Royal Caribbean
Brilliance of the Seas
- Cruises
- 37
- From
- $229
Ship comparison
Brilliance of the Seas vs Norwegian Jade
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Jade
- Cruises
- 36
- From
- $699
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Brilliance of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 2,400 passengers, in service since 2002. Norwegian Jade is a large Norwegian Cruise Line ship carrying 2,402 passengers, in service since 2006.
Choose Brilliance of the Seas if you want a better-rated spa and gym or a lower starting fare: it outscores Norwegian Jade for spa & fitness (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $229 (vs $699).
Choose Norwegian Jade if you want a more romantic trip, more culture or more of a party: it outscores Brilliance of the Seas for romantic (6.0 vs 4.0), cultural (4.0 vs 2.0) and party (8.0 vs 6.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Brilliance of the Seas | Norwegian Jade | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean | Norwegian Cruise Line |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2002 | 2006 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2015 | 2017 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 90,090 | 93,558 |
| Passengers | 2,400 | 2,402 |
| Crew | 848 | 1,078 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.8 | 2.2 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 37.5 | 39.0 (better) |
| Decks | 12 | 15 |
| Length | 962 ft | 965 ft |
| Beam | 131 ft | 106 ft |
| Speed | 29 mph | 26 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 6 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 37 | 36 |
| Upcoming sailings | 91 | 75 |
| Cruise lengths | 3 to 15 nights | 7 to 17 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $229 (better) | $699 |
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 1 of the ten, Norwegian Jade on 6, 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
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Jade
Sailing the Caribbean in winter and European waters in summer, the 2,402-passenger Norwegian Jade from Norwegian Cruise Line offers a fun, laid-back way to explore the historic sites of Europe. Unlike many large ships, which repeat the same itinerary over and over, Jade features a varied selection of enriching cruises.
Highlights
- Fitness Center features a full gym and aerobics/fitness classes daily.
- If you love playing slots, you can gamble one cent up to $100.
- Two huge 4,390-square-foot Garden Villas offer three separate bedrooms, private garden with hot tub and access to a private courtyard with pool.
Sailing now
36 cruises on sale, from $699.
Questions
Brilliance of the Seas or Norwegian Jade?
Which is bigger, Brilliance of the Seas or Norwegian Jade?
Norwegian Jade is bigger at 93,558 gross tons, against 90,090 gross tons for Brilliance of the Seas. Brilliance of the Seas carries 2,400 passengers and Norwegian Jade carries 2,402.
Which ship is newer, Brilliance of the Seas or Norwegian Jade?
Norwegian Jade is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2006 against 2002 for Brilliance of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Norwegian Jade, with 39.0 gross tons per passenger against 37.5 on Brilliance of the Seas. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Norwegian Jade, with one crew member for every 2.2 passengers against one for every 2.8 on Brilliance of the Seas.
Which is better for families?
They score the same for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10.
Still deciding?
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