Nancy Norris
TrvlJrnlst@aol.com  

Age: Baby Boomer
Occupation: Travel professional/writer
Number of Cruises: 30+
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Ship: Brilliance of the Seas
Sailing Date: December 3rd, 2004
Itinerary: Panama Canal/Caribbean

Introduction:
I was attending a conference in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, so I flew from Cleveland on USA3000 on Tuesday. I was part of a travel professionals group that would be attending a seminar at sea on a Panama Canal cruise aboard the Brilliance of the Seas. As the cruise was sailing from Miami on Friday, I enjoyed a leisure day of sun and relaxation at the Marriott Marina pool on Thursday and anticipated a relatively easy transfer from Fort Lauderdale to the Port of Miami on Friday morning. I left the hotel in Fort Lauderdale about 11:30 and shared a cab with one of the other members of the group for the trek to the ship. Traffic was exceptionally heavy so it took almost an hour to get to the port at a cost of about $60 plus tip. Sue, a very good friend from Cleveland would be my traveling companion for this cruise. She had decided to fly to the port the day of the cruise, so I had made plans to meet her onboard.

Embarkation:
Once we arrived at the pier, we were quite surprised to discover they had not yet begun the embarkation process. Greeted by a very lengthy line that spilled out onto the sidewalk, I knew this was not going to be a smooth and quick procedure. I was to discover later that the situation was created by a problem with immigration clearing passengers of the previous cruise and once embarkation did begin, was exacerbated by only one security scanner functioning. Clearing the security line well over an hour after we arrived, the next stage of the process went much more smoothly. As diamond members of the Crown and Anchor Society we have access to priority check-in and within minutes were issued our SeaPass card and boarded the ship about 2:00 PM.

First Impressions:

The Brilliance of the Seas Centrum

I just had the pleasure of a memorable trip aboard the Brilliance’s sister ship, The Jewel in September; so I was filled with high expectations and anxious to compare the two. This was the third of this class ship I have had the pleasure of experiencing and each time I find the overall beauty of these ships breathtaking. They offer a perfect blend of artistic and architectural designs that totally compliment each other. One could spend the entire cruise just exploring the ship admiring the artwork aboard. Borrowing from my description of the other Radiance Class ships: From the free form suspended sculpture that is the centerpiece of the Centrum; to the 2-deck mural in the dining room, this is a ship that tantalizes the senses. The rich mahogany and choice of furniture used throughout the public rooms give the ship an intimate, old world appeal. It almost feels like you are in a very prestigious country club, and not on a cruise ship.

My Cabin:

Inside Cabin

Our travel group was assigned inside cabins on Deck 3. Sue and I would share #3131, portside aft. Inside cabins on the Radiance Class ships have been designed to make maximum utilization of space offering a feeling of spaciousness. Granted the room was not massive, but it was certainly more than adequate, with substantial drawer and closet space. The closet is actually two separate full size closets, divided by a set of 6 deep open shelves. Plenty of hangers were provided and, when requested, more were promptly delivered. Stylish with warm but muted colors, the blues and golds of the furnishings complemented the honey wood trim. Two bedside end tables with a drawer and bottom shelf separated the two beds. An attractive, small sofa and coffee table and a desk chair were the only other furnishings. We were provided with 2 pillows for each bed, and the beds were high enough to allow for storage of our suitcases. The cabin was equipped with an interactive TV, very large safe and mini-bar. The desk had two 110 volt electrical outlets, an additional phone jack and modem outlet for in-cabin internet access. (By the way, if you have your own laptop computer, this is a great deal at $120 for unlimited in-cabin access.) There is a retractable desktop configured into the shelving/drawer space of the dresser, which is great for laptops or writing (a feature I found extremely useful on this cruise). One desk drawer separates 3 nice size shelves that reside on each side of the dressing table. The side mirrors of the desk/dresser area opened for additional storage. They were also angled perfectly for styling the back of my hair. A full length mirror is positioned on the opposite wall, next to the sofa. The hair dryer provided utilizes its own special outlet, keeping the other 2 electrical outlets free for other use. Be aware, however, that the hair dryer is one that requires you hold down the power button in order to work (a difficult maneuver when trying to style your hair). The lighting was another bonus. Adjustable reading lights have been added to the bedside lights; and soft, side lighting rather than overhead lighting is used around the desktop mirror (A feature which enhances everyone’s appearance).

Inside Cabin Bathroom

The bathroom was small, but serviceable. The mirrors of the vanity opened for storage and lighting was good. Shampoo was provided in a shower dispenser. The rounded shower stall had the typical, cloth shower curtain that never stays put. I hope when the Brilliance is refurbished that it is reconfigured with the sliding glass doors that are provided on the showers of the Jewel. Now, if you know anything about my reviews, I evaluate the shower by the ease at which I am able to shave my legs. Well, I can report that the shower passed my test and, although I am short, it was relatively easy to accomplish this task in the confines of the allotted space. (There is, however, a trick to my success and I would be happy to share the knowledge if you e-mail me). Excellent shower pressure, an adjustable shower head and retractable clothesline were added enhancements. Soap was replaced daily and there was a shampoo dispenser in the shower, but other than that, no other toiletries were provided.

The Ship:

The Brilliance of the Seas

At 90,000 tons, the Brilliance of the Seas offers expansive public areas with a collection of extensive artwork. The Brilliance, the second build of this class ship, was launched in 2002. As I wandered the ship comparing the Brilliance to its newer sister ship, the Jewel, it was interesting to note that although the design of the ships are identical the décor is quite different. Decks 2 and 3 are devoted to cabin space. Since there are so many balcony cabins on the Brilliance, the only ocean view cabins (without balconies) on the ship are situated on decks 2, 3 and 4.

The Centrum, or atrium, begins on Deck 4 and rises to deck 12 at the Crown and Anchor Society lounge.

Spiral Light

Although not large, this welcoming lobby area has a very nice bar, an attractive, marble and parquet dance floor surrounded by comfortable chairs and sofas and a waterfall. “Spiral Light”, a stainless steel and architectural mesh sculpture suspended above the dance floor is a focal point of the Centrum. This geometric form softly energizes and visually illuminates the Centrum.

The Lobby Bar Dance Floor

A lighted stairway, leading to deck 5, separates the dance floor and bar from the Guest Relations and Explorations (i.e. shore excursions) desks along the starboard side of the ship. Tucked in a corner on the port side of the Centrum is a small Internet café (Royal Caribbean Online), where you can stay connected for $.50 a minute. As you will see when I describe the other decks, this is not the only space that provides computer terminals, however. In fact, on both the Radiance and Voyager class ships you can have in-cabin internet access, provided you have your own laptop. Offering unlimited access at $120 for the duration of the 10 day cruise, it was quite a bargain. (Even though internet service was not always available and AOL was particularly difficult to access on a regular basis.)

The Minstral Dining Room

Aft of the Centrum, on deck 4, is the main floor of the majestic two story Minstral Dining Room. Windows along both sides of the dining room, silk draped pillars, high ceilings, an expansive staircase and cascading waterfall all combine to make the area airy, yet elegant. Along the back wall of the dining room hangs a festive two story mosaic of glass, brass and copper. Reminiscent of the Renaissance, vibrant colors and amusing medieval characters provide an old-world feel to the mosaic.

Climbing the staircase of the Minstral Dining Room leads to the upper balcony level on deck 5. Decks 5 and 6 are the main thoroughfares that run from stem to stern.

Latte-tudes Coffee Bar

As you leave the dining room on this level along the starboard side of the ship you will find yourself on one of the balcony levels of the Centrum at Latté-tudes. Latté-tudes is a specialty coffee bar. It offers some tasty brew, delectable sweets and even more computer terminals if you wish to surf the net while sipping on a latté or espresso. Moving forward, a winding marble shopping street beckons you to browse in the numerous shops providing the requisite logo wear, perfume, liquor, jewelry, sundries and other duty free items. Continuing forward your stroll will take you through the photo shop and a rather pleasant art gallery. Somewhat hidden along the inside wall of the photo shop is the Conference Center. This large, stat-of-the-art conference area can be divided into two smaller areas. There is also a smaller conference space that is designed like a boardroom with a large conference table (quite nice for small group meetings). Deck 5 ends at the main floor of the tri-level Pacifica Theater.

Pacifica Theater

Tri-level is a bit deceiving, however, as the theater technically occupies 3 decks of the ship (4, 5 and 6), it is accessible only via decks 5 and 6 and appears to have only two levels of seating. The sight lines and acoustics are excellent in this theater and seating is comfortable. “Inferno”, an Austrian curtain that explodes with vibrant color, is printed, painted and embellished with beads and sequins depicting the explosive nature of the earth. Other than this focal point, the theater is not ornate; but provides a simplistic, functional and comfortable appeal.

Traversing the stairs to the upper level of the theater we can explore the public space on deck 6. As we venture aft, directly outside the Pacifica Theater is a small movie theater that has seating for about 100 people. Entrance is on the port side, but somewhat hidden and easy to miss if you didn’t know it was there. Movies were shown here daily. On this particular cruise it was quite popular, and it was imperative to get there early to find a seat. From there we move aft to the Scoreboard Bar.

The Scoreboard Bar

The Scoreboard Bar is an excellent sports bar with numerous TV’s mounted above the circular bar and also along all of the walls. It proved to be a very popular spot whenever a professional football game was being televised. The comfy seating and appealing space is inviting, but unfortunately, it had limited operating hours. Walking aft from the Scoreboard Bar will require a stroll through the Casino. Here you will find all of the required games of chance, as well as many slots. Apparently a number of the members of our group found themselves here nightly and overall faired quite well. In addition to the normal casino offerings, you will also find some rather unique and impressive pieces of art here.

The Casino's Bejeweled Peacocks

Two bejeweled peacocks grace the entrance, the floor is strewn with stained glass peacock feathers and a stained glass ceiling alights the space. A “Goddess of Good Fortune” statue looks over all the players. Once through the casino, the Champagne Bar around the Centrum is quite stylish and chic and its wall of windows provides a fantastic view. I found this one of the most engaging spots for a pre-dinner cocktail or for late night conversation, particularly on formal nights.

The Champagne Bar

The main bartender at the Champagne Bar, Rusti, was exceptionally friendly and I always looked forward to his pleasant smile and attitude. We are now approaching perhaps my favorite public area on the ship.

Entrance to the Schooner Bar

As you walk through a replica of the wooden frame of a ship’s hull, you enter the Schooner Bar. No RCI ship would be complete without a Schooner Bar, and the Brilliance is no exception. Excellent examples of the attention to detail that has been spent on the design and décor of this ship are the teak and marine blue fabrics, accented by nautical antiques, the crafted woodworking and the numerous reproductions found in the Schooner Bar.

The Schooner Bar

The leather sofas and chairs are arranged invitingly in conversational groupings. Appetizers and happy hour drinks are served daily, while a guitarist and pianist take turns entertaining you. There is even a large screen TV tucked into a corner for those avid sports or news addicts. Access to the two specialty restaurants, Chops Grille and Portofino is through the Schooner Bar. Both restaurants are nicely appointed and are excellent alternatives to the main dining room. Leaving the Schooner Bar you move into the Colony Club. The Colony Club is like no other show lounge afloat.

The Bombay Billiards Club

Rather than the typical large room with dance floor, it is divided into a number of smaller sections (It is this area that gives the ship a “country club” feel.) First, is the Bombay Billiards Club. The parquet flooring, large, deep, rich wood entertainment centers, hiding large screen TV’s, book cases, and 2 self-leveling billiards tables all combine to make this area quite appealing. The Jakarta Lounge (a corner bar) and the Calcutta Card Club are also sections within the Colony Club. Inlaid chess and backgammon tables beckon you, as do the floor to ceiling windows and sunken bar of Singapore Sling’s. In the midst of all this is a nice size dance floor and small stage. The entire effect is fantastic!! Bingo sessions, a ‘50s-’60s sock-hop, and the Captains Party are just some of the activities that take place here.

With the exception of a small area overlooking the Centrum on decks 7, 8, 9 and 10, all space is utilized for cabins. On deck 7 there is a small business center where there are more computer terminals and printer. On deck 8 the balcony space above the Centrum is the Explorer’s Court where limited board games are available. On deck 9 this space is utilized for a very tiny, but well-stocked library; and on deck 10 it is a small sitting area outside the Concierge Club known as the Yacht Club.

The Yacht Club on deck 10

Ahh! The Concierge Club! As a Diamond Member (more than 10 Royal Caribbean cruises) I had key access to this space. Breakfast pastries, coffee and cappuccino could be enjoyed here each day; and in the evening complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were served. There were computer terminals available in one corner and a very pleasant sitting area arranged along a wall of windows offering unobstructed views of the ocean and passing scenery.

The Brilliance of the Seas Solarium

The Spa, Main Pool and Solarium are on deck 11. Let me tell you about the Solarium first. As impressed as I was with the Schooner Bar and Colony Club, the solarium is equally impressive.

The Solarium

The Asian themed Solarium is an example of the details that separate this ship from any other. Huge elephants interspersed with waterfalls provide the backdrop for the pool and whirlpool. Unfortunately, the water of the pool was uncomfortably cool on this cruise. A tranquil, tropical garden of dense, live foliage surrounds you as you lounge in cushioned, teak chairs. Piped in sounds simulating the surroundings provide an added sensory experience. The retractable roof, a bar and café embellish this space. The Solarium Café offered limited service. I was disappointed that the coffee, cereals, yogurt and fresh pastries that I enjoyed there on the Jewel were not offered on the Brilliance. In fact, The Solarium Café was not even open for breakfast. Still, this is a room that must be experienced to truly appreciate! Perhaps, the nicest feature was the extended pool hours. The Solarium was open 24 hours for adults only – YEAH!

Brilliance of the Seas Main Pool

In comparison, the Main Pool is a bit of a disappointment. Although there is some interesting artwork scattered throughout the space, the open deck area around the pool, as well as the pool itself, is exceptionally small for a ship this size. There was, however, a lift chair to accommodate the physically challenged so that they could enjoy the pool. There were two canopied whirlpools in the main pool area, which were very popular.

The Pool Bar

One of the nice aspects of the main pool area was the pool bar seating. An additional bank of bar stools faces the main pool and was great for “people watching”.

The Shipshape Spa Entrance

The Shipshape Spa, forward of the Solarium is fabulous! Continuing the Asian theme found in the Solarium, the space exudes peace and tranquility. A full beauty salon, health center, massage room and thermal suite offer the ultimate in pampering. For $15 a day, one can enjoy the heated recliners, aroma steam room and tropical rainfall showers of the thermal suite.

The Relaxation Room

Soothing is the best way to describe the Relaxation Room with its soft colors and décor. Aromatherapy diffusers throughout add to the environmental serenity. Although I did not use any of the spa facilities on this cruise, those of our group that did found them to be wonderful. It received particularly high marks for its lack of high pressure sales pitches to purchase all the spa sundries.

The Windjammer Buffet

The Windjammer Café occupies the remainder of deck 11. I particularly like the design of the buffet area on this class ship. Numerous serving stations are scattered throughout the café, each offering a different kind of fare. These separate stations prevent the queues that can often arise in standard buffet lines.

The Windjammer Cafe Seating Area

The space is attractive and much more aesthetically appealing than many buffet areas on other ships. Conservatory style seating with low tables, wicker furniture and expansive scenic views offer another dimension to the buffet dining experience on the periphery of the main dining area. I particularly enjoyed the outdoor dining space in the aft area of the Windjammer.

Deck 12 is the sports deck.

The Fitness Center

The forward section of deck 12 is the location of the Shipshape Fitness Center. This excellent fitness center has state of the art equipment, free weights and a very nice size exercise floor, not to mention limitless views of the ocean. This space proved to be quite popular on this cruise and it was often difficult to find a vacant treadmill or bicycle.

The Crown and Anchor Lounge

The jogging track encompasses the forward half of the deck, encircling the fitness center and the exterior of the Crown and Anchor Lounge. The Sky Bar, is situated between the retractable glass dome ceiling of the Solarium and the balcony overlooking the pool. Midship on deck 12 is the Crown and Anchor Lounge. A glass topped “porthole” table, in the center of the Crown and Anchor Lounge, provides an awesome view all the way to the Centrum floor on deck 4. Make sure to check it out!

Fuel, the Teen Disco

Next to the Crown and Anchor Lounge is Fuel, the teen disco. The Ocean Arcade was across the hall from the teen disco, as were the separate youth facilities.

Adventure Ocean

Aft of the interior of Adventure Ocean was Adventure Beach and a great children’s pool.

The Children's Pool

Equipped with a slide, it was quite tempting, although off-limits to unaccompanied adults. Next to the pool was a basketball court. Deck 12 ends with The Seaview Café on the starboard side and the Country Club on the port side.

The Seaview Cafe

The Seaview Café offered a great outdoor dining area and provided a pleasant alternative to the Windjammer or the Minstral Dining Room for lunch or early dinner.

Shuffle Board on the Brilliance of the Seas

In addition to a golf simulator and shuffleboard courts,

The Country Club

The Country Club serviced everyone’s miniature golf, basketball, soccer and ping pong needs during the cruise.

Deck 13, the very top deck, was the location of the miniature golf course and the rock climbing wall.

The Entrance to Starquest

The Viking Crown Lounge, with its 180° view, and Starquest, the disco, were also on this deck (actually one and the same). A beautiful panel that integrates glass, crystal, mirrors and fiber optics provides a shimmering entrance to the Starquest. A revolving bar and comfortable seating throughout made the Starquest a nice place to meet.

The Starquest Disco

Due to the particular demographics of this sailing, this very attractive space was seldom occupied by more than a few people. Rounding out the upper deck was the Hollywood Odyssey, a smaller lounge that doubled as the Cigar Bar in the evening. Only two ocean facing glass elevators offer access to this deck, but definitely worth the trip. “The Fishermen”, two life size figures pole fishing in the shaft of these elevators was a great example of the whimsical art touches that can be found throughout the ship. And speaking of elevators, this was the only design flaw of the ship. There are no aft elevators and this made for frequent congestion at the bank of elevators mid-ship. In addition, the doors of the elevators were programmed to close much too quickly. By the time one heard the bell indicating an available elevator and then did a swift “elevator shuffle” to figure out which elevator door was opened, the elevator was gone. This was frustrating enough, but then once you did secure an elevator, the location of the buttons created another problem. They were situated very low (obviously to provide accessibility for wheelchair patrons) and were very sensitive to the touch. As people entered the elevator and moved to make room for incoming passengers, they (or their belongings) would inadvertently brush against the buttons and off we would go, stopping on every floor. Had the buttons been recessed or less sensitive, this would not have been a problem. (Perhaps this is something that can be addressed when the Brilliance goes into drydock.)

Food & Service:

The Minstral Restaurant

I have already described the various dining venues, but let’s take a closer look at the food and service these venues provide. The Brilliance offers open seating in the main dining room for breakfast and lunch, and has the traditional two dinner sittings (main at 6:00 pm/late at 8:30 pm). I found most of the seafood and pasta dishes at dinner to be quite good. Beef selections were less consistent. One night I had a wonderful steak, while one of my dinner companions having ordered the same main course was presented with a very unappealing and ill prepared offering. The menu on RCI tends to be similar throughout the fleet, but the choices each night were sufficiently varied and appealed to my particular tastes. The lobster and shrimp combo served on the second formal night was exceptionally tasty. We found the staff to be accommodating and tried their best to fulfill special requests. Having pre-paid our gratuities, our group had the privilege of moving amongst our four assigned tables each night. This allowed me the opportunity to experience the service of a few set of servers. Two of the servers were absolutely stellar, while the others were competent but not exceptional. I did not sample the fare at lunch in the main dining room and enjoyed breakfast in the Minstral Dining Room only once on the last morning so I cannot personal evaluate the quality. I can share that the lunch menu is the same everyday and my eggs benedict on the last morning were quite satisfactory.

The Windjammer was open for breakfast from 6:00 am – 11:30 am, began serving lunch at 11:00, snacks from 3:00-6:00 and casual dinner from 6:30 – 9:30 PM. For breakfast The Windjammer offered eggs cooked to order, a very nice array of fresh fruit and the traditional breakfast buffet fare. The luncheon menu offered a variety of different ethnic dishes each day that received mixed reviews. Very good daily pasta specials were a highlight, while the burgers and pizza were just mediocre. There was always a nice selection of desserts. Sushi was served in the evening during the casual dining time, but I never had the opportunity to dine there in the evening. Service in the Windjammer was somewhat sporadic and minimal. The Solarium Cafe offered pizza and sandwiches from noon – 7 pm daily, and the Seaview Café takes the place of Johnny Rockets found on the Eagle Class ships. Soup, salads, appetizers, and sandwiches were served in an outdoor terrace setting by very friendly, personable and accommodating staff. Offering a pleasant alternative to the buffet, check the hours as they varied while in port and on sea days. The milkshakes alone are worth a visit (although they do cost extra). If these were not enough choices, on a few of our sea days a barbeque luncheon was offered poolside. Rounding out the dining options, the Brilliance has two specialty dining choices:

Chops Grille Steakhouse

Chops Grille Steakhouse and Portofino for Italian fare.

Portofino Restaurant

I describe my dining experience at both in the travelogue portion of my review, but suffice it to say that both are definitely worth the $20 per person cover charge. Quick and friendly 24 hour room service, tea-time, midnight snacks and gala buffets were also options that guaranteed that no one could possibly go hungry on this cruise!

Entertainment:
I was not impressed with the production shows on this particular cruise as you will read in my travelogue, but there were a number of talented performers on the ship that made up for this weakness. “Flare, a very versatile Caribbean band; Anselmo Boles, the piano player in the Schooner Bar; “Moses and the Highbrows” who perform dance music in the Colony Club are all exceptionally enjoyable. Dance music and easy listening sounds are performed quite aptly by the “Standard Time Trio” in the Centrum Lobby and it is a pleasure to listen to the guitar melodies of Edgardo in the Solarium.

My Cruise Travelogue:
Day 1, Friday (Miami):
I chose to forego breakfast in anticipation of eating lunch on the ship. By the time we finally did manage to get onboard, I was starving; so, I quickly stored my carry-on and made my way directly to the Windjammer Café for the luncheon buffet. There were numerous selections and I had no difficulty finding an assortment of items to sample. Familiar with the layout of the Windjammer Cafes of the Radiance Class fleet, I easily navigated the multiple food stations and made my way to the very rear of the ship to enjoy dining alfresco. After lunch I soaked in the ambiance of the Centrum enjoying a glass of wine in the Champagne Bar, while awaiting the arrival of my friend Sue. By the time we connected, it was almost time for the mandatory lifeboat drill. We gathered our life jackets and made our way to our muster station on deck 5. Immediately following the lifeboat drill, we returned our life jackets to the cabin and proceeded to the pool deck for the Sail Away Party. No matter how often I sail out of the Port of Miami, I never tire of the view.

By now it was time to change for our evening activities. Although my luggage had not yet arrived, I had come prepared. As a rule, my luggage has been delivered quite promptly of late; however, I always pack a change of clothes for the first evening in my carry-on, just for such situations. As a Diamond Member, I was looking forward to my first visit to the Concierge Lounge on the Brilliance. Complimentary cocktails and appetizers were provided nightly from 5-8:30 PM. Sue and I enjoyed a glass of wine before making our way to the Hollywood Odyssey for a 7:30 PM pre-dinner Cocktail Party for our traveling group. It was a treat to greet familiar faces and meet the other travel professionals with which I would be enjoying the next 10 days. After a pleasant social hour, our group exited en masse to our assigned 4 tables on the portside of the main floor of the Minstral Dining Room. My first dinner meal of the cruise was excellent. I can highly recommend the crusted, baked cod as it was flaky, moist and quite tasty. Having just begun the process of learning about each other, we lingered over coffee, dessert and conversation. Feeling totally sated, after dinner Sue and I decided to take a short walk around the outside promenade deck before retiring for the evening.

Day 2, Saturday (At Sea):
This was my kind of cruise! Today was the first of five scheduled days at sea on this itinerary, and I LOVE my days at sea! I awoke early, eager to begin my reverie in the sun, and I was not disappointed. I began the morning with an early power walk and then grabbed a quick breakfast at the Windjammer Café before settling in on a lounge chair in a prime position near the Jacuzzi and in full direct sun. Ahhh! Life is good! An added bonus on this cruise was that many of the scheduled activities were held poolside. Often I miss the opportunity to participate in line dancing and fitness classes because they are held at indoor venues during prime sun time. After hours of basking in the sun, I chose to enjoy lunch al fresco at the Seaview Café. This is a nice alternative to the buffet selections. After lunch I returned for a couple more hours of sun worshipping, then ventured indoor for a short nap before preparing for the evening activities.

Tonight was the first of two formal nights, as well as the Captain’s Welcome Aboard Reception. I had made arrangements to meet other members of our group at the Champagne Bar before making our way to the Captain’s Reception at the Colony Club. Rusti, the bartender there, had promised to have a great chardonnay as a happy hour offering for me that night. After enjoying his selection, we were off to the Captain’s Reception. It was very crowded, but we did manage to find spots at the bar tucked in the corner. I was pleased to see that in addition to the traditional pre-made cocktails and champagne that servers distribute, the bars were open for ordering another form of beverage. Dinner was once again totally enjoyable and my meal was quite tasty and nicely presented. Stephano, our assistant waiter, was excellent and made dining in the Minstral Dining Room quite a treat. He would definitely be in line for making waiter very soon as he was certainly efficient, courteous and personable without being effusive (much more so than the waiter he was paired with). After dinner the main entertainment was a vocal presentation by Mark Preston, a former member of the Lettermen. He still has a very nice voice and the show was enjoyable. After the show, I retired for the evening as our first seminar at sea was scheduled for the next morning and we were losing an hour of sleep due to a time change.

Day 3, Sunday (At Sea):
Cloudy skies and a few showers eventually made way for a sunny afternoon, but first I would attend our seminar at sea scheduled for 9 AM in the Conference Center. I truly enjoyed the seminar and found the travel professionals in our group to be a wonderful mixture of interesting and personable people. I was looking forward to developing friendships and opportunities for additional networking. In fact, many of our group had decided to meet in the Hollywood Odyssey pre-dinner to continue our activities from the morning seminar. By the time our seminar was over at noon, the sun was beginning to peak through and life was looking good. (Of course, all I need to have a stellar day is sun, warm temperatures and an available Jacuzzi). A few of us grabbed a quick bite at the Windjammer Café, then found perfect spots for rest and relaxation at the pool. Fortunately for us, the rain showers ran off many of the early morning sunbathers, so we were able to garner some great spots without too much difficulty. Before I knew it, the afternoon had slipped away; and it was time to get ready to meet some of our group in the Concierge Lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail. Another enjoyable dinner and lively conversation was the order of the evening. A comedian, Steven Scott, was tonight’s entertainment, but I was finding it difficult to stay awake until the 11:00 PM show time. I thought a brisk walk on the promenade deck would help, but it just wasn’t doing the trick. (Hmmm, perhaps I was going to need to consider afternoon naps.) I did bump into a few members of our group and visited for a short while, but before long I was forced to call it a night and headed off for a good night’s sleep. Well, I was going to make a concerted effort to get to the disco in the next couple of days as my body was crying out for some serious dancing (those calories were beginning to mount up), but it wasn’t going to be tonight!

Day 4, Monday (Aruba):
Although we arrived about 7 AM, we were going to be in port until 1:00 AM so we decided to take a leisurely approach to getting off the ship. We enjoyed a full breakfast and made our way to the gangway by about 9:30 AM. Based on recommendations from numerous cruise chat forums, we decided to rent a jeep at the port and explore the island on our own. Well, our experience was not quite as we had anticipated, but eventful nonetheless. So, at this point, I suggest you sit back, relax and get ready to enjoy the details of what has become known as “Cruise Reviews Wild Ride in Aruba”. Sue was our driver, I occupied the navigator’s position in the front seat and Tom was relegated to the backseat driver position. Based on the map we were provided and our personal interests, we decided (actually I must take full responsibility for this decision) to visit Baby Beach first, then hit the caves and National Park as we made our way to the Natural Bridge, eventually ending our trip along the hotel zone to check out Palm and Eagle Beach. Sounds like a plan, right! Well, under no circumstances should anyone follow this route. I repeat: if you rent a jeep, do NOT turn right as you exit the port area (at least if you wish to actually see the entire island).

Baby Beach

We did find Baby Beach, with only a few misguided turns and lots of luck. Be forewarned, once you pass the airport, road signs and street names are virtually non-existent.

Coco Beach

Before finding our way to Baby Beach, however, we did stumble upon Coco Beach, a great beach area that I much preferred over Baby Beach. Coco Beach offered a small beach and a nice restaurant and bar. Unfortunately, it was not open on Monday. Baby Beach, on the other hand, was a bit of a disappointment. It does offer very calm waters and what appeared to be a nice snorkeling spot, but it is very basic and did not offer much in the way of facilities. After a brief walk on the beach, we hopped back in the car for what we expected would be a short, but scenic trip to the caves and onto the National Park. (Or so we thought.) Did I mention there are no road signs? Add to that a map that does not provide any information. There are lines that we believe were indicative of roads, but they in no way matched the topography which we were traversing. Well, Tom (remember he is our backseat driver) decided that it must be my navigational skills that were the problem and decided he should takeover. Once he realized that it was the map, not me that was the problem he maintained that he could get us there by using the ocean as his navigational guidepost. “Trust me,” he said, “I have a keen sense of direction.” Well, after passing the same Texaco station about 10 times, he decided that perhaps it was time to invest in a better map. So, on our next pass by the Texaco station we made a stop. Only to discover that the young clerk tried to sell him the exact same map we had. Besides that, she didn’t have a clue how to get to the National Park. By now we had happened upon another couple from our travel group who was also in quest of the park. So, we banned together in hopes that jointly we could find our way. Our jeep was chosen as the lead, for a short time, but when we were totally unsuccessful we reversed our positions and the other couple took over. We were making tracks now! The road definitely appeared to be going in the right direction and was gradually getting more difficult to traverse, we must be getting close. Yes, we found our way – to the city dump, that is!!! We were not about to give up and tried one more time. I saw a tour bus in the distance and decided that would be our best bet. “Follow that bus!” I yelled. Our wild ride continued, as we tried to keep up with the bus that wound its way around curves, turns and circular bypasses. When we finally caught up with the bus, we discovered it was NOT a tour bus, but a local bus taking us back into the town of Oranjestad. Okay, we had had enough! We decided there probably aren’t any caves or a national park and relaxing at the beach was all we wanted to do! (As a disclaimer: We do know those places exist and discovered that many of our group visited both, but they started their journey by turning left and visiting the California Lighthouse and the hotel zone first.)

We made our way through town and on to Eagle Beach. By now we were hungry and tired, as well as anxious to just relax in the sun. Eagle Beach was just not what we were expecting and did not seem to provide the environment we were seeking. We had passed the Havana Beach Club on our trek back through town and decided it looked much more inviting than Eagle Beach and unanimously made the decision to once more travel through the downtown area and settle in at the Havana Beach Club. What a great decision! (One of the few good moves we made all day.) Located just outside the downtown district, right before the airport, it is a local spot (easily within walking distance from the port). A small beach, with complimentary lounge chairs, a pool, bar and restaurant await you in this non-touristy haven. It was just what we needed after our road trip. On Monday nights they have “Movies on the Beach”. Since we were in Aruba for the entire evening, we decided this would be a great way to end our visit. We returned the car, boarded the ship for a quick clean-up and change of clothes and ventured back out for the evening. As we walked through the shopping/market area near the port, we stumbled upon “Don Carlos Restaurant”. It looked like a perfect spot to grab a bite before heading back to the Havana Beach Club. Another great choice! Live lobster was their specialty and we feasted on a huge 4 lb plus lobster. We then grabbed a taxi and made our way to the Beach Club. We got our lounge chairs, a glass of wine and thoroughly enjoyed “The Bourne Conspiracy” for a $3 fee. What a perfect way to end our own unique tour of Aruba.

Day 5, Tuesday (At Sea):
Well, by now I was settling into a routine and with 5 days at sea, this was definitely a great itinerary for me! I awoke early, took a quick power walk and dined al fresco at the Windjammer. I had prepared for a day of sunning and was not to be deterred. The weather was cooperating and I had made sure to rise early enough to get a lounge chair in my preferred location. (I think that a wonderful perk for those of us working towards Diamond Plus status in the Crown and Anchor Society, would be a pool butler that could secure our lounge chairs in prime reserved locations. What do you think RCI?) But for now, I was content; and once again – my life was good! Horse racing, the belly flop contest, line dancing and listening to the excellent Caribbean band, “Flare”, kept me entertained. (By the way, Christmas carols performed Caribbean style is quite unique.) Well, I was determined to make it a later night than my last day at sea, so I did manage to catch a quick nap before it was time to prepare for the evening activities.

Once again I stopped at the Concierge Lounge for a pre-dinner cocktail, had a satisfying meal and engaged in spirited dinner conversation. Tonight at 11 PM was the first of the production shows. This evening’s fare was entitled “Now and Forever”. As I am a huge Broadway Musical fan, I was looking forward to the production. On my way to the theater, I ran into one of the members of our group in the casino and chatted for a bit, before eventually making my way to the show. It had already started, but as I began to listen, this was the same performance I had heard on a recent cruise on the Vision of the Seas. Unfortunately, I was not impressed. Many of the tunes are more obscure Broadway melodies and the lead vocals were not exceptionally strong. Oh, well!! I had planned to venture up to the disco for the ‘70s dance party, but got a bit sidetracked. Anselmo Boles was performing at the Schooner Bar and I realized I had also been entertained by him on the Vision cruise. I ordered a drink and enjoyed the friendly ambiance of the Schooner Bar crowd and the sounds of Anselmo before heading off to bed. He is the perfect compliment to this venue and one of the strengths of the entertainment staff. Well, I hadn’t gotten a chance to dance off the calories, but at least I wasn’t retiring as early as I had on my last day at sea.

Day 6, Wednesday (Panama Canal / Cristobal Pier):
We scheduled to arrive at the Panama Canal about 6:00 AM. Although I had made this journey earlier in the year, Sue was eagerly looking forward to our journey through the locks. Based on our expected arrival, she set the alarm for 4:30 AM in order to garner a premium spot for the passage. I, on the other hand, turned over, wished her luck and went back to sleep.

Gatun Lake

After passing through the canal, shore excursions would leave from Gatun Lake. This was definitely Sue’s day. After our passage, she had pre-booked the ferry through the locks (which, by the way she highly recommends, particularly if the operation of the locks holds a fascination for you). As this was not of interest to me, I chose to explore more adventurous options. Well, unfortunately, I couldn’t make up my mind and procrastinated. Consequently, by the time I had made a decision, the excursions of interest to me were sold-out. Let this be a lesson: If you wish to get off the ship in Panama, you must book an excursion through the cruise line. So, I was relegated to spend the day on the Brilliance.

The Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal

Of course, this was not all bad, since I had slept through the initial cruise through the locks, I was able to catch it on the return trip to the Cristobal Pier. Apparently, I was not alone.

Cristobal Pier Shopping

As I made my way off the ship at the Cristobal Pier in the afternoon, the line was monumental and I am not sure it was worth the effort. It seems that one of the gangways was not functioning, therefore only one gangway was accessible for both passengers leaving the ship and those returning from excursions. Once off the ship, I spent a brief time wandering around the craft market at the pier and was ready to return in short order.

I looked forward to visiting the Concierge Lounge for a glass of wine before joining the others of our group for dinner in the main dining room. Once again, I enjoyed a wonderful meal, pleasant conversation and some after dinner poolside dancing with the calypso band, “Flare”. I chose to remain poolside the Corona Chill-out rather than attend the headliner show this evening. Tonight’s main show was a magical illusionist, not one of my favorite forms of entertainment. I must share, however, that some of the member’s of the group that did attend the show found Phil Keller to be quite entertaining. Once I had seriously worked off the extra calories I was consuming, I headed back to my cabin for another restful sleep.

Day 7, Thursday (Puerto Limon):
We had been blessed with beautiful weather so far, but today our luck was to change. We awoke to grey skies and rain. Our plan was to get off the ship early, negotiate for a taxi and visit Cahuita National Park. I was looking forward to exploring the 4 miles of trails and snorkeling alcoves that the park promises. However, this was to be an in-depth report for Port Reviews and it was unlikely we were going to be able to get any quality photos under the present weather conditions. Besides, hiking in the rain was not my idea of fun! (Hmmm, what is it with me and National Parks.) So, moving to Plan B, I chose to stay onboard, lounging in the solarium, working on my review and hoping that the rain would subside. By late afternoon the rain had tapered to a fine drizzle and I made my way off the ship to do some Christmas shopping in the craft market near the pier. Having been there in April, I discovered wonderful handcrafted wooden puzzle boxes that make excellent small gifts and planned to stock up. In addition, there are a variety of other handcrafted items that are perfect for gift giving.

Tonight was ‘50s-‘60s theme night and dinner reservations had been made for a number of our group at Chops Grille. The main entertainment this evening was a pre-dinner production show. “Close to You” was a concert tribute to the music of Burt Bacharach. This particular show was mediocre, at best. The lead vocals were okay, but nothing spectacular. The lack of staging and scenery were perhaps the biggest disappointment. In my opinion, the entire show just lacked any kind of pizzazz. So, it was on to dinner. Having had an excellent dining experience at Chops on the Jewel a few months ago, I was looking forward to this evening’s meal. I am pleased to report, I was not disappointed. I had a succulent and most tender petite filet with all the requisite trimmings. Certainly well worth the $20 cover charge. After dinner, Sue decided to retire while I roamed the ship checking out the themed activity. A ‘50s-‘60s sock hop was in full swing in the Colony Club, but the disco activity was non-existent. I ran into a few members of our group, had a final nightcap and retired to my cabin for a very good night’s sleep.

Day 8, Friday (At Sea):
I awoke in the morning to a few clouds, but the promise of a lovely day. So, by now you don’t even need me to tell you what my day was like! Sunshine was imminent and it was a sea day – enough said!!! This morning, however, was an optional 2 hour seminar scheduled for 9 AM. The two hours flew by and the sun was making its presence known, so another blissful day was ahead of me. Well, unfortunately, by the time I had made my way to the pool deck, I was to discover that everyone on board must have had the same idea for it was packed!!! I did find a place to light, but be forewarned: The pool staff of the Brilliance are quite diligent and take the pool policy of not saving chairs quite seriously. I had secured two chairs as a sun worshipping friend was to be joining me within a matter of a few minutes, but I was severely reprimanded for attempting to save the chair. After pleading my case, they allowed me a 5 minute window. If my friend was not in the chair within 5 minutes, I would need to relinquish the spot. In all fairness to everyone, I totally support the policy in theory; and had I been attempting to save the chair for someone that might eventually make their way to the pool deck, the reprimand would have been totally warranted. Well, fortunately, I was able to reserve the chair just long enough for my friend to show up. The men’s sexy leg competition, the owner’s cup horse racing and more music compliments of “Flare” were today’s poolside entertainment. Now, just in case you are not a sun worshipper like me but more like my roommate, there were a number of indoor activities scheduled for the day. You could watch a movie at the Cinema, listen to Captain Lachtarides’ ship talk, play bingo, attend Pilates or Couples Massage Class, try your luck at the slots, bid on artwork at the Art Auction, attend a digital camera seminar or bridge lecture, go shopping, or participate in a myriad of other activities.

This was the second of our two formal nights, and our group photo was scheduled for 7:30 on the stairs of the Centrum. Many of the group made a brief appearance for the photo and quickly disappeared as the main show this evening was a pre-dinner (7:15) show by the Coasters. Surprise! Surprise! The Coasters were just one more of the entertainment offerings I had recently experienced on the Vision. They did, however, put on a great show and worthy of a second look. Dinner tonight was excellent. The lobster and shrimp combo was definitely a winner that night! Many of our group decided to attempt a disco evening, but when we arrived ballroom dance music was on the schedule and there was virtually no one there. So, on to plan B. The group ended their evening in the Colony Club listening and dancing to a range of musical tunes by “Moses and the Highbrows”. Well, so much for my disco experience. I had tried, but this was just not the cruise to enjoy that particular venue. At least I was able to get some of my dance needs fulfilled this evening.

Day 9, Saturday (Grand Cayman):
Ahh! What a glorious sunny morning! As Diamond Members, we had priority tender tickets allowing us to leave whenever we chose. (By the way, as anyone who has dealt with the tender process knows, this in itself is a great reason to work towards Diamond status in the Crown and Anchor Society.) We were on the first tender to shore and looking forward to checking out the island for a first-hand report of the hurricane damage (more about that later), and spending the day at Seven Mile Beach. We walked for a short distance out of town, then grabbed a local Seven Mile Beach shuttle ($3 per person) to the Wyndham. The Marriott and the Wyndham were the only drop-off spots that were offered. Once we arrived on the beach at the Wyndham, however, we were to discover that lounge chairs were reserved for hotel guests only. The Marriott offers a daily rate for cruise ship passengers. So, off we went down the beach in search of the Marriott. Of course, by now you know we don’t do well when it comes to finding our way.

Seagrape Beach, Grand Cayman

We actually headed off in the wrong direction down the beach, so rather than finding the Marriott, we discovered Seagrape Beach. Once again, our sense of misdirection led us to a great find! For $10 we had beach chairs, an umbrella and bottled water. The people who operated Seagrape Beach were wonderful.

The Staff at Seagrape Beach

They could not thank us enough for visiting and truly appreciated our value as a tourist. I do not think I have been greeted with more hospitality and warmth on any other island I have ever visited. We were blessed to be the only ship in port that day. Since many of the hotels had not yet reopened and others had limited capacity, what is normally a very crowded beach scene was pure bliss. We had much of the beach to ourselves and could walk quite a distance in total solitude. Clouds moved in, but it did not dampen our spirits. In fact, it was a probably a blessing. The sun was so intense we would not have been able to enjoy a full day on the beach had the clouds not formed. One of the Seagrape personnel garnered a taxi for our return to the port midafternoon. On our return to the ship, the gentleman was eager to show us what kind of devastation the island had suffered. The east end of the island still did not have electricity. Million dollar homes on the south shore were completely demolished and boats, cars and debris were tossed around as if they were toys. A “war zone” doesn’t even begin to describe what much of the island looks like. If, however, you never ventured from the tourist area at the port, you would have no idea that the island had suffered any significant damage. This was truly a sobering port call.

Back on board, I had time to clean-up and prepare for our group dining experience at Portofino. Our dinner reservations were set for 6:30 PM, which pleased my roommate since she has a preference for early dining. Once again, I was eager to compare tonight’s dinner with the one I experienced at Portofino on the Jewel. Well, this time, the experience far exceeded any expectations I had. I was not impressed with my dinner on the Jewel, but I must say, tonight I was treated to a spectacular meal. In fact, I would have to rate it higher than my dinner at Chops a few nights ago. Selections were interesting and presentation was superb. Impeccable service matched the fine cuisine. Dining early had an added advantage this evening, because it allowed me the opportunity check out tonight’s production show, “Big Time”. Well, although it was better than the first two production shows, it could not hold a candle to the exceptional performances on the Jewel in September. By the time the show was over, I was fading fast and couldn’t get back to my cabin soon enough and call it a night.

Day 10, Sunday (At Sea):
This was my final day at sea and the final day of the cruise. I awoke this morning with mixed emotions. No matter how long the cruise, I am always saddened on the final day. Our final seminar at sea was scheduled from 9 – noon. It proved to be an outstanding seminar and time passed much too quickly. After the seminar, I returned to my cabin to gradually begin the packing process. It was a very brief attempt, however, as we were blessed with a bonus sun day and I didn’t want to lose the last few hours of gathering the sun’s rays. At the pool I located some of our traveling group with a similar plan and spent the afternoon lounging and visiting with these new friends. An ice carving demonstration and bartender’s showcase entertained the troops at the pool on this day. By late afternoon, although I knew I should go back to the packing chore, I couldn’t resist – I enjoyed one last Jacuzzi session. Reluctantly, I finally made my way to my cabin about 6 PM to do a few minutes of packing and prepare for my last evening of the cruise. Our group was meeting for a final social hour before dinner at the Starquest and I also wanted to make my final stop at the Concierge Lounge to say my good-byes. I had to do some serious hustling, but I succeeded! Our last meal with my many new found friends was bittersweet, as it is always difficult for me to bid farewell on the final evening. Once dinner was completed, everyone made their way to their cabins to finalize the packing process. A few of us, however, accomplished the task in short order and met for some competitive rounds of pool. I must admit I used to be quite a good pool player (I learned in college at the hands of a professional pool shark), but it has been a while and I was most definitely off my game. I knew I would regret the late night the next morning, but it was great fun, nonetheless, and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

Disembarkation:
Hmm, this was not as smooth as anticipated, but it was not awful. As a Diamond Member, I was given early disembarkation color tags. Normally this would have been a good thing. However, the disembarkation process began so early this morning that Sue and I were still in our cabin when our color was called and we did not hear the announcement. We went to the dining room for my traditional last morning eggs benedict and leisurely enjoyed a second cup of coffee, oblivious to the fact that we had been granted permission to leave the ship. By the time we discovered that our color had been called quite a bit earlier, we disembarked to find that we were now in the massive back-up created by the immigration process. Because our color had been called so much earlier, it took us a bit of extra time to locate our luggage since it had been removed from the carousel. Fortunately, I was going to spend an extra night in Florida visiting my step-daughter, and Sue’s flight was not scheduled until 1:30 PM. Even with the back-up, we were still able to quickly grab a taxi and arrived at the Fort Lauderdale airport shortly after 10:00 AM.

Random Comments, Suggestions and Thoughts from the Group:
--There were 2 formal nights, 2 smart casual and 6 casual nights on the cruise. Optional attire on 3 of the casual nights were: Caribbean themed, ‘50s/’60s attire and Country & Western dress.
--Very friendly and accommodating staff (particularly at guest relations).
--Physical layout of inside cabin is perhaps best utilization of space provided on any ship.
--There were a few maintenance issues, but response time for problems was excellent and there was also follow-up.
--No laundry or ironing room is a definite negative. (Recommend you bring along a travel steamer which is permitted; travel irons are not.)
--Suggest you pack a nightlight (particularly for an inside cabin) and alarm clock
--Overall physical components of ship rate a definite 10.
--Consensus of group: Food was rated 6-7 in main dining venues and 9-10 in the Specialty Restaurants.
--Special requests for food and services were graciously provided (don’t be afraid to ask).
--Be aware that bottles of wine are overpriced and the Wine Package is NOT a good deal.
--Pool tables were great.
--Spa services given a very high rating by those who used them. (Hint: If you are looking
for a special romantic package – try the Couples Massage Class.)
--Demographics of this Panama Canal cruise was definitely a bit older than the typical RC Caribbean passenger load (of course this is true of most cruises longer than 7 days).
--Definitely make a point of working towards Diamond status in the Crown and Anchor Society. It is so worth the effort! For me, it’s on to Diamond Plus!
--Recommended shore excursions in Aruba: – Town and Country Tour good and reasonably priced at $34 pp; DePalm Helmet Dive/Snorkeling Adventure excursion very good and worth the hefty $99 pp; Atlantis Submarine excursion good but pricey.
--Shore excursion tips in Panama Canal: Two Ocean Railroad Journey was great; Embera Indian Culture Tour excellent; Grand Tour of Panama not good for anyone with any difficulty walking – lots of climbing and steep stairs and definitely not worth the money; Locks by Ferry fascinating and worth the money ($154 pp)
--Recommendations for Puerto Limon: Although this activity must be done on your own as it is not a ship sponsored excursion - Zip Lining/Canopy Ride Tour at Almonds and Corals Outstanding even in the pouring rain – get there early to avoid large groups – rated 10+. (Check out the special Crazy Monkey Canopy Ride review at: www.caribbeanportreviews.com/puertolimon8.htm) El Farro Restaurant good choice for lunch; Rain Forest Canopy Aerial Tramway through Nature Reserve exceeded expectations (a definite 10); Tabacon Hot Springs great experience and well worth the money, but it is a long, long ride and unfortunately time is very limited at the springs.
--Shore excursions in Grand Cayman (be aware that Grand Cayman was undergoing hurricane recovery so these evaluations are based on what was available): Seaworld Explorer Submarine Tour good; Turtle Farm Trip was okay at best; Rays and Reef Combo which includes a trip to Stingray City was phenomenal.

Overall Impressions:
In my estimation, the Radiance Class ships are perhaps the most beautiful ships afloat and the Brilliance is no exception. Although they are large ships, they have a small ship appeal and a welcoming coziness. A supportive staff compliments the tastefully decorated and elegantly understated surroundings, making the Brilliance one more shining star in the RCI fleet. Other than the elevator situation, I would be hard pressed to find glaring flaws in the design of the ship. Easy to navigate and wheelchair friendly, this was a wonderful ship from stem to stern, and I would definitely look forward to sailing her again. As a side-note, the holiday elves were very busy during the night. When we arrived on the ship, there were no Christmas decorations evident; but by Day 3 we awoke to beautifully decorated trees and garland strewn artistically around balconies, stairways and as window dressing.

Final Assessment:
In the final analysis, all things considered, these are the grades that I would assign to the Brilliance of the Seas on this particular sailing:
Appearance: A+ (Absolutely stunning!)
Staff/Service: B+ (Very friendly, courteous and helpful. There were a few service personnel that were more interested in socializing with their fellow crew members than assisting passengers, but overall very accommodating and pleasant. Special kudos go to my assistant waiter Stephano, the group coordinator, Rusti at the Champagne Bar and everyone at the guest relations desk.)
Food & Dining: B- (Traditional Dining Venues); A (Specialty Restaurants)
Entertainment: B (Production shows weak, but overall quality of entertainment staff was good.)
Activities: B (Although there were a variety of options and plenty to do, as this was a Panama Canal cruise more lectures/presentations geared to the unique aspects of this itinerary would have been a pleasant addition for many.)
Stateroom: A (Excellent utilization of space and tastefully appointed inside cabin)
Itinerary: A (This was my kind of cruise – an equal number of sea days and ports; interesting and diverse ports.)

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