Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Reviews - Reviews

At first glance the Brilliance seemed to be a ship without a personality, ...that is, ...the crew seemed colorless and no one seemed to be on the top of their game. However, after two days on board we found that not to be true.

The situation was that the captain obviously had everything under control. His crew, ...while not afraid of him and the officers, ...nonetheless operated "by the book" in respect for him and to the betterment of the passengers. The captain himself was of the "old school" who operated a "tight ship".

This was in direct opposition to our week-long cruise the week before on the Vision where the captain seemed to be too busy singing and performing with his entertainers to bother with checking on the cleanliness of the public restrooms, etc.

In fact, the restrooms on the Vision had no rolls for the toilet paper holders. The rolls were simply stuck onto the two arms extending from the wall. Certainly not the image we expected of RCCL.

Nonetheless, we enjoyed both cruises, ...our 14th and 15th on RCCL, ...and have already booked 5 more in the next 10 months. Given the differences in how the ships are operated we'll tend to the Brilliance rather than the VIsion.

Cruise was very enjoyable. Few things I disliked; we never made it to Grand Cayman's I understand that it was not the fault of the Royal Caribbean but it was still disappointing because it was one of the reasons I booked this particular cruise, the other problem was with the dining experience on the first night. We wanted to change our dining to first seating and waited in line for over half an hour only to find out we should have been in another line to do so. I think there should have been a notice where you wait in line stating that if you want changes to get in line on the right side because the left was for people with reservations for first seating. Overall I would take this cruise again.

great cabin attendant.  clean ship.   good food.  we missed the first stop due to weather conditions, but the alternative was fine.   Cosamel  was a good stop, too.  that is why we picked this line and cruise.

Royal Caribbean never disappoints. Short cruise with family to celebrate birthday was superb. Waiter John and assistant Roy excellent, as was John who assisted with wheelchair boarding at Port of Tampa.

Have sailed 20 times since inaugural year of Sovereign in '88. None of the other  lines we've sailed, NCL, Costa, Celebrity, (with  exception of Holland America), can hold a candle to RCCL. 

The room service was better than I have ever had in the past or even heard about from anyone.  Our rep re-did our room everytime we left and went the extra mile on several things.  And my wife liked the towel pets...  Staff was on their game and was willing to instruct, guide and show us a good time.  We loved the balcony, we left door open every night while we slept and I can still hear the water when I close my eyes.  Very refreshing get a way and we are already looking at another cruise to book!

The food was not as good as my last 3 cruises. Also we had "gratuity" charges of $12.00/day added to the bill. I always left my gratuity on the last day to our waiters, cabin stewart,housekeeper and knew that they were tipped appropriately. I booked this cruise in October I believe and I feel I should have had the option to eat earlier sitting. I was told we could only get the last dinner sitting. We ate at 830 pm each night and missed all the shows.

No complaints........

Highly recommended cruise, excellent service and cleanliness.  Food quality compared to other cruises was superb, We traveled with a group of friends and family, which added spice to the experience. The service in the dining rooms was 5 stars. 

I really loved this cruise! We were 3 couples with 4 kids under 12. The service was exceptional. The cruise director and his team were hilarious! Our waiters went above and beyond. Our kids kept begging us to take them to the kids' club! I highly recommend it!

Tampa needs a new port that is not effected by the height of the Skyway Bridge, which limits the size of the ships that can use the port.  Remember small ships equals older ships, and the bathrooms tend to have an odor of sewer gas. Brillance is a nice small ship that is kept well by RCI crew. Port window was great on the 4th floor for my husband who tends  towards sea sickness when the weather causes the ship to rock and roll. Midship and lower decks are the best if you tend to get sick.  Smaller ships mean very small showers with the cloth shower curtains that I hate.  We purchased the beverage package, which was probably a waste for both of us, but wine by the glass is around $10.00. Alcohol prices have increased, photo prices are truly ridiculous, RCI and Celebrity have discontinued all of their wonderful buffets, including the ones for loyality members, and services cannot match what they were even a few years ago. Bottom line, RCI and Celebrity are getting greedier and services are declining.  The dining room would not serve us wine that we were able to obtain at the wine bar, and I am talking about < $10.00 bottle wine, so my husband went to the wine bar "Vintages" to obtain refills for us at dinner. The bartender could not believe it and the dining staff we not the least bit concerned. Embarking and disembarking is so easy in Tampa, compared to Ft Lauderdale and Miami. Most people walk off with their luggage. It was a fun and relaxing 5 days, even with a decline in overall services.

We feel that Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has cut back on some of the experiences of cruising, i.e. the midnight buffet. I heard several complaints of this same nature.  This ship seemed older, maybe she's ready for a renovation.

Cabin steward and waiters were great.

We found the Brilliance of the Seas to be a very comfortable and well kept ship which was also easy to find your way around without getting lost.

Food options were excellent and well prepared and served. Sometimes the tables in the buffet areas were not cleared as quickly as the could have and you had to search for a clean table.

Entertainment was first rate and the cruise staff were excellent from the cruise director down.

All in all would recommend this cruise and this ship as excellent value for money

I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone and everyone.  Great staff, great ship, and great overall experience.  The casino was fun and exciting.  The destinations of Cozumal and Grand Cayman were perfect.  The excursions were an unbelievable experience.  The pool was entertaining.  The night life was awesome.  And the food was very, very good. 

Everything about this ship was excellent.  The ports of call and the entertainment were just great. The food  was great and the staff answered all our questions.

We enjoyed our cruise very much because we were able to travel with friends with quite a few of our same interests and RCI made it the best we have experience to date. The dining was awesome and available to fit our liking early or late in the evening.  The shows were professional and very entertaining for a wide range of ages in the audience.  With such a wide offering of Shore Excursions there was always one that gave us an awesome time. 

This ship is tastefully stylish, luxurious, keeping the cruise reputation classy rather than the loud, brash, tacky style of Carnival ships (horrendous). I stick with Royal Caribbean. I recommend balcony rooms and don't stress yourself to keep up with all offerings. It's your trip. Do what you want. Most off boat landings only offer clawing, grabby beggars rhat will wrestle you for your money. Be strong. 

The ship is just the right size, it is well maintained.  The nightly shows were entertaining.  The food was pretty good, the buffet plentiful and varied.  However, cruising has changed over the years, and it has become  a means to get somewhere, no longer the inclusive and special atmosphere it once was.  Beds are no longer turned down, no chocolates on the pillow. No more toiletries except for soap and body wash.  Extra charges for specialty restaurants, daily special drinks no longer exist, these are just some changes that one sees.  All the little extras which made cruising special are gone.

.

So many things have been cut from cruises.  Turning down the bed, chocolate on pillow, waiters parading with baked Alaska.  And Zena, our entire party was not sitting together.  We had to arrange to get the two of our eight at our table.  We also each had to contact Cruises Only to get the $25 rebate we were promised from RCI.  The world is changing and this was not as enjoyable as in the past.

The cruise in general was very good with several excellent aspects.  We had to miss Grand Caymen because of bad weather and that was a great disappointment.  The balcony cabin was spacious and well appointed with a large balcony but the balcony was not at the very edge of the ship which was disappointing.  The dining facilities were varied with lots of choice but I was quite disappointed at the casual atmosphere of the main dining room even on the formal night of which there was only one over the five nights.  I enjoy getting dressed up as does my partner and to be seated next to a party in golf shirts and ball caps was very disappointing.  The food was excellent with many choices each night.  The entertainment throughout the ship was amazing.  Very professional especially the two big production shows in the Pacifica theatre. Next time I will opt for a longer cruise with more destinations and hopefully more formal dining opportunities.l 

I thought the cruise was wonderfull.  Everyone was very pleasant.  I would do it again.  The only problem I had was charged for water from the fridge that I did not get credited for and did not credited the $25.00 from Crusies Only that I was suppose to get.  I called when I got home about the $25.00.  They are going to credit it, but I was on the phone for one hour and sixteen minutes.  I finally hung up and they left me a message later about the credit.  The other people on the cruise with me also had to call about the credit, but they did not have as long a wait as I did.