Live Report Brilliance of the Seas through the eyes of Art & Ellie

[BillOh]

We then went to the opening show and were very pleased with the cruise director's presentation and the headline comedy act. RCCL is well know for their entertainment and our first night's experience did not disappoint.

 

 

 

The blatant sales promotions are really over the top. We went to the Key West sales pitch, which was supposed to be a shopping guide. I was most surprised to see that RCCL is still associated with Diamonds International, a company that has been closely associated with "questionable" practices (I am trying to be nice). Anyone who does their homework would not want to business with such a company. You can do a google search and find numerous examples, including many here on cruise critic.

 

I think that is enough to start with...more to follow. If you have any specific questions, please add your requests. I will try to respond.

 

 

Thanks for taking the time. I've cruised out of Tampa before, hope to again, and hope to sail Brilliance some day. The information is interesting and helpful.

 

I highlighted these two areas for now. I love RC and continue to book, but the blatant sales promotions are probably some of my most disagreeable things. My first one was the $250 arch support sales pitch disguised as a excercise clas on Jewel (out of Tampa) in 2012. At least now I know to avoid it. But tying that in with the CD's intro of the entertainment, I was slightly dissapointed to have the CDs normal intro proceeded by a 10 minute video commercial when I was on Freedom this spring. Minor I know, waiting to read the rest. Thanks for the effort.

[artbcpa]

We went to Chops for breakfast this morning. What a difference between our room service breakfast yesterday and today's wide variety, excellent service and outstanding quality! It is definitely an A+.

[Paulette3028]

We just returned from our Key West excursion - the City Trolley and Butterfly Conservatory. They were both wonderful and I believe fairly priced. So many of the on board excursions are way overpriced and often the quality is not as good as you can get on your own. This was grade A. Our driver/guide(s) on the hop on - hop off trolleys were amusing and knowledgeable and although I have been to several butterfly farms, the one in Key West compares favorably with any of them.

 

Thank you Royal Caribbean.

 

On the way back to the ship we stopped to get some Key Lime pie and also bought some Key Lime fudge to give as gifts. Scrumptious!! I would have bought some of the other products, but they were in glass containers and I am wary of doing that.

 

Thanks for the info on this Key West excursion. We are going to be stopping in Key West from another ship and was looking at some of the excursions and unsure what to do. On other stops in Key west we did a museum or just walked around. This City Trolley excursion sounds nice. We also have been to many Butterfly Conservatories but another one is fine.

 

Thanks for the CD and Activity Manager info in previous post.

Edited December 7, 2015 by Paulette3028

[A&L_Ont]

We went to Chops for breakfast this morning. What a difference between our room service breakfast yesterday and today's wide variety, excellent service and outstanding quality! It is definitely an A+.

 

Glad to hear that this was much better option for you. It sounds like your breakfast location for this cruise.

[Paulette3028]

Please share the name of the Cruise Director and the Activity Manager....thanks.

 

IF you get an opportunity, can you ask Alison, how long she will be on Brilliance? Thanks!!!

[artbcpa]

This morning after breakfast, Ellie went to the spa for a hot rock massage and I went to play in the ping pong tournament. Ellie's overall evaluation was that it is better than average, beautiful decor and the sales push was not overblown.

 

What can I say about my experience in the ping pong tournament? The placement of the tables is terrible; on Deck 11 with one table sitting next to the hand rail and the other right outside a door. When it opens play has to stop because of the strong wind which blows the ball everywhere but on the table. But none of that really mattered because I won the tournament.:D It's like going to the casino. If you win what else really matters?

[KJsNana]

Congrats on tourney and if it were me, I would not even place :D But hey, I know I can't play well but I do enjoy trying lol

 

Good to know Ellie had a good, relaxing hot rock massage. Those sales pitches drive me insane so I usually tell them ahead of time to not pitch me after my treatment(s) because if they do then I will be stressed out again and therefore won't remember how to tip them :eek: Believe me, it works and if I want something after, then I will ask for it. I hate being sales pitched after a relaxing treatment only to become stressed again.

 

Thanks again for taking the time out of your relaxing vacation to review this for us :)

Edited December 7, 2015 by KJsNana

[flowers44]

Deck 5, outside promenade.

 

We were on the Brilliance for the repo cruise at the beginning of November. There were no shuffleboard on Deck 5. During our 13 day cruise, the promenade deck was closed from going all the way around almost every day of the cruise. The crew was working on one thing or another. It was always disappointing to try to walk a bit and get stopped because the deck was closed in one are or another. There was shuffleboard area on Deck 12 near the stairs that go up to the mini-golf. You walked out pass the jogging track and pass through a wind break area around the basketball courts and the shuffleboard is to your right just after the stairs that go up to the mini-golf course.

[Clarea]

We were on the Brilliance for the repo cruise at the beginning of November. There were no shuffleboard on Deck 5. During our 13 day cruise, the promenade deck was closed from going all the way around almost every day of the cruise. The crew was working on one thing or another. It was always disappointing to try to walk a bit and get stopped because the deck was closed in one are or another. There was shuffleboard area on Deck 12 near the stairs that go up to the mini-golf. You walked out pass the jogging track and pass through a wind break area around the basketball courts and the shuffleboard is to your right just after the stairs that go up to the mini-golf course.

Thanks, appreciate the updated info.

[artbcpa]

Good to know Ellie had a good, relaxing hot rock massage. Those sales pitches drive me insane so I usually tell them ahead of time to not pitch me after my treatment(s) because if they do then I will be stressed out again and therefore won't remember how to tip them

 

I don't know when they started it, but on this cruise they took away your leverage as they automatically add an 18% tip for spa treatments.:confused:

[fpcruiser]

Enjoying your day by day review. We sailed on Brilliance the week before Thanksgiving and had all good things to say about the ship. Getting off the ship wasn't good. I think most of the people on the ship tried to carry their luggage off. Walking to the theater to wait for our number, I overheard on the walkie that the line was around the whole outside of the ship and snaked through deck 4(I think 4). Our number was called about 40 minutes after estimated time. After we left the theater it took close to an hour to get through all the lines.

This was the longest it has ever taken us except for one time they kept calling for 6 people to report to immigration. We were delayed a little over an hour for our # to be called on that occasion.

[KJsNana]

I don't know when they started it, but on this cruise they took away your leverage as they automatically add an 18% tip for spa treatments.:confused:

 

Each time I've gone for massages at the spa, the 18% was added but I could adjust if needed. Wonder if the same holds true now because if I get bombarded next week, that 18% will definitely go down and there will be no extra tip added on top. I do make sure to tell them to please not try to sale me anything that I will ask for something if needed.

 

I had 1 bad experience that caused me to take the tip completely away (sales pitch and bad massage) and then had to speak to a couple of people about the sales pitch from hell :( For some reason that lady didn't want to take NO for an answer and she just kept trying to sale me stuff. Took me more than 10 minutes after my spa package was over to get away from her. That is the worst I've experienced but it didn't stop me from my spa treatment(s) at sea :D

[kandj05]

 

Those sales pitches drive me insane so I usually tell them ahead of time to not pitch me after my treatment(s) because if they do then I will be stressed out again and therefore won't remember how to tip them :eek:

 

 

Ha ha....I say something similar. It has worked both times I have tried it!!

[KJsNana]

Ha ha....I say something similar. It has worked both times I have tried it!!

 

LOL Glad it worked for you too. I know they want to make more money and tips but holy cow, I'm there to relax and buy at my leisure...not theirs. Fingers crossed for a great massage next week while the grandbabies are doing their Adventure Ocean activities.

[jalee7]

Did anyone answer my question or did I miss the response?

[shelbylook]

Enjoying your review. Can you tell me who the piano bar entertainer in the Schooner bar is?

 

Thanks,

Cathy

[tiger-91]

I will be sailing on Brillance once your cruise returns. Are there any drink package specials being offered on board? I am debating on buying a drink package and received an email saying if I bought premium there would be a free upgrade to the ultimate package but you have pre purchase. I have on board credits that I would like to offset the costs. In addition, I heard some times of discounts once you get on board so just thought I would ask.

 

If you wait to buy on board, ask if you'll be charged sales tax. Else, ask at what time after sailaway they don't charge sales tax and buy then. You can also maybe wait to buy until the next day and save $. Just ask on board if that's possible. And if they're befuddled, move on and ask someone else.

[artbcpa]

Good morning. We just arrived in Cozumel and we have an early morning snorkeling excursion so I don't have much time for posting until later today. I do want to make a couple of comments about last night. The show - Donovan & Rebecca - was one of the finest shows we have ever seen. They have a very unusual act. He was a singer and she a dancer when they met. They put together a show in which both could perform including incredible acrobatics, singing and dancing. We highly recommend it. The late night adult comedy show by Chris Bliss was also very worthwhile. He offended everyone.:D

 

For the first time we had dinner in the MDR. Both the service and food were outstanding. In fact we cancelled our last specialty restaurant reservation at Giovanni's and decided to do the rest of the cruise at the MDR. My only complaint was that I ordered a premium dinner - the whole Maine lobster - and they not only charged me the premium price (not a problem), but an 18% service charge for them to deliver my meal. Excuse me but the staff had to bring me a dinner in any case. I wonder if the staff actually gets it or is this just another one of RCCL's unnecessary upcharges. By the way, the lobster was excellent.

 

In spite of their pricing policies, we are very pleased with our cruise. For a lower to mid-line cruise company, RCCL does a very nice job. Even with all the extra charges, the cost is reasonable as long as you are discriminating.

[KJsNana]

The late night adult comedy show by Chris Bliss was also very worthwhile. He offended everyone.:D

 

Sounds like my kind of comedy show :D Hope you both have a great day at port and can't wait to hear more.

[cruisegalfl]

Enjoying your review. Can you tell me who the piano bar entertainer in the Schooner bar is?

 

Thanks,

Cathy

 

I would like to know also.

[bludevil]

I'm so excited to hear all of the good things. I will be getting on the ship just after you get off. Can't wait!

[sgregel]

What is the passenger mix like out of Tampa? Are there a lot of kids? We have been cruising Freedom out of Port Canaveral, but that ship is moving and being replaced with Oasis. Looking at Tampa for the next cruise, since it is drivable from Atlanta. Really hoping for more adults and fewer kids. We generally cruise in Jan or Feb, avoiding holidays and school vacations.

[BermudaStarz]

. If you have any specific questions, please add your requests. I will try to respond.

We are sailing 30Jan with several friends. I'd like to plan an ice cream get together. Do you remember exactly where the ice cream machine is? I want to create an invitation for them. Thanks.

[tonto524]

The ice cream machine is on the starboard side aft in the Windjammer, if that's what you're looking for. The machines are behind the dessert station.

[flowers44]

The ice cream machine is on the starboard side aft in the Windjammer, if that's what you're looking for. The machines are behind the dessert station.

 

Just a word of warning. The soft ice cream machines were broken down more than they were working on our Repo cruise in November. Several times, all that came out was brown or white water.