Brilliance of the Seas — Deck Plans, Live Tracker, Dining & Videos

Name: Brilliance of the Seas Overview
Item: Brilliance of the Seas
Author: In the Wake Editorial Team

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean. She entered service in 2002, measures 90,090 gross tons, and carries approximately 2,145 guests at double occupancy.

Looking for Brilliance of the Seas planning info? This page covers deck plans, live ship tracking, dining venues, and video tours to help you plan your Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Brilliance of the Seas.

Brilliance of the Seas tends to suit travelers who prefer mid-sized ships with panoramic ocean views and glass-wall design. It's ideal if you want Royal Caribbean's signature service and entertainment without the massive scale of mega-ships like Oasis or Icon class. If you're looking for the absolute newest venues, cutting-edge technology, or neighborhood layouts, you may want to explore Quantum, Oasis, or Icon class instead.

A First Look at Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas in Juneau, Alaska — Photo served locally (attribution in page footer).

Brilliance of the Seas — Panorama of Brilliance of the Seas at Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal, 2 February 2024 — Photo served locally (attribution in page footer).

Brilliance of the Seas — Royal Caribbean cruise ship Brilliance of the Seas departing Sydney, 2 February 2024 — Photo served locally (attribution in page footer).

Brilliance of the Seas — Brilliance of the Seas 2014 in Alesund — Photo served locally (attribution in page footer).

Brilliance of the Seas — Brilliance of the seas ankommer Göteborg,här lägger den till vid Arendal — Photo served locally (attribution in page footer).

Brilliance of the Seas — Brilliance of the seas ankommer Göteborg — Photo served locally (attribution in page footer).

Brilliance of the Seas in Queen Charlotte Sound — Photo served locally (attribution in page footer).

Brilliance of the Seas docked in Boston, 2014 — Photo served locally (attribution in page footer).

Brilliance at a Glance

Dining Venues on Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance dining venue seating with ocean view

Prices can change at any time. These reflect the last sailing captured.

The Logbook — Tales From the Wake

The Glass Walls Changed Everything

I'd avoided cruising for years because I thought I'd feel trapped—sealed inside a floating steel box with no escape from crowds, noise, and windowless corridors. Brilliance of the Seas proved me completely wrong within the first hour aboard, and the lesson cost me a decade of vacations I should have been taking.

My wife had been begging me to try a cruise for ten years. I kept refusing. Claustrophobia concerns, memories of windowless hotel rooms in budget chains, a deep-seated fear of being stuck on a floating shopping mall where the only views required fighting crowds on the pool deck. I'd constructed an entire identity around being "not a cruise person," and the identity felt comfortable in its certainty.

Then she showed me photographs of Brilliance's glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling windows. "It's basically a greenhouse that floats," she said. I studied the images skeptically. The glass walls looked like marketing photography—surely the actual ship would be darker, more enclosed, more conventionally shiplike. She booked the sailing before I could argue further, which is her particular superpower in our marriage.

She wasn't exaggerating. From the moment we stepped aboard, the ship felt open, airy, and connected to the outside world in ways that contradicted everything I'd feared about cruise travel. The Centrum rises multiple decks with glass walls on every level, flooding the interior with natural light that made the space feel like an atrium in a luxury hotel rather than the inside of a ship. The elevators are glass capsules that let you watch the ocean while you ride between decks. Even the indoor pool area in the Solarium has a retractable glass roof that blurs the boundary between indoors and out.

— Daniel R., Portland, OR

Watch: Brilliance Highlights

Swipe through ship walkthroughs, top-10s, and stateroom tours (including accessible where available).

Brilliance of the Seas Deck Plans

Open Official Deck Plans →

Brilliance of the Seas simplified deck plan preview

Where Is Brilliance Right Now?

See the ship's current position, speed, and next port on a live tracker.

See ports for more information about individual ports.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brilliance of the Seas

What makes Brilliance of the Seas unique compared to other Royal Caribbean ships?

Brilliance emphasizes floor-to-ceiling windows and glass elevators for maximum ocean views, with a mid-sized feel (about 2,466 guests at double occupancy) compared to mega-ships like Oasis class (5,400+ guests). The glass-wall design and smaller size create an intimate, ocean-forward cruising experience.

Which ships are in the same class as Brilliance of the Seas?

Brilliance of the Seas is part of the Radiance Class, which includes Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Jewel of the Seas. All four ships share similar layouts and features with glass-wall design.

What dining options are available on Brilliance of the Seas?

Brilliance offers the main dining room, Windjammer Café (casual buffet), specialty restaurants including Chops Grille and Chef's Table, plus bars and lounges. See the Dining Venues section above for current pricing and full details.

Where does Brilliance of the Seas typically sail?

Brilliance has sailed global itineraries including Alaska, the Caribbean, Australia, and Asia. Deployments vary by season — check the live tracker on this page or Royal Caribbean's official site for current and upcoming voyages.

How can I see Brilliance of the Seas' current location?

Use the live ship tracker on this page (in the "Where Is Brilliance Right Now?" section) to see the ship's current position, speed, and next port in real-time.

Image Attributions

Ship photography © Flickers of Majesty (@flickersofmajesty). Used with permission.
"Brilliance of the Seas pano at Overseas Passenger Terminal.jpg" by Dicklyon via Wikimedia Commons — licensed under CC BY 4.0.
"Brilliance of the Seas departing Sydney.jpg" by Dicklyon via Wikimedia Commons — licensed under CC BY 4.0.
"Brilliance of the Seas IMO 9195200 P Alesund 29-07-2015.JPG" by Wolfgang Fricke via Wikimedia Commons — licensed under CC BY 3.0.
"Brilliance of the seas (2).JPG" by Bo Randstedt via Wikimedia Commons — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
"Brilliance of the seas (5).JPG" by Bo Randstedt via Wikimedia Commons — licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
"Royal Caribbean Brilliance of the Seas (Key West, 2020).jpg" by Matthew Groh via Wikimedia Commons — licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Quick Answer: Brilliance of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean ship. This page covers deck plans, live ship tracking, dining venues, and videos to help you plan your cruise.

Best For: Cruisers researching Brilliance of the Seas or comparing Royal Caribbean ships. Use this page to explore deck layouts, dining options, and onboard features before booking.

Key Facts

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Resources: Deck plans, dining venues, live tracker
Reservations: Book via cruise line or travel advisor

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About the Author

Ken Baker

Founder of In the Wake; writer and editor of the logbook.

Flickers of Majesty

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