By
Rebecca Gibson |
Royal Caribbean International’s recently refurbished Brilliance of the Seas made her inaugural call at her new Tampa homeport on 16 November.
Tampa Port Authority officials – including commissioners Larry Shipp and Patrick Allman – and area tourism partners welcomed the ship and its crew, commemorating her arrival with an onboard reception. During the reception, Shipp presented a customary commemorative plaque and gift to Captain Stig Nilsen. He also outlined the importance of the Royal Caribbean contract, highlighting that the line has homeported nine vessels at the port in previous years.
“This is a very special day in Tampa, to welcome yet another amazing ship from the Royal Caribbean fleet into the port and into our region, where we recognise the incredible economic benefits and prestige of being one of the nation’s top cruise home ports,” said Paul Anderson, the port’s president and CEO. “We are eager to continue to build our relationship with Royal Caribbean and to welcome even more of their vessels to our world-class port in the future.”
Brilliance of the Seas will offer departures from Cruise Terminal 3 throughout Tampa’s 2013-2014 cruise season.