Seasoned Royal Caribbean cruisers have a special fondness for the Radiance Class ships, particularly Brilliance of the Seas.

Brilliance of the Seas was launched in 2002 and has the capacity for 2,112 guests at double occupancy. Just 848 crew members live onboard.

At 962 feet long, she is a medium-sized vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

Royal Caribbean veterans love Brilliance, praising her size, layout, and charm.

As a fan of larger ships like the Oasis Class, I wanted to see what I had been missing.

I booked a cruise on Brilliance this past month, sailing for 7-nights out of New Orleans. The Western Caribbean cruise visited Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayaman; and Yucatan, Mexico.

In the end, I enjoyed Brilliance way more than I expected—and I can definitely see why seasoned cruisers love her so much.

Read more: 10 habits of successful cruisers

Brilliance appeals to cruisers who prefer a tranquil vacation

Loyal-to-Royal cruisers who appreciate Royal Caribbean's legacy of luxury, family-centered cruisers love what Brilliance has to offer.

Though smaller in size, she offers amenities such as a cinema, rock climbing wall, gym, and a self-leveling pool table.

The ship also has adult-centered venues that have become favorites across the fleet, like the Schooner Bar and Vintages Wine Bar.

I also noticed an older crowd onboard Brilliance: fewer children and more parents with adult children.

Read more: I spent 10 days in a 170 square foot windowless cabin for $202 per night: take a look inside my Brilliance of the Seas stateroom

The ship’s smaller size fosters a more communal and intimate onboard experience. You start the see the same faces every day—whether it's fellow cruisers at karaoke or the crew members in the Windjammer.

I was able to chat and connect with crew members and even the onboard musicians, making it a memorable cruise. I began to love the atmosphere on Brilliance.

The ship also boasts ocean views and a sun-filled layout

Before my cruise, I saw Royal Caribbean fans on the Internet praising Brilliance's design in particular.

When I got on board, I could immediately see why. Instead of a long Royal Promenade walkway, the ship features a circular Centrum in the middle. It's enclosed by all-glass elevators, and covered in bright lights and patterned panels.

Read more: 6 things I loved and 3 things I hated about my Brilliance of the Seas cruise

On my previous cruise, when I told someone I would be sailing on Brilliance next, she lit up, immediately describing to me how beautiful the Solarium was.

And she was right—the adults-only pool area was adorned with tropical foliage and a rustic, elephant-themed pool deck. It looked almost like the courtyard of an Indian palace.

Not only that, but the walls along the sides of the ship—especially on Deck 6 and the pool deck—offer huge glass windows.

Brilliance of the Seas offers so many ocean views.

One of my favorite places to spend time was the Colony Club. Located past the Schooner Bar, this wide venue featured glass on the back of the ship, as well as comfortable seating in a vintage-brown setting.

Plenty of large windows allow natural sunlight and ocean views to fill the ship.

The entertainment and live performers were incredible, drawing happy crowds

Brilliance of the Seas offered some of the best nightlife I’ve experienced, despite lacking the flashy amenities of Royal Caribbean’s mega-ships.

Multiple live bands, guest musicians, and singers filled the experience onboard with music. I could walk from one venue to the next—the Colony Club to the Schooner Bar to the Centrum—and hear live music in every location.

These performers attracted enthusiastic cruisers, leading to nightly dance parties and a lively atmosphere.

Not only were the live musicians amazing, but the performances onboard, like the Welcome Aboard showtime and Center Stage performance, also featured quality performances. 

From the musicians to the singers, dancers, set design, and costumes, 

it was a feast for the senses, providing awesome entertainment on a cruise ship.

The dining venues onboard Brilliance also served excellent food 

I was surprised by the quality of the food onboard Brilliance.

I dined at the complimentary venues onboard: The Main Dining Room, the Windjammer Buffet, the Park Café, and Café Latte-tudes.

The vessel also features a few specialty venues: Chops Grille, Chef's Table, Giovanni's Table, Rita's Cantina, and Izumi Asian Cuisine.

However, the complimentary food was surprisingly good. The Main Dining Room dishes were served with care, and the Windjammer featured quality ingredients.

I also noticed meals being served that I haven't seen on any other ships in the fleet.

For example, the Windjammer buffet served authentic oxtail on Caribbean night.

The Park Café located within the Solarium served fresh po-boys every night and occasionally served carved roast beef for the popular Kummelweck sandwiches.

Although the dining venues were limited, the food was genuinely delicious and of high quality.

There was one disadvantage: the limited pool deck

Despite Brilliance's beautiful layout, she did have one aspect I disliked. 

The two-fold pool deck—divided into an outdoor section and an indoor Solarium—was small and limited.

With just two pools and three small hot tubs, finding space to swim was often challenging. The hot tubs especially could only fit about five people at a time. At times, I had to wait for space to become available.

On busy sea days, it was hard to find a pleasant spot to swim in. Plus, if anything happened in the pool (like a kid's accident or a medical emergency) everyone onboard was affected, and couldn't swim until the issue was resolved.

Read more: After sailing Royal Caribbean's mega ships, I tried a small ship and here's what I liked about it

However, there were usually enough chairs around the lido and the Solarium to find a place to sit.

Cruisers who prioritize their pool time might want to consider booking a bigger ship.

How does sailing out of New Orleans impact your embarkation day experience?

The port you choose to depart from has a major impact on your cruise—and New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the most unique U.S. cities from which Royal Caribbean sails.

Located just 90 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is a convenient departure point for cruises. Cruises out of New Orleans begin in the Mississippi River, exiting into the Gulf of Mexico hours later.

I sailed out of New Orleans for the first time last month, on a Brilliance of the Seas cruise.

Currently, Brilliance of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship sailing from New Orleans.

My 7-night sailing departed from New Orleans and called upon Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Yucatan (Progreso), Mexico. On the first day of the cruise, I was surprised by how different the departure day was.

Embarkation day felt entirely different from Florida ports like Tampa or Miami, and it wasn’t just because of New Orleans' unique charm.

A cruise out of New Orleans is a great opportunity to explore the city

Pre-cruise, I was surprised to discover just how close the Royal Caribbean terminal is to the center of the city.

Royal Caribbean leaves from the Julia Street Terminal, which is just off Canal Street. The terminal is close to many famous sights; a short walk from the French Quarter, right across from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and next door to the Riverwalk Mall.

I spent the day before the sailing in a nearby hotel and wished I'd arrived even earlier in New Orleans.

This distinctive city offers plenty to explore and is conveniently close to the cruise terminal. I didn't expect it to be so easy to see New Orleans after flying in and not having a car!

I spent a day at the Riverwalk Mall, tried café au lait and beignets, and purchased some Nola souvenirs. But if I'd had more time, I could have explored the French Quarter, prioritized hearing live music, and tried more authentic Creole food.

Because I stayed in the Marriot Warehouse Arts District, embarkation day was a breeze. 

The Julia Street Terminal was just a short walk from the hotel, and porters took our bags right away.

We moved swiftly through the terminal and security, with staff efficiently checking our documents.

The embarkation day before the ship departed was a fun experience!

Embarkation day begins with sailing on the Mississippi River

As everyone boarded and began to fill up the ship, we could look outside and see the sights of New Orleans.

The ship’s position on the Mississippi River offered unique views, with the bridge and riverbanks visible on both sides.

As the ship departed, I realized that the first day of a cruise out of New Orleans felt more like a river cruise. The ship sails down the Mississippi River for almost eight hours before the ship reaches the Gulf of Mexico.

Our cruise departed a little later than usual, so it was almost evening by the time we started sailing down the river.

Read more: My $1,800 stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas has the worst shower curtain, but the balcony was perfect

However, I could still see the lights and buildings of the city. 

It was fascinating to watch the ship navigate the winding river bends and maneuver around boats and buildings.

Once the cruise ship passed New Orleans, we mostly were seeing industrial plants and refineries. Gray smoke and coal storage facilities lined both sides of the river.

While it was still cool to follow the winding path of the Mississippi River and see the lights from the riverbank, the refineries were a less pleasant sight.

Read more: 6 things I loved and 3 things I hated about my Brilliance of the Seas cruise

After dark fell, and we got tired of looking at factories, we stopped gazing out the windows. At a certain point, the novelty of sailing on a river instead of the ocean began to wear off, and it felt gloomy instead.

I began to miss the ocean’s vast open space and clear night sky when faced with riverbanks and refineries.

Weather can also have a huge impact on your first day

Choosing which ports to visit also means considering the weather for that time of year.

With such an active 2024 hurricane season, it wasn't a surprise that my cruise was affected by the weather.

The Brilliance of the Seas sailing right before mine had to change its itinerary due to Hurricane Rafael.

Although my November 9th cruise had no schedule changes, we were still influenced by some bad weather.

Even though the tropical storm was already weakening in the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana still experienced rain and wind.

The storm was approaching New Orleans as our ship departed, causing some bad weather for embarkation day.

Our first night onboard was dark and gloomy—the boat rocked back and forth. The approaching winds were so loud that they whistled through the stateroom all night, making it hard to sleep.

Of course, many people know New Orleans for its vulnerability to hurricanes. Cruise ships are designed with safety in mind, so weather concerns shouldn’t deter you from booking a cruise from this port.

However, it was interesting to see how our sailing was affected by the weather in the region.

If anything, it's important to notice how the time of year and regional weather might influence your cruise.

For future cruises out of New Orleans, I might schedule a sailing in the spring or fall. Winter cruises to the Gulf of Mexico can often be affected by severe weather, such as strong winds or rough seas.

Read more: Ultimate Mexico Cruise Guide

Happy Sunday and Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family and friends! There is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to share this week.

Sometimes Royal Caribbean offers a great last-minute deal on an inside cabin, and those rooms are small but functional.

Elizabeth got to hop on a 4-night Bahamas cruise on Allure of the Seas for just $104 per person, per night.

The room won't wow you, but it's exactly what anyone needs for a quick cruise.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean just announced official Black Friday sale — here’s 5 deals I’d shop right now
• Royal Caribbean Black Friday deals 2024: Fresh discounts and latest sales info
• My favorite hack for a cruise ship shore excursion just went on sale for Black Friday
• I went to the controversial cruise ship activity to see if its reputation is as bad as I've read
• Cruise ships are skipping stops in Puerto Rico, and it's not clear when it will get fixed
• When will the San Juan, Puerto Rico pier be fixed? Here's what the Coast Guard said
• Mexico is adding a new tourist tax

New RCB Video: 5 things I unapologetically love to do on a cruise!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video—5 things I unapologetically love to do on a cruise!—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Is Royal Caribbean working on adding a treehouse to its cruise ship or private island?

Rumor has it that Royal Caribbean might be including a treehouse on one of its upcoming cruise ships or private destinations.

On November 19th, the cruise line filed an application to trademark several phrases, including, "Ultimate Family Treehouse." 

While it's unclear what this treehouse could be—or even if the trademark will be used—it could be something to keep an eye on.

Crew member reveals the truth about tipping on a cruise ship, hiding ducks, and more

Should you tip cruise ship crew members? 

Are there other gifts you can bestow as a sign of appreciation?

One Royal Caribbean crew member took to Reddit to explain how you can show your gratitude to hard-working crew members without getting them in trouble. 

Here's what they had to say on gratuities, hiding ducks, and more.

I scored big savings from Royal Caribbean's hidden deal sheet. It's not well advertised, but I saved a lot of money

Calista saved got 60% off on a Freedom of the Seas cruise through Royal Caribbean's secret deals sheet.

Because she booked with a travel agent, she only paid $584 per person for an oceanview cabin.

Discounts like this aren't publicly advertised—here's how to get them.

Everything I Ate On a Royal Caribbean Ship

Elizabeth recently took a 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, and her short sailing included a lot of food. While some dishes were cooked to perfection, others ended up tasting disappointing.

Here's everything she ate at the Main Dining Room, Park Café, Samba Grill, Chef's Table, and more.

The lowest price for a cruise is often not publicly advertised, so you have to know where to look.

Booking with a travel agent can get you some great benefits, providing great value by helping you find cruises, form groups, schedule activities, and—most of all—get good deals.

I was able to save almost 60% off a Freedom of the Seas cruise I booked through an MEI Travel agent.

I found a cheap price for an October sailing on Freedom of the Seas: an oceanview cabin for just $584 per person.

After the cost of taxes, fees, and port expenses, plus pre-paid gratuities, I ended up paying $1678 total for the 7-night cruise.

The booking was for a guarantee oceanview cabin, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and offering stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas.

The posted rate on the public Royal Caribbean website was $2759 for the same cruise—$1379 per person. So how did I get such a good deal?

I got a cheaper price by using my travel agent's hidden deals

Discounts like this aren't highly advertised, and many of them are only accessible through a travel agent.

My travel agent had access to Royal Caribbean's hidden deals sheet, which lists discounted sailings across the fleet. These secret deals are provided to travel agencies by the cruise line, and cannot be shared publicly.

You'll have to go directly to a travel agent to find similar discounts.

While browsing the secret deals, I found great discounts on certain cruises and was able to book the Freedom of the Seas one right away.

These rates aren't provided to the general public and are often special rates established between the cruise line and the travel agency.

The posted overall rate for my Freedom of the Seas sailing was approximately $2,759 in total.

That means I saved more than 60% off the public rate by using MEI travel. 

A cheaper overall cruise fare is a great reason to reach out to a travel agent and book a cruise through them.

Compared to a similar Independence of the Seas cruise, I got a much cheaper deal. 

A cruise departing on November 2nd, 2025 from Miami, Florida, costs $1802, or $902 per person.

This similar 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise in an oceanview cabin has a price almost $200 over—and that's before gratuities, purchasing the cruise a year ahead of time.

To get access to these rates, you just need to ask.  When you work with your travel agent, you can ask if there are any special group rates or agency rates available.

In my case, I asked for special rates that existed and then booked those sailings, rather than picking a specific ship and sail date.

The availability of special rates depends on a bit of luck, but it's something you can ask your agent early in the planning process.

Why was the cruise so discounted?

A steep discount can spark suspicion. 

Why was the sailing so cheap? Was there anything wrong with the ship, room, or itinerary?

It's due to a combination of special negotiated rates between the cruise line and the travel consortium, as well as the cruies line wanting to fill unsold staterooms.

This just means fewer rooms on that particular cruise sold and doesn't point to any deficiencies in the ship or itinerary.

The sailing called upon Perfect Day at CocoCay; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas, and it was the perfect vacation to experience everything the Freedom-Class ship had to offer.

However, because I also saved money by booking a guarantee cabin, I ended up getting a less-popular stateroom.

I chose a guaranteed oceanview cabin, meaning that Royal Caribbean promised me the oceanview category or better—but I gave up the ability to choose the stateroom location.

Read more: How to save money on a cruise: 45 expert tips

I ended up with a leftover cabin located low on the ship, on deck 2.

The stateroom had a lovely porthole window, and clean, modern amenities. But I quickly discovered why other cruisers didn't want to book that cabin location.

The stateroom experienced constant noise—from the anchor banging against the side of the ship, feet stomping above me, and adjacent neighbors.

While the cabin was still an enjoyable stay, it was a less desirable location for a cheaper price.

Is it worth booking with a travel agent?

Are the deals and assistance worth booking with a travel agent?

Many first-time cruisers don't know how helpful travel agents can be. They're also usually free to work with! Most good travel agents are paid a commission from the cruise line, so there is no extra cost to use their services.

Travel agents can give you great deals on sailings, and many people aren't even aware of hidden deals like the one I got on my Freedom of the Seas cruise.

Travelers also don't know the many ways a travel agent can assist, such as contacting customer service, organizing large groups, and booking shore excursions.

Read more: Top things you didn't know travel agents can do for your cruise vacation

My MEI travel agent booked the cruise and handled the guests, dining times, and gratuities beforehand.

All I had to do before the sailing was scheduling, online check-in, and packing!

She also consistently checked in throughout and after my sailing to ensure all went well. 

If we ran into any issues, our travel agent could work with us, and even call Royal Caribbean customer service and stay on the line for us.

A travel agent is an invaluable resource that provides great deals and insider cruise knowledge—all at no extra cost to you.

If there's one activity on a cruise ship I've heard the most negative comments about, it's the art auction.

While some cruisers seem to enjoy the art auctions, it's hard to overlook the lawsuits and negative comments surrounding how the auctions are conducted.

Multiple lawsuits and employee turnover on vessels have given the dealer a less-than-sterling reputation.

According to Bloomberg Business, the company was subject to almost a dozen lawsuits between 2008 and 2016.

On the other hand, some cruisers praise the opportunity to buy art directly during their cruise. They happily purchase artwork that will hang in their home for years to come.

Read more: What should you not buy on a cruise ship?

Are cruise ship art auctions really as bad as people say?

I've never been to an art auction, much less one on a cruise ship, so I decided to find out for myself.

On my recent 7-night Freedom of the Seas cruise, I attended a Park West art auction.

According to the auctioneer's introduction, Park West believes in making art accessible for everyone.

"Park West Gallery strives to create an entertaining, educational, and welcoming atmosphere that ignites a passion for the arts," the company's website reads.

"Park West’s mission is to make the art world accessible, helping its clients build lasting memories through collecting events, educational seminars, and art exhibitions."

The company conducts 200 auctions a week worldwide—everywhere from cruise ships to Hawaii. Park West has been selling artwork on Royal Caribbean (and Celebrity Cruises) ships since 1995.

Park West represents over 400,000 original artists and claims to sell original pieces. Original is defined by the dealer as "any artwork created directly under the control and supervision of the artist."

According to Park West, this includes one-of-a-kind artwork or limited-edition graphic works. 

However, multiple lawsuits against the company allege that the works sold are merely mass-media prints. These reproductions of original paintings are signed and approved by the artists but are far from one-of-a-kind pieces.

The auction welcomed all cruisers, even those there for the free champagne

First, the auctioneer invited everyone to walk around the gallery and gaze at the available artwork.

Cruisers who liked a certain piece could leave a sticky note on the frame, or speak to the art gallery staff directly.

The pieces varied in genre, from colorful sculptures of anthropomorphic dogs to patriotic eagles, and classic portraits of pale women.

I was intrigued by the artworks that cruisers started to pick out as their favorites: once one sticky note appeared, more would be placed on the same piece.

Most attendees, like myself, were only there to observe and drink the free champagne, but a surprising amount filed into chairs to begin bidding.

At least 30 of my fellow cruisers held bid cards and looked ready to buy their favorite artwork. A server came around with a tray of champagne, passing flutes to every guest present.

As the auction began, the auctioneer sprang to life, speeding the process along with that famous droning voice.

At the beginning, he explained that he would clack his gavel against the podium when each artwork sold.

I was shocked to hear the clang nearly every 3 minutes—every piece of artwork sold right away.

The prices ranged from $500 to $1500, and I couldn't discern any metric of value for the artwork. Pieces that were more colorful, simplistic, and blocky sold for thousands of dollars, while the complex, watercolored artwork painted in tiny brushstrokes was less popular.

Park West used more clever sales tactics

The auctioneer's job was clearly to help sell the pieces, so he played up the creativity or unique print of the artwork.

I was hoping to learn more about the modern art scene by attending, but I was disappointed there was little substance beyond the sales pitch.

Besides highlighting Peter Max, a famous pop artist, little context was given about the art pieces and artists.

I noticed that the auctioneer used more sales tactics to sell the artwork. For example, he created a false sense of urgency by promising that artwork would only be sold at a discounted price to the first two attendees who raised their cards, but then inevitably extending the sale to everyone who jumped in.

Founder & CEO Albert Scaglione stated in 2009 that Park West has never misrepresented the value of its art.

“The value is whatever price the seller can find a buyer that will pay for it," he said.

Park West's auctioneer did announce that they encourage buyers to individually appraise the artwork—"Don't just take our word for it!" 

In addition, the auctioneer was honest about costs and any additional fees.

He announced that cruisers who purchased a piece or won one in a raffle still have to pay the cost of shipping for the artwork.

The auctioneer also explained that the frames we saw were not included in the price. Customers could pay for Park West to fit and add a different frame, or simply choose one on their own.

Park West offers 18-month financing for buyers, which, in my opinion, creates a dangerous sense of security.. Cruisers could bid on artwork they can't actually afford, trusting in the ability to spread the payments out over a year and a half.

The auction moved quickly, but as a passive observer, I found myself both bored and horrified

I could hardly believe that cruisers were spending thousands of dollars on seemingly random artworks—and doing so so quickly!

The auction moved quickly, with unique features like a "mystery bid." 

Four artworks were placed backward on stands, and buyers bid at a discounted price to purchase the unseen artwork. All four mystery pieces sold for $1200.

Read more: 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise (and how to avoid them!)

Bottom line, cruise ship art auctions are worthwhile for the novel experience, free champagne, and the chance to spend a lot of money on a piece of art.

If you're not looking to purchase an artwork, you'll gain just as much value from independently pursuing the art around the ship. 

Since I didn't purchase any art, I can't speak to the validity of the artwork and sales practices, but I did notice some pushy sales tactics at play.

Happy Sunday and Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family and friends! There is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to share this week.

Royal Caribbean released more of its Caribbean 2026-2027 deployments, including the world's largest cruise ships.

Both Icon of the Seas, and her upcoming sister ship, Star of the Seas, will homeport in Florida for the new itineraries.

Cruisers can now book 7-night Western or Eastern Caribbean cruises on Icon of the Seas, departing from Miami, Florida.

Star of the Seas, which enters service in August of 2025, will continue to sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida. The second Icon-Class ship will offer 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean News

• My friend got burned by booking non-refundable cruise fare. I now advocate these 5 cruise booking tips
• My $1,800 stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas has the worst shower curtain, but the balcony was perfect
• Two "nightmare issues" in Royal Caribbean's systems have frustrated cruisers for weeks
• The best cruise line rankings are out for 2025 and Royal Caribbean was snubbed
• Royal Caribbean adds new cruises from New York area just in time for Black Friday sale
• I sailed in tiny interior cabins on old Royal Caribbean and Disney ships. I'd only book one again
• 8 changes coming to Star of the Seas

New Video: No One Should Do These Things On A Cruise!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video—No One Should Do These Things On A Cruise!—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 550th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

Cruise veterans book their sailings as far in advance as possible—but why? And how should you plan your cruises years in advance?

In this episode, Matt explains how and when to book your new 2025 and 2026 cruises.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

The Black Friday deal I've bought on all my cruises, even though I get it for free

Which Black Friday deals are worth spending on?

As a Pinnacle Club member of the Crown and Anchor Society, Matt doesn't have to spend extra on WiFi, but he still buys it while it's on sale.

Here's why—and how to take advantage of this month's deals.

I cruised for 3 days and 7 days on the same ship, and each sailing was a completely different experience

The length of your cruise is an important factor that affects every aspect of the experience.

Recently, Calista sailed on Freedom of the Seas for 7 nights, after trying a weekend cruise on the same ship.

The two cruises were shockingly different, and one sailing was better.

The lesser-known reservation change you can make up to days before your cruise

Reservations are usually set in stone close to the date of your cruise. However, there's one change most cruisers don't know they can still make.

Royal Caribbean allows you to swap out people on your cruise reservation as late as 72 hours before the first day of the sailing.

Do staterooms on Brilliance of the Seas still hold up to the Royal Caribbean standard?

Launched in 2002, Brilliance of the Seas remains a fan favorite.

The Radiance-Class vessel has a capacity for 2,543 guests, with a total of 1,075 staterooms onboard.

I recently sailed on Brilliance for a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise, calling upon Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Yucatan (Progresso), Mexico.

I booked an oceanview balcony cabin through the guarantee process. The guarantee selection offered a lower price in exchange for being assigned a leftover stateroom in our chosen category.

The total payment, with gratuities and fees, was $1959, or $140 per day, per person.

A few weeks before the cruise, Royal Caribbean assigned me a balcony stateroom located on the forward end of Deck 9: #9520.

According to online deck plans, the stateroom spans 167 square feet, with a 27-square-foot balcony.

When I first entered the room, I noticed that it felt small for a balcony cabin, but had some great amenities.

First, I opened up the closet, located to the right of the front door.

The spacious closet featured six large wooden shelves in the center. I like that the shelves were dividing the middle—it made it easy to split the closet with a travel buddy. We could each hang out clothes on one assigned side. 

The closet also had a multitude of hangers and an above-head storage space where the life jackets lay. 

Opposite the closet, I opened the door to the stateroom bathroom. 

The small space was brightly lit, with a large bathroom mirror. 

The tiny shower sat to my right, covered by a white cloth curtain.

The shower curtain was my least favorite part of the stateroom, as it appeared old and worn. Plus, it would either sway outwards, slashing water onto the floor, or inwards, clinging to me in the shower. 

Combined with the miniature size of the shower, it made showering inconvenient and frustrating.

However, our stateroom attendant did a great job of keeping the area clean, with fresh towels every day. 

The bathroom was equipped with multiple shelves, located behind the mirror or under the sink, for plenty of toiletries storage.

Outside of the bathroom, I moved on to explore the cabin desk. The long piece of furniture held seven drawers, plus more shelf storage behind the mirror. 

A ring light on the mirror and chair in front of the desk made it easy to transform into a vanity for applying makeup or choosing jewelry.

On day one, when I first opened the desk drawer, the top piece fell off in my hand. 

By day three, the piece was affixed back onto the drawer, and we didn’t have any further problems with the stateroom. 

I could tell that, despite Brilliance of the Seas' age, Royal Caribbean's crew members were working hard to maintain a quality environment. 

Despite the ship's age, the lights and amenities functioned well, and the stateroom appeared well-maintained. My only issue with the cabin was the shower curtain.

Beside the desk sat the stateroom TV, equipped with 20 free channels. Below that, I found the mini-cooler, which had just enough space to fit bottles of wine or small bowls. 

However, it wasn’t a true refrigerator; any ice left inside melted completely.

Read more: 6 things I loved and 3 things I hated about my Brilliance of the Seas cruise

Opposite the desk, I turned to find the couch. I was surprised by how small this piece of furniture was because other balcony cabins I've stayed in had slightly longer couches.

However, it was a comfortable place to sit or leave items on, and a lamp was conveniently placed above it.

 I also liked that a small table was placed next to the couch—I could leave it there to eat at or move it around for extra storage.

Between the couch and the stateroom bed, I found a long brocade curtain tied back. 

This could serve to divide the stateroom and keep out extra light. If one guest wanted to sleep while the other stayed awake, the curtain could divide the room to avoid disturbance.

The stateroom bed was wide and made up with white Royal Caribbean monogrammed sheets.

My travel buddy and I later asked for the beds to be separated, which our stateroom attendant did quickly and efficiently. 

Each bed was a comfortable place to sleep, with two pillows and a thick blanket.

On either side sat two bedside tables, each with a lamp above them.

Each bedside table had two sections: a drawer and a large shelf space underneath. 

The bedside table to the left also held the stateroom phone.

I appreciated that each lamp provided individual lighting and could control the stateroom’s main lights. I could turn off the lights without getting out of bed!

Past the bed sat a sliding glass door (covered by thick blackout curtains), which led to the cabin balcony.

When it was windy, the door was hard to push open, but the balcony view was always worth it.

The balcony space itself was small, only long enough to fit two chairs and a circular table.

However, it was a lovely place to sit, read, eat, or chat.

Read more: Inside cabin vs. balcony room on a cruise ship

I also liked that the table and chairs were waterproof and easy to wipe the rain off when the weather was wet.

The balcony added to the cruise experience, offering a convenient spot to check the weather and enjoy views of the ship sailing into and out of port.

At night, the sky was so clear amid the dark ocean, and we could see thousands of stars.

One of the first choices you'll have to make when booking a cruise is the length of your sailing.

Royal Caribbean cruises range from three days to over three weeks, leaving many wondering what the ideal cruise length is.

I sailed on Freedom of the Seas two times, a year apart, but each sailing was for a different length.

My first cruise, in October of 2023, was a weekend sailing, lasting only three days.

My second, in October 2024, was a full seven-day sailing.

Although they were on the same ship just a year apart, the two sailings were entirely different experiences.

I was surprised by how much the length of your cruise can change the entire cruise vacation.

Read more: How different is a 3-night vs 4-night cruise?

From travel buddies to staterooms, here's how the length of my cruise affected my experiences on the same ship.

I get homesick on longer cruises, but they're much more memorable

When I first started taking week-long cruises, I would feel slightly claustrophobic by days five and six.

Despite the abundance of activities onboard, I tend to feel homesick during seven-day cruises.

However, comparing my weekend and weeklong cruises on Freedom of the Seas helped me see the appeal of a longer sailing.

My weekend cruise went by in a flash: three days onboard, including one stop on Perfect Day at CocoCay, is barely enough time to see everything.

Once the weekend cruise ended, the activities, entertainment, and food onboard felt like a blur. My weekend cruise on Freedom of the Seas was probably my least memorable sailing, simply because it went by so fast.

In contrast, my 7-day sailing on Freedom gave me time to stretch out and take my time to see all the sights onboard. I was able to attend multiple shows and activities, even seeing some things twice!

Plus, the sailing had visits to more ports, calling upon Perfect Day at CocoCay, St Thomas, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Weekend cruises offer plenty of entertainment, but the shorter duration means you must pack your schedule to experience it all. They're a less memorable sampling of a cruise ship.

My weekend cruise prepared me to try a longer one on Freedom of the Seas, but if I had to choose just one experience, I would pick the 7-day sailing.

My week cruise was solo, while I was able to find a travel buddy for the weekend

One disadvantage of taking a longer, 7-day cruise, is setting aside the time to go on a weeklong vacation. Taking time off from work or school for a weeklong cruise can be challenging, especially mid-year in October.

It was easy for me to take along a travel buddy on my weekend cruise—she didn't even have to request time off from work.

Read more: I cruised by myself on two different Royal Caribbean ships, but there were stark differences in the experiences

However, none of my friends were able to get time off to join me on my later 7-day sailing, so I had to take the longer cruise solo.

While there's nothing wrong with cruising alone, having a travel buddy can make a travel experience more rich and enjoyable.

Plus, if I'd wanted to cruise with multiple friends or my family, it would have been even more difficult to coordinate a weeklong sailing together.

I had time to form friendships on my 7-day cruise

While I didn't bring anyone along on my 7-day cruise, the longer sailing gave me time to form friendships with other cruisers onboard.

I noticed—and was a bit disappointed—that most cruisers on my weekend sailing kept to themselves.

Read more: I'm a new cruiser and tried a weekend cruise on one of the biggest cruise ships. It was filled with lots in a short amount of time

They seemed focused on enjoying their time onboard with their travel groups, rather than making conversation with other cruisers.

On my weeklong cruise, however, I had plenty of time to join Hyperlink events for young adults, spend nights chatting in the hot tubs, and go on multiple shore excursions.

I ended up meeting many more cruisers and crew members on my longer sailing, making the experience an enjoyable, social vacation.

Extra-cost packages are more expensive on a longer sailing

A shorter weekend cruise is often a great opportunity to splurge on extra-cost items. If you've been eyeing drink packages, shore excursions, or specialty dining, a short sailing offers a vacation with a looser budget.

Daily-priced packages like drink packages and WiFi are more affordable overall during shorter cruises since you’re onboard for fewer days.

And shore excursions are worth buying when you visit fewer ports.

On my 3-day sailing on Freedom of the Seas, I splurged and purchased a dinner at Chops Grille. Since the sailing was only three days, it was worth it for me to try a specialty restaurant while onboard.

I also spent more on extras like drinks and Internet.

For example, WiFi runs from $25-30 a day. On my weekend cruise, I paid just $75 for Internet, while WiFi for my 7-day sailing would have cost over $175.

I opted not to purchase Internet for the length of my week-long voyager. This saved me money in the long run but kept me more disconnected on the longer cruise.

Read more: Freedom of the Seas vs. Newer Ships: Does It Still Hold Up?

Since I needed to carefully budget on my weeklong sailing, I spent more time on the ship but had a less lavish experience.

I tried two different staterooms: a balcony and an oceanview

Similar to spending money on extra-cost packages, I was able to splurge on the stateroom category for my shorter sailing.

I booked a guarantee balcony cabin, receiving a spacious stateroom with a private balcony. The cabin featured a spacious couch, a king-sized bed, and a large balcony furnished with patio seating. It was a luxurious stay for the weekend; the perfect spot to relax or watch the ocean wave by.

In contrast, I booked a guarantee oceanview cabin on my longer cruise. The stateroom came with a smaller couch, and a King bed placed under the porthole window.

Read more: 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas

While I couldn't feel the sun and breeze like on a balcony cabin, I still enjoyed getting the same ocean views.

However, my oceanview cabin also came with a lot of loud noises, as it was placed low on Deck 2.

In the end, both cabins were enjoyable places to stay, with similar amenities and bathrooms. Choosing the right stateroom all depends on your preferences, budget, and the length of your sailing.

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share. This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

How can you prepare for the worst on your sailing? 

Matt has cruised at least once a month for the entirety of 2024, so he's learned the most common mishaps that can ruin a cruise.

From seasickness to airplane delays, here's how Matt solves in advance for key cruising problems.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean Black Friday deals 2024
• Royal Caribbean delays cruise ship return from maintenance work and shortens next sailing
• Cruise ship rescues 6 people and a dog from disabled sailboat off Africa
• My $1,600 stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas was cheap, but it had constant noise
• I’ve been on 5 Alaska cruises, and one itinerary was far better than the rest
• I went on a cruise with my baby and used the babysitting service multiple times. It was the best thing ever for parents
• These 16 editor-tested cruise products are up to 55% off for Black Friday, from AirTags to cabin essentials
• Second cruise ship slams into Atlantic storm causing damage, but it's not as scary as you think
• I cruised by myself on two different Royal Caribbean ships, but there were stark differences in the experiences
• 6 Royal Caribbean items you should buy now during Black Friday that will cost you more onboard

New Video: Things I Cut Since I Started Cruising

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video—Things I Cut Since I Started Cruising—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean won't cancel Haiti stops even after FAA ban on flights

Royal Caribbean isn't deterred from visiting its private beach in a remote area of Haiti.

Three airliners were shot at this week at Haiti's capital, and that compelled the Federal Aviation Administration to ban flights to the country for 30 days. 

Nonetheless, cruise ships visits will continue as scheduled.

Royal Caribbean made the dining package easier again

Royal Caribbean has made another functional update to its Unlimited Dining Package, allowing cruisers to change or add reservations after booking online.

Last month, the cruise line finally added a change that allows guests to book Unlimited Dining Package reservations online before the cruise, instead of waiting until they get onboard.

However, the online feature only gave the chance to pre-book restaurants at the time of purchasing the dining package. Now, cruisers can also add or change reservations after booking.

Going home: How disembarkation day works on a Royal Caribbean cruise (and how to beat everyone else home)

Disembarking from a cruise ship can be a confusing process, as it's more complicated than checking out of a hotel room or exiting a plane.

There are regimented steps to ensure that guests exit quickly, so it's important to prepare for your last morning aboard.

Here's how to disembark the quickest. 

I saved money by buying the coffee package. I liked the drink selections, but the coffee was mediocre

Is the coffee card worth it? 

Calista likes excellent coffee, so she saved money on specialty drinks by buying the coffee package. The $31 card allows guests to purchase 15 special coffee drinks over the length of a sailing. 

While she liked the ability to try different beverages, Calista thought the beans tasted mediocre.

Best Royal Caribbean Cruises for Families of Five

Travel groups of 5, or families with three kids, may find it difficult to book proper activities, cabins, and sailings that suit everyone's needs. 

The cruise industry is built for 2, and families have additional conflicts to handle when it comes to cruising—from different schedules to activities.

So what are the best ships, itineraries, and staterooms for a family of five?

Is it possible to get quality coffee onboard a Royal Caribbean ship? As a caffeine addict, I’ve often found myself disappointed by the coffee offerings throughout the fleet.

I’ll admit it—my standards are high. I grew up in Indonesia, on the island Java is named after. 

I also worked as a barista for two years, learning how to make popular drinks day after day. I've grown used to fresh beans, ground daily and roasted to perfection.

I’ve learned that good coffee doesn’t taste bitter or burned; it has enough depth that you can start identifying fruity, flowery, or even chocolate undertones.

When I started cruising, I quickly realized that I wouldn’t be finding excellent coffee onboard—especially not for free.

The complimentary brewed pots churn out bitter, burned hot drinks, either regular or decaf. 

Cruisers have multiple options for finding coffee onboard

Cruisers looking for a tastier solution to their caffeine fix have two extra-cost options. (Spoiler alert: both of them are Starbucks).

The first option is to purchase directly from the Starbucks booth on many Royal Caribbean ships.

The following ships have Starbucks kiosks onboard:

• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas

The second option cruisers have is buying specialty coffee at the bars and cafes onboard, such as Cafe Promenade or Park Cafe.

The specialty coffee served in Royal Caribbean’s cafes is actually identical to Starbucks. They source the same beans, feature the same syrups, and sell almost all of the same coffees, including matcha, chai lattes, and fruit refreshers.

Additionally, these cafes can spike coffee drinks with a shot of alcohol upon request.

Royal Caribbean has several different iterations of cafes across the fleet, such as Cafe Promenade, Cafe Latte-tudes, Cafe @ Two70, Park Cafe, Vitality Cafe, and Splash Away Cafe.

Many complimentary venues have coffee pots and tea stations in the corner, including the AquaDome Market, the Windjammer, and the Solarium Bistro. 

You can also receive complimentary coffee in the Main Dining Room, specialty restaurants, and through room service.

I saved on specialty coffee by purchasing a coffee card package

If you’re like me and know that you’ll have at least two coffee drinks in a day, you can invest in the coffee card.

It's a sort of drink package offering for those that just want espresso drinks.

The card, often called the "coffee package," is a $31 punch card that can be purchased before the cruise online, or on day one at any onboard cafe. Gratuities are automatically added to the card, so the total cost was $36.58.

It features fifteen total punches to be used over the course of the sailing. However, the card is shareable, and multiple orders can be redeemed at a time. If you don’t use all of your punches on the cruise, no worries! It is transferrable to any other Royal Caribbean ship and sailing.

Before my cruise, I tried to research how many punches were charged for each drink, but the information online was conflicting.

When I arrived onboard, I received my physical card, and the limits were listed on the back.

Tall (small) coffees, single espresso shots, and chai lattes are all one card punch. Any large coffees or drinks with two espresso shots are two card punches each.

The coffee card is only redeemable at Royal Caribbean cafes, for specialty coffee drinks. It cannot be used at actual Starbucks locations, on or offboard.

I used the coffee card on my recent Freedom of the Seas cruise

Over the length of my cruise, I ordered iced caramel lattes, chai lattes, cappuccinos with vanilla, iced mochas, and mocha and caramel frappuccinos.

I thought the quantity of drinks on the card was perfect. For a 7-day cruise, I allowed myself two drinks a day—one in the morning, and one after my afternoon nap.

Avid coffee drinkers like myself will enjoy the 15 punches, as well as the convenience of ordering.

I could go to any complimentary cafe to order my drinks. On Freedom of the Seas, this ended up mostly being the Cafe Promenade and the large bar in the center of the Windjammer.

My drinks were always made quickly and accurately, and having them tick off a punch card was faster than swiping a SeaPass every time.

I loved being able to treat myself. Going to a cafe to order coffee is an enjoyable, special experience of its own, and buying the coffee card brought that experience to a cruise ship.

At any time of day, I could walk over to a cafe, place my order, spell out my name for the cup, and wait for them to call my drink.

It felt just like a cafe back home, with the added novelty of being on a cruise ship.

I also liked knowing that I could bring the card along on any future cruises. There was no pressure to over-caffeinate myself by finishing all the drinks in a single sailing. 

If I’d been cruising for only 3 or 4 nights, for example, I could have still bought the coffee card and felt it a good investment.

While the coffee tasted average, I was impressed by the supplies onboard

The coffee was of an average quality, like most Starbucks drinks. 

It had the over-roasted, burnt flavor typical of Starbucks drinks. When masked with a sweet syrup, it was drinkable. 

However, it was definitely better than the complimentary Lavazza coffee Royal Caribbean serves.

I still felt like I was treating myself, instead of forcing down the gross complimentary coffee to get my fix.

The Royal Caribbean cafes also had an impressive selection of non-dairy milk available: almond, soy, and oat milk. I was surprised at the options available because getting non-dairy milk in the Windjammer is usually a long process that ends in finding the last dregs of almond milk at a drink station.

The cafe also never seemed to run out of any milk or syrup—impressive for a water-bound vessel!

When I worked at a cafe, we struggled to get a reliable, consistent supply of syrups, milk, and three different roasts of beans, so I admired Royal Caribbean’s reserve.