Read on to hear about our Mediterranean Cruise, where we experienced an amazing 12-night Royal Caribbean voyage! Learn why you should book and how to make the most of your Mediterranean dream vacation!

Six countries in twelve days! How else can you do this without a cruise ship? Yeah, you can hop around Europe with your backpack on a train, which is a fantastic idea, but why not unpack your stuff and settled in to a nice junior suite? Then, have the captain shuttle you around the Med, stopping at some of the most beautiful places on earth! Cruises are especially great if you are traveling with children or older folks, as it makes travel a lot easier.

We took a 12-night Mediterranean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas. Our amazing travel agent, John Barbian, scored us a screaming deal on an aft two-bedroom family suite, which we shared with our son, my husband’s brother, his wife, and their son. It was perfect- one of the few aft suites, it had a massive balcony where we could all hang out and watch our ports as we left them behind.

The master bedroom had an oversized bathroom with a tub, and there was a large living area where we could hang out, play games, and enjoy room service together. Suites come with a variety of perks on Royal Caribbean as well- priority embarkation and disembarkation, an exclusive suites-only restaurant,  a private lounge with breakfast and happy hour, and so much more.

The main reason we chose this cruise, however, was the itinerary! 

Itinerary: 12-Night Mediterranean Cruise on Brilliance of the Seas

• Barcelona, Spain
• Cannes, France
• Athens, Greece
• Kusadasi, Turkiye 
• Santorini, Greece
• Valetta, Malta
• Livorno (Florence and Pisa), Italy
• Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

Cruising

We are travelers. We love really getting into a place and immersing ourselves in the culture. Cruises don’t really provide this sort of experience, but we love cruising too!

Cruises give you a sort of “sampler platter” of the world. You can do an Uber-relaxing Caribbean cruise, or taste a few more distant international destinations. If you find a port you really love, you can make plans to revisit the city and spend more time there. Cruising is great for families or large groups. There are activities for everyone- small children, teenagers, young adults, middle aged people, and older folks. It is so nice to unpack once and establish your home base for the week (or two), yet still experience a variety of destinations.

You CAN do cruises with minimal planning, although this really isn’t in my nature. You can have ME (or any other travel agent) do your planning for you, you can use cruise-ship excursions, or you can do a little more research and book your own excursions. I love cruising as a vacation choice for large, diverse groups, as people can do their own thing on sea days or during down time, then meet up for dinner and share their experiences. I recently obtained my “Masters of Adventure” at Royal Caribbean University (That’s their highest degree :)), so contact me to help plan your cruise!

On this cruise, I did a TON of research. We used outside providers, meaning we did not book excursions through the cruise ship. Instead, we found tour agencies and tour guides at each port and booked directly through them. We only went with outfitters who guaranteed they would get us back to port on time, and we saved a lot of money! I’ll share how to do this and which outfitters we used! 

Give it a try!

Cruising is not for everyone, but if you haven’t cruised, you really don’t know it is not for you. The image lots of people have in their heads is of a massive, floating city filled with sweaty people with hairy, pendulous bellies, elbowing each other for a spot at the buffet. Kids running around underfoot dropping their ice cream cones and crying, taking up all the valuable real estate in the pool.

That can be accurate, but we have rarely had those experiences. Most people tend to be classy and respectful. There are so many different cruise lines, and different destinations have different vibes. In addition, many of the ships these days are so big, most people can find areas that suit their needs and personalities. Many of the ships have at least one “adults only” pool, which tend to be quieter and more upscale. Some cruises are adults only- Virgin Voyages and Viking don’t allow cruisers under 18 on any of their cruises, and most cruise lines offer some adults-only itineraries. Many of the latter are special interest cruises, like 80s rock or EDM.

I’m a Gold Level Firstmate with Virgin Voyages, which means you can book through me for the best deals. For the third year in a row, Virgin Voyages has been named the #1 mega-ship ocean cruise line in the world in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards. And this year, we didn’t just win—we made history. With a score of 94.80, we earned the highest rating ever recorded in the award’s 30-year history—along with a record-setting 10-point margin of victory. Scores like this are typically reserved for ultra-luxury, small-scale products. To achieve it at the scale of our ships is nothing short of extraordinary.

Gourmet chefs often run the specialty restaurants, and they usually have inventive cuisine with excellent service. You can enjoy a leisurely 2-hour meal or grab a bite at the buffet, then experience a Broadway show or channel your inner rap-star at karaoke. Activities offered can include ice skating, bumper cars, surfing simulators, ziplines, and indoor skydiving! These mega-ships can accommodate up to 7600 people (Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas)!

Big ship not for you? Try an ultra high-end European River cruise. Read about our cruise on the Danube to see the Christmas Markets here. Elegance is the word for the day here. Expect to find an older, more affluent crowd, less raucous nightlife, and expensive decor. No rock climbing walls here! Think cultural shore excursions, educational lectures and presentations, and intimate happy hours. These cruises tend to include everything, from top shelf liquor to curated shore excursions-some even include international airfare. Viking bills itself as the “Thinking Person’s Cruise” and claims to be the best cruise line for non-cruisers. While their fares tend to be higher, they do not nickel and dime you to death- the fares include drinks, excursions, and so much more. 

Smaller, more upscale cruise lines may be more up your alley. Seaborne and Azamara are two excellent choices for smaller ocean cruises. Read about our New Years Cruise from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Buenos Aires, Argentina here. 

If money is no object, opt for a suite! You’ll pay a pretty penny for a larger stateroom, which could range from a living area that is slightly separated from the bedroom to a lavish, posh two-story suite with a private hot tub. Suites often come with upgraded amenities, included drink packages, and private restaurants. Some cruise lines, like Celebrity, have entire areas of the ship reserved for suite guests, so you can have a quieter, more exclusive experience. Check out Celebrity’s Retreat to get a taste. 

More of an adventurer? There are cruises for you too! We took a 9 day Galapagos cruise with Natural Habitat. Check out my posts on our time in the Galapagos here. Our yacht, the Tip Top II, only had space for 16 guests! This itinerary focused on activities- kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking. Naturalist guides (not naturists, haha- that’s different) cruised with us and taught us about the biodiversity that makes the Galapagos so special, and the itinerary included a night at Nat Hab’s private Tortoise Camp on Santa Cruz.

On most cruises, you can eat healthy and work out, or you can go all out and gorge yourself. I don’t recommend the latter, as you will feel like crap and be riddled with guilt afterwards, not to mention it is bad for your health. We usually don’t go too far off the rails, but we will indulge a little. Choose quality over quantity and for goodness’ sake, don’t waste food…

Basically, your cruise vacation can be whatever you make it! Try it out if you haven’t!

Of course, cruises don’t always go according to plan! Read about the time I was quarantined on a family cruise here, and read about my not-so-glowing review of our cruise on Norwegian Cruises here. 

Cruise Packing List

There is not a limit on the number of suitcases or weight of those suitcases you can take on most larger cruises. You are only limited by the airlines and by what you can manage. When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you drop off your tagged bags with a porter, slip him a few bucks, and say goodbye to your bags until late afternoon/early evening. Pack whatever you will need for that first few hours in your carry on. I recommend a swimsuit, change of clothes, and whatever toiletries you will need to shower or freshen up for dinner.

In addition to the usual items you pack for vacation, I find a few items essential for cruising. Check out my full cruise packing list with links here. You can also find the items in my online store!

Basics

Before you leave for your cruise, you will need to print out luggage tags. To prevent losing them and possibly being parted with your bags for an extended period of time, I recommend luggage tag holders. You will need your passport.

Travelpro

Samsonite is a consistently popular and durable luggage brand. If you are interested in hard-sided suitcases, check these out. We just purchased a new set of hard-sided suitcases from Sam’s Club. We really like the carry ons because they have an outside laptop pocket, which is hard to find with hard sided cases. I am a recent convert to packing cubes and highly recommend using them! They make keeping your suitcases organized a breeze, and unpacking has never been so easy! I like these, because they are small and color coded.

I never leave home without my water bottle, and I love my iron flask! Just make sure it is empty before trying to get through TSA pre-check. I also like this holder for my water bottle. It holds my cell phone, sea pass card, and a few other small items and is perfect for running around the ship and hanging out by the pool.

It is so important to stay hydrated, and that can be a challenge on cruises, with the sun and free-flowing alcohol (if you get the drink package- we never do)! These electrolyte packs help with that.

If you are traveling with a group, magnetic white boards for your door can be fun and useful to keep up with each other. Take it one step further with colorful door magnets!

Storage

Many of the walls of your cabin are metal, and storage space is limited! I recommend these small magnetic hooks and these larger magnetic hooks to maximize your space. I always take an over-the-door organizer to store toiletries, sunscreen, flip flops, and other similar items. A hanging toiletry bag is essential, as those bathrooms are tiny!

Outlets are notoriously few, and power strips are not allowed. These plug extenders are perfect! To organize dirty laundry, we take this pop up hamper.

We also travel with a travel fan and a bluetooth speaker. 

Motion Sickness

I never cruise without these motion sickness pressure point wristbands. They really help with mild motion sickness and don’t cause the drowsiness many medications do. For more severe cases, I always take scopolamine patches, which require a prescription, and bonine. I never travel without ginger chews! They are great for nausea of any cause.

Use a Travel Advisor to Book Your Cruise!

It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and they can often get you perks and onboard credit!

We love traveling with family! We take a trip with Vuong’s brother and his family once every other year or so, and it was time for a big one! We started planning this trip for the seven of us with the help of our cruise travel agent, John Barbian with Pixie Vacations. It can be really helpful to have a travel agent to handle the details of your trip. In addition, they keep an eye on cruise fares and, if they drop, they can get your price adjusted.

Contact John or, as an alternative, I am now a certified Travel Advisor and I have my “Masters of Adventure” with Royal Caribbean, so I can help you plan the cruise of your dreams. I’m also certified with Viking, Celebrity, and Virgin Voyages, so hit me up!

If you are new to cruising, I can help you choose a cruise line and itinerary to suit your needs and personality. I can give you guidance on choosing a cabin, and help you determine whether a drink package is right for you. We never purchase the drink package because we don’t drink enough to make it worth it. Some people do drink enough, and others just like the ease of not having to sign for each drink. Drink packages often include sodas, specialty coffees, and protein smoothies at the gym. I recommend doing the math and reading the fine print to see if it makes sense for you.

Brilliance of the Seas Mediterranean Cruise

Brilliance of the Seas is a midsize Radiance‑class cruise ship launched in 2002 by Royal Caribbean, accommodating around 2,142 guests (double‑occupancy) and crew of approximately 848 ref. Powered by gas turbines, it emphasizes expansive natural light and panoramic ocean views through floor‑to‑ceiling windows and a nine‑story glass atrium with outward‑facing elevators ref. The ship underwent a significant refurbishment in 2013 and Oasis‑class style enhancements in 2018, adding specialty dining venues like Giovanni’s Table, Izumi sushi, Rita’s Cantina, and the Chef’s Table—bringing the total to up to 12 dining options, including casual and specialty offerings ref. Cabins range from interiors to balcony rooms—about 75% featuring ocean views ref.

Onboard experiences blend family-friendly amenities and adults‑only retreats. Highlights include three pools (with an adult‑only Solarium), whirlpools, a rock‑climbing wall, mini‑golf, sports courts, a jogging track, arcade, full spa and fitness center, and a three‑story theater showcasing Broadway‑style productions and aerial performances ref. The Solarium and Spa provide quiet relaxation, while kids benefit from Adventure Ocean youth programs and nurseries ref. Avid cruisers appreciate the attentive service—passengers amenities ratio stands at about 2.9 passengers per crew—and venues like R Bar, Vintages wine bar, Schooner and Colony clubs, plus Casino Royale and live evening entertainment ref.

Brilliance of the Seas sails diverse itineraries: winter Caribbean and Southern Caribbean routes from San Juan and Florida, with summer seasons in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada & New England, and the British Isles—her moderate size allows transit through canals and destinations inaccessible to mega‑ships ref. While praised for its ambiance and variety of activities, some guests note that cabins are compact and the ship’s air can feel smoky despite restrictions ref. Overall, it offers a balanced, well‑rounded cruise experience that appeals to families, couples, and travelers seeking an intimate yet amenity‑rich voyage.

Come back next time to hear about our ports of call!