rjac Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 We're thinking about booking the Brilliance OTS next February for a 5 night Western Carib. out of Tampa. Looking for comments, good and bad, about the Brilliance. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 Love Brilliance. @mpoole3 and I have done a few different live blogs from her out of Tampa. You can read them all here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/brilliance-of-the-seas-live-blog rjac and accio7 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 I spent almost two weeks on the Brilliance and really enjoyed her. Lots of glass, a dedicated movie theater, a manageable Windjammer with lots of cooked to order options, less crowding than the bigger ships, etc. I also love sailing at of Tampa, which makes it a big plus. accio7 and rjac 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arebee Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 I've done Brilliance, I have no complaints. Doc beat me to the theater thing... I think it also has a miniature golf too. One think to watch for (if you aren't D, D+ or in a suite) the Viking Crown Lounge is with the Diamond Club and Concierge Club. We got kicked out so Diamonds could have their party. rjac, DocLC and accio7 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 @Matt recently sailed Brilliance, as has @mpoole3 https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/11/24/brilliance-of-the-seas-live-blog-preamble https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/01/25/brilliance-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-1-embarkation-day I've got a B2B booked in December. I like Radiance class. Bigger than Vision class but you can see where this design grew up from. No promenade like those ships that came after but it has a great Vintages with awesome sea views, best Vintages in the fleet. The Centrum is the 'heart' of the ship. This is Serenade's Centrum but Brilliance is pretty much the same: It also has a dedicated movie theater but arrive early for seats. Other things I like: Pub Helipad Access Deck 7 Extended Balcony Cabin Outdoor Windjammer Seating DocLC, rjac and accio7 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 5 minutes ago, arebee said: I've done Brilliance, I have no complaints. Doc beat me to the theater thing... I think it also has a miniature golf too. One think to watch for (if you aren't D, D+ or in a suite) the Viking Crown Lounge is with the Diamond Club and Concierge Club. We got kicked out so Diamonds could have their party. There is mini golf, but I don't have any pictures of it. I did get a picture of the exterior of the ship and the movie marque, though. rjac, Matt and accio7 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henrysea13 Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 2 hours ago, rjac said: We're thinking about booking the Brilliance OTS next February for a 5 night Western Carib. out of Tampa. Looking for comments, good and bad, about the Brilliance. Thanks! I am on the brilliance oct 1 5 nights western I will post an eval when I get back accio7, DocLC and rjac 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn T. Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 Love the Brilliance. We have done the 4-night to Cozumel for the past three years in January. We have it booked again for 2019. Awesome ship. I also recommend the valet parking in Tampa. It is only an extra $5 per day. It is totally worth it. When you return, you give them your ticket at the valet stand and they bring your car right up to the curb in probably 5 minutes or so. Love the movie theater onboard too. accio7 and rjac 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KLA Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 Brilliance is my favorite ship I have sailed - definitely book it! DocLC, henrysea13 and accio7 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovetocruise2002 Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 It has been a really long time since we sailed Brilliance, but we have nothing but fond memories on board her. We sailed Brilliance way back when she was in Europe. I thought at the time, and still do, that she was the perfect size ship for that type of itinerary. It was a port heavy sailing and the times we were on board, we were never bored. I probably wouldn't do a TA on her but for a 5 night, you can't go wrong! rjac and accio7 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monctonguy Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 Cant add much to what everyone else has said...but to book it! Like the size and the features. Defn an enjoyable time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 Now you've got me looking forward to ours ..... we'll also be doing the 5-night western on April 20th of next year. DocLC and accio7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonemanbob Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 Brilliance and Tampa is a match made in heaven. Did Tampa in February and parked about 20 spaces from the terminal entrance. Did walk off when we disembarked at 7:30 a.m. and we were on the interstate at 7:45 a.m. rjac, DocLC and accio7 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DunkelBierJay Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 3 hours ago, rjac said: We're thinking about booking the Brilliance OTS next February for a 5 night Western Carib. out of Tampa. Looking for comments, good and bad, about the Brilliance. Thanks! We did a 5 nighter on Brilliance out of Tampa in January/February calling on Grand Cayman and Cozumel and it was one of those "just right" cruises. The ship is fantastic...small but with a big ship feel to it. I would definitely book Brilliance again. rjac, coneyraven and accio7 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted June 11, 2018 Report Share Posted June 11, 2018 I am so dying to try this class! Sounds like a beautiful ship. I will agree with everyone....Tampa has been my favorite port to go out of! Jane DocLC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 7 hours ago, mom2mybugs said: I am so dying to try this class! Sounds like a beautiful ship. I will agree with everyone....Tampa has been my favorite port to go out of! Jane You know what that means? YOLO! Book it! JLMoran, accio7, DocLC and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 I was on Brilliance last January. Loved the ship. Will go back on her in a heartbeat. accio7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglesfaninfl Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Love the Brilliance and sailing out of Tampa and going under the Sunshine Skyway bridge, a fantastic start to the cruise (apx. 2 hours after leaving the dock). Wholeheartedly agree with the previous poster about the valet parking also, well worth it IMHO for the convenience factor alone! accio7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 7 minutes ago, eaglesfaninfl said: Love the Brilliance and sailing out of Tampa and going under the Sunshine Skyway bridge, a fantastic start to the cruise (apx. 2 hours after leaving the dock). Wholeheartedly agree with the previous poster about the valet parking also, well worth it IMHO for the convenience factor alone! Yeah .... the same thrill is had on Grandeur as you leave Baltimore ..... Going under the Key Bridge about an hour after you leave, then the Bay Bridges about an hour after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweety Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Just now, coneyraven said: Yeah .... the same thrill is had on Grandeur as you leave Baltimore ..... Going under the Key Bridge about an hour after you leave, then the Bay Bridges about an hour after that. I will be on Lady G June 21. Can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 2 hours ago, Sweety said: I will be on Lady G June 21. Can't wait. I'll be on her 9 days later on June 30 Sweety and coneyraven 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 31 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said: I'll be on her 9 days later on June 30 3 hours ago, Sweety said: I will be on Lady G June 21. Can't wait. We'll be on next April - can't wait!! Haven't been on a ship that small since the mid-90s. LOL Sweety 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Here's a shot of the approach to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Grandeur's Windjammer ..... What a view..... KathyC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyC Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 23 hours ago, DunkelBierJay said: We did a 5 nighter on Brilliance out of Tampa in January/February calling on Grand Cayman and Cozumel and it was one of those "just right" cruises. The ship is fantastic...small but with a big ship feel to it. I would definitely book Brilliance again. The last time we sailed out of Tampa there was a big storm and the port was closed to our arrival. So the ship took a detour and docked in Port Canaveral, and they bused those of us with cars at the port back to Tampa to get them. The port opened just for cars; we took a bus to get our car, and those getting on the ship left theirs there and took our buses back across the state to get on the ship. Passengers who were flying had to reschedule from Orlando or other Florida airports, as the Tampa airport was closed as well. coneyraven 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLGooner Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 Still our fave ship, plus the port is a 15 minute Uber ride from home. Win/win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2mybugs Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 16 hours ago, twangster said: You know what that means? YOLO! Book it! Yeah...I will just pass that on to my husband...he will be thrilled! Jane twangster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 6 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said: Yeah...I will just pass that on to my husband...he will be thrilled! Jane You're welcome hubby! mom2mybugs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise-y Posted June 13, 2018 Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 If you can eat outside - that's a huge plus for me. Nothing like dinner under the stars. So many RCCL ships don't have that Windjammer feature. It's one reason why I sometimes pick Oceania over RCCL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocLC Posted June 13, 2018 Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 11 minutes ago, cruise-y said: If you can eat outside - that's a huge plus for me. Nothing like dinner under the stars. So many RCCL ships don't have that Windjammer feature. It's one reason why I sometimes pick Oceania over RCCL. Good point. The Radiance class ships have a lot of covered tables just aft of the Windjammer. One part was converted to Rita's Cantina, but it's available for breakfast and lunch and the entire back is open for everyone 24/7. whitsmom and coneyraven 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglesfaninfl Posted June 13, 2018 Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 On 6/12/2018 at 11:33 AM, coneyraven said: Yeah .... the same thrill is had on Grandeur as you leave Baltimore ..... Going under the Key Bridge about an hour after you leave, then the Bay Bridges about an hour after that. Cruised to Bermuda two summers ago with our granddaughters on Lady G...agree completely, going under those bridges is also a lot of fun! coneyraven 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vee2525 Posted June 13, 2018 Report Share Posted June 13, 2018 Going to sail her this Oct 11, 2018 out of Tampa for 4 night western Caribbean Cruise with my boyfriend. So excited! Happy cruising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Such an awesome picture of Brilliance going under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. I can not take photo credit for this, found it on Google Images. Sweety, Lovetocruise2002 and JLMoran 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 31 minutes ago, coneyraven said: Such an awesome picture of Brilliance going under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. I can not take photo credit for this, found it on Google Images. Wow! So Brilliance / Radiance class with the Sunshine Skyway bridge is like Anthem / Quantum class with the Verazzano Narrows bridge -- hardly enough room to clear it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyraven Posted June 14, 2018 Report Share Posted June 14, 2018 Makes me wonder if the powers that be, need to watch the tides and high-water events in not only Tampa and New York, but also Baltimore. You would think so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eaglesfaninfl Posted June 21, 2018 Report Share Posted June 21, 2018 On 6/14/2018 at 8:15 AM, coneyraven said: Such an awesome picture of Brilliance going under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. I can not take photo credit for this, found it on Google Images. Spectacular GPoobs!! Where did you find this? Must have been taken from the north fishing pier, the casement for the original Skyway bridge, destroyed in the early 80's (late 70's?) when hit by a ship entering Tampa Bay. Many lives lost...so sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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