Ultimate Guide: Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas might not be the newest ship in the Royal Caribbean lineup, but it still knows how to deliver a great cruise experience. This isn’t the ship for those looking for cutting-edge thrills or massive crowds.

Instead, it’s for those who appreciate a more laid-back vibe—a ship where you can actually grab a seat by the pool and not feel like you’re navigating a theme park.

It’s cozy without feeling cramped, offering just enough entertainment and dining to keep things interesting. If you’re after a relaxing cruise with fewer crowds but all the Royal Caribbean charm, Brilliance of the Seas just might surprise you.

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2025/26 Itineraries and Destinations

For the 2025/26 season, Brilliance of the Seas takes guests on an exciting journey through a variety of stunning destinations. The adventure begins in August with a transatlantic crossing from Athens to Barcelona, then onward to Southampton and finally Boston. 

As the season shifts to autumn, the ship explores the charming ports of Canada and New England. Guests will have round-trip itineraries from Boston visiting places like Halifax and Saint John.

When winter arrives, the Brilliance of the Seas heads to the warmth of the Southern Caribbean. It will sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico. These itineraries will have you enjoying vibrant islands like Aruba, Curaçao, and Barbados, offering cruisers a chance to escape the chill and embrace the sun. 

By spring 2026, the ship will cross the Atlantic once more, setting its sights on Europe. From April to October, it navigates the Mediterranean and beyond, with cruises taking in the Greek Isles, Turkey, Italy, and the French Riviera.

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Accommodations Details

Brilliance of the Seas has three categories of staterooms, interior, exterior and balcony. As well as a range of staterooms that have room for a third or fourth cruiser. If you’re travelling with a family you’ll want to try to plan and book ahead to get a larger, family room. Balcony Rooms are split into deluxe and superior, with superior offering a bit more room and a bigger balcony.

There are four categories of suites, Royal Suites, Family suites, Owner’s Suites, and Grand suites. Grand suites are the smallest available but still have spacious rooms and living areas with an attached balcony. 

Family suites have two bedrooms and a private bathroom and have bathtubs rather than just showers. The owner’s suites have more room, including a jacuzzi tub and a vanity with double sinks. There’s only one Royal suite on the ship, offering the most expansive accommodation available onboard. 

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Dining and Culinary Experience

There isn’t a huge range of free dining on Brilliance of the Seas. For classic cruise eateries, there’s the main dining room, a buffet at Windjammer Café, and the salads, sandwiches, and other basics of Park Café.

For specialty dining, there’s the Mexican-inspired fare of Rita’s Cantina, the Asian fusion of Izumi, the steakhouse at Chops Grille, and contemporary Italian at Giovanni’s Table.

Those looking to splurge can try the Chef’s Table dining experience, which involves an intimate meal led by the head chef, who will take you through five courses. Expect dishes like scallop carpaccio, Maine lobster salad, filet mignon with truffle potato puree, and more.

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Onboard Activities [Family, Kids and Couple]

Brilliance of the Seas has all the action and excitement you’d expect from a Royal Caribbean show, starting with a 12-metre signature rock climbing wall, a free-to-use mini golf course and an arcade, well stocked with iconic games like Pacman and Guitar Hero. 

While the kids are playing games, adults might choose to go to the Vitality Spa, where a huge range of treatments and services are available, complete with a salon and even a teeth whitening bar. The main pool is a constant place of excitement, with a live band and a range of staff-led events and contests.

For those looking to keep busy, there’s plenty to partake in between dance classes, fitness classes, a Latin fiesta, special game shows and trivia, outdoor film nights, pool and disco parties, art galleries, jewellery making, cooking classes, pickleball and more. 

For kids

Babies and Tots program: Brilliance of the Seas has trained youth staff who run activities for those aged from six to 36 months. The programs aren’t included in the cruise but aren’t overly expensive.

Adventure Ocean: Kids from three to 11 can join the Adventure Ocean program, with more specific age offerings for three to five-year-olds, six- to eight-year-olds and nine- to 11-year-olds. Adventure Ocean is included in your cruise fare, but fees apply if you want your kids to stay after 10 pm.

Teen lounge: Brilliance of the Seas has a teen lounge focused on ‘almost adults’ getting to plan out their own days. They can either join pre-planned activities or simply hang out in the space, which has plenty to do. The teen lounge is included in the cruise fare.

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Deck Plan

Brilliance of the Seas is spread across 13 decks, each with its own highlights. Deck 12 is home to the Spa and Fitness Center, a running track, and the kids’ and teens’ clubs. Just above, on Deck 13, you’ll find the Starquest Nightclub, the Concierge Club, and the Viking Crown Lounge—a perfect mix of nightlife and relaxation.

For entertainment and dining, Deck 6 has a little bit of everything. There’s the Pacifica Theatre, a Cinema for movie lovers, the Casino for some lively action, and most of the ship’s specialty dining options. Meanwhile, the Minstrel Dining Room spans Decks 4 and 5, offering a classic cruise dining experience in an elegant setting.

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Bar and Nightclub

What the ship may lack in dining range, it makes up for with 11 different bars and lounges spread across the vessel.

If you want to dance, then take yourself to the Viking Crown Lounge or the Colony Club. The Viking Lounge starts with live music in the evening and the 93-person spot generally keeps the energy going until around 2 a.m. The Colony Club begins a bit more casually with plenty of seating for relaxed drinking, but it often transforms into a lively dance floor later in the night. The Colony Club also includes themed spaces such as Singapore Sling’s and the Jakarta Lounge, adding to its charm.

For a more club-based atmosphere, Starquest Nightclub on Deck 13 is a hub of nightlife, offering dance classes during the day and DJs at night. You can also head to the Schooner Bar, with its maritime décor, for the entertainment of a pianist and sometimes a Latin guitarist. 

The King and Country Pub serves more than 35 European beers on tap in a cozy, English-style pub setting with live music adding to the ambience. Meanwhile, R Bar, located on Deck 4, offers a casual 1960s-themed speakeasy vibe, complete with classic cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere.

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Entertainment

For entertainment on the cruise ship, the original production of Tango Buenos Aires sweeps guests into the fast-paced world of tango. Guests can expect a show driven by dance and passion, with feet-stomping rhythms throughout. The ship is also running Now and Forever, where guests will hear their favourite Mamma Mia! classics in a celebration of Broadway hits. Center Stage is another original production, showcasing a range of music and dance genres, from jazz to rock and swing.

Beyond the main stage productions, Brilliance of the Seas also features a variety of live entertainment and themed events. Themed parties, such as poolside events and disco nights, add to the vibrant atmosphere onboard. For something different, guest entertainers regularly perform comedy, magic, or other specialty acts, ensuring there’s always something new to enjoy.

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Ship Facts

Brilliance of the Seas has been cruising the seas since 2002, and while it’s no newcomer, it’s still a solid favourite for those looking for a well-rounded cruise experience. The ship has been updated a couple of times—in 2013 and 2018—to keep things feeling fresh and comfortable for guests. It carries just over 2,100 passengers at standard capacity, with room for up to 2,543, and a crew of 848 making sure everything runs smoothly.

At 962 feet long, Brilliance is big enough to impress but small enough to feel approachable. It features 13 decks, packed with everything from staterooms to entertainment venues. Speaking of staterooms, there are 1,075 onboard, offering a mix of interior and exterior rooms, plus suites for those wanting a little extra luxury. The ship cruises at a steady 25 knots and sails under the Bahamian flag.

The ship is a little smaller than the other Royal Caribbean ships. However, this could prove a positive, as the ship is less crowded and offers a slightly more intimate sailing experience, while still providing the entertainment and activities you’d expect from Royal Caribbean.

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