Hi Y'all, Just returned home from the best holidy of my life. 14 nights aboard the lovely lady Rhapsody of the Seas. Firstly, The Good. Some exterior areas are looking a bit tired especially the pool deck around the main pool area which is in some need of a refurb. Being ex Navy I can appreciate that these high traffic areas are hard to maintain. Apart from that she is stunning in every way. All of the interior dining areas, bars and lounges present as new especially the Centrum, simply stunning. The staff are most curtious and helpful especially the bar staff (as they get a grat. every time the sell you a drink) Loose some weight before you go as you just very well might put a bit on with the huge selection of quality food. I am a very impatient diner and like flexibility with dining time so we dined nearly every day in the Windjammer restuarant. If you can,t get a feed in there you are hard to please. No shortage of quality floorshows in the Broadway Melodies auditorium and some great bands providing good music in other places. The calypso group who played most of the time on the pool deck became a bit to much as the trip wore on as they "Shot the Sherrif" on numerous occasions. Those on this cruise will know what I mean.
The Bad No irons provided (they say for safety reasons)and no ironing room where one could go to put the creases in the right place. Stay away from the "slots" in the casino. I think they have had the scewdriver to them. I know that this would be hard implement but there needs to be a way of moving people on when they have finished dining in the Winjammer as a lot of selfish people linger on after they have eaten. This area is very popular and can become quite conjested. Another annoying thing was the contiual breaking down of one and sometimes two of the forward lifts. There is only three forward lifts rising up to the Windjammer so do the maths. It was quite annoying at times.
The Ugly When you book the cruise there is no mention that the ship stops in 3 working ports which require the use of shuttle buses at rip off prices. Use public buses wherever you can at a fraction of the cost. All excursions on board are over the top. Do some research on line and you will save heaps. Just remember though, if you get back late the ship will leave without you unless it is a ship's (Ned Kelly type) tour. Do not use the ship's ATM or Purser's money change. It also is a rip off. And how ugly does this one get. When you draw cash to "loose" in the casino there is a 3% surcharge.