Rhapsody of the Seas Review
Excursions are overpriced and best done "on the cheap"
Rating by category
Additional details
We are a family of five (parents and three pre-teen children). Our decision was based on destination (Greece), price and availability of adjoining rooms (can't have 5x people in the same room). It is the second cruise we took as a family and we loved it. Our research showed us that it is one of their older ships without all the "bells and whistles" that many of the new ships have. However for our purposes it was great. The staff is very friendly and professional. The food was good but after 11 days we were ready to eat at port to change it up. Drinks are expensive so it is worth it to buy a beer package or just imbibe at port. Entertainment was really good...not the kind of acts I would frequent at home (mime, magic act, etc.) but surprisingly entertaining. The kids club Ocean's Adventure was excellent...the kids really liked it and were happy to go several hours a day which built in time for mom and dad. Another nice thing was the nightly movie on deck (newer releases) which we watched as a family. If I had any critique it would be the TV options (two English channels,,,BBC and a repetitive loop of the same sit coms for two weeks) also the two pools are small crowded. The shore excursions are expensive and add up for a family of five. Good idea to do your homework and do your excursions without the cruise built in overhead. We took taxis, public bus or walked to attractions and saved about 80%...incredible mark up they have.
Cabin Review
Cabin was clean, compact and adequate for our purposes. We didn't spend a lot of time there. TV options were not the best. Only two English options with a repetitive loop of the same programs. Bathroom is basically a closet with a shower.
Port Reviews
Venice
Venice is beautiful! We got a pass on the Vaporetto (boat bus) for 20 Euros and went all over (good value). We had a good dining experience during lunch on the interior of one of the islands (relatively cheap and tasty) however we ate looking at the water for dinner and were "burnt" with a "coperto" (tax) charge (15 Euros) as well as 7 Euro sodas. We went on a family gondola ride (120 Euros) for 45 minutes. The charge goes up 50 Euros if you do it after 7 PM
Mykonos
We opted to do this on our own and were rewarded for it. We wanted to go to the beach and opted for Paradise Beach Club (not an excursion option) the two beaches offered on excursion are Ella Beach and Kalafatis Beach. We took a public bus that cost us 5 Euros round trip. Definitely worth it...they charge 1 Euros per person to use one of their lounge chairs with umbrella. We ordered food and it was really good...water was beautiful and they have a coral reef that you can stand on for pictures until the lifeguard whistles you off!
Santorini
Favorite port for overall beauty! We got dropped off at New Port by tender. We saw there were many transportation kiosks once you get there with merchants offering transportation to Old Port. We bought a round trip ticket and got our transfer. There are two major towns Oia and Fira...both strikingly beautiful.
Athens (Piraeus)
We got off of the ship and through the port and ended up taking the X80 bus for 4 Euros which brought us the 30 minute ride to Athens and dropped us off right at the Acropolis. There is a long line for tickets there and we opted for the 30 Euro everything pass (Acropolis and slopes)..hell of a walk to the top and very crowded...very hard to take pictures. There is no water sold at the site and it is extremely hot so bring some water and sun block! We then went to the shops... merchants are not the friendliest but we still had a good time.