MS Brilliance of the Seas

MS "Brilliance of the Seas" is part of Royal Caribbean's Radiance class. It cruises the Mediterranean from April to November, and the Panama Canal and Caribbean from November to April. "Brilliance of the Seas" is operated by RCL UK Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

hip Characteristics

* Rock-climbing wall
* Portofino Italian Restaurant
* Chops Grill
* Seaview Café
* Latté-tudes, a specialty coffee house featuring Seattle's Best Coffee
* Themed bars and lounges
* Casino Royale
* Indian Raj-themed Solarium
* Colony Club, a unique British colonial-style lounge with self-leveling pool tables
* Indoor/outdoor country club with golf simulator
* Adventure Ocean youth facilities
* Day Spa and Fitness Center
* Sports court with basketball/volleyball court
* Panamax Ship

George Allen Smith Controversy

In July 2005, Royal Caribbean was plagued by a controversy that involved the disappearance of one of the passengers, George Allen Smith. Although the cruise line claims that his death was the result of an accident [cite web|url=http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ourCompany/pressCenter/pressReleases/info.do;jsessionid=00005GUDOofYbxJCe1iwbwC5BiV:12hdhu87a?prDate=01-05-2006&prCode=A |publisher=Royal Caribbean International|title=Press Release: Royal Caribbean International Responds To Allegations Involving George Smith's Disappearance With Factual Chronology|accessdate=2008-05-10|date=2006-01-05] [cite web|url=http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ourCompany/pressCenter/pressReleases/info.do;jsessionid=00005GUDOofYbxJCe1iwbwC5BiV:12hdhu87a?prDate=01-27-2006&prCode=A |publisher=Royal Caribbean International|title=Press Release: Top 10 Myths Regarding Royal Caribbean's Handling Of The Disappearance Of George Smith|accessdate=2008-05-10|date=2006-01-27] , evidence suggests that foul play may have been involved. Blood was found in his cabin and on the side of the ship where he allegedly fell overboard and drowned. The FBI was brought in to investigate, and with the United States Attorneys' office, released a statement on the case [cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct/Documents/Smith%20statement%2007292005.pdf |publisher=US Department of Justice|title=Statement of U.S. Attorney Kevin J. O’Connor and FBI Special Agent-In-Charge Michael J. Wolf on the George A. Smith IV Investigation|accessdate=2008-05-10|work=US Attorney statement|date-2005-07-29] . Geraldo Rivera aired a news story interviewing Josh Askin, one of the last people seen with George Allen Smith, along with two Russian boys Greg Rozenberg and Zach Rozenberg [cite episode| airdate=2006-05-23|series=Geraldo|title=Interviews with Josh Askin, Greg Rozenberg and Zach Rozenbergdead link|url=url=http://www.geraldoatlarge.com/video-archive.php?offset=2&go=10&query=1&orderby=published&cending=DESC&where_param=month&month=5&year=2006#theTop |date=May 2008] . On 29 June 2006, it was announced that Royal Caribbean International had agreed to pay compensation to Smith's estate [cite web|url= http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ourCompany/pressCenter/pressReleases/info.do;jsessionid=00005GUDOofYbxJCe1iwbwC5BiV:12hdhu87a?prDate=06-29-2006&prCode=A|publisher=Royal Caribbean International|title=Press Release: Royal Caribbean And Jennifer Hagel Smith Reach Settlement|accessdate=2008-05-10|date=2006-06-29] , later revealed to be more than $1 million [cite web|url=http://news.aol.com/story/_a/judge-uphold-widows-settlement/n20080502173309990044 |publisher=AP/AOL|title=Judge uphold widow's settlement|accessdate=2008-05-10|date=2008-05-02] .

References

External links

* [http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do;jsessionid=0000MUlYzPbkqc8Ct_JZi8AVhp7:12h3g0fq2?br=R&shipClassCode=RD&shipCode=BR "Brilliance of the Seas" Official Page] (RCI site)
* [http://thehoneymooncruisemystery.blogspot.com/ Honeymoon Cruise Mystery Coverage]
* [http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-nor.cruisesmith7dec07,0,47520.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines George Allen Smith controversy]
* [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0512/13/lkl.01.html Transcript on Larry King Live!]
* [http://www.shipparade.com/cruise%20reviews/brilliance_of_the_seas/Brilliance%20of%20the%20Seas.htm Ship Parade Review]
* [http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=261 Cruise Critic Review]