; but neither of us were texted about the change and it never showed on the app or website.

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cruising2004 10 months ago

I’m sorry this cruise was a disappointment. Do hope you can find the right cruise lines for you.

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Gwbigdog 10 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us

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