Royal Caribbean
Jewel of the Seas
- Cruises
- 53
- From
- $307
Ship comparison
Jewel of the Seas vs Rhapsody of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Rhapsody of the Seas
- Cruises
- 54
- From
- $353
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Jewel of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 2,112 passengers, in service since 2004. Rhapsody of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 1,998 passengers, in service since 1997.
Choose Jewel of the Seas if you want a newer ship: its maiden voyage was in 2004 (vs 1997).
Choose Rhapsody of the Seas if you want more culture, a more romantic trip or a more active cruise: it outscores Jewel of the Seas for cultural (6.5 vs 4.0), romantic (6.0 vs 4.0) and active (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Jewel of the Seas | Rhapsody of the Seas | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean | Royal Caribbean |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2004 (better) | 1997 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2021 (better) | 2016 |
| Gross tonnage | 90,090 | 78,491 |
| Passengers | 2,112 | 1,998 |
| Crew | 859 | 765 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.5 (better) | 2.6 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 42.7 (better) | 39.3 |
| Decks | 13 | 11 |
| Length | 962 ft | 915 ft |
| Beam | 106 ft | 117 ft |
| Speed | 29 mph | 25 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 6 / 10 | 7 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 53 | 54 |
| Upcoming sailings | 157 | 115 |
| Cruise lengths | 3 to 17 nights | 4 to 14 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $307 (better) | $353 |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Jewel of the Seas leads on 2 of the ten, Rhapsody of the Seas on 4, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
Royal Caribbean
Jewel of the Seas
Jewel of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean's Radiance-class ships, underwent a $30 million upgrade in 2016 and another dry dock in July 2021, emerging with a fresh sheen. With acres of glass throughout and elevators facing the sea, every view on the ship is picture-worthy.
Highlights
- Complimentary Adventure Ocean Youth Program
- Rock-climbing wall, mini-golf course and basketball court on board
- Solarium, an adults-only retreat
- Yoga and Pilates classes in fitness center
Sailing now
53 cruises on sale, from $307.
Royal Caribbean
Rhapsody of the Seas
Rhapsody of the Seas from Royal Caribbean delivers an unforgettable cruise experience, no matter the hemisphere. Get out to sea and relax away the stress of life on land at the Vitality Spa or glass-canopied Solarium adults-only pool.
Highlights
- Solarium, an adults-only retreat
- Vitality Spa's extensive treatment menu
- Broadway-style entertainment in the Main Theater
- Gaming at the Vegas-style Casino Royale
Sailing now
54 cruises on sale, from $353.
About Rhapsody of the Seas Plan my cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas
Questions
Jewel of the Seas or Rhapsody of the Seas?
Which is bigger, Jewel of the Seas or Rhapsody of the Seas?
Jewel of the Seas is bigger at 90,090 gross tons, against 78,491 gross tons for Rhapsody of the Seas. Jewel of the Seas carries 2,112 passengers and Rhapsody of the Seas carries 1,998.
Which ship is newer, Jewel of the Seas or Rhapsody of the Seas?
Jewel of the Seas is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2004 against 1997 for Rhapsody of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Jewel of the Seas, with 42.7 gross tons per passenger against 39.3 on Rhapsody of the Seas. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
Jewel of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.5 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Rhapsody of the Seas.
Which is better for families?
Jewel of the Seas scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 8.0 out of 10, against 7.5 for Rhapsody of the Seas.
Still deciding?
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