Brilliance of the Seas

Climbing wall and kids’ clubs on Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas is an active ship by day, and most of what families use is in the fare. Adventure Ocean, the included youth programme for ages 3 to 11, runs from themed parties for younger children to more adventurous pursuits for 9- to 11-year-olds. Alongside it, Aquanauts gives 3- to 5-year-olds hands-on science and prehistoric discoveries, and Explorers offers 6- to 8-year-olds experiments, arts and crafts and ice cream parties. Nursery drop-off sessions for babies and toddlers are available at extra cost.

For older children and adults, the Rock Climbing Wall rises forty feet, needs no experience or booking and costs nothing, so it is easy to return to on every sea day. The Arcade mixes ’80s and ’90s classics with current titles; it is free to walk in and games are paid per play.

Caribbean from Florida, Mediterranean from Ravenna

Most of her year is spent in the Caribbean, on round-trips from Tampa and Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades). From Tampa she sails the Western Caribbean on 5-, 6- and 7-night round-trips in most months between October and June. Stops change between departures, but typical calls include Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico and Mahogany Bay (Roatán) in Honduras. In November and December, 8-night Tampa sailings can reach George Town in the Cayman Islands. In May and July, 7-night Tampa round-trips run, and you might see Coco Cay and Key West among their ports.

From Fort Lauderdale she runs 3- and 4-night Caribbean round-trips between November and April, with Nassau and Grand Bahama Island among the usual calls. She also sails 7-night round-trips from there in December; ports vary, and Grand Turk, Puerto Plata and San Juan are among them.

In May, June, August and October she sails the Mediterranean instead, on 7-night round-trips from Ravenna, Italy. Itineraries differ, but Piraeus for Athens, Santorini and Split in Croatia are among her calls. The Mediterranean cruises for 2027 search shows those departures alongside the rest of the season.

Wherever she sails from, the trip starts with a flight from Australia. We book the flights, the hotel either side and the transfers with the cruise as one holiday. She is one of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class ships, alongside ships including Jewel of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. Our Royal Caribbean cruise line page covers the rest of the line.

Schooner Bar, Center Stage and evenings aboard

Evenings on Brilliance of the Seas centre on the Schooner Bar, a nautical lounge with portholes and a piano, where cocktails come with live entertainment. Drinks are charged unless they are covered by a beverage package. Center Stage hosts the main theatre revues, with singers and dancers moving from classical jazz to rock and swing, and a second venue stages musical theatre favourites from Mamma Mia! to The Producers. Both shows are included in the fare.

Casino Royale runs from penny slots to poker and roulette, and offers free lessons for beginners. For a special dinner, Chops Grille is a steakhouse with an open kitchen and a butcher’s display of cuts, including wagyu and tomahawk. It carries a cover charge, and premium cuts cost more.

Brilliance of the Seas cabins and deck plans

Her suites belong to Royal Suite Class, Royal Caribbean’s suite tier, whose perks include priority service. On Brilliance of the Seas that means the Suite Lounge, a private retreat with ocean views and a daily cocktail hour for Sky- and Star-Class suite guests. Families in particular should open her cabins and deck plans to place a cabin in relation to the pools and the kids’ clubs.

CruiseAway can book any Brilliance of the Seas departure we have on sale. Our Best Price Guarantee applies. Before you choose, read what guests made of her in the Brilliance of the Seas reviews. Then browse Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean cruises to find a sailing from Tampa or Fort Lauderdale.