Royal Caribbean International says it will offer Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings on three ships in summer 2013 – the largest ever deployment to the UK from the business. The 2,112-guest Brilliance of the Seas will sail from Harwich, joining the already-announced UK-based ships of Adventure of Seas and Independence of the Seas sailing from Southampton. It will replace Jewel of the Seas, another member of the Radiance class quartet.

 Brilliance of the Seas joins the UK cruise departure options from Royal Caribbean International following a multi-million dollar revitalisation that will take place during an extensive dry-dock refurbishment programme in May 2013.

 Brand new features that will premier for the first time in Harwich at the start of the 2013 season include a large outdoor cinema screen; new speciality restaurants including sushi, steakhouse and Mexican options; new bars including a traditional English pub; flat screen TV’s in all stateroom accommodation; a new nursery for babies and toddlers, plus lots more.

 "An exceptionally popular ship with UK holidaymakers, Brilliance of the Seas has previously been based in Europe during the summer, and winter hot-spot Dubai for the colder months. The deployment of Brilliance of the Seas to Harwich will also increase the number of cruises from the port for Royal Caribbean International compared to 2012<' the company said.

 From Harwich, Brilliance of the Seas will sail to Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea on 11 and 12-night cruises. Itinerary highlights from the new 2013 season include:

 ·         A 12-night Scandinavia and Russia cruise departing Harwich and calling at Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; Talinn, Estonia; Gothenburg, Sweden; and an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia. Departs 15 May 2013 from £1,146 per person.

 ·         A 11-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland cruise departing Harwich and calling at Bergen and Geiranger, Norway; Lerwick/Shetland, Scotland; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; and an overnight in Reykjavik, Iceland. Departs 27 July 2013 from £1,238 per person.