Royal Caribbean
Brilliance of the Seas
- Cruises
- 37
- From
- $229
Ship comparison
Brilliance of the Seas vs MSC Opera
MSC Cruises
MSC Opera
- Cruises
- 37
- From
- $179
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Brilliance of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 2,400 passengers, in service since 2002. MSC Opera is a large MSC Cruises ship carrying 2,142 passengers, in service since 2004.
Choose Brilliance of the Seas if you want a better-rated spa and gym, more space per passenger or a more active cruise: it outscores MSC Opera for spa & fitness (8.0 vs 6.5) and active (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has 37.5 gross tons per passenger (vs 30.6).
Choose MSC Opera if you want a more romantic trip or a lower starting fare: it outscores Brilliance of the Seas for romantic (5.5 vs 4.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $179 (vs $229).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Brilliance of the Seas | MSC Opera | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean | MSC Cruises |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2002 | 2004 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2015 | 2015 |
| Gross tonnage | 90,090 | 65,591 |
| Passengers | 2,400 | 2,142 |
| Crew | 848 | 750 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.8 (better) | 2.9 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 37.5 (better) | 30.6 |
| Decks | 12 | 9 |
| Length | 962 ft | 902 ft |
| Beam | 131 ft | 94 ft |
| Speed | 29 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 6 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 37 | 37 |
| Upcoming sailings | 91 | 278 |
| Cruise lengths | 3 to 15 nights | 3 to 14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $229 | $179 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Brilliance of the Seas leads on 6 of the ten, MSC Opera on 1, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Royal Caribbean
Brilliance of the Seas
Part of Royal Caribbean's Radiance class of ships, Brilliance of the Seas features acres of glass that enclose the nine-story central atrium, elevators facing the sea and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout — all of which flaunt ocean views.
Highlights
- Recreational activities such as a rock-climbing wall and a mini-golf course
- Adults-only Solarium pool
- Vegas-style gaming in the Casino Royale
- Complimentary Broadway-style entertainment
Sailing now
37 cruises on sale, from $229.
About Brilliance of the Seas Plan my cruise on Brilliance of the Seas
MSC Cruises
MSC Opera
MSC Opera certainly lives up to its name — classic, grand, opulent. It's a cruise ship with something to sing about! A true sense of grandeur and spaciousness prevails on MSC Opera, one of the most welcoming ships in the fleet of Italy-based MSC Cruises.
Highlights
- Chic and contemporary public areas
- Some of the best staterooms at sea
- Drinks package options available
- Will be "stretched" in 2015 with the addition of new cabins and a new water park
Sailing now
37 cruises on sale, from $179.
Questions
Brilliance of the Seas or MSC Opera?
Which is bigger, Brilliance of the Seas or MSC Opera?
Brilliance of the Seas is bigger at 90,090 gross tons, against 65,591 gross tons for MSC Opera. Brilliance of the Seas carries 2,400 passengers and MSC Opera carries 2,142.
Which ship is newer, Brilliance of the Seas or MSC Opera?
MSC Opera is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2004 against 2002 for Brilliance of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Brilliance of the Seas, with 37.5 gross tons per passenger against 30.6 on MSC Opera. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Brilliance of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.8 passengers against one for every 2.9 on MSC Opera.
Which is better for families?
Brilliance of the Seas scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 7.5 for MSC Opera.
Still deciding?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
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