Summit or Brilliance for Southern Carib?

[cdamion]

I know it is quite subjective, but I am completely torn between Brilliance and Summit for next year.

 

We are a couple in our low 40's. Still like to hang out and have fun in the evening, but given the port-itineraries, probably will not go out as late as usual.

 

Biggest dislike for both of us are crowding and lines. We tend to eat in MDR for dinner every night. As a matter of fact, the only time I usually have the buffet is embarkation lunch and debarkation breakfast.

 

For those that have been on other lines here is what we like from each:

 

Carnival: Friendly crew, good MDR food. Don't like crowds or ship designs.

 

RCI: Love the less crowded feel of Radiance class and light open spaces.

 

Princess: Like the more sophisticated feel on board and great passenger flow, but can be dead in the evenings. Also miss the "wow" factor when on Princess. (still Princess is my favorite brand)

 

Since pricing is largely the same, may give Celebrity a whirl. For those that have been on both Millennium and Radiance Class ships - are the Millennium Class ships as open with sea views?

 

Thoughts? Comments? Posting over on RCI's boards too to get their view.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

EDIT: I am currently booked on Brilliance, but need to change the date, but am seriously torn between the two ships.

[Mrs_Tiki]

We have not been on the Brilliance, but have sailed on Serenade to S. Carib twice, which is also Radiance-class. We are about to go on our third cruise on the Summit.

 

The Summit is built on the same hull as the Brilliance, so they will be very similar from a size stanpoint. I would give the RCL ships the edge for open sea views, but not by a lot. DH and I prefer X, because our opinion is that they provide a superior product in terms of food and service in a more sophisticated atmosphere.

 

Plus, the Summit has just been "solsticized" and now has many of the features of X's newest ships, which we have loved. I would give it a try, particularly on a port-intensive itinerary.