Royal Caribbean
Rhapsody of the Seas
- Cruises
- 54
- From
- $353
Ship comparison
Rhapsody of the Seas vs Serenade of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Serenade of the Seas
- Cruises
- 44
- From
- $219
The verdict
Which should you choose?
Rhapsody of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 1,998 passengers, in service since 1997. Serenade of the Seas is a large Royal Caribbean ship carrying 2,110 passengers, in service since 2003.
Choose Rhapsody of the Seas if you want a more active cruise: it outscores Serenade of the Seas for active (8.0 vs 7.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose Serenade of the Seas if you want more adventure and nature, a lower starting fare or a better-rated spa and gym: it outscores Rhapsody of the Seas for adventure & nature (7.0 vs 4.0) and spa & fitness (9.0 vs 8.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and its cruises start from $219 (vs $353).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| Rhapsody of the Seas | Serenade of the Seas | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean | Royal Caribbean |
| Ship size | Large | Large |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 1997 | 2003 (better) |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | 2016 (better) | 2015 |
| Gross tonnage | 78,491 | 90,090 |
| Passengers | 1,998 | 2,110 |
| Crew | 765 | 891 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 2.6 | 2.4 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 39.3 | 42.7 (better) |
| Decks | 11 | 12 |
| Length | 915 ft | 965 ft |
| Beam | 117 ft | 131 ft |
| Speed | 25 mph | 29 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 54 | 44 |
| Upcoming sailings | 115 | 109 |
| Cruise lengths | 4 to 14 nights | 3 to 15 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $353 | $219 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. Rhapsody of the Seas leads on 2 of the ten, Serenade of the Seas on 4, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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
Royal Caribbean
Serenade of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas from Royal Caribbean combines speed, added comfort, greater space, sweeping ocean vistas and a personable crew. Among the ship's highlights are the nine-story glass-constructed Centrum, glass elevators facing the sea and the highest percentage of outside cabins in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
Highlights
- Vegas-style gambling in Casino Royale
- Vintages, Royal Caribbean's first wine bar
- The 1960s vibe at R Bar
- Rock-climbing wall and mini-golf course
Sailing now
44 cruises on sale, from $219.
About Serenade of the Seas Plan my cruise on Serenade of the Seas
Questions
Rhapsody of the Seas or Serenade of the Seas?
Which is bigger, Rhapsody of the Seas or Serenade of the Seas?
Serenade of the Seas is bigger at 90,090 gross tons, against 78,491 gross tons for Rhapsody of the Seas. Rhapsody of the Seas carries 1,998 passengers and Serenade of the Seas carries 2,110.
Which ship is newer, Rhapsody of the Seas or Serenade of the Seas?
Serenade of the Seas is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2003 against 1997 for Rhapsody of the Seas.
Which has more space per passenger?
Serenade 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?
Serenade of the Seas, with one crew member for every 2.4 passengers against one for every 2.6 on Rhapsody of the Seas.
Which is better for families?
Serenade 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?
Tell us what matters and we will match the sailing
Send your dates, budget and who is travelling, and our partner travel agency will come back to you about Rhapsody of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas or a ship that suits you better.