We had a Crystal cruise booked for February which was cancelled when they ceased operations. Brilliance of the Seas is one of several options out of our very own Tampa cruise port, and this five day appealed to us. When I stepped off Brilliance, 25 months ago, from a cruise with three cousins, I told my husband I thought he’d like this ship, so I was delighted to see a schedule that would work for us.

He actually wanted to buy mole’ sauce in Mexico! Success. The itinerary was two at-sea days and two Mexican ports, Cozumel and Costa Maya.

This was my 49th cruise, on 12 different cruise lines (three river, nine ocean — two of which are now defunct). I’ve cruised 18 times on Celebrity, nine on Crystal, now nine on Royal Caribbean (five different classes of ship). Because of our status on Celebrity (Elite Plus), we get Diamond status on Royal. We miss the laundry but the happy hour drinks and the free day of internet are very much appreciated. Actually, laundry not important on a five-day! The breakfast in the Diamond lounge is lovely, too, but we just start there for a cappuccino and our juice. Read more