The 2,112-passenger Brilliance of the Seas is the second in Royal Caribbean’s mid-sized Radiance class. It sails the Mediterranean during summers and is docked in Dubai in winter. After its 2013 refurbishing, Brilliance of the Seas now incorporates contemporary interiors with the Royal Caribbean trademarks – the classic Schooner and the Windjammer Cafe; miniature golf and the waterslides. New features include the Seaview Cafe tucked away on deck 12 and the revolving Starquest Bar. Brilliance of the Sea’s focal point is the nine-deck aerial entertainment atrium lobby called Centrum. Catering to a diverse crowd, Royal Caribbean has hospitality desks servicing different nationalities, even to hearing impaired passengers. Dress code during the day is mostly casual, but during formal nights, cocktail dresses and suits or tuxedos are required. Passengers are charged $13.50 per person, per day ($16.50 for suite guests) for gratuities, which can be prepaid or added on a daily basis to the passenger’s account.

[fa type=”bed”] Accommodation

Accommodations come in a wide range of categories and price groups – from suites, standard outside-view and interior cabins. Most cabins have twin beds convertible to a queen-size, faux wood cabinetry and drawers, a vanity desk with a hair dryer, flat-screen TV, safe and three-sided mirrors. Some cabins may have pull-down berths for extra guests, some rooms can be interconnected. Bathrooms have a terrazzo-style tiled floor, enclosed shower, 100 per cent Egyptian cotton towels, cabinet for toiletries and a shelf. Suite passengers enjoy a couple of perks such as priority dining room reservations, shore excursion bookings, and beauty salon/spa appointments.

[fa type=”cutlery”] Food

Brilliance of the Seas has one main dining room, the 1,104-seater Minstrel and two small private dining rooms, Zephyr and Lute. Passengers have a choice of two seatings – My Time Dining or the pre-set meal times at 6pm or 8.30pm. Minstrel is closed for lunch on most days, so passengers can opt to dine at Windjammer Cafe, Rita’s Cantina or Seaview Cafe instead. There are two specialty reservation-only restaurants on board: Portifino which features an Italian-American menu; and Chops Grille Steakhouse. Added in 2013 were Giovanni’s Table (an Italian trattoria), Izumi (for Asian cuisine), Rita’s Cantina, a Chef’s Table, and a Park Café (deli-style venue).

[fa type=”ticket”] Activities

ShipShape Center and Day Spa, operated by Steiner, offers a variety of services from the usual options like massages, facials, manicures and pedicures to more exotic ones like Rasul, an Arabian mud treatment; Ionithermie Algae Detox; and Aroma Stone Therapy. The Thermal Suite, available for an unlimited rate of $120 or a daily pass of $20 includes tiled, heated beds, showers that operate in mist or tropical forms and aromatherapy-oriented steam room and sauna. The fitness centre has good range of machines, from treadmills and stair-climbers to stationary bikes and weights. Fitness classes like Pilates and yoga are available at $12 a class, while abdominal and walk-a-mile sessions are free. For outdoor recreation, guests can head to the Country Club. It houses a basketball court, mini-golf, rock-climbing wall and golf simulator. The main pool is flanked by two hot tubs, with plenty of sun loungers around the pool area. The glass-roofed adults-only Solarium, one of the signature spots in Royal Caribbean, features an African safari theme, a fountain and other water effects.

[fa type=”group”] Families

Brilliance of the Seas has excellent family programs. Children are enrolled in an Adventure Ocean Program with activities appropriate to their age group. During sea days, the program is available from 9am to noon, 2-5pm and 7-10pm. When in port, the program is available all day long, leaving parents with the option of going ashore and leaving the kids preoccupied with Adventure Ocean Program activities. Babysitting service costs $10 per hour for two children. Group babysitting is available late nights; kids must be at least three years old and potty trained; the rate is $6 per hour, per child. There is also a Junior Curfew implemented on board. Teenagers can’t hang out round the pool or in the disco past 1am.

Verdict

Lots of space and endless activities for all ages make this a good ship for groups and multigenerational family holidays.

– Cruise Passenger

– Cruise Critic

“Brilliance of the Seas was constructed for longer itineraries, with more space and comfortable public areas, larger cabins, and more dining options.”

– Berlitz