Brilliance of the Seas Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,565 reviews

A great way to see the sights of Italy and beyond

Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on Brilliance of the Seas
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Scotonthemove
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

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Additional details

Sail Date: Aug 2010
Cabin: Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

We were travelling with our 18 and 19 year old sons and this was our second cruise with them. We arrived at BCN and stayed at Renaissance Hotel at the airport. Hotel was in an industrial estate a short taxi ride from the airport. Our hotel package booked direct with the hotel included transfer to the ship and this went smooth. We arrived at 11.30am and there was no major line and the check in area was nice and cool with water and lemonade for you as you waited. We were on the ship by noon but had they not needed waivers signed for alcohol for boys it would have been even quicker. We relaxed in the windjammer and did not have long to wait till we heard the announcement that our rooms were ready.

Stateroom was at the back of the ship on level 10, spacious inside with a balcony with 2 chairs and 2 loungers, just below the windjammer. Room was very clean and the furnishings in a good state of repair compared to our NCL Pride of America room, located at basically the same part of the ship. Although we had booked 2 rooms, we knew that this was the room that the 4 of us would hang out in. Our stateroom attendant Sheryl was wonderful. She always had a smile and went the extra mile. We had prepaid tips but were happy to leave her a little extra as she deserved it. There is one thing worth pointing out if you are using the safe, please ensure you keep your hand on the door of the safe as you lock it otherwise it may not be secure. Most of the staff were polite, friendly and courteous. The staff on this ship seemed much happier than those on the NCL cruise.

We signed up for my time dining. It suited us and we had a mix of eating in the Minstrel and the Windjammer for dinner as well as a couple of visits to Chops Grille. We had dinner with cruise critic friends a couple of nights and it was easy enough on the day to change our reservations, which we had booked a few weeks prior to departure. We were also able to change times although this was more difficult on a sea day. The waiters in the restaurant - (Virgil, Tiberius to name a couple) were good and we were always served quite quickly. The head waiter seemed to be a bit frazzled and other than seeing him as we entered we had no interaction with him but his staff was great and made you feel welcome. We avoided one of the formal nights as we went to Windjammer. There were 3 formal nights and the last one (2nd last night) was less formal than the others. There was also a white night, where they recommended you dressed in white. There was a white disco and buffet late that night too on the pool deck. Chops food was excellent and service was good. It was worth the extra in our opinion. We ate breakfast at the windjammer every day but on sea days it can get very busy. We had a couple of lunches at the Seaview cafe and the pasta there and paninis were great. Alcohol was expensive but this was expected.

Cabin Review

Superior Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony

Cabin D1

located right beneath the windjammer at the back of the ship on 10th deck, a long way from the stairs.Nice room and good balcony . Plenty cupboard and drawer space.

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