We had our eleventh cruise on Rhapsody Of The Seas from October 24-31, 2004, sailing out of Galveston, Texas. My review comments are based on comparisons with our other cruises, especially since we've been on the Vision Of The Seas and Splendour Of The Seas, sisters to the Rhapsody.
ITINERARY: Like the majority of those on this cruise, we had booked it primarily to go to Grand Cayman Island. As the hurricane had devastated the island, our itinerary was changed. We left Galveston at 4:00 p.m. Next day was a sea day, then Key West, Florida, sea day, Costa Maya, Mexico, Cozumel, Mexico, sea day, arrive Galveston.
HOTEL: We arrived in Galveston the night before, driving from Lubbock, Texas. We had booked a room with Holiday Inn On The Beach. The personnel there were extremely friendly and helpful and we were surprised when we were upgraded to a better room on the second to top floor. This Holiday Inn allows you to park in their parking lot, during the cruise, for free, saving you $60.00 per week in parking charges at the pier. They also provide a free shuttle to and from the pier. Our shuttle driver both times was "Rodney" who is quite a character and a very nice person. He really takes good care of you and gives you his cell phone number so you can call him when you return and he'll hurry down to pick you up. (Eight minutes from our call to his arriving!) All shuttle drives are done by reservation so make sure you are on their list. They also check to ensure you have been taken and picked up. I fully recommend Holiday Inn for a Galveston sailing.