mbk999 Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 I'm in the midst of looking at a quick trip on the Brilliance of the Seas out of Tampa in Jan or Feb, depending on if schedules can align. It would be a first on the Radiance class but my question is more geared towards the Brilliance herself as I think she is due for drydock later in 2018. Has anyone had any recent experience sailing her? I'd imagine the ship needs a refresh but I'd be surprised if it didn't still look great. Also, it would be a first sail out of Tampa for us. I'm assuming Port to Airport is about a 30-40 minute trip but I was looking to confirm that assumption and if the port was notorious for being slow on disembarkation. Thanks, Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 I really liked Brilliance. Did a cruise on her two years ago and it was a fun little ship. 1 hour ago, mbk999 said: I'm assuming Port to Airport is about a 30-40 minute trip but I was looking to confirm that assumption and if the port was notorious for being slow on disembarkation. No issues with disembarkation. About same as any port Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 Only issue with Tampa is an occasional fog day in the winter ... if its foggy they hold the ships outside the bay which is about 2 hours sailing from the port still .... so it does lead to an occasional very delayed disembarkation ... probably affects 1-2 cruises a year but just FYI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRC Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Tampa is an easy port both embark and disembark. Radiance Class is my favorite (but Brilliance is the only one of the 4 I've never sailed...yet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 I am book on the Jan 2 sailing. I have a junior suite. My husband and I are born in January. Let the Birthday celebrations begin!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Just now, Sweety said: I am book on the Jan 2 sailing. I have a junior suite. My husband and I are born in January. Let the Birthday celebrations begin!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbk999 Posted October 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Thanks for the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestingBird Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 We'll be on her in March out of Tampa if all goes well, and looking forward to trying a JS. We were on Serenade last year and liked Radiance class well enough. I have the utmost faith in Brilliance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLGooner Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 We live in the Tampa area and have sailed Brilliance on a few occasions. My wife's office directly overlooks the port so she enjoys seeing one of her favorite ships on a regular occasion. Great ship and certainly still looks good. You're correct on timing from Airport to Port, 30-40 minutes at worse - probably 20 minutes outside of rush hour. I find Tampa to be a lot easier and less chaotic for getting on/off than Port Canaveral or Lauderdale. Let me know if you need more info. bcarney 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Been on her twice.....nice ship. Keep in mind the potential fog issue in Tampa. never had an issue with disembarkation in Tampa. What I have heard is that often this ship out of Tampa often is "chartered" for large groups which can dramatically affect your cruise. Such was the case on my second cruise on her. Pool tables where out of order as well which was disappointing. But I am looking forward to trying Jewel in April which is in the same class.....it is a nice ship for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestingBird Posted October 12, 2017 Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 17 minutes ago, monctonguy said: What I have heard is that often this ship out of Tampa often is "chartered" for large groups which can dramatically affect your cruise. Such was the case on my second cruise on her. Good point, thanks for bringing this up. After some discussions on here about charters, I went and checked my Brilliance sailing and was in the clear, but it's probably about time to check again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbk999 Posted October 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2017 Interesting point on the charter issue, how does one check that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 Easiest way I think is to google the dates and ship and see what comes up. In my case it was a religious group....probably about 1/3 of the ship...made a huge impact on the feel and vibe of the cruise to say the least. Just something to think about when booking or checking from time to time. Usually these charter dates would be set out about a year before on average I am guessing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 On 10/12/2017 at 8:39 AM, mbk999 said: Interesting point on the charter issue, how does one check that? How to find which groups are on your Royal Caribbean cruise BrianAlt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbk999 Posted October 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 1 hour ago, Matt said: How to find which groups are on your Royal Caribbean cruise Thanks Matt. That posting predates my discovery of your blog. Matt 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 Just got off Serenade, a sister ship of Brilliance and really enjoyed her a lot. There are a ton of windows in all of the public areas that really bring all the light and make for a great view of the outside from just about anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 While I love the big ships, I think the Radiance class is the most elegant of all the Royal ship classes. So much beautiful glass and a view of the ocean from nearly everywhere. The halls are VERY narrow but that's b/c the ship itself is narrow, by design. It's been some time since I've sailed on a Radiance class ship. I need to get back there ! PRC and FManke 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRC Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 10 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: While I love the big ships, I think the Radiance class is the most elegant of all the Royal ship classes. So much beautiful glass and a view of the ocean from nearly everywhere. The halls are VERY narrow but that's b/c the ship itself is narrow, by design. It's been some time since I've sailed on a Radiance class ship. I need to get back there ! They really are the best! Classic, old-style cruising: connect with the sea... bcarney 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbk999 Posted October 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 6 hours ago, Matt said: How to find which groups are on your Royal Caribbean cruise And low and behold there is a psuedo-chartered event, a book signing/convention with meet the author events. At first glance a series of gothic romance novellas (http://www.1001darknights.com/events/) not my cup of tea but clearly someone's.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted October 13, 2017 Report Share Posted October 13, 2017 Interesting....I don't think that would have too much influence or affect the vibe on your cruise...on my cruise it was such an issue that I had to wander around almost every meal trying to find a table for example as they would sit their for hours eating and talking(as they didn't drink or do much else I guess) which of course allowed for much quicker bar service(not complaining..lol) but also made for much more less exciting and entertaining nightlife as well. At $899 per person for an inside cabin on a 4 day cruise...they must be really dedicated to pay that kinda money for this niche Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebel Posted October 31, 2017 Report Share Posted October 31, 2017 MBK999, Tampa airport is about 10 minutes away from the port. Cab should only be less than $20. with tip. Hope this helps. WAAAYTOOO and mbk999 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcarney Posted November 1, 2017 Report Share Posted November 1, 2017 Based on my experience, Tampa is second only to Baltimore in terms of ease of getting on/off the ship. When we sailed from Baltimore we parked in the lot right next to ship. Not a parking structure, an actual parking lot. Couldn't have been easier. In Tampa you can park across the street. As mentioned, if you fly in it's only a half hour or so from the airport. And if you overnight downtown or in Ybor City there is the trolley that runs right to the embarkation location, and many hotels have complimentary shuttles. I have to say, next to San Juan Tampa is my most favorite place to sail from, and I've started going there for non-cruise trips as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbk999 Posted November 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2017 Thanks to all for the information. My plan to sneak away for a quick cruise was scuttled by wife's pre MLK holiday work schedule that wasn't as flexible as I had hoped (the downside of being in the education field). Sailing out of Tampa is still on my list, but sadly it will still remain for now. WAAAYTOOO and RestingBird 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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