Must do's on Brilliance

[jdobb]

Im going on Brilliance of the Seas in july and want to make sure I hit all the highlites of the ship. What are some of the must do's???

[Sheffie]

I suggest that you go to the RCI board an post this question. You will get a lot more responses.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Without knowing your preferences, I'll tell you a few details about the Brilliance, having just completed a ten-day cruise in April on that ship.

 

The gym is well-equiped, but be aware that some classes such as spinning carry a charge. Weight machines, treadmills and ellipticals are free. There is a walking/jogging course around the gym and pool area outside that is 16 laps to the mile. A better way is to walk the entire ship making for an even more interesting walk.

 

The basketball court is a half court unlike the Mariner's which is full court. There is also shuffleboard and putt putt golf, a real challenge in fifty knott winds. Of course, there is a climbing wall, but the times are limited. You can't just go climb it on your own unsupervised. There are various ping pong tables around the ship.

 

Past the Schooner Lounge there is a billiard area with two billiard tables that are leveled with a gyroscope so that the tables never lurch with the ship if seas are rough.

 

The theater is well appointed with comfortable seating and good views of the stage from almost everywhere. There is also a movie theater showing movies that are mostly out on video. You can also view movies on your room's TV.

 

There is an Internet area, a library, a coffee and pastry bar similar in concept to Starbucks, but it is the perfectly adequate Seattle brand. I was very fond of sitting near the coffee shop enjoying the smell of fresh coffee while I read the daily "newspaper", a one sheet summary of world news. The seating here looks out over the 13-floor high area where one may watch the glass elevators rising and descending. This same area has a gorgeous glass staircase on which folks are fond of having their pictures taken. I fell on these stairs, though. Be careful.

 

The sports bar is a circular affair beside the casino. It has several very large flat screen TVs. We watched Tiger Woods play at the Masters thanks to modern technology. It was fun to watch with all the enthusiastic fans at the bar.

 

There is a small "diner" that serves a limited menu of hamburgers and such like with seating by the rails. This is not to be confused with Johnny Rockets on the bigger RCCL ships. This one carries no charge as far as I know.

 

I can't speak for the swimming area as that never interested me, but I can say that the deck chairs are always occupied during the day. I did really enjoy the pool reggae band and bought their CD. They are the best pool side band of any ship I've sailed, but I can't guarantee you'll be lucky enough to have them on your cruise.

 

There is a cigar bar on the top deck. And it is popular at night.

 

There are two restaurants that charge an extra fee, Portofino and Chops.

 

There is a shopping center of small stores that carry the typical RCCL fare. I much prefer the shopping center/prominade of Mariner of the Seas. There is also the art gallery and art auction on sea days. Sometimes they serve free champagne while passengers watch the auction. They auction not only prints, but also sports memorabilia.

 

I know I am forgetting some features. Brilliance is a lovely ship. My husband much prefers its smaller size to the behemoth Mariner, but I truly enjoyed the Mariner. I hope you will like it as much as we did.

[KamloopsCruisers]

The steam rooms in the mens and ladies locker rooms (not the one in the thermal suite area) are aromatherapy scented. It's just heavenly to sit in there and enjoy the wonderful smells. Enjoy!