I recently had the opportunity to tour Royal Caribbean’s “Brilliance of the Seas” when she was in Boston for the day. There is a lot of hype for the mega ships that Royal Caribbean offers like the Oasis of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and the new Harmony of the Seas which debuts next year. These ships really are amazing with all the bells and whistles you could possibly dream of rivaling a Disney resort. But that’s not to say that the smaller ships (90,000 tons) shouldn’t be considered. In fact, I really liked this size ship — not too big and not too small!
The Brilliance of the Seas is an older ship but was completely renovated in 2013. Cabins are quite spacious and there are several dining options on board. I think the BEST feature is the glass surround. No matter where this ship sails to, you’ll have amazing views from any part of the ship. The adult-only Solarium was toasty warm and next to the spa, perfect for an adult only retreat. The kid zone is smaller but completely sufficient if you’re traveling with smaller kids. There is a full children’s program (age appropriate), a rock climbing wall, mini golf and water slide. I could definitely see my kids having a good time.
I also learned about My Family Time Dining. If you have kids you know how hectic dinner time can be. Dining on a cruise is an experience (or it should be at least). I don’t know many kids though that will sit through a 3-4 course meal that can easily take 2 hours. Enroll in the My Family Time Dinning and 45 min into dinner, the kid’s club coordinators will come to the dining room to get your kids and bring them back to the kid’s club for crafts, games and movies so you can enjoy the rest of your meal in peace. Genius! How can I get this service at home??…..
Another tick in the “pro” column for Royal Caribbean is their entertainment. They have Broadway style and Broadway licensed shows like Mama Mia, Saturday Night Fever and much more. When you consider and average show ticket is maybe $120 a piece but included for free on your Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s an excellent value.
I’ve cruised with Royal Caribbean several times and as the worlds largest cruise company, chances are they have just the right ship and itinerary to fit your family and budget. Contact me today to discuss your future cruise plans!