Royal Caribbean · All Royal Caribbean ships · Radiance Class

Brilliance of the Seas: ship guide

Glass-walled Radiance Class ship sailing Bahamas short breaks and Adriatic summers.

Best for: Couples and families who want a mid-size Royal Caribbean ship with wide ocean views, good specialty dining and port-rich Bahamas or Adriatic itineraries. Sails from Fort Lauderdale, Ravenna (Venice), Tampa in 2026 and 2027.

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Brilliance of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
90,090gross tons
2,142guests at double occupancy
848crew
12decks
2002entered service, refurbished 2013
962 ftlong
1,070staterooms

About Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class ship built in Papenburg, Germany, and in service with Royal Caribbean since July 2002. At 90,090 gross tons she carries 2,142 guests at double occupancy with 848 crew, which puts her in the mid-size tier of the fleet. The class is known for its glass: a multi-deck Centrum with glass elevators, floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounges and a Solarium under a glass roof, so the destination stays in view wherever you sit.

A 2013 revitalization added most of the venues guests use today, including Izumi, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Park Café, Chef’s Table, the retro R Bar, Vintages wine bar, King & Country Pub, an outdoor movie screen and the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery. A spring 2025 drydock in Marseille handled technical work and refreshes. The ship suits couples and families who want Royal Caribbean dining and shows without the scale of an Oasis Class ship.

For winter 2026 to 2027 Brilliance sails short Bahamas cruises from Fort Lauderdale that call at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau. In summer 2027 she moves to Ravenna, Italy, for seven-night Greek Isles, Croatia and Adriatic itineraries that include the new Royal Beach Club Santorini. From November 2027 she repositions to Tampa for Western Caribbean sailings.

  • Rock climbing wall rising about 40 feet above the sports deck
  • Fairways of Brilliance nine-hole miniature golf course
  • Adults-only Solarium pool under a retractable glass roof
  • Centrum aerial acrobatic shows in the glass-walled atrium
  • Viking Crown Lounge with panoramic views high on the ship
  • Outdoor poolside movie screen
  • Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
  • Pacifica Theater with Broadway-style production shows

Staterooms and suites

Interior

Standard interior staterooms run about 165 square feet with twin beds that convert to a queen; a handful of Studio Interior rooms around 110 square feet are sold for solo travelers. Good value for guests who plan to spend their time on deck and in port.

Ocean View

Ocean View staterooms are around 170 square feet with a large picture window, and a small number of Ultra Spacious Ocean View rooms are considerably larger with two windows and space for families. Radiance Class ships have one of the highest shares of outside rooms in the fleet.

Balcony

Balcony staterooms are about 179 square feet with a private veranda of roughly 41 square feet; Spacious Balcony rooms add extra interior floor space. More than half of the ship’s 1,070 staterooms have a balcony, so these book early on scenic itineraries.

Junior Suite

Junior Suites add a separate sitting area, walk-in closet, bathtub and a larger balcony, and are the entry point to suite-class benefits such as Concierge Club access.

Suites

Grand Suites (one and two bedroom), Owner’s Suites and the Royal Suite at about 1,000 square feet with a private terrace make up the top tier. Suite guests enjoy the Concierge Club lounge, concierge service, priority boarding and reserved theater seating.

Brilliance of the Seas deck plans

Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.

Deck 13 plan

Deck 13

Rock Climbing Wall, Star Quest Night Club, Viking Crown Lounge, Diamond Club, Concierge Club, Fairways of Brilliance.

  • Viking Crown LoungeA fixture on nearly every cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and a true architectural wonder, the iconic Viking Crown Lounge® is the ultimate spot to soak up panoramic views while you sip your favorite cocktails. Catch the sunset through its floor-to-ceiling windows, then stick around as the space comes alive with the sounds of live entertainers, flashing strobe lights, and plenty of hip-swinging action on the dance floor.
  • Concierge ClubGuests staying in Grand Suite-level rooms and higher, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club Crown & Anchor Society members enjoy access to this lounge serving complimentary continental breakfast and evening drinks.
  • Rock ClimbingRise to the occasion and take on the signature Rock Climbing Wall. From beginners to speed climbers, everyone can enjoy an unparalleled view from 40 feet above deck. Included in your fare, no reservation required.
    Cost: Included
    Restriction: 6 years old
  • Fairways of BrillianceUp the ramp, around the curve and into the hole. Play on the green as you enjoy wide, blue ocean views. Mini golf is included in your fare, so play as much as you like. No reservation necessary.

Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.

On board Brilliance of the Seas

Wine Tasting
Wine Tasting
Windjammer
Windjammer
Whirlpools
Whirlpools
Voyagers
Voyagers
Vintages Bar
Vintages Bar
Viking Crown Lounge
Viking Crown Lounge
Theme Night
Theme Night
Teen Lounge
Teen Lounge
Tango Buenos Aires
Tango Buenos Aires
Table Tennis
Table Tennis
Sush Silent Party
Sush Silent Party
Sushi Making Class
Sushi Making Class

Dining on Brilliance of the Seas

Minstrel Dining RoomIncluded

The two-level main dining room serving breakfast, lunch on sea days and multi-course dinners with traditional or My Time Dining.

Windjammer CaféIncluded

Casual buffet restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with global stations and ocean views.

Park CaféIncluded

Complimentary deli in the Solarium known for its roast beef sandwich, salads and breakfast bagels.

Café Latte-tudesIncluded

Coffee bar in the Centrum serving Starbucks coffee, with pastries and specialty drinks at an extra charge.

Chops GrilleSpecialty

Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse with hand-cut prime steaks and Maine lobster.

IzumiSpecialty

Japanese cuisine with fresh-rolled sushi, sashimi and hot rock dishes.

Giovanni’s TableSpecialty

Family-style Italian trattoria with rustic pastas, antipasti and classic mains.

Chef’s TableSpecialty

Intimate multi-course wine-paired dinner hosted by the ship’s chef for a small group.

R Bar, Vintages and King & Country PubIncluded

Retro cocktails in the Centrum, wine flights at Vintages and pub pints with live acoustic sets.

Entertainment and activities

  • Broadway-style production shows in the Pacifica Theater
  • Aerial acrobatics and live music in the Centrum atrium
  • Casino Royale with slots and table games
  • Two pools and three whirlpools plus the adults-only Solarium
  • Rock climbing wall, sports court, jogging track and miniature golf
  • Outdoor movie screen by the main pool
  • Vitality at Sea Spa with thermal suite and fitness center
  • Schooner Bar piano singalongs and Viking Crown Lounge nightlife

Families and who it suits

Adventure Ocean runs supervised programs by age group, the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery takes children from 6 to 36 months, teens have their own lounge and the Optix disco, and families share the Adventure Beach splash area and the video arcade.

Best for: Couples and families who want a mid-size Royal Caribbean ship with wide ocean views, good specialty dining and port-rich Bahamas or Adriatic itineraries.

Sails from: Fort Lauderdale, Ravenna (Venice), Tampa · Regions: Bahamas, Greek Isles, Croatia and the Adriatic, Western Caribbean

Brilliance of the Seas questions we answer every day

How big is Brilliance of the Seas?
Brilliance of the Seas is 90,090 gross tons and 962 feet long with 12 guest decks. She carries 2,142 guests at double occupancy and up to 2,543 in total, served by 848 crew. That makes her a mid-size ship: large enough for a theater, casino, specialty restaurants and a rock wall, but small enough to dock in ports the biggest ships skip.
Who is Brilliance of the Seas best for?
She suits couples, groups of friends and families who want a classic Royal Caribbean experience at a calmer pace. There are no waterslides or surf simulators, so thrill-seeking teens may prefer an Oasis or Icon Class ship, but the glass-walled lounges, Solarium and specialty dining appeal to adults and port-focused travelers.
What are the best staterooms on Brilliance of the Seas?
Balcony staterooms are the sweet spot for scenic Adriatic sailings, and Spacious Balcony rooms give families extra floor area. For a big room without a balcony, the Ultra Spacious Ocean View category is one of the largest non-suite rooms in the fleet. Junior Suites and above add Concierge Club access and priority boarding.
What is included in the cruise fare?
Your fare covers the stateroom, main dining room, Windjammer buffet, Park Café, production shows, Centrum entertainment, pools, rock wall, mini golf, fitness center and Adventure Ocean. Specialty restaurants, alcohol, specialty coffee, spa treatments and shore excursions are extra. On sailings where Royal Caribbean allows it, SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit that is not available when booking direct.
Where does Brilliance of the Seas sail in 2026 and 2027?
In winter 2026 to 2027 she sails short Bahamas cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island. In summer 2027 she homeports in Ravenna, Italy, for seven-night Greek Isles, Croatia and Adriatic cruises including Royal Beach Club Santorini, then moves to Tampa in November 2027 for Western Caribbean sailings.
When was Brilliance of the Seas last refurbished?
Her major revitalization came in 2013, when Royal Caribbean added Izumi, Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Park Café, Chef’s Table, the R Bar, Vintages, King & Country Pub, an outdoor movie screen, a nursery and flat-screen TVs in every stateroom. She returned to drydock in Marseille in April and May 2025 for technical maintenance and interior refreshes.

Facts checked against Royal Caribbean: Brilliance of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Press Center: Brilliance of the Seas fact sheet, Royal Caribbean Group: Summer 2027 Europe announcement on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

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Prices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.