With 20 cruises behind us we took our daughter and 2 grand kids on their spring break. Kids age 5 and 9. Having sailed on Carnival and Disney with the kids this was different. Carnival has great water slides, but too much smoking and drinking for me. Disney was exceptionally clean with bigger rooms,great kid activities but long lines,lots of noise and high price. Brilliance was pretty, clean public areas, great live music and activities in the centrum,friendly staff and very little smoking. The smoke free balconies keep us exclusively on RCCL and others with that rule now. There was enough to keep the kids busy. The kids pool and water slide was good without long lines. Kids club made the 5 yr. old very happy but the 9 yr. old was not interested in his group. The staff seemed good.

Port of Tampa is super easy to use and we use valet park which even easier. We stayed overnight in Springhill suites Westshore area precruise. Clean but dated.

Rooms 7538 and 7540 were adjacent but not connecting with great balconies,part shade part sun. And because half of the divider is low you can see and talk room to room. Located near front elevators. Ship is easy to navigate and the ocean facing glass elevators create a light space. Rooms were small and showers tiny. Be sure to take clothespins to weigh down your shower curtain. Plenty of storage. Refrigerator and safe. But sofa worn and sagging and sheer curtains dirty and torn in both rooms. Carpet needs shampooing or replacing. Attentive room steward. Read more