Come Sail Away!- Semi-live Brilliance of the Seas b2b 26 Jan 19

[iahawkfan21]

Good morning CC folks! As the title says, we’ll be boarding Brilliance tomorrow for a b2b sailing out of Tampa. 9 nights total (5 nights/4 nights) and we can’t wait.

 

A little background:

My wife Ainslie and me (Cody) are in our mid-30s and I’m currently stationed at Patrick AFB about 25 minutes south of Port Canaveral. Living in Florida and near a port, naturally we love cruising. Sadly we only get to about once maybe twice a year so we have found b2b sailings are perfect. We were already booked on the 4 night over the Super Bowl weekend with a group of about 60-70 friends we’ve met through cruising. The 5 night was reasonably priced so we decided to jump on it.

 

Itinerary:

The first leg will have a sea day followed by stops in Grand Cayman and Cozumel and then another sea day. The second leg will bring us back to Cozumel bookended by sea days. In Grand Cayman we’re likely going to take the local bus to the beach and hang out for the day. In Cozumel I’ve reserved an old VW convertible through Rentadora Isis downtown and planning to go explore the east side of the island which I’ve never been too. On our second stop there, our whole group is going to Nachi Cocom for the day.

 

Room:

We have inside rooms for both sailings. We’re rarely in the room and the cost jump was pretty significant to a balcony. Couldn’t get the same room but only one deck separation and they’ll move our stuff for us.

 

Drinks, Dining, and Plans:

I purchased the Deluxe drink package and VOOM combo for both legs on a sale a couple months back. I don’t really keep track of whether I break even but like the convenience of having a zero balance at the end. My wife doesn’t really drink so I called and was able to get her the Refreshment package no problem. We purchased the three night dining package for $60pp a couple months back so will utilize that. On our second leg we’re just going to do a combo of MDR and WJ.

 

We don’t go to a lot of shows anymore aside from the comedy shows but I love sitting in the pub and Schooner Bar listening to the live music so will spend a fair bit of time doing that and sitting around the pool deck reading. I also keep my workouts going while onboard so will be in the gym almost everyday as well as soon as they open to avoid the crowds. It’ll also be nice having a large group of friends onboard to spend time with.

 

I will try and get on here and update a couple times a day. I will be taking lots of photos both around the ship and of drink menus, dining menus, and cruise compasses. I’ll upload what I can if VOOM cooperates otherwise will finish up when we return. Thanks for following along and ask questions. I’ll try to answer what I can.

 

 

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[iahawkfan21]

We’re only just over two hours away but decided to come over to Tampa yesterday to start the trip early. Got a great Airbnb two blocks off of Bayshore and a mile from downtown. Great location and great rate. Hitting a few local breweries and some good places to eat before boarding tomorrow.

Yesterday, we visited the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. We enjoyed it but it is $25pp plus $10 parking. As AD military we got free admission which was a nice surprise but it could get expensive for a family. This place inspired the Dolphin Tale movies. Stopped in a great brewery called Rapp Brewing and finished with a great dinner at Four Green Fields in Tampa.


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[kelbell]

Can't wait to read more, we will be on her 2/28. First time.

Thank you for bringing us along 👍🏻

[ZoeyVictoria]

I will be on the January 31 sailing with you.  I will be taking my sister on her first cruise (and my 55th).  Until I read your post, I had no idea we will be sailing on Super Bowl weekend!  I was on a Super Bowl cruise on Princess a few years ago and enjoyed it (mostly because I won $200 on a ship-sponsored football pool), but am curious as to what might be different on a Royal ship.  Are you aware of any special events?

[LuCruise]

Thanks for taking us along on your Brilliance cruise.  A total of 9 days is a perfect length to cruise.  Would love to do a B2B someday.  Enjoy!

[iahawkfan21]

Are you aware of any special events?

They’ll show the game clearly but not sure of what they’ll do beyond that.


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[iahawkfan21]

The weather this morning was only a few degrees warmer but much less wind so I decided to head out for a run down to the port and watch the ships come in. It was only about 1.5 miles and I got there just in time to see Rhapsody come in followed by Brilliance.

Gasparilla parade is going on today so road closures have already started. Thankfully I only have to make a slight detour and we’re planning to head to the port at 10. I’ll drop my wife and our bags off before heading just down the street to park the car and catch the shuttle back. More once we’re onboard!



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[APDMOM]

Found it!  🙂  Enjoy your B2B, Cody & Ainslie!

 

Looking forward to insider tips as we prepare for our March B2B...

[MrFunInTheSun]

Thanks for bringing us along!

[iahawkfan21]

We got to the port right at 1030 this morning. Straight through security, no line at Checkin and straight onboard. Total time maybe 15 minutes. Hands down the simplest and easiest boarding process we’ve ever done. Terminal 3 is very nice.Rhapsody parked right behind us.Dinner tonight is in Giovanni’s with a group of 9. Sail away is supposedly slipping to 6pm due to Gasparilla going on. No plans tonight other than late night comedy and some music listening around the ship with our friends. More photos later if VOOM holds up.


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[iahawkfan21]

Good morning everyone! Day 2 brings our first sea day. Overcast and rainy must have driven everyone back to their rooms as it’s 845 and the solarium isn’t even half full.

Last night was a long night but very enjoyable, enough so that I really didn’t take any photos. A really good dinner with friends in Giovanni’s. From there we headed to the R Bar to listen to music and sort of bar hopped our way around the ship before ending up in the Viking Crown or whatever they’re calling it on Deck 13. Not much of a dance atmosphere but we hung out until 1am and then off to bed.

Got up and in the gym at 630 and going to spend most of the day reading a book and relaxing. I do plan to walk around and take a bunch more photos today and share if the WiFi holds up. I can’t promise I’ll get answers to everything but if there’s something you want to know let me know and I’ll look into it.


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[MrFunInTheSun]

Good morning everyone! Day 2 brings our first sea day. Overcast and rainy must have driven everyone back to their rooms as it’s 845 and the solarium isn’t even half full.

Last night was a long night but very enjoyable, enough so that I really didn’t take any photos. A really good dinner with friends in Giovanni’s. From there we headed to the R Bar to listen to music and sort of bar hopped our way around the ship before ending up in the Viking Crown or whatever they’re calling it on Deck 13. Not much of a dance atmosphere but we hung out until 1am and then off to bed.

Got up and in the gym at 630 and going to spend most of the day reading a book and relaxing. I do plan to walk around and take a bunch more photos today and share if the WiFi holds up. I can’t promise I’ll get answers to everything but if there’s something you want to know let me know and I’ll look into it.


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Looks and sounds like the start of a perfect day to me. [emoji3]



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[Kteacher]

Thanks for doing the live review! We’re on Brilliance in April. If you have time can you let me know if there’s anything happening with the Rita’s space? I know it has changed from being a restaurant to a bar.


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[kelbell]

Love the photos from your morning jog. Thank you for the review

so far, can't wait to see the solarium in person!😃

[iahawkfan21]

If you have time can you let me know if there’s anything happening with the Rita’s space?

It is purely a space at this point. No food, no bar just unused space with seating.


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[iahawkfan21]

Good morning! Got busy the last couple days so didn’t get to post yesterday. Currently it’s day 4 and we’re a little less than two hours out of Grand Cayman so thought I would catch up on here.

Our sea day on day 2 turned out to be a bust weather wise but still had a lot of fun just not outside. It was high winds and rain virtually all day. Lunch was in the MDR where I had the salad bar and steak sandwich. Not life changing but still pretty good. The afternoon consisted of reading, spending time at the solarium pool with friends and a nap. Dinner for formal night was in Chops. I went full suit and tie and my wife wore a nice dress but we had people in there wearing shorts and flip flops so it definitely is still suggested attire only. Didn’t ruin our dinner by any means though.

Crab Cake

Entree was NY Strip medium rare with the creamy peppercorn sauce and my wife had the lamb chops and both were excellent. Sides were asparagus, scalloped potatoes and Mac n cheese.

Dessert was key lime something or other. This was the only miss of the meal. Not tart, all sweet and had some sort of cake layer underneath. All in all we were very pleased.

With the bad weather brought some bad rocking of the ship, enough so that they put sea sickness bags on every deck in the stairwells. My wife was getting queasy by the end of dinner so she went back to the room for the night. I headed to the pub and listened to the singer there for awhile. I know music is subjective but I enjoy a good pub atmosphere and she was a good singer. Enjoyed a couple pints of Guinness.

Joined my friends in the Starquest for the silent disco. Music was just ok but we spent most of our time around the bar and had a good time. We hung out there until just after midnight and then called it a night.

I forgot to mention that due to the weather, we had to bypass Grand Cayman since we wouldn’t be able to tender. Day 3 became Cozumel with better hours and then moved GC to day 4. More to come.

[iahawkfan21]

Day 3 brought an adjusted itinerary and our first port of Cozumel. Originally scheduled for 10-7 on day 4 we now were there 8-6. I was up at 530 and in the gym for my morning workout by 6. Grabbed breakfast and before I realized it we were alongside. Mariner was docked next to us. We were also in port with a Carnival ship and MSC Opera docked downtown around 10.

Beautiful weather and much better than it would’ve been in Grand Cayman.


Our travel agent who is actually sailing with us managed to get in touch with the folks at the Cozumel Bar Hop via email when the itinerary changed and they were able to get us on a tour with another group. Meeting time wasn’t until 11 downtown near Punta Langosta so we took a taxi downtown. My wife walked through the markets and I headed to one of my favorite places in Cozumel, COZ Coffee Company. Just off the main square, free WiFi, never crowded and delicious coffee. The owner is a very nice guy and they make all their coffee to order. They also serve food as well.

Enjoyed the morning downtown, the weather was perfect. Heading to get breakfast now, will post photos from the rest of day 3 later on.


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[Christinampl]

I'll be on your second sailing so this review is getting me so excited to board in two days!  Not excited about the weather I am seeing projected but we'll make the best of it.  I am so glad you got the fish n chips at Four Green Fields, they are AMAZING! 

[iahawkfan21]

Cozumel continued...

So we met our guide with the Cozumel Bar Hop downtown at 1115 and we’re escorted to a large bus. There was our group of 12 and another of about 10. Cost was $57pp and that got you transport to the other side of the island, tour guide and a welcome shot at each of the four stops. My wife doesn’t really drink but even she enjoyed the tour a lot. Additional drinks and food at each stop was on your own. I know many first reactions when people here Bar Hop and why it could turn into a drunk fest this was far from. Our guide gave us a lot of history about the other side, the turtle nesting and how all the bars close down at sundown each night. There’s only a handful of locations over there and all run solely on solar or generator power as there is no commercial power.
The first stop was at Punta Morena and we had roughly 50 minutes at each stop. This was more like a beach club, not so much in the party type atmosphere but there were a couple different bars, a restaurant and numerous chairs and hammocks everywhere. The view was amazing and the time went by too quickly.


Stop #2 was at Coconuts. Anyone who’s ever been here knows it’s eclectic to say the least. Not much beyond the bar and food but the view is incredible. We had guacamole and beef tacos here which were excellent.




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[iahawkfan21]

I didn’t get any photos at stop #3 but it was a place called El Pescador. Much like the first stop it was a beautiful view and wonderful atmosphere. Often our group would spread out and walk around but here and the last stop we pretty well hung together.


Our last stop brought us to Rasta’s. This was a wonderful finish to the day. The original owners son still bartends there today. Their daughter who works in town makes a peanut butter tequila which we definitely took a couple shots of. Doesn’t sound good but was amazing and you almost didn’t know you were drinking tequila. Three of us ended up taking a bottle to go. Not cheap but worth the money imo.

The tour ended with us being dropped off back right outside the port. A long day, but so much fun. We may do this again someday but will definitely consider renting a car next time and going to the other side. If you haven’t been over there I highly recommend it.


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[iahawkfan21]

After a long day in the sun, I came back to the room and took a nap for almost two hours. Dinner was in the MDR with our group and I decided to try out my new suit. Had the poblano pepper soup, beef short rib and warm chocolate cookie. All were very good. A couple beers and some music in the pub followed and i was in bed by just after 11 for a change. The next day brings our last port stop for this sailing of Grand Cayman.


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[tugboat]

On 1/25/2019 at 9:43 AM, iahawkfan21 said:

 

Good morning CC folks! As the title says, we’ll be boarding Brilliance tomorrow for a b2b sailing out of Tampa. 9 nights total (5 nights/4 nights) and we can’t wait.

 

A little background:

My wife Ainslie and me (Cody) are in our mid-30s and I’m currently stationed at Patrick AFB about 25 minutes south of Port Canaveral. Living in Florida and near a port, naturally we love cruising. Sadly we only get to about once maybe twice a year so we have found b2b sailings are perfect. We were already booked on the 4 night over the Super Bowl weekend with a group of about 60-70 friends we’ve met through cruising. The 5 night was reasonably priced so we decided to jump on it.

 

Itinerary:

The first leg will have a sea day followed by stops in Grand Cayman and Cozumel and then another sea day. The second leg will bring us back to Cozumel bookended by sea days. In Grand Cayman we’re likely going to take the local bus to the beach and hang out for the day. In Cozumel I’ve reserved an old VW convertible through Rentadora Isis downtown and planning to go explore the east side of the island which I’ve never been too. On our second stop there, our whole group is going to Nachi Cocom for the day.

 

Room:

We have inside rooms for both sailings. We’re rarely in the room and the cost jump was pretty significant to a balcony. Couldn’t get the same room but only one deck separation and they’ll move our stuff for us.

 

Drinks, Dining, and Plans:

I purchased the Deluxe drink package and VOOM combo for both legs on a sale a couple months back. I don’t really keep track of whether I break even but like the convenience of having a zero balance at the end. My wife doesn’t really drink so I called and was able to get her the Refreshment package no problem. We purchased the three night dining package for $60pp a couple months back so will utilize that. On our second leg we’re just going to do a combo of MDR and WJ.

 

We don’t go to a lot of shows anymore aside from the comedy shows but I love sitting in the pub and Schooner Bar listening to the live music so will spend a fair bit of time doing that and sitting around the pool deck reading. I also keep my workouts going while onboard so will be in the gym almost everyday as well as soon as they open to avoid the crowds. It’ll also be nice having a large group of friends onboard to spend time with.

 

I will try and get on here and update a couple times a day. I will be taking lots of photos both around the ship and of drink menus, dining menus, and cruise compasses. I’ll upload what I can if VOOM cooperates otherwise will finish up when we return. Thanks for following along and ask questions. I’ll try to answer what I can.

 

 

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36 minutes ago, iahawkfan21 said:

After a long day in the sun, I came back to the room and took a nap for almost two hours. Dinner was in the MDR with our group and I decided to try out my new suit. Had the poblano pepper soup, beef short rib and warm chocolate cookie. All were very good. A couple beers and some music in the pub followed and i was in bed by just after 11 for a change. The next day brings our last port stop for this sailing of Grand Cayman.


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Look forward to meeting you on Thursday or Friday, this will be cruise 48 or something like that see you soon

[tugboat]

On 1/25/2019 at 11:41 AM, iahawkfan21 said:

They’ll show the game clearly but not sure of what they’ll do beyond that.


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Two questions

1. Paper or plastic straws and 2. does your bed have a mattress topper?  Thanks 

[Kteacher]

Love the suit!

[iahawkfan21]

Two questions
1. Paper or plastic straws and 2. does your bed have a mattress topper?  Thanks 

1. I’ve only been given paper but there may be some plastic still around. I typically refuse straws but any I’ve been given are paper.

2. Ours doesn’t but I’m happy with it and have slept really well but I like a firm mattress.


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