Brilliance of the Seas 1-21-16 to 1-25-16 Western Caribbean Review

[KelJ]

I am 49 and my DH is 48. We are diamond members. This was my eleventh cruise and DH's fifth cruise, all with RCCL. This was our first time on the Brilliance. This was a free cruise, thanks to RCCL Visa points, and we also had $150 in onboard credit as the result of RCCL Visa points. We had prepaid our gratuities. The captain was Carl Graucob (who is not usually on the Brilliance), and the cruise director was Tim Connor.

 

1-20-16: We flew from Pittsburgh to Tampa via Southwest (free round-trip flights with Southwest Visa points). We took a cab ($25) to our hotel, Le Meridien in downtown Tampa, which we had booked through Priceline. It is a beautiful hotel which was recently renovated from a federal courthouse. We had lunch at the Sheraton on the riverwalk, and we had a wonderful dinner at Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar. Le Meridien also has a very nice restaurant and a lovely bakery.

 

1-21-16 Day One: Set-sail day. Le Meridien has a huge, luxury shuttle that will transport within a three-mile radius, so we had a free ride to the pier. We exited the shuttle at 11:00 a.m., gave our luggage to the porters, checked in via the diamond line (though there were no lines anywhere), DH purchased a premium beverage package, and we were eating lunch in the Windjammer at 11:10 a.m. This was truly the fastest, most efficient check-in we've ever experienced.

 

After a light lunch, we headed to the main dining room (4th floor) to check out our table. As requested and confirmed via email, it was a table for two, which happened to be table 215 by a window, and we had traditional early dining. Rooms were ready at 1:00 p.m., as opposed to the expected 1:30 p.m. We were in cabin 4588, an outside cabin, which is one of the newer cabins that had formerly been part of the dining room. Waiting for us were two cans of Diet Coke, two bottles of water and a bag of cookies.

 

This cabin was extremely convenient to the R Bar, guest services, and to the dining room. We simply loved the location! Also, our stateroom attendant, Shanti, was wonderfully efficient. We brought an RCCL cooler and also requested that we have a wine bucket along with the ice bucket. All three items were filled with ice twice per day. Also, as robes were not initially in our cabin, we requested them from Shanti and she later delivered them.

 

Once in the cabin, I purchased an internet package which is normally $80 for unlimited internet on one device, but it only cost $40 due to the diamond discount. We would switch between two cell phones and an iPad during the cruise. The connection wasn't always great, but we were satisfied with it.

 

We purchased the ultimate thermal package with rasul chamber for $149 plus gratuity. It gives you one rasul appointment and unlimited use of the thermal suite. We had done the rasul on a previous ship and were happy to see it offered on the Brilliance. We could not use our diamond discount for this package, as they claimed the $149 was already a package discount.

 

After muster, we headed to the pool deck for sailaway. Our luggage had been delivered by the time we returned to our cabin. We got ready for dinner and headed to the diamond lounge to meet Derick, the diamond concierge. There were a lot of diamond members on this cruise, and the overflow area into the Viking Crown Lounge was used nightly by guests.

 

Our head waiter was Anthony from Jamaica. Our waiter was Mariano from India. Our assistant waiter was Hanna from the Ukraine. All three of them were exceptional!! We took a bottle of wine with us to dinner three of the four nights. If any was left over, they held it until the next evening. Bar service was nonexistent the first two nights and was hit or miss the last two nights.

 

We visited the casino tonight, which was a nightly occurrence. We also visited the hot tubs on the main pool deck, as the solarium hot tub was closed.

 

1-22-16 Day Two: Sea day. We had breakfast in the main dining room and were very unhappy with the service. The line was unusually long, and it took a while to be seated. Many tables were empty but needed cleaned off. Once seated (nicely at a table for two), it took forever to be acknowledged let alone to be waited on. We had to ask twice until we got coffee and water and three times until we got juice. Many people who were seated after us were finished eating before our food was delivered.

 

We relaxed in the thermal spa and then in the Solarium and had a yummy lunch from the Park Café. Our rasul appointment was at 3:00 p.m. Unfortunately, the steam chamber in the rasul wouldn't work, so we had to forego the steam portion and just had to shower off our mud treatments. When we reported this to the person at the spa desk, he assured us that there had been no problems and that there must have been a problem due the ship being so rocky (which, by the way, the ship was incredibly rocky due to the high winds). He credited us back $40, plus auto gratuity, which was the rasul portion, which we thought was very fair. (As an aside, when we were leaving the spa on Day 4, another couple was complaining about the exact problem with the rasul steam chamber.)

 

We showered, visited the diamond lounge and then had dinner. This was a formal night, though everyone's dress varied from casual to formal. Tonight was the captain's toast in the Centrum. Free (but, as usual, nearly undrinkable) champagne was abundant. We visited the casino and then the hot tub on the pool deck tonight, as once again the solarium hot tub was closed and only one pool deck hot tub was open.

 

1-23-16 Day Three: Cozumel. We were docked from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. We had breakfast in the diamond lounge. We had pre-booked a day at Nachi Cocum (not through the cruiseline), an all-inclusive beach club that costs $55 per person. Though it was cool (69 degrees), cloudy and incredibly windy, we still went. The cab is $25 each way. We had taken with us four towels from the ship. We had four lounge chairs under a palapa. Drinks were plentiful, and DH even went in the ocean despite how cold, cloudy and windy it was.

 

We had a delicious lunch (DH loved the guacamole and the grouper; I had the grilled shrimp and rice), and we tried out the hot tub for a little while (which wasn't so hot). Had the weather cooperated, this would have been a wonderful way to spend the day. We didn’t stay as long as we otherwise would have. We took a cab back, walked through some of the shops and made a few purchases and then headed back to the ship to get ready for dinner.

 

There was a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and other sweets waiting for us. We visited the diamond lounge before dinner. After dinner, we attended the top tier event in the Colony Club at 7:45 p.m. and then visited the casino.

 

1-24-16 Day Four: Sea day. We had ordered a light breakfast from room service (and they forgot to bring us silverware & napkins!), as we had booked a galley tour that included brunch ($30 per person, charged at Giovanni's Table). We hadn't seen the galley tour advertised. Mariano, our waiter, had told us about it at dinner on day two and signed us up for it when we expressed interest.

 

We met in the main dining room on deck five at 11:00 a.m. and were broken into three or four groups of approximately 15. The tour was informative and was followed by a sit-down champagne brunch. Bread, antipasti and sushi were served family style. There was a menu from which to choose a main course. DH and I each chose beef wellington. There were egg and pasta choices as well. Plates of sample-size desserts were served family style.

 

Today the bars, and even the chilly pool deck, were packed with people watching NFL football playoffs, which was a fun atmosphere. We wandered through the ship's shops and used our diamond coupons for two free pictures in the photo area. DH participated in a blackjack tournament at 3:00 p.m. Afterward, we both relaxed in the fitness center and thermal spa. We had dinner and said our good-byes and then went back to our cabin to pack.

 

We put our luggage out, visited the casino and then the solarium hot tub. Both pool deck hot tubs were closed. There was a family of five in and around the solarium hot tub. Two of the three children were well under 16. One of the children was eating pizza in the hot tub, and his parents clearly had no problem with it. At one point a staff member came over to us is in the hot tub and gave DH a plastic cup to pour his drink into, as no glass was permitted (but his drink was in a glass because none of the pool bars were open and he had to get it elsewhere). The staff member said nothing to the children in the hot tub.

 

1-25-16 Day Five: Debarkation day. Our luggage tags were green #4 with an expected call time of 8:30 a.m. At 8:50 a.m. we went to the diamond waiting area on deck 5 of the dining room, where there was coffee, juice and pastries. At 9:00 a.m., we were notified that numbers 1 through 12 could exit. We quickly walked down the hall and off the ship and into the terminal area and claimed our luggage.

 

We were going to wheel our own luggage out, but the line for that was long and the line for those assisted by a porter was very short, so we accepted the assistance of a porter, buzzed through immigration/customs, and were sitting in a cab all in the amount of ten minutes from exiting the dining room! We took the cab to the airport ($25), got there at 9:30 a.m. and had lunch there while waiting for our 12:25 p.m. flight to Pittsburgh. The Tampa airport has free wifi, as does the Pittsburgh airport.

 

Overview: The ship was very clean and the staff were wonderful. The space where our two beds joined together was extremely uncomfortable. There were not many kids on this cruise. The weather was very cloudy and windy, and the ship was very rocky. We learned that a lot of guests were ill. Seasickness bags were hanging on every staircase to be grabbed when needed. This was the first cruise where we did not attend any shows or play any trivia.

 

Though the Compass listed that the three hot tubs were open 24 hours, generally each night only one hot tub was open and that was usually in the pool area, which was a very cold area to be in after the sun went down and the wind was whipping. The bars on the pool deck and in the solarium close very early, making it impossible to enjoy drinks at the hot tubs in the evening. At times during the day, some of the bars were understaffed (sometimes one bartender!) and getting drinks could take a prolonged period of time.

 

The beds in the thermal spa were heavenly! One night in the casino, DH won $540 on a 50 cent bet on a penny machine. We had towel animals two of four nights. Both check-in and debarkation were extremely organized and efficient and were the fastest we've ever experienced. I would definitely recommend Brilliance for a quick getaway but prefer Voyager class or Freedom class for longer cruises or cruises when we take our young-adult children.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!:)

Edited February 1, 2016 by KelJ

[ebonybee]

We were on Jan 2 sailing and the steam chamber in the Rasul chamber wasn't working then. They stated they had put in a work order.

[mpoole3]

Thanks for sharing, getting excited for my upcoming B2B on Brilliance in March. :D

[SoALcruiser]

:) Thanks so much for your informative review. We'll be sailing on her for the first time in a couple of weeks, and reading your review has me ready to go now!!!

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Kaye

[DarthGrady]

It was a great cruise! Lots of good times at the pool bar and in the nightclub.

 

I was at the pool bar after returning from Cozumel and witnessed the reason for one of the hot tubs being closed that night. Two of our fellow passengers decided to use it as their own personal tub-o-love. :eek:

[Clarea]

Thanks for the report. We had an excellent cruise on Brilliance last month, and got exceptional service from Derrick, who was the Suite Concierge during our cruise.

[KelJ]

We were on Jan 2 sailing and the steam chamber in the Rasul chamber wasn't working then. They stated they had put in a work order.

 

Hmm. That stinks. Did you learn this after they were happy to take your rasul money from you?

[KelJ]

It was a great cruise! Lots of good times at the pool bar and in the nightclub.

 

I was at the pool bar after returning from Cozumel and witnessed the reason for one of the hot tubs being closed that night. Two of our fellow passengers decided to use it as their own personal tub-o-love. :eek:

 

OMG! Sorry you had to see that! Thankfully staff must have seen it as well if they shut it down to clean it.

[KirkNC]

Thanks for the report!

[kccrzr]

Thank you for taking the time to post a review. We are taking a cruise on Brilliance in March with this same itinerary. It has been some time since we've sailed on Brilliance so I appreciate the updated information.

[ksuds]

We were also on that sailing! Our room was only 2 down from you. Love those new rooms with the large windows. We are going back on the Brilliance and have 4588 booked.

 

LOL Grady..................tub o love:eek:

[wingman2014]

Thanks so much for the review ! We'll be on Brilliance in 12 days for the first time. We also have a corner aft for the first time ! Were very excited !!

How was the casino ? Are there Texas hold'em tournament's with a live dealer or electronic ?

Thanks again !!

[Barry ATL]

We were on the same cruise. It was a very rocky cruise as stated by the OP.

 

The hightlight of the cruise for me was the British Pub. Dusan from Servia and Ben from England are the two main bartenders. I spent many hours sitting on the stool ensuring that I made a profit from the premium drink package. :D

 

The main dining room was from bad to terrible service. We had to go because it was a work cruise for DH and eating with his workmates were required. By night 4 we were looking for ways to exit quickly because it just was not fun. Service was slow... 8:30 seating and one night it was so slow the meal was not done until 10:30.

 

The comedians were okay. Not great and not bad.

 

The ship itself was wonderful! Lots of space for quiet times and plenty of crowded space to create the excitement of a party.

 

Truthfully, the only negative experience was the dining room. Everything else was great!

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

I was at the pool bar after returning from Cozumel and witnessed the reason for one of the hot tubs being closed that night. Two of our fellow passengers decided to use it as their own personal tub-o-love. :eek:

 

[monctonguy]

Cant wait to get back on her in a cpl weeks!

 

Two quick questions...did you notice of the pool tables by the colony club were working?(seems they have been down for months from what I can find)

 

Also, did you notice if they had strongbow at the English pub or anywhere on the ship?

[Clarea]

... Also, did you notice if they had strongbow at the English pub or anywhere on the ship?

They had Strongbow and Angry Orchard in the pub on our December cruise.

[Setting sail for fun]

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to post it.

[monctonguy]

Awesome..thanks for the update on the Stongbow

[cruisegalfl]

Cant wait to get back on her in a cpl weeks!

 

Two quick questions...did you notice of the pool tables by the colony club were working?(seems they have been down for months from what I can find)

 

Also, did you notice if they had strongbow at the English pub or anywhere on the ship?

 

one of the pool tables were working.

[monctonguy]

OK..so the same as last Jan when I was on her....you think in 13 mths they could have gotten someone to fix a pool table??!

[Clarea]

OK..so the same as last Jan when I was on her....you think in 13 mths they could have gotten someone to fix a pool table??!

They must have fixed one, because they were both out of order on our cruise this past December.

Edited February 2, 2016 by clarea

[Chip and Dale]

Hi Kelly

 

Thanks so much for the excellent review, it was very informative!!!!! :) We will be sailing on Brilliance March 12 :D.

 

So glad you had a great time on the ship! Hopefully your next cruise will find you with calmer seas and warmer weather.

Thanks again!

Dee

[Barry ATL]

The rocking was really bad on the cruise and I am one of those people who think that adds adventure to the cruise. When one o fthe shows let out of the Pacific Theatre it was fun to watch and long hall full of people stumble to the left and then the right as the ship rocked. The visual was more disorienting than the rocking. :D

[KelJ]

Thanks so much for the review ! We'll be on Brilliance in 12 days for the first time. We also have a corner aft for the first time ! Were very excited !!

How was the casino ? Are there Texas hold'em tournament's with a live dealer or electronic ?

Thanks again !!

 

The poker tournaments are with a live dealer.

 

Cant wait to get back on her in a cpl weeks!

 

Two quick questions...did you notice of the pool tables by the colony club were working?(seems they have been down for months from what I can find)

 

Also, did you notice if they had strongbow at the English pub or anywhere on the ship?

 

The pub had Strongbow. Also, it was one of the beers available during the diamond cocktail hours. I saw one pool table being used.

Edited February 3, 2016 by KelJ

[Susiebell2]

I appreciate you taking the time to let us future cruisers know about that cruise. Would you describe the Thermal Suite for me? Does it have any lap pool, hot tub, etc. in it?

Also, I know you are a diamond sailor, but where would you suggest the best place to go for breakfast? Also, the best place to go to get away from crowds on the deck?

Thanks!