We're live on Brilliance TA - 4/29

[bob278]

The ship was in Nassau for 8-9 days immediately before this cruise. I suspect it was more clean-and-repair than refurbishment but everything we have seen looks pretty good.

 

The rough ride is enough to provide some good stories, but I haven't heard about any injuries requiring medical attention. One gentleman I play trivia with fell to his knees pretty hard and is sore, but that's the worst I've heard about.

 

I'm sure there are some people who are saying they'll never cruise again, but for us, it's still a great trip.

[meadcher]

We left Miami yesterday on a beautiful, spick-and-span ship that just got out of drydock. We are having a wonderful time and will answer any questions (that we can). We are in cabin 9256, a corner aft which is fabulous. We will be leaving shortly for our Cruise Critic party, but will be checking in as long as the satellite permits.

 

The only surprise we have found so far is the dining times. The main seating is at 5:30 and the late is at 8:00!:eek: WAY TO EARLY. But we're coping, especially since we're on 23 hour days right now.

 

Garry and Bob

 

How is the aft cabin in all the high seas you are having? We will be on deck 7 aft corner in Feb. Meadcher

[HumanCookie]

You guys are near a gale center. It is gonna be a rough ride. Hurricane season starts next month.

 

THE ATLANTIC OCEAN...

A STATIONARY FRONT AT THE SURFACE RUNS FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

THROUGH 32N67W TO 30N71W TO SOUTH FLORIDA JUST NORTH OF LAKE

OKEECHOBEE NEAR 27N81W TO A 1013 MB LOW PRESSURE CENTER NORTH OF

THE YUCATAN PENINSULA NEAR 24N89W. TROUGH FROM THIS LOW CENTER

OVER THE YUCATAN PENINSULA INTO NORTHERN GUATEMALA.

THE CLOUD TOP TEMPERATURES OF THE BITS OF CONVECTIVE ACTIVITY

FROM SIX HOURS AGO HAVE WARMED...NORTH OF 26N BETWEEN 72W AND

80W. SOME SHOWERS AND POSSIBLE THUNDERSTORMS REMAIN IN THIS AREA

EAST OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA AND SLIGHTLY NORTH OF THE NORTHERN

BAHAMAS. THE MIDDLE TO UPPER LEVEL WIND FLOW ON TOP OF THIS

FRONT IS PURELY WESTERLY...AND IT STAYS THAT WAY UNTIL ABOUT 55W

TO 60W. A DEEP LAYER CYCLONIC CIRCULATION CENTER ON WATER VAPOR

IMAGERY IS NEAR 31N34W. THE 1004 MB STORM CENTER IS NEAR 31N34W.

A SURFACE RIDGE IS IN BETWEEN THE GALE CENTER AND THE STATIONARY

FRONT THROUGH 32N52W TO 28N58W TO 26N70W TO 23N75W...ACROSS CUBA

INTO THE CARIBBEAN SEA NEAR 18N82W...TO THE NICARAGUA/HONDURAS

BORDER NEAR 14N86W. ANOTHER SURFACE RIDGE IS EAST OF THE GALE

CENTER...THROUGH 32N20W TO 26N23W TO 13N34W. THE STORM CENTER

IS NEAR 31N34W. AN OCCLUSION RUNS FROM JUST WEST OF THE CENTER

TO A 32N32W TRIPLE POINT. A WARM FRONT GOES FROM THE TRIPLE

POINT TO 32N27W. A COLD FRONT GOES FROM THE TRIPLE POINT TO

25N32W 20N36W 18N40W. THE CLOUDS WITH COMPARATIVELY THE COLDEST

CLOUD TOP TEMPERATURES AND THE DEEPER SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS

ARE NORTH OF 30N BETWEEN 27W AND 37W. MIDDLE TO UPPER LEVEL

SOUTHWESTERLY WIND FLOW IS SEEN EAST OF THIS DEEP LAYER SYSTEM.

 

[divaofdisney]

wow! thanks so much for all the updates! sure sounds like rough weather! how is everyone else on board? are they walking around sea-sick? or is life pretty normal just inside? please keep us updated and let us know how you all are doing. and enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[RRMan]

wow! thanks so much for all the updates! sure sounds like rough weather! how is everyone else on board? are they walking around sea-sick? or is life pretty normal just inside? please keep us updated and let us know how you all are doing. and enjoy the rest of your cruise!

 

divaofdisney - I'm sure there are some on-board who are uncomfortable and maybe even some who wish they were someplace else. But in general, I think life is pretty much normal with the necessary changes in programming. During the night when it wasn't possible to see what we were going through made the experience just a little more challenging than now when we can look out and actually see the water and assure ourselves things are okay. Plus the winds have shifted and are directly on the nose. Last night they were blowing from the N directly to portside. I agree with Bob...it's a great trip so far.

[SNOWEY]

Wow, take care all!

 

BTW--Garry & Bob, The Night Owls has moved to the Floataway Lounge.

[Host Karen]

Thanks for starting and keeping up with this thread.

 

I'm surprised you didn't have lounge chairs on your balcony when you boarded. When we were in 9660 last February, we had two lounge chairs, two regular chairs and a small table. Guess when we sail on June 5, we'll be asking for loungers immediately and if we have Jorge, we will not be taking no for an answer!

 

What is the charge for your internet connection? I am assuming you have in-cabin service. We paid $125 for 10-nights a year ago and am trying to find out if the prices have gone up since then.

 

Thanks for your help and I hope the seas calm down soon.

[toppgnlady]

Hey Lou, (cruisinrightalong)

 

Still wish you can join the Christmas Cruise - but if not - Remember Me!!!! Never had an aft before and have tried and tried!! This cruise is so booked!!!

 

Wow, what a time these guys are having. Been there done that - the casino is a great way to ride out the storms!!

 

Thanks for keeping us informed!

 

Topgun

[gkm]

The internet connection is $120 for the 13 day cruise with a $25 kit which we will get back when we return it (the evening of the last day). Bob heard that there are only 35 kits, so if you want to be connected, make getting it your first priority.

 

We are main seating and there were a lot of empty chairs in the dining room tonight. We're still rocking and rolling and the motion on the aft seems to be more noticeable than in other areas of the ship. We've gotten used to it, and it kinda rocks us to sleep now.:D

 

HumanCookie, thanks for the post of the weather system. We knew we were in something other than a normal storm.:eek:

Claudia, thanks for the update. How disappointing. We've had some really nice people find us on the main board.

 

Garry

[wallie5446]

Garry it sound like your 'Birthday Cruise' will be one for the memory books ! Give my best to Bob, and what a RIDE!

 

EW

[Aquarius2]

Dear Bob and Garry,

 

Please make sure you take good care of the stunning Vessel. We will be boarding her for a short but sweet Cruise out of Barcelona on 05/12/05 for 3 Nights.

 

2nd Time on the Brilliance.

 

Phil

[catmand]

Hi Garry...................just a little looking and I found you two. The weather sounds like it may have been a little scary? Was this the worst you have seen?

[gkm]

The storm is finally over, thank goodness! It was a wild ride and two sleepless nights for me. We will be in Funchal tomorrow and for the first time in 6 days see and touch land. I love the sea days but must admit I'll be glad to see a shoreline. The ship weathered the storm very well with only a few glitches that the passengers can see. There are probably things we don't know about, but sometimes the less we know is better.:D We're still enjoying our cruise, Lucille is still the best waitress, and Juan in the Centrum Bar is still the best martini maker.:D

 

Hi EW and Chuck! It's been fun!

 

Garry

[CruisinGrams]

Hello,

 

We have a little less than a month to go until our Mediterranean cruise on the Brilliance. I'd be interested in finding out what's being served each day in the dining room. I'm sure that it will probably be the same when we are on as well. I've also been searching for a recent Compass from the Brilliance, but have yet to find one online. What all activities are happening on board? Thanks for any tips that you can provide! Hope you enjoy the cruise!! :)

 

Emilie

 

We were on BOS March 28-April 8 adn our waiter told us they were going to have a brand new menu for the Med. So you will get a nice surprize. One of the ladies at our table has been on BOS 5 times and the menu was the same every time. I guess they don't vary their menu at all,.

[lizbug]

Hi, I'm glad you are enjoying your cruise, and that the storm has settled a bit!

 

We are on the brilliance on the 15th May for a week, its our first cruise, our honeymoon and we are very excited, we are staying in the owners suite 1066.

 

What would you recommend we don't miss, (or indeed do miss)?

 

enjoy the remiander of your cruise,

 

Liz

[HumanCookie]

BOS at Madeira (Funchal, Portugal).

 

http://www.madeira-web.com/camera/cam-03.html

 

[lindanick]

Sorry to hear of the Rock and Rolling. A nap sounds like a great idea. The ship will rock you to sleep. I am going on the Brillance next year and have booked 9254. That one is directly on the other side of the ship. Can you find out if they have the bigger balcony, or if the window washing machine is blocking the view. I am so undecided whether to keep that cabin or not. Yours is not available.

Thanks for your help.

[gkm]

lindanick, I'll try to check that out tomorrow for you. It's another sea day so will have time to walk around. We had a great day today. Finally we were able to put our feet down on firm earth.:D We were in Funchal and it's a beautiful place. I had no idea it was so tropical or the variety of flowers we'd see. We had a private tour that lasted all day, and tonight we went to Chops. Wonderful. If you go to Chops, make sure you're hungry. The servings are enormous and very good. I'm getting ready to go to the evenings "sporting" event. The "Battle of the Sexes Game Show." Wish the girls luck!:D :D :D

 

Garry

[Radio]

Hi Garry.....Your review is fantastic ! ! !

 

You are the best.....

 

I will have to owe you a martini !

 

 

 

Radio

 

;) ;)

 

 

 

.

[Bloomie]

Garry, Thanks for your daily updates. So sorry about your weather, though. We will be on the Brilliance next Feb, 2006. Love the Radiance Class ships...our favorite having been on the Radiance twice, the Serenade, and soon the Brilliance. Each time we have been in 9568 and have that cabin chosen for our Feb. trip. Glad you like "Bill" for your CD. We had him once on the Serenade and he was terrible. We have had 10 other CD's in the past to compare him to and he was the only bad one we ever had. Our very best was Gordon Whatman (we had him twice). When you have had CD's like Gordon (or his type), you see how bad Bill is.

Keep up the updates.....thanks again.

[gkm]

Good morning! It's early morning for you and lunchtime for us. The Captain came on the intercom this morning and told us the predicted weather today was "severe calm" with one foot seas. I went for my mile walk (the first I've been able to do in 3 days due to the weather and our excursion yesterday). It was a magical morning because as I was making my first lap, I saw whales on the starboard side. I think I interrupted the rest of the walkers, 'cause of course I yelled out "WHALES!!!" Everyone came to a dead stop and we all watched them together. What a way to start the day! The rest of the morning was a little shopping and watching a cooking demonstration. Now I'm hungry again--how can that be?

 

This afternoon, finally the lounge chairs will come into play. A good book, the sun is shining. What could be better? Tonight is the last formal night and I always enjoy that.

 

lindanick, Bob asked our cabin steward and he said and I quote "It's was a good cabin and the window washer is way down on the end and won't obstruct your balcony view much at all." I'll try to peak in if I see a door open.;)

 

Hi Radio. Thanks for the nice comments. I'll have a martini for you!:D

 

Garry

[wallie5446]

Garry it is great to escape thru readin about your days.

 

Thanks again, EW

[mek]

Have you exchanged dollars to Euros yet? If so, what is the rate? We'll be on the ship 4 weeks from tomorrow. Also, glad to hear we'll have a new menu.

[CruiserTK]

Garry,

Really appreciate your updates. I would like to take a transatlantic cruise in the future. Are there many events scheduled for the consecutive sea days, or is it simply a relaxing venture -- no pun intended, considering the weather you have had. I look forward to reading your posts.

[lindanick]

Thank you so much, your a doll. I wish I was there to buy you a couple of martini's. I love them too.

:)