Rhapsody of the Seas, December 17

[cruisinfromtampa]

Good Morning All,

 

I'm going to attempt to do a review of my recent Rhapsody sailling. It's my first time trying one, so please bear with me and be kind! If you have any questions, or something I say is unclear, please let me know.

 

I hope you enjoy!

[dividedsky]

I look forward to your posts as we will be sailing on her in less than 2 weeks! :D

[spookwife]

I just booked the 2017 17 December sailing on Rhapsody. its like Kismet!

 

I have sailed the class many times before but never Rhapsody herself or sailed outta Tampa so I am excited to see your take.

[cruisinfromtampa]

We arrived at the Port at approximately 11:00am. Dropping off our luggage and getting through security was very easy. All told, it probably took us 30 minutes from the time we arrived until we were on board. The process was incredibly easy, and for the most part, incredibly efficient.

 

This is only our second cruise, and I have picked up many tricks and suggestions from many of you. Our first stop on board was the specialty dining desk to confirm our reservations. I pre-purchased the BOGO 2 Night dining package. Our reservations did not show in the system, but it was very easy to make the ones we wanted.

 

After fixing our dining, we made our way to the R Bar for our first cocktails of the trip. I began with a "Porn Star Martini" I felt like if that's listen on a menu, it's something that you have to try. I was not disappointed. It was quite delicious, and I had many of them throughout the trip.

 

 

Our next stop was the Windjammer for some lunch. I just had to find out what the Coconut Ranger craze is all about. We had a great lunch, and the cookies were fantastic. The perfect balance of chewy with a snap.

 

 

From the Windjammer, we began exploring the ship. A quick pit stop in Park Cafe was needed for some Roast Beef to wash down the ranger cookies. I know some people are not fans, but my piece of beef was pretty close to perfect.

 

 

The ship looked great. It was tastefully decorated for the season. Below are some pictures from around the ship and of Tampa from the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

Brilliance of the Seas joined us in Port for the day. She was the ship we first sailed on, and she will be next in March.

 

 

Promptly at 1:30, our rooms were ready. We were in 7660, our first aft balcony! I was so excited to get in and see the balcony and the view! The room was as expected...the balcony was worth every penny.

 

 

 

 

During sailaway, we spent the time in our room, and on the balcony. I'm sure I'll say it many times throughout, but the view was incredible.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31181148133/in/datetaken/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31842096052/in/datetaken/

 

Dinner night 1 was in Chops. The only thing I did not enjoy was the shrimp cocktail. The shrimp was over cooked and rubbery. Everything else we had was delicious.

 

Pan Roasted Jumbo Scallops

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31842381952/in/datetaken/

 

Colossal Shrimp Cocktail

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31954267766/in/datetaken/

 

Grilled Black Pepper Bacon

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31617152630/in/datetaken/

 

We didn't like it...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31953317786/in/datetaken/

 

Charred Beef Carpaccio

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31149920564/in/datetaken/

 

Petite Filet with Bernaise

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31617173970/in/datetaken/

 

Sides

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31990138255/in/datetaken/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31953422926/in/datetaken/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31843352242/in/datetaken/

 

Dessert

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31874326031/in/datetaken/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31149997514/in/datetaken/

 

We left Chops completely stuffed, and headed to our room to tuck in for the night. Up Next: Day 2...At Sea.

[dividedsky]

Do you remember about what time you got to the Tampa Bridge to sail under?

[DeadPhish]

Great so far!

 

Can't wait, 14 days til we board Rhapsody!

[Clarea]

Do you remember about what time you got to the Tampa Bridge to sail under?

About 2 hours after leaving the pier.

[cruisinfromtampa]

I want to say we were under the bridge around 6:30. The sun had mostly set, but there was still a sliver of light.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[dividedsky]

I want to say we were under the bridge around 6:30. The sun had mostly set, but there was still a sliver of light.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Sounds good I am hoping to catch that view before we go to dinner. :D

[cruisinfromtampa]

We booked chops late specifically so I could get that picture.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[cruisinfromtampa]

Can anybody tell me how to get the pictures to imbed rather than be the link?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Clarea]

Can anybody tell me how to get the pictures to imbed rather than be the link?

Use the Insert Image button () and post a link to the photo in that field.

[spookwife]

I showed mr spook the picture of the Park Cafe sandwich. he cried and tried to reach through the screen.

 

I think that is the one thing we are most looking forward to.

 

looking forward to more pics of the ship!

[cruisinfromtampa]

 

 

 

Edited December 31, 2016 by cruisinfromtampa
Pictures wouldn't work

[cruisinfromtampa]

Complete failure. For whatever reason, my pictures aren't working.

Edited December 31, 2016 by cruisinfromtampa
Picture test

[spookwife]

We'll make do.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Coralc]

They are working for me. Just click on the link. We are booked for Rhapsody on Dec. 10 next year. (Almost this year :D ) :)

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31855570332/in/datetaken/

Edited January 1, 2017 by Coralc

[stacieg1011]

I am booked on Rhapsody April 2017. Would you happen to have copies of the main dining room menus

[easyboy]

Nice pictures!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[riclop]

Thanks for the review, good job.

[cruisinfromtampa]

Day 2 was a very slow day for us. We slept in a little late. Our goal was to hit up the fitness center each day before getting started. Today was the only day we met our goal. We had reservations at Izumi for lunch at noon, and after showering after the gym, we headed up. When we arrived, we were the only ones in the restaurant. It was a lovely setting, perched on the top of the ship. The view out the window was very serene.

 

 

I'm a bit of a sushi obsessed individual, so I was excited to try Izumi out. My partner in crime, however, is not. Being married to an insanely picky individual makes dining out at new places an adventure.

 

 

I started with the Shrimp Firecracker Spring Roll. It was quite tasty. The wrappers were the perfect level of crispy, the cream cheese and crab was heated through well, and the shrimp was perfectly cooked. This will become a must for me each time we go.

 

 

I had two of the specialty cocktails during lunch. The first was the Spicy Okinawa (martini glass). It was very different. I can't say I liked it, but I can't say I didn't like it either. I'm not generally a huge fan of siracha, but it worked in this drink. My second drink was the Japanese Strawberry. It was quite tasty and I'd order it again.

 

 

 

For the sushi, I controlled myself and only had two rolls. On top is the Spicy Crispy Shrimp, and on the bottom is the Seared Tuba Tataki. They were both equally delicious, and I would order both again.

 

 

The hubs had Tonkotsu Ramen with Chicken. The broth was tasty, and the noodles nice, but the chicken was overcooked. I originally planned on him getting the hot rock, but it was not offered during lunch (although we were later told that they would have made it for us). He left Izumi and headed for the Windjammer for more food.

 

 

After lunch, we went back to the room to take a short nap. Our famous last words the entire cruise were "short nap". They always seemed to stretch into the 2-5 hour range. By the time we woke up, it was time to get ready for dinner.

 

We were spending night 2 at Giovanni's. It was our first time dining there, and I was looking forward to it (basically anything to do with food I look forward to).

 

Our appitizers for the evening were the scallops, the carpaccio, and the warm mozzarella and prosciutto bake. All three were good, and I would order them again. For me, you really can't go wrong with metly cheese, salty ham, and bread.

 

 

 

 

I selected the Penne al Brandy with shrimp and salmon as my pasta, and the Ossobuco as my entree. I would order both again. I did not need to use my knife once for the veal. If you have never tried the marrow in the bone, it carries so much flavor. You won't regret giving it a try. It can be scooped out and mixed with the meat to enhance the flavor.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31954583896/in/datetaken/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31181060493/in/datetaken/

 

As I said earlier, DH is very picky. He had them make a simple dish of penne pasta with grilled chicken and parmesean cheese. He enjoyed it.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31843332752/in/datetaken/

 

For dessert we each had a cannoli. I opted to pair mine with the tiramisu. He went with the chocolate cake.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31991043135/in/datetaken/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31873289201/in/datetaken/

 

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed dinner, and would definitely dine there again.

 

After our meal, we went to the theater for the evening's show, "Ballroom Fever". The show was pretty well done. Singers and dancers all did a nice job.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31181164663/in/datetaken/

 

From the show, we headed back to our room for the evening. We were greeted by our first towel animal.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/69005434@N08/31991497655/in/datetaken/

 

Day 3 is Roatan!

[spookwife]

we have found that Izumi comes closest to 'real' sushi and ramen outside of Tokyo. it is a favorite of ours as well.

 

did you happen to notice if they offered a multi meal deal in Specialties other than the usual BYGO for the first 2 nights? we don't have any OBC on the cruise but we do prefer specialty dining over MDR menus. especially if it includes Chef's table.

 

did you get to Chops at all?

[jeditden]

Fun review so far. Do they usually use the same terminal for Rhapsody? If so, do you remember which number?

Edited January 1, 2017 by jeditden

[Clarea]

Fun review so far. Do they usually use the same terminal for Rhapsody? If so, do you remember which number?

In out experience, Rhapsody uses terminal 2 when Brilliance is at terminal 3.

[Thetrail]

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing. Doing a B2B on her in April 2018, sooooo far out!:(....K.O.