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Port Canaveral (Orlando)

It was my 70th birthday that I wanted to get away from and this cruise would be going to the most beautiful Champagne Bay.

We had the top suite and it was fantastic. So much room. There was more than enough hanging space and drawers and the bathroom was a proper bathroom with a bidet, a glass enclosed shower and a spa bath. The amenities were excellent only needed to note a vanity door needed looking at and it was done while we were out in the morning.

The living room had a table and chairs big enough for us to dine in when we didn't feel like  dressing for diner.

Balcony, roomy with chairs and 2 sun loungers.

Entertainment was suited in the day time around the pool, for the party goers. Lots of noise and crazy games, loud music and it was part time every day there.

The Spa pool area was lovely for a quiet poolside read, gentle music and refreshments.

Evening, the ship lacked piano type bars where couples could have a cocktail, listen to softer music suited for that romantic close dancing!

The Atrium band and dance area was too much like being in a glass bowl everybody looking down or around at you. Wonderful for those exhibitionist that seem to be on every cruise we've been on.

Shows were fine, but we didn't go every night.

Disappointed with main dining room seating and staff so we dined mainly at the buffet as it had one one the best we've experienced. The cuisine was excellent, and the staff were absolutely delightful....and enjoyment to dine there.

We also used the room service to dine in often.

The consiarge room is a great facility for those in that category of suite and to meet other cruisers for pre dinner catch ups and drinks.

Over all it was a great cruise and I look forward to my next one in 2017. Thoroughly recommend RCL.

Seventy Escape

After doing 3 P & O Cruises and assured Royal Caribbean was top shelf, I was so disappointed.  The ship/decor was dated in the main areas and the main , the food was horrible (and im not a fussy eater).  The breakfast and lunch buffets were so unhealthy and overcooked.  Luckily I took up the option of going into the Sanctuary for breakfast and lunch and ate on the deck.  The rooms however were spacious (room with port hole) and modern.  I'm glad we took up the offer for the 3 extra restaurants onboard.  The staff were polite and friendly and ensured we all had a great time.  I did enjoy the gym.  The one pool in the main deck is way too small.  You could not get in for a swim, as it was so crowded.

Upon waiting for the tenders to go to the islands, the staff were walking around with buckets and spades trying to coax the kids into wanting them, so the parents were forced into overpaying for rubbish.  It felt like it was a sales tour.  (maybe that's what americans like when they go on holiday, being an american ship?)

The drinks package is a good idea.

Disappointed

This was our first ever cruise so I'm not able to compare this ship to others. Rhapsody is small in comparison to many of the other cruise ships operating at the moment so she doesn't have most of the modern fancy stuff. No mini golf, no ice skating rink etc but what she lacks in these things she makes us for in pure dignity. She's a classy, understated lady.

Beautiful Rhapsody

Absolutely loved it !!

A slight changer to the itinerary, but understandable, due to Cyclone Pam. I really hardly noticed it, as we'd had a week to get used to the idea before boarding the ship. 

The crew were fabulous, and although you could hardly swing a dead cat in the berths, they were clean & included the necessities.

Worst part was the high price for an impossible internet connection. They need to look at reducing the ridiculous price and improving the speed of the connection. Was like being back in 1995.

Loved the at sea days, and could have done with a few more ..... so much to do, but it was great just on a lounge beside the pool, attacking the bar.

Food was good, and the signature restaurants were fabulous.

Diet coke from the tap tasted horrible though.

That's my take.

I Loved my 1st Cruise

A lot has been said about Cyclone Pam and Rhapsody's Captain and the fact you cant fight mother nature. Having sailed the cruise with my wife and 4 year old it has to be said that almost all crew where consummate professionals without doubt and it did not matter who it was from bottom to top if you asked about the itinerary you got exactly the same answer from them all. Now I am not going to rip into the staff on the ship and I don't want to sound like a whinger but why did Royal Caribbean not change the itinerary before hand? 

That said, our boy had a ball. He loved it and my thanks to the adventure ocean staff. Thanks to our table waiter and assistant waiter also. Head waiter not so much as he was rude to my wife in front of other guests and when that was complained about it was ignored.

So in summary an average cruise with good and bad points, could have been so much better but maybe my review is harsher because of the distance and time to get to and from the ship (UK) and expectations being what they were.

WOW us in future RCI or these loyal cruisers may well take the plunge elsewhere!

Pam spoils the itinerary

It wasn't as good as the first cruise we did on Carnival.  The cabin was smaller but still OK and nice.  We were meant to go to Fiji but didn't get there.  The reason was a cyclone.  every day the captain changed his mind as to where we were going.  Instead of going to the Isle of Pine which was no where near the cyclone, we stopped for the first day in Newcastle. A big disappointment for all.  He kept heading to where the cyclone was.  It was days before it passed Fiji.  First we were going to Luginville.  then it was changed to Champagne Bay.  But as the cyclone was still there. we had to go at a very slow speed and spend another day at sea.  We got there just after the cyclone had left.  This was day 7 of a 12 day day cruise.  It still hadn't got down to passing Fiji.  Next day we called at Luginville which was badly hit with the cyclone two days before.  I wrote in to complain and got a very snooty reply 3 weeks later and half of what I read was untrue.  The entertainment wasn't as good as our other line.

Not what we expected

Overview

We were not pleased with the experience with Royal Caribbean.  We just felt it was not good value or anywhere as pleasurable as our other two cruises.  It was not because of the change in itinerary, as weather cannot be controlled.  It is more about the product offered and the need to get revenue seemed to take precedence over everything.  This must be a corporate culture not specific to anyone ship.  I will admit a small compensation was offered  ($200) and a discount on next trip.  But why would I spend thousands of dollars to save a bit on the cruise when it would probably be the same experience?

Room

The room was smaller than expected as the description was Large Ocean View Stateroom.  Hate to see what a small one was.  We have always travelled with the same luggage, in previous two cruises they would fit in the wardrobe.  With this we had to use the lounge chair provided to put one suitaces on, further reducing the space in room.

The Window sealant was corroded and there was rust on the bathroom door.  This was later fixed after writing 14 pages of feedback form on 3 days from end of cruise.

The room can be configured to add 4 bunk beds.  There were two ladders in the tiny wardrobe, and 4 life jackets.  Such that could not hang up clothes or put in suitcase.  When I first asked I was told “they were with the room” but then complained and the ladders were removed but not extra life jackets.

At times we had to add water to complete flushing of the toilet.

Activities

It appeared that revenue raising activities took preference over passenger enjoyment.  For example, dancing classes were popular but the large dance room was used for art auction and small area for dance activities.

There were generally more revenue raising activities than general.  On the last day 54% were revenue raising.

Considering the number of continuous days at sea due to weather issues it did not seem that were extra activities added. This cannot be an unusual occurrence and I would have expected a Plan B just be put into place.

Expensive

Prices on ship seemed very expensive in stores.  And for Aussies (not Royal Caribbean’s fault ) the exchange rate added 40%.  For example if you forgot to pack a universal power adapter the price on ship was $35Us or $50 Aus for aan item at most being $10.  

The overall price of cruise seemed to be cruise was at the higher end but the product was at the lower end.

Information

Considering the variable weather (pending cyclone) and sometimes unknown destinations, it would have been better to have a briefing in the evening of what was expected for the evening and what the plan was based on that.  Then a follow up in the morning as to what happened and how that would the effect was for the day. 

Sometimes things were missed like BBQ on deck.

Staff

All staff were friendly, helpful and courteous.  The really positive part of product.

Main dinning staff were especially helpful, often telling us things about what was happening that had nothing to do with dinning.

Newcastle

I don’t think this was really explained why we went there.  I understand there was a cyclone and its path was being followed to ensure we missed it.  But not explained why we did not stay at sea where we could better decide on best destination.  It would appear that we could have gone to Fiji, as two other boats leaving at same time as us did get there.

Disappointing cruise line

My advice to anyone is to not go on the Rhapsody of the Seas, it is a third rate ship, there is no laundry on the ship, you are expected to put your laundry in bags and have it done by the ships laundry service and is very expensive, so obviously not many passengers would pay for the service, both the pools are cold, not heated.  The ship looks and feels old, really doesn't have anything going for it. 

If you don't like playing Bingo or rock climbing or trivia, there isn't a lot to do on the ship. The Library consists of a tiny space of shelving, with a few books on it, most uninviting,couldn't find a decent book to read. 

I would not recommend this ship.  In the center of the ship I think it was called Centrum they have lots of chairs where people can sit and watch a bit of entertainment, the chairs are terrible, you sit in them and the backs aren't straight so you have to lie back in them and very uncomfortable.   Because there weren't enough chairs a lot of passengers (mostly elderly as they could not get there quickly enough to get a chair to sit down) had to stand up.  They would rope off two spaces every night I suppose for their special guests in case any decided to come at their own leisure, and people had to stand around and look at these empty chairs because nobody ever turned up, it was disgraceful.

Disappointing

We have just returned from a cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas and connote praise the staff of the ship highly enough. The itinerary had to altered due to Cyclone Pam, one of the worst cyclones on record. The captain managed to keep us far enough away from the storm so everyone was able to have an enjoyable and safe trip. We never got to Fiji and spent more days at sea than expected because of the cyclone but we still had a great time. The level of service was at a high standard as the crew worked hard to ensure we all had a great time. Some people were not happy that they messed Fiji but you can't fight nature and safety comes first!
We would like to thank the Captain and crew of Rhapsody for a great cruise. We will sail on Rhapsody again.

Cruising with Cyclone Pam

Rhapsody sailed out of Sydney 28 Feb 2015...  now I know why Sydney Harbour is rated one of the best in the world.  What a site sailing past the Opera House and out through Sydney Heads... and the weather was perfect.  My sister and I positioned ourselves at the upper-level in the Centrum to witness a beautiful sunset over Sydney. The strings music was so fitting as we sipped our departing cocktails.  Very memorable and just what the doctor ordered for the start of our break away from the stresses of life.

The ship is quite elegant and to me wasn't gaudy - even the flashing lights in the casino weren't overdone.  One other thing I liked about the casino is that the noise from the machines was kept to a minimum.  The main dining room is lovely and well run.  I especially loved the entertainment performed by the wait staff.  So much fun.

We loved that guests keep to the traditions of dressing up on formal and theme nights.  Though we missed both of them due to being really tired and staying in our cabins those nights.

We did not come across any staff that were rude, except for one person and I'll explain that below.  Wait staff and room attendants were all most helpful and would sing as they worked and smile or nod and greet you as they passed.

The food was quite good but could have been more varied.  We was on an 8-night cruise and was beginning to get bored with the choices.  What I must congratulate RCI on though is that they cater for the ever-increasing gluten-intolerant population.  I am not coeliac, but I know a lot of people who are.

Our cabin was 3132 which has a large window and plenty of storage to unpack your cases so you can put them away which leaves the two chairs and coffee table free.  When we first came onboard the cabin bed was made up as a queen but at the first opportunity, Rudi, our room attendant unzipped the bed and separated it into singles for us.

The person that was rude was Cash Katie at the Bingo - just briefly, being new to bingo I asked a question and was shot down with "I explained all that before".  A very unprofessional - yes, the auditorium was packed and I did feel a bit embarrassed.  It was a  response that could cause a more timid person never to speak up again. 

Primarily our focus was to go snorkeling which we did for the three days running that we were at Isle of Pines, Mystery Island and Noumea - sadly though, the coral at the spots that we went to was colourless, but there were plenty of pretty fish.  The swimming at Mystery Island is idyllic.  Couldn't have been better and made up for the lack of coral.  Overall, a very pleasant trip to the South Pacific.  

The Beauty Spa is the biggest rip-off ever and the sales pitch from the concessions is relentless.  Both my sister and I feel we were ripped off as the products we were talked into buying and the treatments were more than cost the cruise itself.  Please remember you are dealing with US dollars, not Australian dollars the staff in the spa operate independently from the ship.  It's a pity that RCI don't police this more.

Embarkation and disembarkation were both very smooth.  Getting two and from Sydney Airport is easy using the train station Circular Quay.  We used the Central Station luggage storage to store our baggage so that we could have a look around the city before we caught our plane home.

I would love to see Hobart as an embarkation/disembarkation port - as I'm sure many others Tasmanian's would. I would like to see RCI introduce longer stays in ports (some European ports really need overnight stays).  

I am booked on Splendour of the Seas Dubai to Venice cruise next year.  Cannot wait for that one!

I hope these comments and this review is helpful.

Great way to relax

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