I'd like to preference this review by saying a couple things. First, while being our first RCCL cruise, I will say that RCCL lives up to it's reputation as being the perfect cruise line for the novice cruiser. It IS what most people think of when they say "cruise". I am basing that statement on 22 previous cruises on eight lines. So please take the observations I have make with the knowledge that I am being REALLY picky.
First, food. (Cant tell where my interests lie can you?) We never ate at any of the specialty restaurants, so I cant comment on them. The main dining room was well laid out, and the food was "what was expected". (In other words absolutely "forgettable"). Never bad, never great. They did do one "sneaky" thing though that I have not seen on other lines. Their menu "combines" appetizers, soups, and salads under the "Appetizer" heading. If you are new to cruising you may not know you can enjoy one of each (Or of course, more)
One shout out here for RCCL. The two MDR servers we had were THE most efficient we have ever had on a ship. Fast, courteous, and able to handle every oddball request without blinking. (And at a table for 12 there WERE oddball requests. So it you ever should have Naomie Ningshen or Hersain Salgado, consider yourselves lucky.
Typical rear of ship balcony room. Nothing spectacular, nothing, horrible. Just remember that it's a LONG walk from the mid ship elevators back to the rear of the ship! (The Brilliance has no "rear" elevators or stairs)