Have travelled with RCI on numerous occasions and was on Brilliance in 2004. My trip was partly due to loving the ship and also taking my partner to destinations she had not been before.
The staff were first class and the ship looked well, even after a re-fit some 3yrs ago, I felt at ease.
Sadly the standards have slipped, dress code has dropped to new lows, if you expect no shorts, flip flops or t-shirts at an evening meal then think again. Even on a formal night the lowest of the low were allowed to join customers who had made an effort.
Cabins are what you expect, functional and not very big, unless you go for a suite or better category. You sleep, wash and change in them and occasionally sit on the balcony. You should be out enjoying the ships facilities.
tendered, took train to Monte Carlo (6 euros return) . Villefranche is a lovely port/village. Food is pricey but hey you're on holiday.
Athens is not the city it once was, Took the Piraeus/Athens hop on/off bus which was good value at 20euros each. The ship wanted to charge much more just to get you into the city centre. You can take the metro which is very cheap, however it can be a good walk depending on where you dock.
On first view the place looks nice, however you are soon bombarded by shop owners to buy their goods, try on their shirts etc etc, very intimidating.
get off the boat and use the sea taxi, 2 euros each way and worth every penny. Mykonos is a delight, plenty of bars, restaurants and especially Little Venice. Would happily live there.
Trips off the ship are pricey. I jumped the train into Rome (12euros return on regional train) the express train does not stop at St Pietro (Vatican) and can cost 14 euros more. Takes about 40mins on the regional train. Rome is excellent and can be done on foot but hop on/off buses exist.
This time round we travelled straight to the ship. Have been to Barcelona before and found it to be a great place to visit.