On 14th May 2013, Royal Caribbean invited me aboard the newly revitalised Brilliance of the Seas for a special 1 night media and travel agent sailing from Harwich. Although it was only for 1 day, I managed to pack ship loads in! From touring staterooms to meeting 'cruise celebrities' I did it all within the space of 20 hours!
After checking in, I went to my cabin to drop off my small case. The actual staterooms hadn't changed since my last time on board in June 2012, however the rooms did have new ultra-slim televisions.
Digital signage screens are located next to the lifts. Here you can enter your room number or select a venue on board to see the quickest route to get to it. You can also read the daily Cruise Compass event listings.
I then headed to the Centrum to see the enhancements. It was spectacular! The area now feels like the heart and soul of the ship. At the bottom of the Centrum is the new R Bar. A sophisticated and stylish bar for pre-dinner drinks or to socialise in the day. Two decks above the R Bar is Vintages, the new wine bar. Various other facilities that were situated in the Centrum have moved, such as the Library and the Future Cruise desk.
I then ventured out into the rain to view the new movie screen on deck 11. It's a great addition and wonderful for movies by the pool sipping a cool cocktail in the sun – but when it's raining, it's the last thing you'd want to be doing! I quickly went back inside and joined the PR team and other members of the media for lunch in the Windjammer. We then were given a tour of the suites such as the Grand Suite and Owners Suite. Unfortunately I don't think we'll be cruising in one of those just yet!
We then toured the rest of the ship, seeing the new dining options and lounges. Giovanni's Table is inspired to make you feel like you're in Italy. The waiter's treat you as family and the food is excellent! Chops Grille, is a fleet favourite and features mouth-watering steaks. Izumi is located at the aft of the vessel on deck 11. The area was once the location of the Seaview Café. Rita's Cantina is also located at the aft of the vessel.
We continued our tour to the Vitality Spa where we met Derek Marks who is currently a presenter on Cruise 1st TV and the Jewelry Channel (At time of visit Derek was working for Holiday & Cruise Channel). The Spa and Solarium are very much unchanged. The Park Café now stands where the Pizzeria was situated. Park Café features gourmet sandwiches and pastries.
It was then time for the muster drill before setting sail at 5pm. We departed Harwich and headed for the North Sea.
We had a few pre-dinner drinks in the new R Bar, with the PR team and other journalists. It was a really great, lively atmosphere, with a bustling bar and marvelous live music.
We had a few pre-dinner drinks in the new R Bar, with the PR team and other journalists. It was a really great, lively atmosphere, with a bustling bar and marvelous live music.
We dined at Giovanni's Table where we were bombarded with dish after dish! The restaurant offers some great sharing dishes. Our waiter wanted us to try nearly everything!
After a full stomach, we headed down to the Theatre where The Bohemians, a Queen tribute band were performing. After a final few drinks in Vintages wine bar, we returned to our cabin for a well earned rest, before having to wake up early the next day.