Name: Rhapsody of the Seas
Brand: Royal Caribbean
Availability: InStock

At a glance

Rhapsody of the Seas is a large-size cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean, in service since 1996. It carries 1,998 guests and 765 crew (2.6 guests per crew member) at 78,491 gross tons. It is the 28th largest of 29 Royal Caribbean ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for active, spa & fitness and staterooms (8/10) and lowest for adventure & nature (4/10). It is rated 3.5 out of 5 by Cruiseable, 3.5 out of 5 by Berlitz and 4 out of 5 by Cruise Critic. It has 36 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $353 to $1,251. 14 of its upcoming sailings dropped in price since the previous weekly fare check.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable: 3.5 / 5
Berlitz: 3.5 / 5
Cruise Critic: 4 / 5

Guests: 1,998
Crew: 765
Gross tons: 78,491
Decks: 11
Length: 915 ft
Beam: 117 ft
Maiden voyage: 1996
Launched: 1997
Refurbished: 2016
Space ratio: 2.6; Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew: 2.6
Speed mph: 25
IMO: 9116864

Bliss scores

What Rhapsody of the Seas is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

Active 8.0
Adventure and nature 4.0
Cultural 6.5
Dining 6.0
Entertainment 7.5
Family friendly 7.5
Party 5.0
Romantic 6.0
Spa and fitness 8.0
Staterooms 8.0

Our review

Rhapsody of the Seas: Relaxation across the globe

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. This is a ship built for active travelers, too, with rock climbing, the Casino Royale and entertainment including shows, live music, plus bars and lounges that never have a cover.

Who will like sailing on Rhapsody of the Seas

For those cruise passengers looking for some serious R&R, Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas features several onboard spas and pools for relaxing. Because of the wide variety of destinations she visits, Rhapsody of the Seas has a range of itineraries sure to suit any passenger.

Where Rhapsody of the Seas sails

Rhapsody of the Seas offers a wide variety of itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean with the occasional transatlantic crossing.

Read the full review

Top dining options

Main Dining Room: features complimentary, multi-course dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner
More complimentary options include the Park Cafe, Windjammer Cafe and Solarium Cafe
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream: Features frozen treats for a nominal fee
Cafe Latte-tudes: serves up Seattle's Best Coffee
Viking Crown Lounge: features a la carte menu with bite-sized portions of classic dishes
Chef's Table: an intimate dining experience with a Royal Caribbean chef
Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean's signature steakhouse
Izumi: Asian-fusion cuisine, featuring a la carte sushi selections
Room service: Late-night service charge applies to room service orders between midnight and 5 am

Rest & relaxation

Vitality Spa with extensive treatment menu
State-of-the-art fitness center, with classes ranging from aerobics to kickboxing to yoga
Two pools including the Solarium, an adults-only retreat
Six whirlpools
Poolside, outdoor movie screen
Concierge Club and Diamond Lounge, reserved for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor Society members, and select suite guests

Watch a movie from the pool on Rhapsody of the Seas' outdoor movie screen. Michel Verdure / Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Entertainment & shopping

Complimentary Broadway-style entertainment in the Main Theater
6,276-square-foot Vegas-style Casino Royale with 162 slots and 11 tables
Eight bars and lounges that never have a cover, including Shall We Dance Lounge and the Champagne Bar
Duty-free shops on board feature name-brand jewelry, perfumes, apparel and more
R Bar, featuring a sophisticated 1960s vibe, complete with iconic furnishings and signature cocktails created by a savvy mixologist

Kids and teens embark on their own adventures in Rhapsody of the Seas' Adventure Ocean Youth Program. Eddie Buay / Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Kids & families

Complimentary Adventure Ocean Youth Program
Royal Babies and Royal Tots programming features specially designed Fisher Price activities
Expanded teen-only hangout areas
Family-friendly activities including games, contests, enrichment classes and lectures
Royal Babies & Tots Nursery

Action & adventure

Rock-climbing wall
Upper-deck jogging track
Video game arcade

Staterooms

Staterooms are put into different categories based on size and amenities as well as the location on the cruise ship.

Stateroom amenities include flat-screen televisions, new bathrooms and completely remodeled interiors, with new linens and furniture. iPads are available in every stateroom, which will allow guests to access the daily Cruise Compass of events and activities; personal daily itineraries, including shore excursions; monitor their onboard account; order room service; view restaurant menus; access the Internet; and watch movies.

All staterooms have closed-circuit TV, a radio, hairdryer, vanity area and a bathroom with a shower. All lower beds are convertible to a queen. Suites have a large sitting area, private balcony and a full bath with a tub.

Your take

How about you? Have you cruised on Rhapsody of the Seas? What are your suggestions for first-timers?

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Interested in a cruise on this ship?

If you're interested in a cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate at 1-877-322-3773 or by email. We can usually offer a better deal than you can get by contacting the cruise line directly.

SEE ALL RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS SAILINGS

On board highlights

Outdoor movie screen Lido Deck
Rhapsody of the Seas Singapore
Centrum Rhapsody of the Seas

Dining

Where to eat on Rhapsody of the Seas

Photos

Inside and out

Dining 11

Sky High Lemon Meringue Pie, available from the kitchen of your Royal Caribbean ship.
Potato Leek and Spinach Tower, available from the kitchen of your Royal Caribbean ship.
Fish and Tomato Chowder, a popular soup on Royal Caribbean voyages.
Caramel apple pie à la mode, a worthy dessert to top off your day on a Royal Caribbean sailing.
The upscale Chops Grille steakhouse is one of the most popular restaurants aboard Rhapsody of the Seas. Reservations are highly recommended.
Giovanni's Table is a popular Italian trattoria serving family-style dishes for lunch and dinner. Reservations are recommended.
The Windjammer Café, on deck 11 of Rhapsody of the Seas, offers a large buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Royal Caribbean menu options include free-range chicken as well as gluten-free and vegan/vegetarian dishes.
Royal Caribbean chefs will prepare your meals to your specifications.
Dining options on Royal Caribbean cruises range from formal seating in the main dining room to more casual fare.
Royal Caribbean menus include dishes specially prepared to please the discerning palate of children.

On board 7

An eye-popping aerial performance at the Centrum, a six-deck atrium and hub of Rhapsody of the Seas.
Kids and teans embark on their own adventures in Rhapsody of the Seas' Adventure Ocean Youth Program.
With only 14 seatings, early reservations are highly recommended for the Chef's Table, Rhapsody of the Seas most upscale dining experience.
Rhapsody of the Seas has both an outdoor and an adults-only indoor pool.
With an Internet café open 24/7 and wi-fi from bow to stern, you're never far from the digital world when cruising on Rhapsody of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean's fleetwide Adventure Ocean Youth Program and its trained staff offer age-appropriate entertainment and activities for cruisers ages 3 to 17.
Relax at poolside and let your cares slip away during your Royal Caribbean sailing.

More photos 9

Rhapsody of the Seas offers a wide variety of itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Stop by the six-deck Centrum, at the heart of Rhapsody of the Seas, for cocktails, people watching and spectacular aerial shows.
Watch a movie from the pool on Rhapsody of the Seas' outdoor movie screen.
The glass-canopied Solarium pool, along with two hot tubs, on Rhapsody of the Seas is an adults-only area.
Share a cocktail and the panoramic sea vistas from the Viking Crown Lounge, on deck 11 of Rhapsody of the Seas.
Colorful, cool chilled soup provides a refreshing lift-me-up during a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Access to Rhapsody of the Seas' Diamond Club is reserved for Diamond-and-above level Crown & Anchor Society members.
Rhapsody of the Seas offers a wide variety of itineraries throughout the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Pan Seared Sea Scallops and Chorizo, available from the kitchen of your Royal Caribbean ship.

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