Brilliance of the Seas

Hello! Few questions about the Brilliance of the Seas. We just booked the December 11-17 cruise out of Tampa. While we have cruised on RCI before, it was on the smaller ships just to the Bahamas. We mostly sail Carnival but to be honest, have not been happy with them lately. One of our biggest reasons for booking this ship is because of the rock climbing wall! Our two kids are very athletic and love rock climbing, so they kept asking to do an RCI cruise with the wall. Which leads to my first question, what are some of the other fun activities for a 13/10 year old? They don't usually do a camp, just like to be off on their own.

And overall, how is this ship? I guess compared to carnival paradise, it would be much nicer? LOL! We sail Paradise a lot simply because it's local and convenient.

How are the rooms laid out for a family of four? Do they use he beds that fold down or is it a pull out couch?

How is food on BOS compared to Carnival?

Does RCI offer something equivalent to Carnival's faster to the fun that would allow us priority boarding?

One last question - port of Puero Maya, anything fun to do there with the kids?

Anything else we need to know feel free to mention!! Thank you guys!

Brilliance has staterooms with Pullman beds that extend out of the ceiling and staterooms with sofa beds too. It all depends on the specific stateroom. These details can be seen on the deck plans:

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/brilliance-of-the-seas/deck-plans/1635/02

Royal has no equivalent to Carnival's FTTF, besides booking a suite.

There is a sports court, where many kids will "hang out". Brilliance has pool tables, but you will have to be there with them...there is an age limit to use them alone. There is always the pool, too!

Radiance class doesn't have the large inside space of the Royal Promenade that the Voyager/Freedom class have....

All Royal ships have the rock climbing wall, maybe not one, Empress? Wish you had come here prior to booking, Brilliance is not the first ship I'd take kids on. It's a more traditional cruise ship without all the bells and whistles. I would have directed you to Oasis, Allure or Harmony since you live in Fla. These are Royal's blow you away mega ships with so much to do and many shows that would draw your boys in.

We are sailing ourselves on Brilliance over Thanksgiving and looking for a more relaxed adult atmosphere. This class has many windows so you really feel like are are on a cruise and draws an older crowd.