Royal Caribbean — CruiseDirector

Overview

Royal Caribbean is the cruise line that builds the biggest ships and fills them with more stuff than seems physically possible. Ice skating rinks, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, zip lines, waterslides, go-karts, robot bartenders - if it sounds like it should not be on a ship, Royal Caribbean probably put it on one. The fleet runs 28 vessels across seven classes, from the smaller Vision-class ships built in the late 1990s to Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built at 250,800 gross tons.

What gets lost in the headline numbers is that Royal Caribbean is genuinely good at most of what it does. The kids' programmes are the best in the industry. The included entertainment - Broadway shows, ice skating performances, aqua theatre - is consistently high quality. The ship design, particularly on Oasis and Icon class, uses a neighbourhood concept that breaks the vessel into distinct zones, which reduces the overwhelming feeling that 6,000 passengers might create. Perfect Day at CocoCay, the private island in the Bahamas, is the best cruise line private destination by a distance.

The trade-offs: speciality dining costs extra, drink packages are expensive, WiFi is an add-on, and the sheer size of the newer ships means you will do a lot of walking. The older, smaller ships - Radiance and Vision class - offer a completely different experience: intimate, glass-heavy, scenic, and quiet. They are Royal Caribbean ships in name but feel nothing like an Oasis-class mega-resort. Some passengers prefer them precisely for that reason.

I've sailed on Brilliance of the Seas .

The Fleet

1 ship reviewed.

Brilliance of the Seas

Sailed

Launched 2002 · 90,090 GT

2,100 passengers

A Radiance-class ship with glass architecture, intimate scale, and a 2025 refurbishment. The antidote to mega-ship cruising.

Read full ship guide →

Pricing & Fares

Royal Caribbean fare structure and what's actually included.

Royal Caribbean pricing varies enormously by ship class. A 7-night Caribbean cruise on a Vision-class ship can start under 600 GBP ($750) per person for an inside cabin. The same week on Icon of the Seas will cost double or more. Balcony cabins on Oasis-class ships typically run 900 to 1,400 GBP ($1,100 to $1,750) per person for a 7-night sailing.

The base fare includes the main dining room, Windjammer buffet, most activities (rock climbing, pools, ice skating, shows), kids' clubs, and entertainment. Everything else is extra: specialty dining ($25 to $110 per person per meal), drink packages ($50 to $80 per day), WiFi ($17 to $31 per day per device), spa, shore excursions, and room service ($7.95 delivery charge). Gratuities run $16 to $18.50 per person per day depending on cabin class, with suites at $20.50 to $21.

The total cost for a 7-night balcony cruise with drinks, a couple of specialty dinners, and WiFi typically lands between 1,300 and 2,200 GBP ($1,600 to $2,750) per person all-in. That is comparable to NCL and above Carnival. Suite-class guests on newer ships get more inclusions (priority boarding, dedicated dining, lounge access), and Star Class on Icon and Oasis ships is effectively all-inclusive with butler service.

Included	Standard Cabin	Junior Suite	Grand Suite+	Star Class
Main dining room	✓	✓	✓	✓
Buffet (Windjammer)	✓	✓	✓	✓
Shows and entertainment	✓	✓	✓	✓
Rock climbing, pools, activities	✓	✓	✓	✓
Suite Lounge & Sun Deck	—	—	✓	✓
Priority boarding	—	✓	✓	✓
Specialty dining	Extra ($25-110)	Extra	Some included	All included
Drinks package	Extra ($50-80/day)	Extra	Extra	Included
WiFi	Extra ($17-31/day)	Extra	Extra	Included
Butler service	—	—	—	✓

Dining

Restaurants and dining on Royal Caribbean.

The main dining room operates on a fixed-seating or My Time Dining basis. Fixed seating gives you the same table, same waiters, same time each evening - and on longer sailings, the waiters learn your preferences. My Time Dining is flexible walk-in, similar to NCL's Freestyle concept but with longer waits during peak hours. On smaller ships like Brilliance of the Seas, the main dining room is a two-deck affair with a cascading waterfall and rotating menus - traditional cruise dining done well.

Specialty dining is where Royal Caribbean invests. Chops Grille (American steakhouse, $35-55), Giovanni's Table (Italian, $30), Izumi (Japanese, a la carte), Jamie's Italian (on select ships), and Wonderland (on Quantum and newer ships, experimental multi-course). Quality varies by ship. The Windjammer buffet is functional and covers the basics. Park Cafe, available on most ships, is an underrated lunch spot with made-to-order salads and roast beef sandwiches at no charge.

My restaurant reviews

Dining

Complete Dining Guide for Brilliance of the Seas: Every Restaurant Reviewed

Every restaurant on Brilliance of the Seas reviewed - main dining, specialty, buffet, and room service, with prices, what to book, and the one dinner worth the splurge.

Mar 14, 2026 · 9 min read 7.3

Solo Cruising on Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean does not have dedicated solo cabins on any ship, which puts it behind NCL and Cunard for solo travellers. The standard approach is booking a double-occupancy cabin and paying the single supplement, which typically runs 100% of the second passenger fare (effectively doubling the cost). Promotional offers occasionally reduce this to 50-75%, but they are inconsistent.

That said, the onboard experience works well for solos once you are on board. The activity-heavy ships mean you are never short of things to do alone. The pool deck, rock climbing wall, FlowRider, and shows are all solo-friendly. My Time Dining eliminates the awkward couples-table problem. The Solarium (adults-only pool area) on most ships is a good retreat. And Perfect Day at CocoCay is easy to enjoy alone. The problem is the entry price, not the experience.

Solo cabins None. No dedicated single-occupancy cabins on any ship.

Single supplement 100% (effectively double fare). Occasional promos at 50-75%.

Social programme No formal solo programme. Activities and shows are solo-friendly.

Solo-friendly dining My Time Dining removes fixed seating. Bar dining available.

My solo cruising guides

Solo Cruising

Solo Cruising on Brilliance of the Seas: What to Expect

Solo Cruising

How to Book a Solo Cabin on Royal Caribbean

Who Royal Caribbean Is For

Let's be honest: who will love this line, and who should look elsewhere.

You'll love it if...

+ You are travelling with kids and want the best family cruise experience afloat

+ You want the biggest ships with the most activities, dining, and entertainment options

+ You value high-quality included entertainment - Broadway shows, ice skating, aqua theatre

+ You want access to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the best cruise line private island

+ You like having dozens of dining options even if some cost extra

+ You want a ship that feels like a floating city with something for every age group

Look elsewhere if...

— You are a solo traveller on a budget - the single supplement is punishing

— You want a small, intimate ship where you can learn everyone's name

— You prefer everything included in your fare without surprise charges

— You want a quiet, enrichment-focused cruise without crowds and queues

— You get overwhelmed by large ships and prefer knowing where everything is

— You want a formal dress code and traditional ocean liner atmosphere

My Reviews & Guides

Everything I've written about Royal Caribbean.

Cabins

Best Cabins on Brilliance of the Seas: Where to Book and Why

Deck-by-deck guide to the best cabins on Brilliance of the Seas - balcony, inside, suites, solo, accessible, and the one sweet-spot cabin I would book today.

Mar 14, 2026 · 9 min read 7.3

Cabins

Cabins to Avoid on Brilliance of the Seas: The Ones to Skip and Why

Which cabins to avoid on Brilliance of the Seas - noise, obstructed views, vibration, and high-traffic areas, with deck numbers and the cabins I would book instead.

Mar 14, 2026 · 8 min read 7.3

Guides

Brilliance of the Seas Deck-by-Deck Guide: What's on Every Level

Complete deck-by-deck guide to Brilliance of the Seas - every restaurant, bar, pool, and public space mapped by deck, with navigation tips and the best decks for cabins.

Mar 14, 2026 · 10 min read 7.3

Dining

Complete Dining Guide for Brilliance of the Seas: Every Restaurant Reviewed

Every restaurant on Brilliance of the Seas reviewed - main dining, specialty, buffet, and room service, with prices, what to book, and the one dinner worth the splurge.

Mar 14, 2026 · 9 min read 7.3

Itineraries

Brilliance of the Seas Itineraries 2026: Where It Sails and When

Complete guide to Brilliance of the Seas itineraries in 2026 - every region, homeport, the best sailing to book, and the one to skip.

Mar 14, 2026 · 8 min read 7.3

Reviews

Brilliance of the Seas Review: The Honest Take

An honest review of Brilliance of the Seas - what it gets right, what it gets wrong, who it suits, and whether it is worth the money.

Mar 14, 2026 · 10 min read 7.3

Solo Cruising

Solo Cruising on Brilliance of the Seas: What to Expect

Everything solo travellers need to know about Brilliance of the Seas - single supplement, solo cabins, social life, dining alone, and whether this ship is worth booking solo.

Mar 14, 2026 · 8 min read 7.3

Guides

What's the Vibe on Brilliance of the Seas? Who Sails and What to Expect

What Brilliance of the Seas is actually like - passenger demographics, dress code reality, daytime energy, evening atmosphere, and who this ship is (and isn't) for.

Mar 14, 2026 · 7 min read 7.3

Guides Cruise Tips

How to Disembark a Royal Caribbean Cruise Quickly (in 2026)

Disembarking a Royal Caribbean cruise ship can feel stressful if you are unsure how it works. My clear 2026 guide explains your disembarkation options, what time you can get off, and how to make the process smooth and quick.

Jul 9, 2025 · 5 min read

Reviews Ship Review

Guide to Brilliance of the Seas for First-Timers: What to expect on Royal Caribbean

A comprehensive first-timer's guide to Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas covering cabins, dining, entertainment, and booking tips.

Aug 15, 2024 · 7 min read 7.4

Guides Port Logistics

10 Top Tips for Boarding Royal Caribbean at Vancouver Port

Essential tips for boarding Royal Caribbean at Canada Place, Vancouver Port - covering check-in, security, Global Entry, and embarkation.

Aug 7, 2024 · 5 min read

Solo Cruising Solo Guide

How to Book a Solo Cabin on Royal Caribbean

Complete guide to booking solo cabins on Royal Caribbean, including studio staterooms, avoiding single supplements, and step-by-step booking tips.

Aug 5, 2024 · 6 min read

Reviews Cabin Review

Brilliance of the Seas Ocean View Room Full Tour (Royal Caribbean)

A full tour and honest review of the Ocean View stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas, with photos, pros and cons.

Aug 1, 2024 · 5 min read 7.4

Compare Royal Caribbean

How Royal Caribbean stacks up against other lines for different types of cruiser.

Royal Caribbean vs Norwegian

Coming soon →

Mega-resort vs Freestyle flexibility. Biggest ships vs best solos.

Royal Caribbean vs Carnival

Coming soon →

Premium activities vs budget fun. Two family-focused lines at different price points.

Royal Caribbean vs MSC

Coming soon →

Two mega-ship builders. American vs European approaches.

Is Royal Caribbean Worth It?

Coming soon →

What you actually pay once the add-ons are included.

Last updated: March 2026 · Based on sailings aboard Brilliance of the Seas