Built in 2002 and recently completely refitted, Brilliance of the Seas is a comfortable ship that by today's standards counts as mid-sized, rather than large, with 2,112 passengers.

The ship features many of the hallmarks of this popular cruise line, not least the Viking Crown Lounge, with sweeping views of the horizon by day and dancing at night; and the popular Schooner Bar, decorated with nautical memorabilia. In the elegant Centrum, the atrium, there are dazzling aerial acrobatic displays in the evenings, while the theatre stages glitzy musical theatre productions.

Following the refit, there are now multiple restaurants on board in addition to the traditional main dining room. Try Tex-Mex at Rita's Cantina; wine by the glass and tapas at Vintages; paninis and crepes at the Park Café; or sushi and sashimi at Izumi. Don't miss a glamorous night out in Chops Grille, a smart, New York-style grill room serving a fine filet mignon.

Brilliance of the Seas is great for active, younger cruisers, with a basketball and volleyball court on deck, a rock climbing wall, miniature golf, a large gym and a luxurious Vitality Spa. Kids love the big waterslide on deck - and there's also an excellent Adventure Ocean children's club and a big movie screen by the main pool. You can swim whatever the weather thanks to the glass-covered Solarium, with cascading waterfalls and comfortable loungers around an adults-only pool, particularly handy in summer, when the ship cruises from Harwich to the Baltic and Russia.