While cruising through Europe, ship becomes home away from home
by Patricia Gonzales
COASTAL CHARM - Villefranche, one of Cote d' Azure's most charming areas on the Mediterranean coast has waterfront cafes and colorful stucco houses. From here it's easy to access Nice, Cannes, Monte Carlo and Monaco. CNS Photo by Donald Gonzales.
As fellow traveler Mick Kohter from England said, "This cruise is a good taste of Europe for first-timers," an ideal way to become acquainted with and visit the cities we've all heard about. Rome, Florence/Pisa, Naples, Venice, Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu (Greece), Monte Carlo/Nice.
With such a variety of bars, cafes, restaurants and lounges onboard, it was an enjoyable challenge to sample them all. We dined in the Minstrel dining room most evenings with our table-mates, Charles and Pat from Pennsylvania, and Alan and Pauline from Surrey, England. All had sailed before with Royal Caribbean (except Charles, this was his first) and liked it so much they came back. Each evening we shared our adventures of the day.
GALLERIA UMBERTO - The galleria in Naples with its beautiful glass-domed roof is home to a variety of small shops and cafes. CNS Photo by Donald Gonzales.
We set aside a couple of nights for the two specialty restaurants, Chops Grill and Portofino. As the names suggest, Chops serves up a perfectly prepared steak, and a selection of gourmet Italian dishes is available in Portofino. Food and wine in both were exceptional and well worth the $20 dining fee, which includes gratuities. The decor of each enhanced the ambience of fine dining.
The Champagne Bar became a favorite gathering place when returning from shore. Cocktail specials were offered from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring reasonable prices for champagne and the opportunity to enjoy the view through floor-to-ceiling windows. Next door was a coffee bar serving specialty coffees and desserts.
Almost every morning we breakfasted at the buffet in the Windjammer Cafe, which had everything from made-to-order crepes to old-fashioned oatmeal. Then moving to the fantail outside, we ate while enjoying fresh air and sunshine. For those preferring a quieter atmosphere, the main dining room was open most mornings.
MONACO LANDMARK - Monaco Cathedral, built in the 19th century, is the final resting place of the princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly. CNS Photo by Donald Gonzales.
Pre-dinner entertainment in the 11-story Centrum Lobby was also very popular. Each evening, musical entertainment could be heard throughout the ship. Performers rotated to different locations, and passengers followed their favorite to their next venue. Cocktail lounges, clubs and the disco had musical groups nightly for dancing or listening enjoyment. And, of course, there was karaoke for those so inclined in the Colony Club.
The solarium pool and hot tub decor is tropical and dramatically different from other areas of the ship. The weather during our cruise was cold and sunny, so this was a popular place for reading or enjoying the warmth of the pool and hot tub. We felt as if we had stepped into a tropical paradise of flowering plants, warm sultry air and large elephant statues draped in hanging vines. When the Brilliance transfers to the Caribbean for winter cruising, the retractable glass roof can be opened.
CENTRUM LOBBY - ''Spiral Light'' is the focal point of the multistoried lobby where you can sip a cocktail or people watch aboard the cruise ship Brilliance of the Sea. CNS Photo by Donald Gonzales.
Art lovers can spend hours taking in the works of art that are everywhere onboard. London contemporary art works with the architecture to create spaces that showcase spectacular original artworks.
For the fitness-minded there is the ShipShape Center with treadmills, weights and lots of other get-in-shape equipment. And there is the challenge of the rock wall, yoga, Pilates, mini-golf, dance lessons - something for everyone who finds the time.
Martin Quigley, marketing and revenue director, said the ship strives to incorporate the food and activities of each destination. One example is the Venetian Masquerade Ball while the ship was docked in Venice. Venetians are famous for designing masks of intricate design and color. Passengers returned with masks for the ball, which could become artwork at home. Mine, now hanging at home, is a beautiful half mask of black leather with black ostrich feathers.
A memorable time was sailing into the Grand Canal of Venice with Luciano Pavarotti singing on the ship's audio system; another was docking within walking distance of Piazza San Marco. The sight of the Brilliance of the Sea towering over water taxis and gondolas drew crowds of local Venetians and their children.
MINSTREL DINING ROOM - The Minstrel dining room aboard the Brilliance of the Sea serves elegant four-course meals. You can also enjoy local specialties of the region you are visiting. CNS Photo by Patricia Gonzales.
Of course, every port had a large selection of tours from which to choose. Many passengers went on their own, but we opted for booked tours this time to be able to see all we wanted. In Rome, the Vatican; Pisa, the Leaning Tower (which now allows 35 people at a time to climb to the top); Monaco, the Casino; the walled city of Dubrovnik; a city tour of Naples. Every port has its own charm and history, and often it was a hard choice to give one up for another due to time constraints. But that is a good reason to return for another cruise.
IF YOU GO
For up-to-date pricing or to reserve your cruise, contact your local travel agent or call direct to Royal Caribbean (800) 722-5045 or visit www.royalcaribbean.com. Sailing dates for the 12-night Mediterranean-Venice start June 17 with the final cruise Oct. 15. Special, shorter sailings are available prior to that, but see a travel agent for pricing and details.
U.S citizens do not need visas for any ports of call, only a valid passport.
Security aboard ship is strictly enforced, and photo IDs and a security card, issued at the time of embarkation, are required to depart or board the ship at all times.
Although this wasn't our first cruise, it was the first time we experienced the loss of our luggage. It finally arrived at Villefranche, our first port of call, a day and a half after we sailed. The ship's crew handled and solved our being "luggage deprived" beautifully. They called the airline, arranged for the luggage to be flown to Nice, arranged pickup there and delivery to our stateroom. We were also provided toothbrushes, T-shirts and toiletries until our own arrived. This is a rare occurrence, but if it happens to you aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, rest assured you're in good hands.
Patricia Gonzales is vice president of Copley News Service.
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