Mediterranean Capitals and Coastal Jewels

Royal Caribbean International – Brilliance of the Seas • May 13–26, 2016

🧭 Barcelona arrival and first impressions

This cruise marked a return to Royal Caribbean International, this time aboard the Brilliance of the Seas, a Radiance-class vessel with a capacity of approximately 2,500 passengers and last renovated in 2013. The ship is known for its mid-size layout, glass-enclosed public areas, and suitability for itinerary-heavy voyages. We reserved Interior Stateroom 8573, located on Deck 8, which offered convenient access to central elevators and public amenities.

We arrived in Barcelona the day before embarkation, following a nonstop 7.5-hour international flight that landed around 9:00 AM. A Royal Caribbean-arranged transfer took us directly from the airport to Hotel Regina, located just off Plaça de Catalunya—a major transit and cultural center in the heart of the city.

Our assigned room, #320, was located on the hotel’s upper floor and required walking up one final flight of stairs, as the elevator did not service the top level. Upon entering, we were puzzled by the lack of electricity and contacted hotel staff for help. They explained that, as is standard in many European hotels, power is activated by inserting the room key into a wall-mounted slot near the door—a detail that was new to us at the time.

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a frequent embarkation point for Mediterranean cruise routes due to its modern cruise terminal, close proximity to major heritage sites, and extensive ground transport options. Centrally positioned, the hotel provided walking access to cultural landmarks including La Sagrada Família, the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter), and the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, a historic public market in operation since the 13th century. This early arrival allowed for logistical preparation and brief exploration of the surrounding historic districts.

🚢 Embarkation

Boarding Brilliance of the Seas at the Barcelona Cruise Terminal was efficient and calm. We arrived just before noon and breezed through check-in before stepping aboard. Our cabin was compact but well designed, with ample storage and convenient access to midship elevators. We explored several decks, attended the muster drill, and enjoyed the ship’s sail-away from the open-air top deck with cocktails in hand as the skyline of Barcelona slowly slipped behind us.

📅 Cruise itinerary: daily logs

Friday, May 13 – Barcelona, Spain (Pre-Cruise)

Our extra day in Barcelona began with a smooth transfer to Hotel Regina, followed by a memorable visit to La Sagrada Família. We ascended the Nativity façade, navigated dizzying spiral staircases, and soaked in the light-drenched sanctuary below. Later, a Runner Bean walking tour, of the Gothic Quarter introduced us to Roman ruins and medieval alleys. Then we marveled at La Boqueria Market before calling it a night.

Sunday, May 15 – Nice (Villefranche), France

We tendered ashore to Villefranche, a pastel-hued port nestled along the Côte d’Azur. A scenic drive took us to the clifftop village of Èze, known for its perfumeries and steep stone paths. In Nice, we strolled the Promenade des Anglais and people-watched over gelato before returning to the tender dock.

Monday, May 16 – Florence Pisa (Livorno), Italy

Our day began early with a bus ride to La Spezia, followed by boat transfers to Porto Venere and two of the Cinque Terre villages. Brightly colored houses, steep vineyards, and coastal paths offered postcard-worthy views. We sampled pesto, took endless photos, and got back to port just in time for the sail-away.

Tuesday, May 17 – Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

We packed a lot into this single-day sprint through Rome: the Forum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and St. Peter’s Basilica. A quick lunch near the Piazza Navona was followed by VIP access to the Sistine Chapel, where we paused under Michelangelo’s ceiling. Our guide kept us on time, and the drive back to port gave us a welcome rest.

Wednesday, May 18 – Naples, Italy

A spectacular day from start to finish. We wound through the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, paused in Positano, and explored the markets of Sorrento. The afternoon took us into the preserved ruins of Pompeii, where our guide recreated the events of 79 A.D. through hauntingly intact streets and courtyards.

Thursday, May 19 – At Sea

A much-needed rest day. We enjoyed lazy hours on the ship, attended a lecture on Mediterranean trade routes, and indulged in cafe’ lattes and pastries from Café Latte-tudes. In the Solarium, we stretched out beneath the glass ceiling while listening to the gentle hum of the ship.

Friday, May 20 – Venice, Italy

Sailing into Venice was magical—the ship glided past terra-cotta rooftops and domes in mid-afternoon. After disembarking, we joined a walking tour through lesser-known parts of the city, exploring quiet canals, local markets, and tucked-away churches.

Saturday, May 21 – Venice, Italy

We began with a tour of Doge’s Palace, crossing the Bridge of Sighs and admiring Venetian opulence. A gondola ride took us beneath centuries-old bridges, followed by a visit to a Murano glass studio, where we watched artisans shape molten color into elegant vases.

Sunday, May 22 – Zadar, Croatia

Our tour through Dalmatia began with a panoramic drive and included tastings of regional olive oil, cheese, and cured meats. Zadar’s Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun installations were mesmerizing—one heard, the other seen.

Monday, May 23 – Kotor, Montenegro

A misty morning gave way to dramatic views as we cruised into Kotor Bay. Our tour included a visit to Budva and the iconic Sveti Stefan, before returning to Kotor for a climb up the fortress steps and gelato in the main square.

Tuesday, May 24 – At Sea

In the early afternoon, we cruised through the Strait of Messina, with Sicily to our left and mainland Italy to our right. A swordfish fishing boat briefly blocked our path before clearing out with a horn blast from the captain. With blue skies above and legend-rich waters below, the passage was both scenic and storied.

Wednesday, May 25 – At Sea

Our last day at sea was filled with farewells and final photos. We lingered over brunch, browsed the gift shop, and packed slowly. That evening’s farewell show was lively, and we stayed up late savoring the last sea breeze on deck.

Thursday, May 26 – Barcelona, Spain

Disembarkation in Barcelona was efficient, with luggage already sorted and buses waiting for airport transfers. As we stepped off Brilliance of the Seas, we felt both satisfied and a little wistful. Four countries, ten cities, and a thousand memories—this was a journey we’d long dreamed of and now wouldn’t forget.

🍽️ Dining experiences

The cruise utilized My Time Dining, a flexible dinner arrangement offered by Royal Caribbean that allows guests to dine at variable times rather than following a fixed seating schedule. This format proved useful on a port-intensive itinerary where evening schedules varied.

The main dining room offered a rotating menu of regional and international cuisine. Dishes such as chilled mango soup, filet of beef, and warm chocolate cake were particularly well-prepared and consistently available. For casual dining, the Windjammer Café, located on Deck 11, served buffet-style meals throughout the day and was frequently used for breakfast and mid-afternoon refreshments following shore excursions.

One evening was reserved for a specialty dinner at Giovanni’s Table, an Italian venue available by reservation and carrying an à la carte surcharge. Notable selections included osso buco, house-made pasta, and limoncello served at the close of the meal. For morning beverages and light fare, Café Latte-tudes on Deck 5 offered specialty coffees, pastries, and complimentary seating in the atrium area.

🎭 Entertainment onboard

Evening entertainment aboard Brilliance of the Seas was offered across multiple venues and formats. The ship’s main performance venue, the Pacifica Theater, hosted variety shows, Broadway-style revues, and guest vocalists, with new programming featured most nights. A standout act during the sailing was an a cappella quartet, which attracted a consistent audience across multiple performances.

Additional activities included daily trivia competitions, typically held in the Schooner Bar or Colony Club, both of which also featured live music throughout the evening. The Schooner Bar hosted a resident pianist who performed nightly with a mix of standards and audience requests.

The cruise was led by Cruise Director Gordon, who maintained a visible and engaging presence at events and announcements. One of the most well-attended activities during the voyage was the crew talent show, which featured musical and dance performances from various onboard staff members and provided an inside look at the personalities behind ship operations.

💫 Favorite memory

Sailing through the Giudecca Canal into Venice aboard Brilliance of the Seas in the late afternoon was an unparalleled experience. The ship navigated directly past historic landmarks such as St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile, offering unobstructed views of the city’s iconic waterfront. The ability to arrive at a deep-water port by transiting through the center of a UNESCO-listed city—normally accessible only by smaller vessels—underscored the rare logistical and geographic privilege of this sailing.

📋 Cruise Details

Cruise Itinerary Disclaimer: Cruise itineraries shared on OceansAfoot are independently written and based on personal sailings. OceansAfoot is not affiliated with any cruise line and does not receive compensation or direction from operators referenced in these narratives.

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