Tampa - Brilliance or Paradise?

[Clearwater]

I would love to find someone who has been on both and can tell me your preference?

 

I have been on Paradise a few times and felt it is dated and needs a major overhaul. I haven't however tried RC out of Tampa and am interested in people who have gone on both.

 

Things we care about:

 

better food - Paradise was decent

better casino - Paradise rated at a B- to me

Does RC have a comedy club?? I like the option on Carnival

Better Pools? I think Paradise was meh

More updated ship? Paradise felt very very worn to me

 

Would love to hear comparisons!

 

I am trying to plan a girls trip with approximately 10 women Ages 40s/60's and one 93 year old lol :)

[Clarea]

No dedicated comedy club on Brilliance. They usually have at least one comedian per cruise performing as a headliner in the main theater.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Based on your experiences on the Paradise, I say try Royal!

[Clearwater]

Based on your experiences on the Paradise, I say try Royal!

 

Have you been on both?

 

I am sure there are people who have sailed both so was hoping on a comparison on the casino/food/pools etc...

 

I would like more details.

 

I see mixed reviews on both ships and Tampa is SO limited with the Skyway. Since I am planning for so many people - I would like to bring back some intel! :)

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

Have you been on both?

 

I am sure there are people who have sailed both so was hoping on a comparison on the casino/food/pools etc...

 

I would like more details.

 

I see mixed reviews on both ships and Tampa is SO limited with the Skyway. Since I am planning for so many people - I would like to bring back some intel! :)

 

I have not been on the Paradise. I have been on the Jewel and Radiance (same Class as Brilliance) and they're two of my favorite ships. I have been on the Carnival Victory and I would take a Royal ship over her any day. Brilliance's pool deck is smaller, but very nice. There is also an adults-only, covered solarium with pool. I don't ever use the casino, so not sure about that. I've always been very happy with the food on Royal, and I've seen many posts saying the food on Carnival and Royal is comparable.

 

Hope that helps a little.

[ryano]

I think everyone should experience a Radiance class ship at least once. I had an absolute great time on Radiance out of Tampa. Brilliance is a little newer :) These ships are beautiful and to me, the perfect size ship. Just going on pictures alone, I can faithfully say that IMO, Paradise in no way can compare. I have no desire to sail on a Fantasy class ship.

Edited April 11, 2016 by ryano

[lovesthebeach2]

I know you want a comparison, but I have been on a few carnival cruises years ago and have gravitated to Royal where I have stayed ever since..... Except for the few Disney cruises. Brilliance is one of our favorite ships, and when we cruise the Med this summer it will be our third time on it. We have gone on it with a large group of friends and we had a blast. Give it a try, you won't be unhappy.

[Clearwater]

Thanks for the feedback! I just watched a few videos and it does look much prettier!

 

We are sailing on The Carnival Sunshine in November so I think you are all right it's time to try Brilliance.

 

I just did some price comparisons as well and for a Balcony, which is what we want, it comes out less on RC! So that is a selling point in itself for a quick get away!

 

Thanks again! May be booking tonight :)

[RCcruisinfamily]

Brillance is beautiful and an enjoyable ship. I like the size and entertainment. I was on Carnival Sunshine, the one you are going on before the referb. It is huge, but not much character.

[Tee & Chilli]

A friend sailed on the Paradise and her cabin was without ac for 4 days. She indicated the ship needs updating.

[nursemom2]

I have been on both ships, I had a nice time on the paradise , but there is no comparison ... The brilliance is by far the nicest ship! It's big and beautiful, and well kept. The paradise is dated, and needs an overhaul. Pool is much smaller... Brilliance has 2 pools. Brilliance is an A...Paradise is a c+. Service was great on both ships, food is comparable. 5 times on the brilliance , 3 times on the Paradise. You will have a fun time on either ship[emoji4]

 

 

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[dappledumpling]

My wife and I have sailed Paradise twice and Brillance 3 times. out of Tampa (plus inspiration,legend and jewel & radiance)

 

We sail the paradise when one of the royals is not in Tampa... ie May to November

-food comparable on both ships

-comedy better on Paradise

- we don't go to shows

Radiance class ships are great.. billiards at sea.. just a beautiful vessel.

Music better on Brilliance.. we hate the dj's by the pool on paradise

 

We feel Royal is a better fit for us but will jump on any line if the timing and price is right

Hope this helps

Rick

[jonbgd]

Ive been on both sort of

Sailed the Paradise years ago out of LA and all other Fantasy class ships of Carnival over the years

 

Havnt been on Brilliance

But Have been on Radiance 3 times and the Serenade

 

The Radiance class(The Brilliance) is a better version of CCl Spirit class ships

And If I can sail on RCCL for cheaper than CCL

 

Winner Winner;)

Edited April 12, 2016 by jonbgd

[FloridaGram]

Ive been on both sort of

Sailed the Paradise years ago out of LA and all other Fantasy class ships of Carnival over the years

 

Havnt been on Brilliance

But Have been on Radiance 3 times and the Serenade

 

The Radiance class(The Brilliance) is a better version of CCl Spirit class ships

And If I can sail on RCCL for cheaper than CCL

 

Winner Winner;)

You are quite fortunate if you found RCCL cheaper than CCL. I have never found that to be true out of FL. RCCL is more but I think you get more. The ships are nicer but the food is the same or better on CCL IMO. Usually we go CCL because it is cheaper and we can go more often! But Carnival's prices are creeping up so who knows what the future holds!

[Clearwater]

You are quite fortunate if you found RCCL cheaper than CCL. I have never found that to be true out of FL. RCCL is more but I think you get more. The ships are nicer but the food is the same or better on CCL IMO. Usually we go CCL because it is cheaper and we can go more often! But Carnival's prices are creeping up so who knows what the future holds!

 

Ironically - it came out MUCH cheaper but I think for a couple reasons.

 

1 - On the Paradise, since they added the balconies they are considered "Suites" even tho they are outdated regular balcony rooms. Only thing you really get is better and faster boarding.

 

2 - RC is having a fantastic sale that ends tomorrow at midnight.

 

I saved approximately $350 PER stateroom which I was floored by!!

 

 

I am so excited to hear the comparisons from everyone who have sailed on both!

 

We booked tonight 3 side by side balcony rooms and we have a few more friends booking tomorrow!

 

All set and now the fun begins, lots of reading reviews and planning :)

 

Appreciate all the feedback from everyone who piped in!

[StretchamI]

Although it has been a few years since sailing on the Brilliance, we are booked on her in December this year for our 5th cruise on her. Absolutely love the ship. On our four previous cruises we have really enjoyed the food, and the service is some of the best in the fleet. As for the casino, I would rate it a A. (Have won much more $$ than lost, one cruise DW won the slots tournament and I hit jackpots on 3 of the four Wheel of Fortune slot machines.

Also enjoy having at least one evening meal in the Windjammer. Almost the same food as in the MDR but more selections in a quiet, laid back atmosphere. We usually do this during one of the formal nights. All in all, I would take an RCI cruise over Carnival anytime.

[William234]

Ironically, my wife and I were talking about this last night for the next time we can get a quick "weekend" getaway. We would definitely prefer to book Brilliance over Paradise, but our primary considerations would be which fits our schedule better and which has a better price.

 

We were on Paradise back in February and she is definitely showing her age but we still had a great time.

[NOSaints1]

Go to Royal Caribbean blog.com under podcasts you can see the BOS daily blog I think it's the one before this week, where he does a b2b on Brilliance. It's a show every Wed on various topics and if you have a question you can write to him on everything Royal.

 

 

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[debandbruce]

We loved the Brilliance, I can't possibly say enough good things about the ship and the crew. The food was excellent and you must try Giovanni's hands down best specialty dinner we have ever experienced.

[oojeanie]

I just got back from a 4 day Brilliance cruise. Previously I sailed on the Inspiration, same class as Paradise. I agree with another poster about the music by the pool. Carnival has a dj with loud current , often "beat" music. RCI has good bands. RCI has MUCH better entertainment. The bars were slow on Brilliance. We did not get good service in the MDR on Brilliance and ate in the Windjammer after that. That could be hit or miss. I found Carnival to have friendlier and better service but the music and shows and pool on Brilliance outweighs that.