Brilliance Was Brilliant!
Brilliance was Brilliant! |
9 of 9 people found this review informative
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Reviewed By: Baker, Waterlooville on 22nd Feb 2012
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| Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises |
Times cruised before: 6-10 |
| Cruise Ship: Brilliance of the Seas |
Sailed:
February,
2012 |
| Destination:
Dubai
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Age: 36-45 |
| Cabin: Outside |
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We started our holiday at the Atlantis Hotel which was spectacular. This was arranged through a package with RCI so included all transfers etc. Compared to booking independently this was less costly at £470.00 for 2 nights B&B per person.
Check In was very quick considering the amount of people but please make sure you fill in your set sail card before you hand over your passports. They will keep your passports until the Friday night towards the end of the cruise and will give you a passport receipt. We also prebooked drink fountains for all the family and these were in the cabin waiting .
Our room was a Family Ocean View cabin, number 8500 which was right at the front of the ship. For 5 adults this was quite tight on space but there are lots of little cubby holes to store items. It would have been better to have a separate toilet to bathroom but it did work ok. It is worth noting that the family ocean views to the side of the ships are much bigger in size than the front cabins. Our stateroom attendant was called Dukes and he was excellent. My only critisizm was that the corridor had a smell of urine and did not go the whole of the cruise. On deck 3 we also noticed an awful smell so I think they need to renew the carpets as parts of the ship could do with a refurb. There is coffee and tea making facilities in the room and a fridge.
We were on Any Time dining and had previously booked a table for each night at 7pm online. People were getting turned away if they hadnt booked. Our Waiter Stiliyan and Assistant Waiter Rigo were brilliant and nothing was too much trouble for them. We loved the 3 course menu but you could have as much as you wanted. The food was excellent both in the main dining room which was Mistral and the Windjammer also. Wine was anything from 30.00 dollars plus 15% a bottle and they did cork it. Meal times are 6.30 or 8.30 however the show is sometimes only 8.15 so you could miss this if you dine outside these times.
Entertainment was good, 2 main shows were good which were performed by the RCI singers and dancers and we had the opening night of one of the shows. Tracey Shields was very good as Celine Dion and really played the character well, ending as predicted with My Heart Will Go On. The cruise director was excellent.
This ship has a very logical lay out and it is easy to find your way around, It does however really only have one usable swimming pool as the other is in the solarium where only over 16's can go. We loved this and the solarium salads were lovely. Each day there is fresh lemonade for lunch and also apple juice and coffees and teas are included in the morning and they pour it for you.
Activities were numerous, we did the Make a Wish charity walk for 10 dollars but you also get a free tshirt for this, its great fun for a good cause. The gym was good with plenty of classes. Dancing was done at night in the Centrum which was great fun to watch but was crowded on the floor. Spa services were ample if you wanted them.
Photographers were available and the cost of the 10 x 8 photo was 29.99 dollars, if you are a gold card member you get the second half price.
We did karoake one night but it was very quiet possibly until later.
My son is 16 and met some great kids in the club once making the effort to go in.
There were many germans on the ship but not so many Americans. There were plenty of British.
Excursions were well organised. We did the beach trip at Fujairah which was brilliant, well worth it. There is not much more here but the ride is interesting in this developing Emirate. Muscat was wonderful, we did our own tour to the Oman Dive Centre through Kiminji tours which was 212.00 dollars for 5 of us including entrance fee. Our driver was amazing, so polite and courteous. We booked this before we left which I would recommend. When you take the free shuttle to the port gate, if you already have a taxi then move to one side as you will be hassled. You can walk to the Mutrah souk in about 15 mins from the ship but don't wear shorts, it is advisable to cover up in the souk but is ok to wear swimwear on the beach. We also did the Mystical Muscat tour with the ship and the mosque was excellent. Take socks, scarfs and wear trousers. Beware of the toilets in the mosque, take in tissue and be prepared to straddle a shower like basin, they have bidet hoses in all toilets but do not supply paper!
Abu Dhabi was vast, modern but not particularly inspiring on the open to bus in a sand storm! This was interesting but you couldn't see a lot and it's so big getting off the bus except at the Mosque, the Mall and Tower or the beach didn't seem much worth it.
Dubai itself is amazing, so much money, hop on bus was frustrating as it takes ages to get anywhere. the blue bus takes to the Atlantis but this is miles from anywhere else. Book the Burj Khalifa either online before you go or with the ship. You go up to floor 124 so it's not right to the top and personally I found the Empire State more enjoyable.
Be sure to visit the area by the Burj Al Arab as it's lovely, there is a great souk and lovely waterways. Everything is expensive though and there were better deals with the same items at the airport coming home!
All in all an amazing holiday, will definately visit Dubai again and sail on a Radiance class ship. One of my favourites.
Tips for Atlantis, ask for a balcony room, drink fountain in the aquapark is approx eight pounds and is refillable. Kids meals are good sizes and much cheaper so maybe order one of these. Book a table for dinner. Taxi ride from Emirates Mall was about 35 dirhams, approx seven pounds. Water is complimentary in the room.
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