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Will I be able to zone out and meditate on the horizon?


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Hi, I am an 82 year old woman with compromised health, and the last thing on my bucket list that I am still able to consider doing is going on a cruise, which I have never done but always wanted to do. I've booked a balcony stateroom on the Brilliance for 2 days at sea and one day in Cozumel, in order to fulfill my dream of being on a calm sea and meditating on the horizon. But all the reviews I read are all about the partying, the jockeying, the smoke, the rushing, the shopping  – and I wonder, will I be able to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet on my balcony? Will there BE any peace and quiet? Will I be able to take a quiet stroll on deck at night? Enjoy the peace of a hot tub, relax in a sauna, without feeling crammed by dozens of other people jockeying for the same space, and making a lot of noise? Please be honest. Thank you.

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There is lots of peace and quiet on a ship.  Just be careful when choosing your stateroom.  As a rule of thumb, we don't choose cabins that have public areas (eg. pool deck, restaurants etc.) above or below it.  I am not sure which side (port or starboard) the smoking area is on Brilliance but I also would steer clear of cabins around that area and the casino. 

Also be mindful that being too close to an elevator can sometimes bring on heavier traffic (although we have never had an issue with this).  When I think back to all the balconies that we have had, it has always been quiet.  Just look at the deck plans first and look above/below one deck to be safe.

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I take my breakfast every morning on the balcony when we cruise.  Before anyone else in the cabin is awake.  I find the time peaceful and relaxing.   

I've watched the sun rise and the ship come into exotic ports of call.  I reflect on the day that was and the day to come.  Then I shatter the calm by waking everyone up to start the day. 

 

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I'd say you can definitely get the quiet you're looking for on an RC cruise and although I've never been on Brilliance, the fact that she's an older,  smaller ship would, I  think, mean it's s quieter cruise (something I actually aspire to). Having read others' live blogs, I'd love to sail on Brilliance one day. 

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I can assure you that if that is what you desire then you should have no issues! Yes there are noisy areas, and yes there are places that are noisier than others but I can assure you that I have been able to find nice quiet spots on each and every cruise I have taken, even on the smallest ships of their fleet.  If you have a balcony and you are nowhere near a club above, below or to the side or near the pool then your balcony should be pretty quiet.  We have only had ONE cruise where we booked a room above a club and definitely regretted it by day 3 of a 7 day cruise.  We have had cabins all over the ship and outside of that one where we learned we have not had an issue.  We have done the exact same cruise that you are doing and on that exact same ship, and are actually doing it again in December.  Please do not let what you hear scare you, I can assure you that you will have a wonderful time and that there are plenty of places to get away.  Sit back relax and destress, it will not be as bad as you may think, yes there will be crowds in places but there will not be a constant crowd every place you go.  They do a pretty good job of starting things at different times in different areas of the ship.  

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Thank you all for your reassurance that I can enjoy my cruise! I've booked a balcony stateroom amidships on Deck 8, which has only staterooms above, below, and alongside, and is a bit of a distance from the centrum. Although it is on the smoking side of the ship, the open areas are at least two decks below and three decks above, so I'm hoping people congregating will be far enough away from my balcony. But if you advise me to try to change my cabin to one on the other side, I'll pick up the phone and make that call!

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You'll definitely be able to enjoy your meditation.  I've been able to enjoy a balcony respite, just looking at the horizon at sunrise, sunset, open ocean, island horizon, pitch black nighttime sea... all of it.  And if I may, when you're meditating, just listen to your own breathing and heartbeat.  Focus on breathing, the rhythm of your heart.  The serenity of being at one with this great beautiful planet and this vast universe.  The background noise will just fade into white noise, and then actually be drowned out by the sound of your own breathing/heartbeat.  

If you're a novice though to meditation and drowning out background noise, I would avoid having your meditation during events of noise on the pool deck.  So sailaway party, if there's any belly flop/hairy chest/sexy man competitions.

And dont be concerned too much about the smoke.  You're out in the open, and likely several yards away from the smoking area.  Think of being at a shopping center and someone's smoking.  How close to you need to get to them before you smell the smoke.  And that's not in a vehicle travelling 15-20 knots.  What if someone was smoking and you drove at 15mph past them.  Would you smell the smoke at 10 yards?    If your room was right above or right below or on either side immediately of the smoking area, I'd be concerned for you.  But if you're 2 decks away from the smokers, that's at least 20 feet away, in the open air, and in a moving vessel.  

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1 hour ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Smoking is tyically on the port side - I always book starboard (for weirder reasons than that, unfortunately, but it's a bonus).

Smoking isnt allowed on any balcony no matter what side of the ship. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas, typically on the pool deck.

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6 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

 I always book starboard (for weirder reasons than that, unfortunately, but it's a bonus).

would love to know why...

we always choose port side so we can people watch/island watch as we're pulling into and out of port...

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@tiny blonde enjoy your cruise. 

One of my favorite things to do on each cruise is find the quiet spots and meditate/read/sleep/watch the ocean/sunrise/sunset.  I so enjoy having balconies...for that reason.  But there are lots of places on the ships for that.  Don't be afraid to ask your cabin attendant/other crew members where there might be spots like that too. 

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On 4/27/2019 at 1:00 PM, tiny blonde said:

Hi, I am an 82 year old woman with compromised health, and the last thing on my bucket list that I am still able to consider doing is going on a cruise, which I have never done but always wanted to do. I've booked a balcony stateroom on the Brilliance for 2 days at sea and one day in Cozumel, in order to fulfill my dream of being on a calm sea and meditating on the horizon. But all the reviews I read are all about the partying, the jockeying, the smoke, the rushing, the shopping  – and I wonder, will I be able to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet on my balcony? Will there BE any peace and quiet? Will I be able to take a quiet stroll on deck at night? Enjoy the peace of a hot tub, relax in a sauna, without feeling crammed by dozens of other people jockeying for the same space, and making a lot of noise? Please be honest. Thank you.

Your goal is the same as my goal on every cruise, I have never been on Brilliance but even on the big mega ships I can usually find a place that is quite and secluded to people watch or read a book.

I applaud you for taking this adventure at 82, I hope when I'm 82 that I'm still able to cruise.

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1 hour ago, JennyB said:

would love to know why...

we always choose port side so we can people watch/island watch as we're pulling into and out of port...

Because I'm a weirdo, and I'm right-handed, so when I'm out on the balcony and the ship is moving forward, and I'm looking in the direction of travel, I want the ocean to be on my right. (I told you ... weird).   This rule does not apply when we are interior or ocean view. (Again, weirdo).

And because I have confessed this to you, and pretty much everyone here, we are all now BFFs.  ?

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All this feedback and advice has been so helpful! I have a stateroom that I think will be perfect, on the starboard side, and I'm reading all I can about cruising. When I was younger, my first husband and I, and our children when they were little, cruised on a 30' sailboat that was heavenly when the waters were calm but pretty bumpy when the seas made up . . . but on a nice day, I found the sea so restful. This is going to be MY "cruise of a lifetime," just 2 days/4 nights at sea, and 1 day in Cozumel (I love Mexico and hope Cozumel is not too overrun with tourists . . . I've booked a private driver to take us away from the bustle of the port), and now all I need to do is remain well enough to go. We live only an hour's drive from Tampa, so it will be the easiest trip possible. 

Or who knows, I may get "bitten" by the cruising bug and immediately start planning a next cruise!!!

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6 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Because I'm a weirdo, and I'm right-handed, so when I'm out on the balcony and the ship is moving forward, and I'm looking in the direction of travel, I want the ocean to be on my right. (I told you ... weird).   This rule does not apply when we are interior or ocean view. (Again, weirdo).

And because I have confessed this to you, and pretty much everyone here, we are all now BFFs.  ?

+1 for my wife, also flying, a train or a bus, always on the right side. She cannot be sitting backwards knowing she is going forward.

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3 minutes ago, tiny260 said:

+1 for my wife, also flying, a train or a bus, always on the right side. She cannot be sitting backwards knowing she is going forward.

Yes, she's correct. I'm pretty sure that our bed on Ovation will be against the forward wall, and I'm kind of bummed.  I shall survive, but if I find it to be the other way I will be VERY happy.  

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SpeedNoodles said, "Yes, she's correct. I'm pretty sure that our bed on Ovation will be against the forward wall, and I'm kind of bummed.  I shall survive, but if I find it to be the other way I will be VERY happy."

(I hope I'll figure out how to respond to a particular comment within a thread.)

I never even THOUGHT of which way my bed would be facing!! I assumed it would be facing the balcony, but I guess it's either going to be taking me forward (I hope!) or backward, in which case I hope I can adjust. O heck, I'll just adjust!  

 
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7 minutes ago, tiny blonde said:

 

SpeedNoodles said, "Yes, she's correct. I'm pretty sure that our bed on Ovation will be against the forward wall, and I'm kind of bummed.  I shall survive, but if I find it to be the other way I will be VERY happy."

(I hope I'll figure out how to respond to a particular comment within a thread.)

I never even THOUGHT of which way my bed would be facing!! I assumed it would be facing the balcony, but I guess it's either going to be taking me forward (I hope!) or backward, in which case I hope I can adjust. O heck, I'll just adjust!  

 

For sleeping my wife is OK, I just make sure the blinds are pulled so she cannot see outside (It's dark anyway, right).

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On 4/27/2019 at 1:00 PM, tiny blonde said:

Hi, I am an 82 year old woman with compromised health, and the last thing on my bucket list that I am still able to consider doing is going on a cruise, which I have never done but always wanted to do. I've booked a balcony stateroom on the Brilliance for 2 days at sea and one day in Cozumel, in order to fulfill my dream of being on a calm sea and meditating on the horizon. But all the reviews I read are all about the partying, the jockeying, the smoke, the rushing, the shopping  – and I wonder, will I be able to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet on my balcony? Will there BE any peace and quiet? Will I be able to take a quiet stroll on deck at night? Enjoy the peace of a hot tub, relax in a sauna, without feeling crammed by dozens of other people jockeying for the same space, and making a lot of noise? Please be honest. Thank you.

Smoke won't be an issue -- designated smoking is in the casino and the port side on deck five mid-ship.

Your balcony will be serene -- there may be a small risk of hearing pool noise if your stateroom is below the pool on deck 10

Quiet stroll on deck at night -- absolutely...wow, it's wonderful...and, if you go to the helipad all the way forward, the stars are incredible because it will be unencumbered by light from the ship. Bring a sweatshirt in case it's chilly at night.

hot tub -- the solarium hot tub is nice. the spa may be an option you want to consider. If you want to sauna, you will definitely need the spa.

Boarding on Embarkation day -- Brilliance is such a fantastic ship...the ONLY thing I would make you aware of is that is a little harried is boarding this ship into the centrum directly, and compared to other ships, Brilliance is VERY busy in there with people figuring out which way to go and waiters trying to sell specialty dining. You will be near the elevators, but you may need to wait for one to get to Deck 11 where the Windjammer and pool deck is. If you board in the morning, I recommend going to deck 11, going forward and relaxing in the Solarium. The Windjammer buffet is nice, however it will be very busy and crazy on embarkation day. If you board at 1:00 pm or after, I recommend going directly to your stateroom, meet your stateroom attendant and then get your bearings.

My favorite place on Brilliance -- the outdoor seating in the back of the Windjammer is SO nice and serene. It is separated from the hustle bustle of the buffet, there's a nice breeze, and the views are why I cruise. There were some people near me when I took the video below, but it was not crowded at all. We sailed in January, and it was slightly choppy, but not bad at all...if you are sailiong this summer, the likelihood of glassy seas is very good.

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22 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Because I'm a weirdo, and I'm right-handed, so when I'm out on the balcony and the ship is moving forward, and I'm looking in the direction of travel, I want the ocean to be on my right. (I told you ... weird).   This rule does not apply when we are interior or ocean view. (Again, weirdo).

And because I have confessed this to you, and pretty much everyone here, we are all now BFFs.  ?

Ok...so maybe we're long lost siblings...because when I am on the port-side balcony (and because I am LEFT-HANDED) and I'm looking in the direction of travel, I feel "off" because I want the ocean to ALSO be on my RIGHT...so I honestly feel better finding somewhere on the ship that is on the starboard side.  When walking on the ship I want to walk so the ocean is on my right...my "security" is having the rest of the ship on my left.  Or I sit on my balcony with my eyes closed. 

 

 

 

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