Our blog writer, Michael Poole, is live blogging from Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas!
Well friends, my fifth and final day is already here. These days sure go by fast.
The good news is this is just my final day for the first cruise, because I’m staying on board for the next sailing too!
Today was a sea day, and I decided to do it a little different and stay inside today. If it was my last day, I’d defiantly be poolside, but I thought my sunburn could use a break.
Morning on board
Like always, I woke up and grabbed my large coffee at Starbucks, but this time an hour later, at 8am.
I decided to keep sleeping this morning, since I knew I was in no rush for any early activates.
I went outside to explore the outside decks and tried to enjoy my sea day in a different way, than just the pool deck.
I also explored the gift shop to search for these new floating pool cup holders that Matt blogged about the other day, and indeed there they were.
I collect the ship models and the blue coffee mugs, but I already have both from when I was on her two years ago, so didn’t buy anything.
After going through a few shops, I decided it was time for my first beer, and I wanted to explore the Schooner Bar.
The atmosphere in here is really fun, the bartenders are so happy, and well the views they speak for themselves.
I enjoyed a few goose islands while playing Royal Caribbean Trivia. I felt like I shouldn’t be playing, almost like I had an advantage over other players.
The two questions I got wrong were the total number of passengers the Independence of the Seas can hold (it’s 4,370) and the number of current ships in the fleet. But to be fair, I got that question correct, since they said number of current ships, but they were counting the two new ships, plus Empress.
Lunch on Sea Day
I was so excited for my lunch today and was actually texting Matt about how I couldn’t wait to eat Giovanni's Table’s lasagna. Well, serves me right, because they were closed for lunch today.
I didn’t understand why, because the Cruise Compass said they were open at noon. Well, that was out so off to the Windjammer I went.
I walked in the Windjammer and they had a beautiful cake when you walked in saying "thank you" for cruising on the Brilliance.
I looked around at the food, and nothing really looked good to me, since my mind was set on Lasagna. They were serving, hot dogs, pizza, burgers, ribs, pasta’s but nothing looked good to me.
So I was now off to Park Café, third time is the charm right? I knew the roast beef sandwich and salad would hit the spot.
Theater Tour
On day one I received a card in my cabin inviting me to a back stage tour of the main theater. The tour was today at 1:30pm, and we were to meet on the portside entrance on deck 5 of the Pacifica Theatre.
Well it was 1:35 and no one was around to let us into the tour. After a few calls to guest services and the Loyalty Ambassador’s desk, they showed up a little before 1:40pm.
Once we got started we received a great tour of the stage and all the elements on the stage. After, we explored the back room area with all the props were stored.
Our tour guide was the stage manager and he went over all the items that were set-up for this evenings show. He also talked about some of the items backstage for different shows they use the longer sailings.
The tour lasted around 20-30 minutes and I thought it was very unique experience and I’m happy I decided to attend.
Evening on Board
Tonight, I enjoyed some live music in the Centrum; the assistant cruise director actually sang three songs. This was her first time signing on a cruise ship and it was quite entertaining. I heard a guest asking someone after she sang, if she was being serious about it being her first time, she was that good. After she finished the ship band came on to play some songs. I really enjoyed myself down in the Centrum this evening, just relaxing and reflecting on the cruise.
Once the music was over, I decided to go visit vintages wine bar. This bar is on deck 6 facing the Centrum. This bar is by far the most beautiful bar on board and the décor is perfect for a win bar. They have a round bar, so that you can sit on either side, but honestly every seat was open in the evenings. They have a new rose champagne they are pushing for $31 glass, and I was able to try a sample.
The service is really great here, and they are very knowledge about the wines.
Well tonight was sad for all the passengers, the last night of their cruise. Everyone had their bags outside their cabins so they could take them ashore in the morning.
This is the departure process if you don’t want to carry the bags off yourself in the morning. Personally, I like the express option where you carry them off yourself, but I understand with children that’s not possible.
Well friends, that wraps up my cruise! Thank you for following along with me for the past five days. But you are in luck, because my trip is not over yet! I’m headed back out on a four-day cruise tomorrow, back to Cozumel, Mexico I go!
To celebrate the countdown until Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas debuts, we kicked off a brand new blog series, 99 Days of Harmony, that looks at what makes this new ship so amazing. 
