Name: Brilliance of the Seas
Brand: Royal Caribbean
Availability: InStock

At a glance

Brilliance of the Seas is a large-size cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean, in service since 2002. It carries 2,400 guests and 848 crew (2.8 guests per crew member) at 90,090 gross tons. It is the 25th largest of 31 Royal Caribbean ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for family friendly, spa & fitness and staterooms (8/10) and lowest for cultural (2/10). It is rated 4 out of 5 by Cruiseable, 3.5 out of 5 by Berlitz and 4 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 42 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $248 to $2,039. 38 of its upcoming sailings dropped in price since the previous weekly fare check.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable: 4 / 5
Berlitz: 3.5 / 5
Cruise Critic: 4 / 5

Guests: 2,400
Crew: 848
Gross tons: 90,090
Decks: 12
Length: 962 ft
Beam: 131 ft
Maiden voyage: 2002
Launched: 2001
Refurbished: 2015
Space ratio: 2.8; Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew: 2.8
Speed (mph): 29
IMO: 9195200

Bliss scores

What Brilliance of the Seas is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

Active 6.0
Adventure and nature 4.0
Cultural 2.0
Dining 6.0
Entertainment 7.5
Family friendly 8.0
Party 6.0
Romantic 4.0
Spa and fitness 8.0
Staterooms 8.0

Our review

Brilliance of the Seas: Recharge with a view

Snapshot

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. Adult cruise passengers can bask at the tranquil Solarium pool, an adults-only retreat, or recharge at Vitality Spa. The variety of recreational activities on board include a rock-climbing wall and mini-golf course. When the sun goes down, the night heats up with Broadway-style shows, Casino Royale, plus 16 bars and lounges that never feature a cover.

Who will like sailing on Brilliance of the Seas

For those looking for non-stop entertainment, Brilliance of the Seas provides a wide array of activities on board to satisfy every mood. She has something for everyone in your group to enjoy their vacation, as well as several dining establishments that make ideal gathering spots.

Where Brilliance of the Seas sails

Brilliance of the Seas offers mostly 4- and 5-night sailings to the Caribbean and the Bahamas and longer voyages in and around the Mediterranean as well as the occasional transatlantic crossing.

Read the full review

The tranquil Solarium, an adults-only area on Brilliance of the Seas, includes a pool, two whirlpools and its own café and bar. Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Top dining options

Main Dining Room: features complimentary, multicourse dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner
More complimentary options including Windjammer Cafe, Seaview Cafe and Park Cafe
Giovanni's Table: an Italian restaurant that serves up portions family-style
Chops Grille: a steakhouse that requires one low cover charge
Cafe Latte-tudes: a specialty coffee house
Chef’s Table:an intimate dining experience with a Royal Caribbean chef
Rita’s Cantina: a trendy Mexican restaurant
Izumi: Japanese cuisine, featuring a la carte sushi selections
Room service: Late-night service charge applies to room service orders between midnight and 5 am

The two-tier Minstrel Dining Room, the main restaurant on Brilliance of the Seas, offers complimentary multi-course dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 1996-2004 AccuSoft Co., All rights reserved / Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Entertainment & shopping

Complimentary Broadway-style entertainment in the three-story Main Theater
6,459-square-foot, Vegas-style Casino Royale with 195 slots and 12 tables
16 bars, clubs and lounges that never have a cover, including The Colony Club featuring self-leveling pool tables, Scoreboard Sports Bar and the Schooner Bar
Duty-free shops on board, featuring name brand jewelry, perfumes, apparel and more
Chic and sophisticated Centrum experience with enriching daytime activities, nightly entertainment and aerial spectacles
R Bar, featuring a sophisticated 1960s vibe, complete with iconic furnishing and signature cocktails created by a savvy a mixologist
English-style pub
Vintages, Royal Caribbean's first-ever wine bar at sea

Rest & relaxation

Vitality Spa with an extensive treatment menu and a thermal suite
Three pools including the Solarium, an adults-only retreat
Three whirlpools
State-of-the-art fitness center, with classes including yoga and Pilates
Library and Card Club
Poolside, outdoor movie screen

The three-deck Pacifica Theater, Brilliance of the Seas' main entertainment venue, has Broadway-style productions, comedy acts and game shows. Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Action & adventure

Rock-climbing wall
Mini-golf course
Basketball court
Jogging track
Video game arcade

Staterooms

Staterooms are put into different categories based on size and amenities as well as the location on the cruise ship. All staterooms have closed-circuit TV, a radio, mini bar, hairdryer, vanity area and a bathroom with a shower. All lower beds are convertible to a queen. Suites have a large sitting area, private balcony, full bath with a tub and concierge service.

Kids & families

Complimentary Adventure Ocean Youth Program
Royal Babies & Royal Tots programming featuring specially designed Fisher Price activities
Adventure Beach kids' pool with waterslide
Teen lounge areas and disco
Family-friendly activities including games, contests, enrichment classes and lectures
Royal Babies & Tots Nursery

Your take

How about you? Have you sailed on Brilliance of the Seas? Have any photos or tips to share with first-timers?

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

If you're interested in a cruise on Brilliance of the Seas, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate at 1-877-322-3773 or by email. We can usually offer a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.

SEE ALL BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS SAILINGS

On board highlights

Live entertainment Pacifica Theater
Shore excursion Caribbean
The Solarium Brilliance of the Seas

Dining

Where to eat on Brilliance of the Seas

Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 1

Fun along the beach during a shore excursion in the tropics on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Dining 12

Top off your meal with a decadent chocolate dessert at Chops Grille on your Royal Caribbean cruise.
Colorful, cool chilled soup provides a refreshing lift-me-up during a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Pan Seared Sea Scallops and Chorizo, available from the kitchen of your Royal Caribbean ship.
Sky High Lemon Meringue Pie, available from the kitchen of your Royal Caribbean ship.
Potato Leek and Spinach Tower, available from the kitchen of your Royal Caribbean ship.
Fish and Tomato Chowder, a popular soup on Royal Caribbean voyages.
Caramel apple pie à la mode, a worthy dessert to top off your day on a Royal Caribbean sailing.
Capesante al Forno (Baked Scallops in the Shell), prepared for guests on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
In Royal Caribbean cruises, a favorite desert is apple parcels, made with puff pasty, apples, cinnamon, sugar and almond paste, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.
The staff in the dining rooms on Royal Caribbean cruises are charged with making sure that all dishes meet exacting standards.
Begin your meals with the vibrant flavors of land and sea during your Royal Caribbean cruise.
Royal Caribbean menu options include free-range chicken as well as gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian dishes.

On board 5

The nautically themed Schooner Bar is a favorite watering hole on Brilliance of the Seas.
Brilliance of the Seas has three pools, including the adults-only Solarium.
Brilliance of the Seas has three pools, three whirlpools and endless fun.
Royal Caribbean's fleetwide Adventure Ocean Youth Program and its trained staff offer age-appropriate entertainment and activities for cruisers ages 3 to 17.
Relax at poolside and let your cares slip away during your Royal Caribbean sailing.

Staterooms 1

Brilliance of the Seas' Royal Suites include a separate bedroom with king-size bed, private balcony, whirlpool bathtub, living room with queen-size sofa bed and other luxury amenities.

More photos 10

Brilliance of the Seas sails to multiple destinations in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Brilliance of the Seas sails to multiple destinations in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
The tranquil Solarium, an adults-only area on Brilliance of the Seas, includes a pool, two whirlpools and its own café and bar.
Guests of the River Victoria will discover the grand Catherine Palace on a shore excursion of St. Petersburg, Russia.
The three-deck Pacifica Theater, Brilliance of the Seas' main entertainment venue, has Broadway-style productions, comedy acts and game shows.
A chocolate-covered strawberry dessert at Chops Grille aboard your Royal Caribbean sailing.
A herb-crusted jumbo shrimp entrée at Chops Grille aboard your Royal Caribbean cruise.
Brilliance of the Seas sails to multiple destinations in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
The two-tier Minstrel Dining Room, the main restaurant on Brilliance of the Seas, offers complimentary multi-course dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Brilliance of the Seas sails to multiple destinations in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

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