On July 11, 2007 we set sail out of Barcelona for the 12 day Med. cruise on the RCI -Brilliance of the Seas. The ports of call were Villefranche/Nice (France), Livorno (Florence-Pisa), Rome, Myknonos, Ephesus (Turkey), Athens, Santorini, and Naples.

The ship and RCL: The ship was clean and the service was average to above average. Our head waiter was rarely seen and a few at our table left him no tip. However, more and more is being charged for those items that used to be free. Examples: fresh squeezed orange juice was $3.95, a decent cup of coffee (Seattles Best Coffee -not found in Windjammers) is $3.50. Internet service is $0.50.minute. Also portions at dinner are small. We went to Chops ($20 each extra)and the portions there are what we used to get at dinner every night a few years ago. Sodas are extra. If you are on a ship with Johnnie Rockets, there is a cover charge. And why does RCL need to automatically add a gratuity to all drinks (even soda)? Windjammers food was adequate to good(no one will starve). Also, the art auctions are continuous throughout the trip as are bingo. RCL must be making some significant revenue here.

The entertainment is good and lasts about 1 hr. There is no comparison to Disney Cruise entertainment, however. And the last night was billed as a Cruise ship extravaganza and revue and it was really a viewing of the pictures of the cruise (buy the video) and watching the crew come up on stage for you to applaud them. Read more