Brilliance of the seas

[bossymama]

Has anyone sailed the Brilliance out of Tampa lately, specifically to Grand Cayman, and Cozumel? How was the cruise port? Any problems? Where did you stay pre/ post cruise? DH and I thinking about the Dec 2nd, but have never sailed on Radiance class before.

[Ourusualbeach]

We sailed the Jewel (this past March) ,the Brilliance just took over her itinerary. Tampa was one of the quickest ports we boarded at. Very easy to get to. We did both Cozumel and Caymen. Did the ruins tour in Cozumel and thoroughly enjoyed that however it is long at eight hours. In Cayman we did the salt water forest tour which was OK I wish we had done one of the stingray tours. Overall a great cruise.

[Deatsch]

Hey Bossy,

 

Come on along. We're on the December 2 cruise as well and are neighbors just to your south (near Rochester). The thread for the Roll Call for this cruise is at:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1775128

 

The port is great. We've been out of TPA several times and love it as it's so much cheaper to fly there for us. Don't know what it's like out of TOR though.

 

We love The Cayman's and Cozumel. We also have a GREAT restaurant in Cozumel that we always go to. La Choza (the shack, but it's not).

 

We stay at The Hilton Garden Inn, Ybor District. It's about 10 minutes from the port, there are great restaurants in the Ybor District (walk from the hotel, about 3 blocks). The hotel is reasonable and very nice with all the amenities.

 

... also, adding to what Ken said: We loved the Stingray City tour from the sailing catamaran. It was a great time...

 

Hope all that helps,

[LeeBe]

We love the Radiance class ships, they are a more "traditional" ship, in other words no flow rider or Royal Promenade that you would find on the Freedom class ships. Have been on all four of the Radiance class ships and they probably are my favorite class. IMO they are very well laid out, fairly easy to find your way around.

 

Sorry can't help on the pre/post cruise since we drive to the port:o:).

[bossymama]

Thanks everyone for such quick answers! I have to wait until our TA returns from her vacation before we can book (the nerve of her!), but since we just decided to go THIS morning, I think we can wait until Tuesday. We have done both Cozumel and Grand Cayman before, but this trip will be a first for us, with no kids, and no group sailing with us( we usually have no less than 40 other people go with us). A True vacation!! haha We did Captain Marvin's sting-ray tour on our first cruise in 2005, and loved it, but don't think I need to go it again. We did a catamaran/snorkel tour through RCCL last time we went to Cozumel, but again, don't think I need to do it again. We aren't really going to plan anything, just go with the flow and relaxxxxxxxx! We will fly out of Buffalo, as it's so much easier than going to Toronto, and I like to go a day early, and this time, I want to stay for 2 days after. I might head over to the Treasure Island area, for the beach. I am interested in your thoughts about the cabins, save money and go inside, or splurge a bit and get a balcony? It's going to be a bit of a stretch just going at all, so I am leaning toward the inside, thinking we won't be spending much time in it anyways.

I knew I could count on my fellow cruisers for answers! Thanks!

[rednancy1]

Since it's just the two of you I'd go for balcony. Thank about having coffee on your balcony in the morning and enjoying a glass of wine on your romantic balcony in the evening. Priceless. :)

[bossymama]

Sigh.........! yes, we had a balcony once on the Adventure, and had our tea out there most mornings. You are right, but it may be the difference between getting to stay in Florida for those 2 extra days, or getting a balcony.

Decisions, decisions.......

[Deatsch]

Good point Bossy,

 

You're going to be in the casino with the rest of us so no point in worrying about the inside cabin. You won't be there. :)

 

Go check out the roll call, good group of folks over there.

 

You're right on the flying out of Buffalo, it's gotta be a lot cheaper than TOR.

 

Did you check Southwest? They look to have some SUPER prices coming up (too early to book yet though). Check that: I just looked at Delta from Rochester, it's CHEAPER believe it or else. $790 for two on the Soutwest site out of BUF and $710 on the Delta site out of ROC. Figure that one.

[bossymama]

Thank you Jim for inviting us to join the roll call. We will look at it after we actually book the cruise.

You won't find us in the casino much, it's just not our thing. Besides, that would mean DH would have to get out of the hot tub! It's his favourite place while on a cruise, meeting people from all over the world, while having beer!

The Hilton looks nice, will take it into consideration when booking a hotel.

After planning all this , I sure hope we can get the time off work! That would suck, eh?!

[varoo]

Since it's just the two of you I'd go for balcony. Thank about having coffee on your balcony in the morning and enjoying a glass of wine on your romantic balcony in the evening. Priceless. :)

 

This was taken on another ship, but you get the idea.

Priceless indeed. :)

[rednancy1]

This was taken on another ship, but you get the idea.

Priceless indeed. :)

 

What a really nice picture. :) Priceless indeed.

[Baracing]

I can only hope my balcony looks this nice! Looking forward to our cruise Dec. 2nd on BOS :p

[Deatsch]

Hey Bar, I thought I saw you sneaking around. :)

 

Bossy, you're very welcome. You can still come over and visit the roll call you know, we'll make you honorary members till you book.

 

You'll get the time off, I saw to it. <grin>

[bossymama]

HaHa!! Thanks for taking care of that Jim!

I snuck a peek on the board already, I just can't wait until Tuesday, when I can actually book! (I could book through someone else, but my TA is a friend)

The debate over inside or balcony continues...................

Won't really matter as long I get to go!!

[Baracing]

Hey Bar, I thought I saw you sneaking around. :)

 

Bossy, you're very welcome. You can still come over and visit the roll call you know, we'll make you honorary members till you book.

 

You'll get the time off, I saw to it. <grin>

 

 

 

I wasn't sneaking around, I was racin around! lol :D

[Deatsch]

Not at 5:28pm on an Monday you weren't racin' 'round. I know better. :D

 

Why can't we just leave for Tampa right now, start the vacation early?

 

Pretty please?

 

... and Bossy? Go ahead and do the inside cabin. You'll be fine. Judy is a balcony snob now so we MUST do a balcony but then, well, you know.

 

Wait till you see my "Yes Dear" shirt on the cruise.

[sonvoltken6]

Has anyone sailed the Brilliance out of Tampa lately, specifically to Grand Cayman, and Cozumel? How was the cruise port? Any problems? Where did you stay pre/ post cruise? DH and I thinking about the Dec 2nd, but have never sailed on Radiance class before.

 

Tampa is a great port to sail out of - easily the least crowded you will deal with. The Radiance is a lovely ship, with lots of nice features. While Cozumel is kinda like Nassau (if you have been once you have been there 10 times), Grand Cayman is wonderful - excellent shopping and Stingray City is quite cool.

[bossymama]

I agree sonvoltken6, Cozumel is a "seen it once, seen it ten times" type of place. We are thinking of the inside cabin, and doing something fun, like an ATV excursion in Cozumel, and finding a nice excursion in Grand Cayman , as we have done stingray city, and don't feel the need to do it again. But then again, I could give up those 2 extra days in Florida and get a balcony........

Will know by tomorrow, as I will have to make the decision after work tonight, when I hear from our TA. This will be a long 12 hour shift, tossing it back and forth. (maybe you can tell, I have a hard time making decisions, and DH just says "whatever you want honey")

[Deatsch]

SEE? "Whatever you want honey". Smart man. MY kind of guy, he knows where his bread is buttered. :D

 

I disagree, tut - tut, about Cozumel though, at least in one regard. There is a restaurant in Cozumel called "La Choza" (the shack). It is outstanding, just wonderful. It's a family run restaurant (Christian is the Head Honcho) and you'll love it.

 

It's about 3 blocks off the main drag, caters to locals as well as touristas. We go EVERY time we are in Cozumel. The food is outstanding, the beer is cold, the place is naturally air-conditioned (you have to see it to believe it, truly), the service is wonderful. We can't say enough about the place. Just tell your cab driver you want to go to La Choza (prounounced LaCHOSA, the z is like S).

 

After lunch we wander back through the side streets, always a great experience, and just look around. Head down to the main drag and catch a cab back to the ship or whatever.

 

Alzo, Ken is right on. Tampa is a GREAT place to sail from and that's a fact. Nice terminal, short lines, quick run through, you'll like it might fine.

 

hth,

[Sn1ps]

Any place to get ice cream on board?

[rednancy1]

Soft ice cream machines are available in the Windjammer. :)

[Baracing]

Not at 5:28pm on an Monday you weren't racin' 'round. I know better. :D

 

Why can't we just leave for Tampa right now, start the vacation early?

 

Pretty please?

 

... and Bossy? Go ahead and do the inside cabin. You'll be fine. Judy is a balcony snob now so we MUST do a balcony but then, well, you know.

 

Wait till you see my "Yes Dear" shirt on the cruise.

 

:rolleyes: We talk racing every day in this house! :) He informed me tonight he was thinking of retiring from it :eek: I don't know what we would do...OH yes I do!!!!!! :D With the day I had today at work, I am ready to leave ASAP!

[bossymama]

Anyone ever had the cabin over top of Vitages? Just wonder about loud noise late at night.

[cruisefrost]

Anyone know the terminal number at Tamps?

[Clarea]

Anyone know the terminal number at Tamps?

From Royal's website:

 

Port of Tampa, Terminal 3

815 Channelside Drive

Tampa, Florida