Brilliance of the Seas Cabins to Avoid (and the Best Cabins to Book)

The main Brilliance of the Seas cabins to avoid are the Deck 7 balconies in the narrow midship section above the lifeboat covers, Deck 10 cabins sitting directly under busy parts of the pool deck, forward cabins above the theater, and low cabins at the very front or back of the ship. For most people, a midship balcony on Deck 8 or 9 is the safest choice: there are cabins above and below you, and you feel less motion.

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Brilliance of the Seas at a glance (2026)

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance-class ship that entered service in 2002. She is about 90,090 gross tons, carries roughly 2,150 guests at double occupancy (around 2,500 when every bed is filled) and has about 1,075 staterooms. Radiance-class ships are known for their glass: the Centrum atrium, the glass elevators facing the sea and a high proportion of balcony cabins compared with older Royal Caribbean ships.

Her last drydock was in spring 2025 at Chantier Naval de Marseille in France. That was a technical and maintenance stop, with new carpets and soft furnishings in cabins and public areas. It was not a full “Royal Amplified” makeover, so cabin layouts and categories are the same as before. For winter 2026-27 the ship is based in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), taking over itineraries from Rhapsody and Vision of the Seas. She sails 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises and 7-night Caribbean cruises. Check the current schedule on Royal Caribbean’s website before you book.

Radiance of the Seas is her sister ship, so most of this advice also applies there. For a side-by-side look, see our guide to Radiance of the Seas cabins to avoid.

Brilliance of the Seas cabin types and sizes

Sizes are approximate. Published figures differ slightly between Royal Caribbean and deck plan sites, and individual cabins vary.

Brilliance of the Seas deck plan: where the cabins are

A quick look at the Brilliance of the Seas deck plan explains most of the cabin problems. Guests have 12 decks, and cabins sit on Decks 2, 3, 4 and 7 through 10. Public rooms are grouped on Decks 4, 5 and 6 (dining, Centrum, shops, casino, lounges and the Pacifica Theater) and on Decks 11 to 13 (pools, Solarium, Windjammer, spa and gym, sports deck, kids’ clubs and the Viking Crown Lounge).

• Deck 2: a small group of interior and porthole cabins (around 2000-2029) near the tender platform and medical center.
• Deck 3: interior cabins and oceanview cabins with portholes (3000-3645).
• Deck 4: cabins plus the lower lobby and R Bar.
• Decks 7, 8 and 9: the main cabin decks. Most balconies, plus aft-facing Royal Family Suites.
• Deck 10: balconies, Junior Suites, Grand, Owner’s and the Royal Suite (1000-1604). The bridge is forward.

So Decks 8 and 9 have cabins both above and below them. Deck 7 sits over public rooms, and Deck 10 sits under the Lido deck.

Brilliance of the Seas cabins to avoid (and why)

None of these cabins is truly bad, and plenty of guests are happy in them. But if you are paying for a particular view, a quiet night or a smooth ride, these are the locations to check carefully.

1. Deck 7 balconies in the narrow midship section. Along part of Deck 7 the ship’s side steps in, and a metal roof over the lifeboats on Deck 6 sticks out below these balconies, up to about 10 feet. You can still see the horizon, but the view straight down to the water is partly blocked. Guests on Cruise Critic, quoting Royal Caribbean’s own booking notes, list cabins such as 7064, 7066, 7142, 7170, 7564 and 7670 as partially obstructed. Some of these are sold at a discount and some are not, so check the category note before you pay full balcony price.
2. Deck 10 cabins under the pool deck and Windjammer. Every Deck 10 cabin is below public space on the Lido deck. Depending on your exact spot, you may hear deck chairs being dragged early in the morning, buffet carts, or late events by the pool. From around cabin 1024 (port) and 1524 (starboard) aft, a large overhang from the deck above also shades the balconies. That is nice in the Caribbean sun, but it means less sky.
3. Forward cabins on Deck 7 above the theater. The most forward Deck 7 cabins sit above the Pacifica Theater. Rehearsals and evening shows can sometimes be heard. Forward-facing oceanviews here also sit over a crew area that includes a gym.
4. Cabins near the Centrum. The Centrum is a tall open atrium with live music into the evening. Cabins closest to it on the lower cabin decks, Deck 7 especially, get more noise and foot traffic.
5. Low forward cabins (Decks 2 and 3). Cabins near the bow on the lowest decks are closest to the anchor and bow thrusters. On port days, docking can wake you early. Deck 2 cabins are also next to the tender platform, which gets busy on tender days.
6. High forward cabins if you get seasick. The front of the ship pitches the most in a swell. If you are prone to seasickness, avoid forward cabins on Decks 9 and 10 on longer or open-ocean sailings, such as transatlantic crossings and fall itineraries.
7. Cabins next to elevator lobbies and laundry rooms. Being near the elevators is handy, but you will hear doors and people talking late at night. Cabins next to the guest self-service laundry rooms or crew service doors can be noisy too.
8. Connecting cabins, if you are not traveling as a group. Connecting cabins share a door with the cabin next door. Sound carries through it more than through a solid wall. If you are not booking both cabins, choose one without a connecting door.

Many of these issues apply across the fleet. Our list of Royal Caribbean cabins to avoid on any ship covers the general rules in more detail.

Brilliance of the Seas best cabins by budget

Best value: midship interiors on Decks 8 and 9

Interior cabins on Decks 8 and 9 have cabins on both sides of the deck, above and below. They are usually among the quietest cabins onboard and close to the main elevators. If you are still deciding between a window and a lower fare, our guide to balcony vs inside cabins weighs up the trade-offs.

Best balcony: midship on Deck 8 or 9

For most guests these are the best Brilliance of the Seas cabins: quiet, stable, and with no lifeboat roof below. Deck 7 balconies outside the narrow section are fine too. Just check the cabin number against the deck plan before you book.

Best for sea views: aft-facing Royal Family Suites

The aft-facing suites on Decks 7, 8 and 9 have large balconies that look out over the ship’s wake. They suit families of up to eight. You may feel more vibration at the stern than midship.

Best upgrade: Junior Suites on Deck 10

Junior Suites are about 299 sq ft with a 66 sq ft balcony, a bathtub and a sitting area. Some Junior Suites near the bridge give views of the bridge wing, so you can watch the ship come into port. Since they are on Deck 10, look at what sits directly above on Deck 11 first.

Top of the range: Royal Suite and Owner’s Suites

Suites on Deck 10 come with Royal Caribbean suite perks, such as priority boarding and concierge service in the higher suite categories. The single Royal Suite is the largest cabin onboard.

Which deck is best on Brilliance of the Seas?

For most cruisers, Deck 8 is the best deck on Brilliance of the Seas, with Deck 9 a close second. Both are cabin decks between other cabin decks, so you are far from venue noise. They are also mid-height, so you feel less motion than higher up, and the Lido deck is only a short elevator ride away. Choose Deck 7 for a slightly lower fare or quick access to Decks 4-6, as long as you avoid the narrow section and the forward cabins over the theater. Choose Deck 10 if you want a suite or a Junior Suite and you are fine being under the pool deck.

Guarantee cabin or choose your own?

A guarantee fare (often shown as GTY or a “W/X/Y/Z” style category) means you choose the cabin type, and Royal Caribbean assigns the actual cabin later, sometimes only days before sailing. It is usually cheaper, and now and then you get a better category than you paid for.

• Pick a guarantee if you are flexible, you don’t get seasick and you are mainly paying for a low price.
• Choose your own cabin if you need a quiet spot, a clear balcony view, a cabin near the elevators, beds for a family or a midship location for motion. On this ship a guarantee balcony can end up being one of the Deck 7 cabins with a partial view.

Accessible cabins on Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas has around 14-15 wheelchair-accessible cabins. They include interiors, large oceanviews, balconies and Junior Suites. They have wider doors, roll-in showers with grab bars and more turning space, and they are usually larger than standard cabins in the same category. There are only a few, they are generally booked by cabin number rather than through guarantee fares, and they sell out early. Book through Royal Caribbean’s Access department or a travel agent who can hold a specific cabin number. Ask them to confirm the tender arrangements for your ports, because tendering on this ship happens from Deck 2.

FAQs

What are the best rooms on Brilliance of the Seas?

For most guests, midship balconies on Decks 8 and 9. They are quiet, stable and have no lifeboat roof below. If you can spend more, the Deck 10 Junior Suites and the aft-facing Royal Family Suites stand out.

Do Brilliance of the Seas balconies have obstructed views?

Some do. Certain Deck 7 balconies in the narrow midship section look down onto the lifeboat cover. The horizon is still visible, but the view of the water directly below is partly blocked. Check the category notes when you book.

Is Deck 10 noisy on Brilliance of the Seas?

It can be. All Deck 10 cabins sit under the Lido deck, which holds the pool, Solarium, Windjammer and fitness areas. Noise depends on exactly what is above your cabin, so check the deck plan before you book.

Has Brilliance of the Seas been refurbished?

Her last major upgrade with new venues was in 2013. Her spring 2025 drydock in Marseille covered technical work plus new carpets and upholstery, but it did not change cabin layouts.

Where does Brilliance of the Seas sail in 2026-27?

For the 2026-27 winter season she sails from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) on short Bahamas cruises and 7-night Caribbean itineraries. Always check the current schedule when booking.