Experienced cruise’s beware.

Item: Brilliance of the Seas
Rating: 3.4
Author: TonesJudes7711

Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

TonesJudes7711

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 4

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5

7 Night Alaska Glacier Experience (Vancouver Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 12, 2024

Ship: Brilliance of the Seas

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7022

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 5 months ago

Review summary

Alaska is a place everyone should see. Breathtakingly beautiful. Brilliance of the seas is a beautiful ship. She’s smaller & older but you won’t lose friends. I can’t recommend sailing her due to food quality& Amenities. Any other cruise line may be a better choice.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Having never been to Vancouver cruise port…total confusion. You have to find people and ask where to go. Signs are few and confusing. If you bought the Key….no signs..you have to ask. The place is huge so be prepared to shlep your luggage quite a ways.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Compared to ANY other Royal Caribbean cruise ship, this was my worst experience. I get no satisfaction in saying this. Although the food was plentiful, the quality was definitely not up to Royal Caribbean’s standards. The bacon at breakfast was so over cooked it broke to pieces. The hot dog & hamburger rolls were not fresh& soft, they tasted like they were defrosted and were crumbly. The pizza looked so dried out I didn’t try it. The oatmeal raisin& coconut cookies were very good though. Unless you order room service after hours there is only 1 place open after house…the Park cafe…for the WHOLE ship! They have coffee& sandwiches & cookies (no roast beef in the evening). We tried specialty dining for the first time. We were very disappointed. At Chops my wife ordered the Lamb chops…she was satisfied. I ordered the 16oz bone in ribeye. What I got was a boneless this steak. This was supposed to be Prime? At Giovanni’s I had the fresh made pasta&the chicken piccata. Although both looked delicious, they were totally tasteless. I can do better at home if I make it myself. Who is the chef!! Although my dissatisfaction would have not done much had I voiced my displeasure at the time, I’m saving it for here. I hope I’m wrong but it seems Royal Caribbean is serving below average food(at least on this vessel) to save a Buck💰

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

We went to 1 one man singing variety show and it was ok.

Children's Programs

No kids

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

For the most part the staff was good&I feel they tried to provide good service. I just think they were new and or not trained enough.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

The Brilliance of the seas is one of the most beautiful ships I have been on. Which is why it saddens me to admit her total staff is not up to par with this ship. It was very clean. The schooner bar is very big and has breathtaking beauty.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Balcony cabin was the smallest I’ve been in. Although this ship sailed in 2002 it was upgraded in 2018. You think they would have put in some USB’s maybe upgraded the old phone that hardly worked. The shower was super small with a shower curtain. There was adequate storage space though. Don’t even think you can access your shipboard account on your tv. They’re not there yet.

Ship tip

First time cruisers it’s ok. Experienced cruisers steer clear… you will be disappointed

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

3 out of 5

Big…need more signs confusing

Thumbs Up 0

Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska

5 out of 5

Absolutely beautiful

Thumbs Up 0

Sitka, Alaska

3 out of 5

Not much here. No excursion

Thumbs Up 0

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5

Picturesque, but what’s with all the jewelry stores?

Thumbs Up 0

Haines, Alaska

5 out of 5

Beauty right out of a picture book

Thumbs Up 0

Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

5 out of 5

Breathtaking beauty

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

It was quick no complaints

Traveler Photos

6 Comments

karencruiser 5 months ago

Wow we were on BRILLIANCE in March in AUSTRALIA. Found it to be a great little ship. Actually I’d say a favourite ( and I’ve been on Viking ocean,Princess, RCI , MSC ETC. ) Enjoyed the food and the ease of getting around the ship. Fabulous staff- I dont give a stuff about decor or age of the ship. As long as it’s clean , tidy , nice staff, food etc. .our trip was shortened by the ship breaking down so we had one stop only and then returned home.. still LOVED it

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

javawoody 5 months ago

Thanks for the post

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Gwbigdog 5 months ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

HeavySeas 5 months ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise experience

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cruising2004 5 months ago

Glad you enjoyed Alaska. Thank you for your review.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

AuntPinkie 5 months ago

Appreciate your feedback. Sorry the food didn’t meet your expectations. Glad you Alaska!

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Splendid trip thru the Alaskan scenery