Rhapsody of the Seas - Fast Facts

Rhapsody of the Seas

Ship Rating: 

The multilevel Centrum is the hub of this ship. It's an airy, light-filled atrium with gliding glass elevators, palm trees, panoramic windows, gleaming brass, and chairs and low tables placed in cozy groupings. Most passengers gather here for a pre-dinner cocktail as live music plays in the background. Other popular spots include the convivial Schooner Bar, the elegant Champagne Bar and the Solarium, a serene, glass-enclosed pool area with a retractable ceiling. The Viking Crown Lounge is a Royal Caribbean signature; floating 11 decks above the ocean, it's an observation point by day and a pulsating dance club at night. There's also a casino and show lounge. Go for a seaside jog on the top deck, spend a few pampering hours at the spa or work out with a view at the ShipShape Fitness Center. The Windjammer Café is a casual alternative to the formal, two-level Edelweiss Dining Room.

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Watch more videos of Rhapsody of the Seas made by Cruise Crazies

MS Rhapsody of the Seas is a Vision Class cruise ship for Royal Caribbean International. Onboard amenities include a full-service spa, two swimming pools, six bars, a pizzeria, and a Ben and Jerry's ice-cream parlour.

After 6 years of sailing from Galveston, Texas, Rhapsody repositioned on a world trip in the fall of 2007, traveling through the South Pacific to Australia where she remained for two months, before moving to Asia, operating cruises from Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Busan in South Korea. For the summer of 2008, Rhapsody operated out of Seattle, Washington, sailing to Alaska before repositioning back to Sydney, Australia for the winter of 2008/2009. After returning to Seattle in the spring of 2009, Royal Caribbean has announced that the Rhapsody is to repeat her Australia/Alaska seasons at least through April 2012. Prior to commencing her 2012 US summer tour, the ship will be receiving a US$16 million dry dock refit in April, with attention focussed on the pool deck and addition of new restaurants.

Ship Statistics  Year Built 1997 Refurbished 2012 Tonnage 78,500 tons Registry Bahamas Length 915 feet Beam 106 feet Passenger Capacity 2,435 Crew Size 765 Total Inside Cabins 407 Total Outside Cabins 593 Cabins & Suites w/ verandas 229 Suites 97 Maximum Occupancy per room 8 Age Restrictions One person must be 21 or older Dinner Seatings 2 Seating Assignments in Main Dining Room Assigned Dining Hours 6-6:30 p.m. & 8-8:30 p.m. Dining Room Dress Code 7-day cruise: 2 formal nights, 2 informal, others casual. No shorts, jeans or t-shirts at dinner. Tipping Recommended? Yes Tipping Guidelines Waiter, $3.75 per person/day. Asst. waiter, $2.15 per person/day. Maitre'D, $.75 per person/day. Housekeeping staff, $5 ($7.25 for suites) per person/day. Total, $11.65 ($13.90 for Suites) per person/day. 15% tip included on beverage orders. Onboard Currency US Dollar

Services & Amenities Bars/Lounges 8 Beauty Salon/Barber Shop Yes Casino Yes Note: The casino does not operate when sailing within the Hawaiian Islands. Chapel Yes Disco/Dancing Yes Elevators 3 Hot Tub 6 Cell Phone Service Yes Internet Center Yes Wireless Internet Access Yes Note: Available in certain areas Laundry/Dry Cleaning Yes Library Yes Movie Theatre No Outdoor Movie Screen Yes Onboard Weddings Yes Self Serve Laundromats No Shops Yes Showroom Yes Spa Yes Video Arcade Yes Fitness & Sports Facilities Basketball Court No Fitness Center Yes Golf Driving Net No Golf Simulator No Ice Skating Rink No Jogging Track Yes Mini-Golf Course No Rock Climbing Wall Yes Swimming Pool 2 Note: 1 Heated Tennis Court No Water Sports Platform No Cabin Features & Amenities 24-Hour Room Service Yes Hair Dryer Yes Safe Yes Telephone Yes Television Yes Kids Facilities Babysitting Yes Children's Playroom Yes Kiddie Pool Yes Supervised Youth Program Yes Teen Center Yes Special Needs & Requests Adjoining Cabins      (private connecting doors) Yes Kosher Meals Yes Single Occupancy Cabins No Single Share Program No Wheelchair-Accessible Cabins 14 SOURCE: Vacations To Go

Home Movies by Cruise Crazies

Sydney to Cook Islands - Rhapsody of the Seas.

These first three videos are of our first big cruise Transpacific from Sydney to Hawaii, via the Cook Islands and Tahiti. Rhapsody, although an older ship, has 'good bones' and has been maintained beautifully by Royal Caribbean. In April this year she had a major refurbishment and she looks and feels like a new ship. Some ships have a great vibe, and Rhapsody, although older and smaller than most today, always rates surprisingly high in cruise critic reviews.

Raiatea - Tahiti - Rhapsody of the Seas

This video is a perfect example of what an amazing tool the cruise critic roll calls are. On this cruise we had a very active group of over 100 people. Day trips organised by the cruises lines are notoriously expensive. On this cruise I contacted a private island and created our own private tour. We were picked  by two launches and were able to enjoy a day of extreme luxury for one third the price of tours offered by the ship. As you see from the smiles these are some of the life long friends we made on this cruise - which is one of the reasons people, (like me) get so addicted to cruising.

Bora Bora - Tahiti - Rhapsody of the Seas

Bora Bora. I've been lucky enough through 20+ years of flying to see a whole chunk of the world. I'd always wanted to see Bora Bora, and I wasn't disappointed. Simply the most beautiful place on the planet. Dreams are made of this.

Crossing the Equator - Tahiti to Hawaii

This final video of our Trans-Pacific cruise provides a good overview of what it's like to have 6 heavily uninterrupted days at sea. Ships take on such a different vibe when they head out to sea on a major ocean crossing. For my money it's one of the very best aspects of cruising.

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Super Star Leo

An old Video with very poor quality however I thought I'd post it here for anyone interested in Star Cruises.

Until we can find an easy way for people to upload videos our blog either just add a link in the comment box below. NB Check out our very own TV Channel at Vimeo for Cruise Crazies, Here.