Brilliance of the Seas – Royal Caribbean

Brilliance of the Seas hit the water in 2002 and is part of Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class—so yeah, she’s been around a bit, but still holds her own. She carries around 2,500 passengers, which makes her one of the smaller, more relaxed ships in the fleet. Loads of windows and glass elevators mean you’re never far from a killer ocean view.

She usually sails around Europe in the summer—places like the Med or Northern Europe—and heads to the Caribbean or Panama Canal during the winter months. The vibe’s laid-back, the size makes it easy to get around, and she’s got all the basics: pool decks, decent dining, and some good entertainment without going over the top. If you’re into seeing cool ports and cruising without the mega-ship madness, Brilliance is a solid pick.