Just Returned from Rhapsody 4/2-4/9.......

[Desertbelle]

If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them.

 

We had a wonderful time. I loved the Rhapsody and wouldn't hesitate cruising on her again some day. The food was some of the best I have ever had on any cruise and as usual, we were taken care of exceptionally well.

 

Only problem was that the cruise was too short! :D

[ck1234]

Hi Margie. Glad you had a great time!

 

I'd like to know how long it took you tender at Grand Cayman? Did you do any excursions there?

 

Thanks!

[Desertbelle]

Tendering in Grand Cayman wasn't too bad. My husband got up early and got us Tender Tickets, so we were in the first open tendering group off the ship. We booked a snorkeling excursion through the ship, but it didn't start until 12 PM, so we had a few hours to shop.

 

At the end of the day the line back to the ship was very long, but it moved rather fast as they were using the large tenders as well as the smaller ones.

 

The excursion we took was perfect for a short snorkeling trip. I believe it was called the Wreck and Reef Snorkel. Only lasted a couple of hours but at least it got us into the water. We didn't do the stingrays this trip, did that before through Nativeway, they were very good.

 

Now the tendering at Cozumel was horrible. Took us forever. We booked a ship excursion there also, the Deluxe Snorkel and Beach Combo. The excursion itself was great, we really enjoyed Playa Mia Beach, but it took an hour and a half to get off the ship and onto the excursion boat.....counting from when we were to meet in the lounge on ship. A lot of people seemed very unhappy. The line back was very very long, but moved relatively fast. They were using the extra large tenders, so it took a long time to load and unload them.

 

The Radiance of the Seas was in port with us and they docked at the pier.

[Alphawave]

We leave Sunday! I purposely didn't book anything on Cozumel, been there 3 times previously, and HATE to tender. So we're staying on board! Hope the Grand Cayman tendering is ok, we're booked for the Sting Ray City/Snorkel deal.

How was the entertainment? Any shows we should skip? How were the slot machines in the casino? Are the "Spring Breakers" done with their partying?

Can't wait 'til the weekend!

[wolfcathorse]

Who was your captain?

[kendy]

WE are going on the cruise with you on Sunday. I have seen your posts on the meet and mingle roll call boards. I must tell you we have been to Cozumel many times and in January we almost stayed on the ship but went to the beach instead as usual. So I decided we needed to do something different at the end of March, when we went again on the Splendour. I researched it on the boards and we took a chance and it was one of the best things we have ever done and plan to do it again next week, with our 2 teenagers along.

 

We LOVE blue water, wind and the smell and sight of the ocean breezes. I had always wondered about the other side of the island but was too chicken to venture too far on my own in a foreign country.

 

We rented a jeep and drove to the other side and I will never do anything else in Cozumel again. It was fabulous and very easy. a whole other world, and we felt very safe. The huge tourquise rolling waves were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.. Areas of smooth empty sandy beaches and areas of fabulous rocky shores with the waves crashing. And of course the few wonderful bars/ food joints that had wonderful cold beer. I will be glad to give you all the details, but it broke my heart to hear you say you were stating on the boat when you can see what we saw and experienced.

 

See you soon.

[mystic51]

Just booked our cruise on the Rhapsody for Nov... would like to know about transportation from airport to the port in Galveston? Cost, recommendations etc. We also have a corner aft cabin on deck 7.. do you know whether or not the balcony is a wrap around? Could you also tell me if there is any ballroom dancing on the ship... thx...

[Ninner]

We too just returned from the Rhapsody (April 2-9) - our first cruise so I have nothing to compare it to - but wow, was it ever fabulous!! I loved every minute of it. We took our two teenagers (15 & 18) and went with another family (11 total - yikes!). To answer some of the posts - we rented a car from Houston to Galveston. It was easy to go from airport to airport and found it quite cost effective. As for ballroom dancing - oh my gosh - if they still have the same band as they did for us - they have a fabulous ballroom dancing group in the Centrum that play every night called Metroline Trio. The drummer has the most beautiful tenor voice you've ever heard - made me melt. In Grand Cayman we did the stingray trip with Nativeway and it was fantastic. In Cozumel we did the "Swim with the Dolphins" excursion through Rhapsody and were very disappointed - too many people, the trip organizers were disorganized, we were rushed through and didn't get any free time with the dolphins. I wish I'd had known about Kendy's post - we would've done that. But I won't complain - our weather was extraordinary, the water exceptionally calm, warm and blue, blue, blue, and the food and service - superb! Can't wait to go again - soon!!

[lanabanana]

I appreciate your willingness to report on your experience. I'm thrilled that the food was good, but could you please tell us what your favorites were? Did they have lobster on formal night?

 

What were they offering for production shows? Were they good?

[lanabanana]

What time did you board???

[wolfcathorse]

Who was your captain?

 

Again, do you remember if Capt Anders Ingebrigtsen was your Master? If not, who was captain.

[crzDave]

We were on Rhapsody last week too. It was AWESOME!! We have sailed some of the larger ships on RCI, but were extremely impressed with this ship and especially the crew. We were blown away at how personable everyone was.

 

I'll try to answer some of the questions.... I do not recall who our captain was :-( Smooth sailing except for a pretty serious list on Friday night...lots of broken dishes, etc. Apparently the result of a malfunction with one of the stabilizers.

 

The headliner shows were absolutely fantastic! Do not miss them. The other RCI standards (Love and Marriage and The Quest) were also great. We were less than impressed with the RCI singers & dancers shows.

 

The food was good, and yes they did have lobster on one of the formal nights.

 

Overall, cannot say enough good things about this trip!

[lanabanana]

I'm back to the "What time did you board" question. C'mon recent cruisers....shake loose with those details!!

[Ninner]

Ok, Ok, Ok....I'll answer your question....:) We got to the ship about 11:30 and were on board by 12:30 and eating by 1:00. Boarding was smooth and easy. I'm glad to hear crzDave agrees with me - the crew was incredible. We ate in the dining room every night and the food selection was the best! Escargot was delicious, lobster was very tasty. There wasn't one entree I ordered that I didn't like, I even tried duck, and the starters were yummy too. I'd take soups over salads (except the ceaser) and I wasn't crazy about the desserts, but that's just me. The midnight buffet was out of this world. I didn't eat much but the presentation was indescribable - something you'll have to experience to believe...remember this was my first cruise (and definately not my last). I didn't eat much at the buffet, but took tons of pictures. Please do not miss hearing the group "Metroline Trio" in the Centrum at least one evening. The drummer has an incredible voice.

 

Lanabanana and/or Kendy - Now I have a question to ask you about going on the Rhapsody but doesn't need to waste space on these boards. I'd really appreciate it if you could email me personally. Thank you so much.

[lanabanana]

I'd be happy to e-mail you if I knew your e-mail address. You can contact me at bfarnsworth@adelphia.net. Hurry, though. I leave for Houston Thurs. morning.

 

Alanna

[KathyRN]

I just returned from Rhapsody April 2-9. Had a great time, but have come down with vomiting and diarrhea today, 2 days after leaving ship. My ten year old son vomited the day we got off the ship several hours later. My spouse startied this evening. Hope there isn't a norovirus starting on board for the next group. Anyone else get sick?

The entertainment was great, loved Luminescence and wish I had thought to bring my ten year old, he was in the kids club but would have loved it. Argetine drummers and dancers, a comedienne, juggler, African American singer who was very talented, funny and versatile. The lounge acts were good too, especially Diezel, whose nice harmonies were pleasing.

I found the service great, the bed too hard even with a mattress topper. We went on the Rays, Reef and Rum Point in Grand Cayman. It was the perfect day and excursion. In Cozumel, we had head tenders were taking long, so we just waited until 11:30am to leave. We shopped in town then went to Paradise beach. Taxi fare cost quite a bit, think we spent $55 because the town and beach were in opposite directions and had 7 people go to town. (Only 3 went to the beach.) Over all the best cruise we have been on and this is our 5th.

[Nighthawk54]

Going on Rhapsody Aug.27. 1st cruise...How is the parking in Galveston?

[ck1234]

Going on Rhapsody Aug.27. 1st cruise...How is the parking in Galveston?

 

Nighthawk54, join up for the role call & Meet & Mingle for our cruise! :)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=315565

[Pradagal]

Ninnier,

Renting a car from Houston to Galveston was the traffic bad? I heard it's a nightmare trying to get out of there. Did you rent a car back as well?

We go out 08/27 can't wait!

First time on the Rhapsody, have a corner aft balcony :). We loved the Vision of the Seas, so we hope we will love Rhapsody just as much.

[Ninner]

Our flight got into Houston at midnight, so we stayed at a hotel (that had 24 hour shuttle) by the airport, then Enterprise came and got us at the hotel the next morning. It was no problem and Enterprise was very accomodating. We dropped the car off near the port in Galveston and they drove us to the dock. Returning, we called Enterprise from the dock in Galveston, and they came and got us. It was slick! We looked into many other options and this seemed the most economical.

[haleindia]

HI..we sail the Rhapsody in July. Like you, our flight gets in about midnight and we want to stay near the airport. Where did you stay, and would you recommend it? Thanks!

[Cajun Gal]

If you have any questions I would be happy to answer them.

 

Desertbelle, we are sailing on Rhapsody leaving on April 30th. Could you tell me which nights are the formal nights on the 7 nighter?

 

Thanks,

[Desertbelle]

Again, do you remember if Capt Anders Ingebrigtsen was your Master? If not, who was captain.

 

Yes, Captain Anders was our captain.

 

When our ship had the problem on Friday night he was quick to come on to tell us that the ship was OK and that there was no danger. The next day he told us in a little more detail what the problem was and to reassure us that we had not been in any real danger and that everything was OK.

[Desertbelle]

Desertbelle, we are sailing on Rhapsody leaving on April 30th. Could you tell me which nights are the formal nights on the 7 nighter?

 

Thanks,

 

Our formal nights were Monday, our first sea day, and Thursday, our Grand Cayman Day. Lobster was on the second formal night. The rest were Casual.

 

This being a "Texan" cruise, there was much about this cruise that had to do with Texas. Casual nights were very casual, with jeans, shorts, etc. allowed in the dining room. Even Formal night wasn't very mush so. I saw very few men in Tuxedos and not even that many in suits. Even the women's attire was less formal than I am used to. THIS IN NO WAY INTERFERED WITH OUR CRUISE....how other people dress doesn't bother me. In fact, I rather liked the more relaxed atmosphere, and I can tell you my husband very much enjoyed it.

 

Also, the drinks of the day were always Texas themed.....such as the Texas Twister, The Yellow Rose, The Dallas Delight, etc.

 

Plus, the entertainment also had a more or less Texas theme. Lots of Country Western music, Texas Two-step classes, Line dancing classses, etc. There were Texas flags all over the ship.....I can't recall a Florida flag on any ship that left from Florida....not that I would even recognise a Florida state flag!! :D

 

Though Diezel was an excellent musical group that played every day, mostly in the large lounge, was advertised as a Country Westen/ Rock band, they played 95% Country Western. I don't like Country Western Music, so this was a disappointment to me. The music on the rest of the ship varied a great deal, so it was easy to find something to please every taste.

 

The best act of the cruise, for me, was the comedien, David Orion. He was great! Had the audience laughing non-stop. The group Los Pampas Gauchos appears to be following us around, as this was the third time we have seen them. What's funny about that is that they are billed as being rated 4 times as the Variety Show of the Year in Las Vegas but we have never seen them in Vegas nor have we ever seen them advertised in Las Vegas (we live in Las Vegas), but we have seen them on cruises 3 times!!

 

The traditional Broadway music revue was the best I have ever seen. None of those tired old musical songs, they kept it upbeat and modern.

 

I think the most fun we had the whole cruise was the Cocktail Seminar At Sea. For $10 you could buy a ticket to see the bartenders mix up drinks and sample the drinks. By sample they mean get you very drunk!! We had something like 5 or 6 drinks in an hour and a half. The whole room, about 200 of us, were drunk and laughing our heads off. The bartenders basically put on a frat party at sea!! People were picked fromt the audience to chug drinks and dance, etc. We had a blast...don't miss this!

Overall, I think the entertainment was very good. Lots of variety.

[Desertbelle]

We flew into Houston (IAH) airport the morning of the cruise and was met by a Royal Caribbean staff member who was very helpful in telling us where to meet the buses. We payed $78 round trip for the vouchers. The bus ride took about an hour and 15 minutes. We only had to wait about 20 minutes for the bus to the ship. Usually we arrange our own transfers to the pier...taxis, hotel shuttles, etc, but because we had never been to Galveston, we decided on the cruise transportation, and it was fine. No complaints.

 

We arrived at the ship around noon and pretty much walked right on. The cabins weren't ready until about 1 PM, so by the time we made our spas appointments, checked out the excursion desk, got our first pool-side drink, we were able to drop off our carry-ons and head to lunch.