Brilliance of the Seas Review: A Bright, Relaxed Royal Caribbean Ship
Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship, sister to Radiance, and she shares that class's defining feature: a ship wrapped in glass, with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass elevators facing the sea.
Planning a Royal Caribbean sailing? See our full Liberty of the Seas review for a room-by-room tour and tips.
She launched in 2002, runs about 90,000 gross tons across 13 decks, and carries roughly 2,100 to 2,500 guests, which makes her smaller and more relaxed than the mega ships. Those stats make her a great pick for scenic and port-heavy itineraries, and for 2026, she is doing exactly that across the Mediterranean. Here is my full review.
Brilliance of the Seas Full Ship Tour
Here is my full walkthrough if you would rather watch than read.
Quick Take: Is Brilliance of the Seas Worth It?
Brilliance is the right ship when the ports are the point. For a 2026 Mediterranean run with stops in Florence, Nice, Ibiza, and Barcelona, you want a ship that gets you ashore easily and gives you light-filled spaces to come back to, not a floating amusement park you never leave. At around 2,100 guests she is easy to navigate, the glass design keeps you connected to the coastline, and the included dining is solid enough that you can put your money toward shore excursions.
The cons (for some): she is an older ship with a classic interior, last in dry dock in 2025 for routine work rather than a full Amplification, and she has no North Star, no bumper cars, and no big indoor complex. If you want onboard thrills, look at a Quantum-class ship. For a port-rich Mediterranean or scenic sailing, Brilliance is a smart, comfortable choice, and a balcony is worth the upgrade.
Key Facts on Brilliance of the Seas
Cruise line | Royal Caribbean International |
Ship class | Radiance class |
Maiden voyage | 2002 |
Last refurbishment | Routine dry dock April to May 2025 (Marseille, France) |
Gross tonnage | Approx. 90,000 GT |
Decks | 13 (12 passenger decks) |
Guests | Approx. 2,100 at double occupancy (up to about 2,540 full) |
Staterooms | 1,075 (249 interior, 247 ocean view, 513 balcony, 66 suites) |
Signature features | Glass exterior elevators, walls of glass, Minstrel two-deck dining room, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table, rock-climbing wall, mini golf, Solarium |
2026 homeports | Mediterranean and Adriatic from Italian and Greek homeports (often Rome/Civitavecchia, Barcelona), reaching the Greek Isles, Croatia, and Montenegro |
Booking Tips for Brilliance of the Seas
Brilliance sails destination-focused itineraries, so book the sailing for where it goes. Join Crown & Anchor before booking for the balcony discount and check Club Royale casino offers. On a glass ship built around the view, a balcony is worth the upgrade on a scenic or coastal route.
Cabin location matters less on a smaller ship, but midship on a higher deck remains the comfortable pick. Pull up the Brilliance of the Seas deck plan before you commit, and book any specialty dining ahead on the app, where it is cheaper than booking on board. For a Mediterranean run, also weigh a drink package against port days, since you may be ashore more than at sea.
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Walking the Ship
Like the rest of the Radiance class, Brilliance is all about light and views. The glass elevators on the side of the ship, the windowed dining room, and the airy public spaces keep you connected to the sea, which is exactly what you want on a port-heavy or scenic sailing. She is relaxed rather than thrill-focused, though she still has a pool deck, the adults-only Solarium, a rock-climbing wall, mini golf, and a small casino. At around 2,100 guests, you will learn her layout in an afternoon, which is part of her appeal on a busy Mediterranean schedule where you are off the ship most days.
Dining on Brilliance of the Seas
The Minstrel Dining Room is the two-deck main restaurant, with elegant tiered seating and views over the wake, and along with the Windjammer Cafe buffet it handles your included meals. The windowed spaces make even casual dining feel nice on a scenic day. Park Cafe is the casual grab-and-go option for sandwiches, soups, and salads, handy on a long port day.
On the specialty side, Chops Grille is the signature steakhouse serving prime cut steaks and Maine lobster, around $65 per person. Giovanni's Table is the Italian concept, served family-style with a multi-course menu. A pre-booked dining package beats onboard pricing if you want several specialty nights. The included food is solid, so you can keep costs down and put more toward excursions, which on a Mediterranean itinerary is exactly where the budget should go.
Brilliance of the Seas Deck Plan and Best Cabins
Check the Brilliance of the Seas deck plan and cabin layout before you book. The 1,075 staterooms, from interior and ocean view up to 513 balconies and 66 suites, are topped by the Royal Suite at roughly 1,000 square feet plus a terrace. A balcony midship on a higher deck is the pick on a ship like this, and on a scenic coastal route it's worth the cost. Avoid cabins directly under the pool deck or the Windjammer for early-morning noise, and skip the lowest forward cabins if you are sensitive to motion. If a balcony is out of budget, an ocean-view room still gets you the light that defines this class.
Who Should Book Brilliance of the Seas?
Cruisers who want scenery, light, and a calmer pace on a smaller ship, couples, and anyone doing a port-rich itinerary like her 2026 Mediterranean season. If you want her sister or a comparison, see my Radiance of the Seas review for a bigger, more activity-packed Royal ship, see my Ovation of the Seas review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Brilliance of the Seas sail in 2026? She runs Mediterranean and Adriatic itineraries from Italian and Greek homeports, often round-trip or one-way between Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona, reaching the Greek Isles, Croatia, and Montenegro. Confirm your specific sailing when booking.
How big is Brilliance of the Seas? About 90,000 gross tons across 13 decks and roughly 2,100 guests at double occupancy, a smaller, easy-to-navigate ship versus the mega ships.
Is Brilliance of the Seas a good ship? Yes, especially for scenic and port-heavy itineraries. The glass design and relaxed pace are the draw, not thrill rides. She is an older ship, so do not expect the latest Royal Caribbean attractions.
Has Brilliance of the Seas been refurbished? She had a routine dry dock in 2025 for maintenance and safety work, but not a full Royal Amplification, so the interior is classic Radiance class.
What are the best cabins on Brilliance of the Seas? A balcony midship on a higher deck for the views. On a tighter budget, an ocean-view room still delivers the light that defines this ship.
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Shop my Amazon storefrontFinal Thoughts
Brilliance of the Seas is a bright, relaxed ship that shines on scenic and port-rich itineraries, and her 2026 Mediterranean season is a perfect fit for what she does best. Book her for the destination, grab a balcony, and enjoy one of the most light-filled ships in the fleet.
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More cruise reads: Radiance of the Seas Review · Ovation of the Seas Review · Drink Package Guide
