This was our third cruise, with one to Mexico on Diamond Princess (Feb., 2007) and one to Alaska on Celebrity Infinity (June, 2008). Even loving the Brilliance as much as we did, we have not become devotees of one cruise line, and in fact have a HAL cruise booked next.
Embarkation at Barcelona was a breeze. We had spent a few days there prior to the cruise, and it was a quick, easy, and inexpensive cab ride from our hotel at the top of the Ramblas. We were on the ship within 20 minutes of our noon arrival at the port.
Once on the ship, no champagne and no greeters, we had to find our own way, which wasn't too difficult. We found our way around the Brilliance MUCH more easily than on either of the other two ships, perhaps because of the asymmetric arrangement of the centrum elevators, and the fact that we had an aft balcony cabin, so there was never any doubt about which way to turn.
QUIET,aft balcony huge with two chairs and two lounges,storage adequate with room for suitcases under the bed; sewage odor in bathroom seems like a long-term issue that needs attention, shower curtain not so great.