Dress code, what dress code???
Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Review by LesKeggin
- Sail Date: May 2016
- Destination: the Eastern Mediterranean
- Cabin Type: Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony
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.
The cruise line should have the guts to tell people to dress properly, else they will lose repeat custom from those who do. If you want to eat looking like you have just come off the beach then don't use the main dining room. Better still, cruise with someone else or pick a beach holiday.
Entertainment was below par and food luke warm at best. If you expect white or rose wine to be cold, them ask for some ice, very sloppy.
Cabin Review
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.
Port & Shore Excursion Reviews
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.
Apart from the cost, £116 pp, this was a wonderful trip. Seeing the houses from the sea was brilliant. The hour stop off in Amalfi was useful, not much to see but a nice wander, Pompeii was as brilliant as ever.
View All undefined undefined ReviewsTrips 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 trip is enjoyable, however we only tasted 3 wines and were then put through the obligatory shop visit to buy the wine which in my view was overpriced. A good trip if you have seen Florence.
View All 55 Wine Tour ReviewsThis time round we travelled straight to the ship. Have been to Barcelona before and found it to be a great place to visit.