Brilliance of the Seas Oct 1-6

[CruiseBell]

My husband and I booked 1 1/2 week before departure and was able to grab a balcony on deck 9 which was a pleasant surprise. We drove to Tampa day prior and stayed at the Hampton Inn. Not crazy about the area but the Hampton was great and convenient. We booked a park and cruise package. Shuttle service was great.

 

We arrived at the port by 10:45 and on the ship within 30 minutes. Easy peazy! This is our second time on Brilliance this year, first time was in January. We love being able to see the ocean from so many areas. The crew was great, ship is beautiful and refreshed! We relaxed in the Solarium and enjoyed a roast beef sandwich from the Solarium Bistro and people watched. Rooms opened up around 1:00. Went and dropped off our carryons and walked around a bit.

 

 

This cruise for us was all about relaxation due to some stressful months prior. So from this point on to most it would be a pretty boring cruise, but for us it was perfect. We did MTD at a table for two. Made 6:15 reservations prior to cruise. Service and food was exceptional. We did not do any specialty dining. On Cozumel day, we ate dinner in the Windjammer around 7:00 and enjoyed it.

 

 

We went to the shows each night, they were good. There was entertainment in the Centrium which ranged from musical to games which were fun to watch. We were always able to find a couple chairs around the pool deck or in the Solarium.

 

 

There seems to be a problem with the filtration system. There was strong cigarette smoke in certain areas of the shops and the Centrium. I assume it is coming from the casino. For us it was very noticeable.

 

 

One note to mention regarding saving chairs. I consider myself to be a rule follower to the point that my family always makes fun of me! On our last day which was a sea day, we went to the pool deck around 9:30 am and found a couple chairs, not prime chairs, just chairs off to the side. Then we went to grab some breakfast. Came back to find our chairs had been tagged! Time on the sticker was 10:00, we returned at 10:08. That’s ok, I’m fine with them tagging, I don’t feel we were breaking the rules, but I was glad to see them actually watching for chairhogs. My husband saved the note to share with our kids so they can laugh at me. That’s ok too!

 

 

Morning of departure was easy, we were on our way back to the Hampton and in our car by 10:00. Long ride home.

 

 

I love cruising! Our next cruise is on Freedom out of San Juan. Can’t wait.

 

 

CruiseBell

[champagne123]

Thank you for sharing. Glad you had a relaxing cruise!

[Notaworryintheworld]

Thank you for posting!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[wants2cruise2]

Going in 2 1/2 weeks and this is exactly the type of cruise I’m looking for. I love Brilliance, and I also need the break to totally relax.

Glad that everything I’ve seen recently has been great comments on the food and service, now I’m even more excited than before.

[Bizi1]

Just booked this cruise for January. Chose it for the date and itinerary. Glad to hear you found the ship beautiful. Can you share when the shows are in the evening. I'm trying to figure out when to make reservations for My Time Dining. Thanks.

[Merion_Mom]

I have noticed this infiltration of smoke from the casino into the Centrum on every Radiance class ship.

 

RC should have figured out a ventilation system fix for this by now.

[TPKeller]

There seems to be a problem with the filtration system. There was strong cigarette smoke in certain areas of the shops and the Centrium. I assume it is coming from the casino. For us it was very noticeable.

 

I have noticed this infiltration of smoke from the casino into the Centrum on every Radiance class ship.

 

RC should have figured out a ventilation system fix for this by now.

Just found this review, and I can confirm your observations. I also made the assumption that something was broken. This was my first cruise on a Radiance class ship, and by far the worst one for smoke spilling out of the Casino into the Centrum area. It was quite annoying.

 

Theron

[Clarea]

Just found this review, and I can confirm your observations. I also made the assumption that something was broken. This was my first cruise on a Radiance class ship, and by far the worst one for smoke spilling out of the Casino into the Centrum area. It was quite annoying.

 

Theron

The smoke and the noise (loud music) from the centrum are the reasons we try never to have a stateroom close to the centrum.

[ouiswim]

My husband and I booked 1 1/2 week before departure and was able to grab a balcony on deck 9 which was a pleasant surprise. We drove to Tampa day prior and stayed at the Hampton Inn. Not crazy about the area but the Hampton was great and convenient. We booked a park and cruise package. Shuttle service was great.

 

We arrived at the port by 10:45 and on the ship within 30 minutes. Easy peazy! This is our second time on Brilliance this year, first time was in January. We love being able to see the ocean from so many areas. The crew was great, ship is beautiful and refreshed! We relaxed in the Solarium and enjoyed a roast beef sandwich from the Solarium Bistro and people watched. Rooms opened up around 1:00. Went and dropped off our carryons and walked around a bit.

 

 

This cruise for us was all about relaxation due to some stressful months prior. So from this point on to most it would be a pretty boring cruise, but for us it was perfect. We did MTD at a table for two. Made 6:15 reservations prior to cruise. Service and food was exceptional. We did not do any specialty dining. On Cozumel day, we ate dinner in the Windjammer around 7:00 and enjoyed it.

 

 

We went to the shows each night, they were good. There was entertainment in the Centrium which ranged from musical to games which were fun to watch. We were always able to find a couple chairs around the pool deck or in the Solarium.

 

 

There seems to be a problem with the filtration system. There was strong cigarette smoke in certain areas of the shops and the Centrium. I assume it is coming from the casino. For us it was very noticeable.

 

 

One note to mention regarding saving chairs. I consider myself to be a rule follower to the point that my family always makes fun of me! On our last day which was a sea day, we went to the pool deck around 9:30 am and found a couple chairs, not prime chairs, just chairs off to the side. Then we went to grab some breakfast. Came back to find our chairs had been tagged! Time on the sticker was 10:00, we returned at 10:08. That’s ok, I’m fine with them tagging, I don’t feel we were breaking the rules, but I was glad to see them actually watching for chairhogs. My husband saved the note to share with our kids so they can laugh at me. That’s ok too!

 

 

Morning of departure was easy, we were on our way back to the Hampton and in our car by 10:00. Long ride home.

 

 

I love cruising! Our next cruise is on Freedom out of San Juan. Can’t wait.

 

 

CruiseBell

We're doing the same cruise a week from now. We booked about 3 weeks ahead for basically the same reason and tried to get MDR reservations, but all slots for all nights were filled. We do have 2 nights in specialty restaurants, but we would have loved to get the 6:15 reservations. Our sailing must be more crowded. We are frustrated since we had a similar problem on the Oasis. We've gotten some suggestions of how to fix once we get on board, but it my be our last Royal Caribbean cruise. Never had this problem on any other cruise lines.

[cello56]

I was on this cruise as well, and I fully agree that the smoke from the casino was just horrible in the centrum. Really ruined what is otherwise a lovely space to sit and listen to music in the evenings.

[TPKeller]

I was on this cruise as well, and I fully agree that the smoke from the casino was just horrible in the centrum. Really ruined what is otherwise a lovely space to sit and listen to music in the evenings.

I mentioned it in the post-cruise survey!

 

Theron

[sizzle]

Just found this review, and I can confirm your observations. I also made the assumption that something was broken. This was my first cruise on a Radiance class ship, and by far the worst one for smoke spilling out of the Casino into the Centrum area. It was quite annoying.

 

Theron

 

I agree completely about the cigarette smoke. It was often unbearable to enjoy the entertainment in centrum. I felt I was at risk for lung cancer...that's really crazy!

[Clarea]

I agree completely about the cigarette smoke. It was often unbearable to enjoy the entertainment in centrum. I felt I was at risk for lung cancer...that's really crazy!

It's like they designed the centrum to be a cigarette smoke distribution system.

[Langley Cruisers]

There seems to be a problem with the filtration system. There was strong cigarette smoke in certain areas of the shops and the Centrium. I assume it is coming from the casino. For us it was very noticeable...

 

It isn't a problem where something is broken and needs to be repaired, per sé. As mentioned, it's the way it is on this class of ship. For us, it's our favorite class but the smoking is a deal-breaker now. I can't do it anymore. :(:(:(

 

Thanks for your review; glad you enjoyed.

[enchilada72]

I just got off the boat on 10/15. Smoke was not too bad and I spent every evening in the casino. But on a different topic, the food in the main dining room was terrible. Did anyone else notice that? Service was lacking also, but the food was surprisingly bad. Glad that we booked 2 of the 4 nights in Chops and Giovanni's. The special restaurants were amazing. But the Minstrel was bad. Especially on Formal night. We were dressed to the nines for subpar food and service.

I realize there is a mass production of food in the Minstrel vs. a la minute in the specialties. But the Minstrel was not much better than Windjammer. I know for our next cruise (nothing planned just yet), I will look into the specialty restaurants for as many nights as possible.