Rhapsody Of The Seas

Founded by three Norwegian shipping companies in 1969, Royal Caribbean’s first ship, Song of Norway, entered service in 1970 as the first passenger ship purpose-built for warm weather cruising instead of point-to-point transport. Song of Norway also was the first ship with a cocktail lounge cantilevered from its smokestack, thus making the Viking Crown Lounge a hallmark of every Royal Caribbean vessel. In 1988 Royal Caribbean and Admiral Cruises merged, marking a growth spurt highlighted by the debut of the 2,350-passenger Sovereign of the Seas and its dazzling five-deck atrium. After going public in 1993, adding more glittering ships to its fleet, the line in 1997 changed its name to Royal Caribbean International, better reflecting global scope and itineraries. In 1997, Rhapsody of the Seas entered service in Alaska, and in 1999 RCI hit what even competitors called a “home run” with introduction of its first Eagle class ship, Voyager of the Seas, with the industry’s first rock climbing wall and an ice skating rink to boot. In 2004, RCI continues trail blazing with new options in the Gulf of Mexico, expanded adventures in Alaska, more itineraries in Europe, and 15 Royal Caribbean ships cruising the Caribbean.

Quick View

As one of a half dozen Vision-class vessels, Rhapsody of the Seas has a light, airy sense of whimsy, thanks in part to extensive application of glass throughout the interior design. Big window panels in public areas help guests remember they are on an adventure at sea, despite spacious comfort of a land-based resort with value-added amenities . Like sisters Legend, Splendour, Enchantment, Grandeur and Vision (each “of the Seas”), Rhapsody has the signature Viking Crown Lounge, an eye-popping centrum, swimming pools, and an Egyptian-themed Solarium spa and pool with a retractable glass canopy. Dinner, sometimes themed, can be a grand affair in the two-tiered dining room with a dramatic staircase. Youngsters are never bored, thanks to the Club Ocean Children’s room and the FantaSEAS Teen Center. Dazzling production shows in the Broadway Melodies Show Lounge garner raves, and it helps that the sightlines from both balcony and main floor make it easy to enjoy what’s unfolding on stage. In 2004, Rhapsody sails round-trip from Galveston, Texas on 7-night itineraries departing Sundays, followed by a day at sea, a lengthy stay in popular Key West with plenty of time for shore excursions or independent sight-seeing, plus calls at Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Key West shore excursion, bookable in advance or onboard, range from a self-guided historic homes tour or a conch train/trolley tour to scuba adventure.

About Gratuities
Recommended gratuities are at $7.50 per guest, per day, and a 15 percent tip is automatically added to bar checks.

Disabled Access
Royal Caribbean has undertaken a fleetwide enhancement on its Accessible Seas program, adding Braille deck numbers to staircase handrails on each ship. Cabins in several categories are accessible to wheelchair users.

Ship Features

Rhapsody of the Seas, like all Royal Caribbean Vision-class ships, has cabins that have been designed with a spacious look, and the ship’s public spaces are especially airy and bright.

Staterooms
Vision-class ships were Royal Caribbean’s first with private verandas and the first with family suites sleeping up to eight. Rhapsody has 87 suites, including an Owner’s Suite, a Royal Family Suite, Grand Oceanview Suites and Superior Oceanview Suites. There are 231 private balcony cabins, 496 ocean view cabins, and 327 inside cabins.

Stateroom amenities
Vision-class amenities include TV with closed-circuit and pay-for-view movies, safe, individual temperature controls, mini-bars, and hair-dryers.

Kid & Teen Stuff
A professional staff is onboard to provide a stellar experience for young cruisers, and the Adventure Ocean program has been designed to entertain ages 3 to 17. Kids can enjoy Karaoke, sports, painting, talent shows, a computer lab, video arcades, special menus at meal times, and more. Baby sitting, including group sitting and in-cabin sitting, is available.

Cruises Specials

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Life Aboard

Dining
The two-tiered main dining room features the traditional early and late seatings. There is also the Edelweiss Dining Room and Windjammer Café Club, plus 24-hour room service. Royal Caribbean offers several beverage programs for both adults and children. An adult fountain soda package starts at $15 (for a three-day cruise), with a 15 percent gratuity automatically added. Soda packages are accepted at all food and beverage outlets including the dining room and at some private destinations.

Sports / Health / Fitness
The ShipShape Fitness Center & Spa has a full menu of revitalizing treatments and equipment for burning off calories. Workout areas have recumbent Life Cycles, Textrix step machines and virtual bikes, along with Cybex strength machines, treadmills, saunas and steam baths. The 35-person aerobics area has wrap-around windows for spectacular ocean views. There’s also Ping-Pong and Volleyball.

Entertainment
The Broadway Melodies Show Lounge garners raves for dazzling production shows. There is also a dance club, cinema, and library.

Casino
Slots, roulette, dice, blackjack and poker are part of the on-board action.

Bars
Among eight bars, including the spectacular Viking Crown Lounge, other favorites are the Schooner Bar and Moonlight Bay Lounge, each on Deck Six, and a Champagne Bar.