Just Back from the Rhapsody of the Seas - Questions anyone?

[RCCLFanforLife]

Feel free to ask away. Just back from the Rhapsody's last Key West run. I'm missing my breakfast and SUN!! :)

[RCCLFanforLife]

I'll be righting a good review very soon; however, anyone having any specific questions, please feel free.

[Steve&Karen]

Did you sense a new crew at all? Some are saying they have new crew set for Asia. Also how was the food? Still fabulous?

[tkportersat]

Looking forward to you review :) I am going soon, so would love to hear how everything is going! Glad you had fun, sorry it is back to reality now :(

 

I'll be righting a good review very soon; however, anyone having any specific questions, please feel free.

[vickiw0318]

Only 11 days and some hours for me and DD. I, too, would love to hear about your cruise.

[RCCLFanforLife]

we had a great time.

sorry I can't get to the large review yet...but unfortunately work comes first.. :(

 

I did sense a slight change in crew for the Asia move. There are far more Chinese personnel than I remember...I still think they are the friendliest ship on the seas! The crew was wonderful!

 

The food was great. I was a little less impressed with the deserts; however, the key lime pie was WONDERFUL! Make sure you make it to the dining room I believe on Wed or Thurs... :)

 

The windjammer was much better since the re-do in Feb. I love the Asian station. If you have ever eaten at a Mongolian grill, that is what the station was the first couple of nights. They have soups and tons of other stuff too.

 

Oh...one thing.. the pizza from room service is SOOO good. it is better than the Solarium 24 pizza bar. just a tip.. :)

[tkportersat]

The addition of the Mongolian grill sounds cool, that will be a nice option on the nights I don't feel like dressing up.

 

 

The windjammer was much better since the re-do in Feb. I love the Asian station. If you have ever eaten at a Mongolian grill, that is what the station was the first couple of nights. They have soups and tons of other stuff too.

 

Oh...one thing.. the pizza from room service is SOOO good. it is better than the Solarium 24 pizza bar. just a tip.. :)

[Ligayskin]

How were the shows? I read a review that said Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees had a show. Did you all see him? I can't wait the next few weeks will seem like years!!

[RCCLFanforLife]

The shows were pretty good. The guachos were good...see them...they are talented and funny.

 

I didn't see Mickey. I didn't care for Pure Country... it was a typical "Six Flags" production ya know.

[willandjonsmom]

RCCLfanforlife,

You are going to be a life saver in the Pizza is indeed 24 hour in the Solarium I had read that it wasn't, please confirm, so my teenagers can quit driving me crazy, you would think they never get pizza LOL, Thanks in Advance can't wait for your review.

[RCCLFanforLife]

I'm not sure if it is 24 hours in the solarium..but room service is. :)

I went down and got pizza around midnight in the solarium and there were a bunch of people pigging out. :)

 

Have you been on the Rhapsody and to the ports that your headed to before?

[kwbrad]

What room were you in?

Do you have any kids? If so did they go to Adventure Ocean? How did they like it?

What time did you embark? How did disembarking go?

[theotherchad]

Who is the Cruise Director, currently? Any good bands? Any idea if Maria is still at the Champagne Bar nightly?

[RCCLFanforLife]

We stayed in a GS - 8514. It was good. The bedding was wonderful! Excellent improvment from Feb.

 

No kids - yet - :) From all appearances, it appeared the kids were having a great time. There is a good arcade, ping pong, etc. Of course, it is not like the bigger RCCL ships, but it still looked lots of fun for them.

 

We didn't get there until 2:00pm because of Houston traffic! its so fun! When we got there, we parked and basically walked right through the line (of 2 people) and right onto the ship - Carnival's line was out the terminal door...they need so much help! We were off the ship by 8:30. It was smooth as silk.

 

I'm not sure of the cruise director's name at this moment. He was pretty good...he was a little cheesy at times, but was good. The support staff he had was great.

 

I believe Maria was there. We were there a few nights. Go see Sid in the Schooner Bar. He was great! He always remembered our name and drinks.

 

The regular bands were good...go see Ken and the other guy in the Schooner bar. They were great. they do some mean Karokee.

[theotherchad]

Ah, it sounds as if Derek Lewis is actually taken a break. That dude (with his Kamikaze Kareoke, or as he describes it, the "Rhapsody Adult Day Care Program") has been on the last three cruises we've taken, and on every one that my brother and cousin have taken on the Rhapsody. It seemed like he was just a regular fixture. In any event, it sounds like they've found somebody good to replace him until the ship heads for Asia. I imagine he's becoming a regular fixture on another ship by now. He's very entertaining.

[RCCLFanforLife]

oh oh.. Derek was on my ship along with another guy with the name of Ken. They both were GREAT!

[packedandready]

Solarium Cafe is open til 2am. Cruise director was Chris Armas.

[theotherchad]

oh oh.. Derek was on my ship along with another guy with the name of Ken. They both were GREAT!

 

Good to know. I'm not one of his regulars who is there every single night (and believe me, the guy has some serious fans!), but it just wouldn't quite seem like the Rhapsody without him.

 

And so the new CD is Chris Armas. I don't know him. The CD doesn't make a huge difference to my experience, but a good one can be a real positive.

[Prinslom]

Sadly I didn't buy a copy of our 'Cruise in Review DVD'. Can I order it after the cruise?

[crazy 4 cruising]

Good to know. I'm not one of his regulars who is there every single night (and believe me, the guy has some serious fans!), but it just wouldn't quite seem like the Rhapsody without him.

 

And so the new CD is Chris Armas. I don't know him. The CD doesn't make a huge difference to my experience, but a good one can be a real positive.

 

 

was on the same cruise & Derek was definately there. we were regulars. He is going to be on vacation the first 2 weeks of July he said. Not sure when/if he will transfer off, but I just can't believe he would go over in Asia.

 

I thought Chris was good, very personable, he was everywhere. I agree that he has a great support staff.

 

There definately are more Asians on the crew. Thsi was our 3rd ROS trip and so we do know many of the crew. We talked to alot of them about going to Asia. Many are going as far as Hawaii or Australia, but seems as tho RCCL wants most of the crew to be 1st language MAndarin or Cantoneese speakers. Guess they are expecting the pax to be Asian.

 

I loved the changes in appearance to the WJ & agree that the asian station is a wonderful addition, expecially the Chef's surprises--YUMMY. HOWEVER, they got rid of the hinged lid steamers and the food is not hot & by the time you wander around getting everything, your food really is cold. They need to work ont hat one.

 

We were surprised that they didn't spruce her up more. yes they changed the bedding and spruced up the WJ & am told they changed the carpet in the casino, but that is about all they did. But she is still my favorite ship and crew!!! Definately the friendliest on the seas. I will miss her.

[crpcruiser]

Does the Asian station on Rhapsody have sushi?

[DeepWaterMariner]

I thought the menus for dinner and lunch in the main dinning room were not as good as the last time we cruised on Rhapsody (7/2006). The setup in the Windjammer is an improvement. I had less of a problem gathering my selections and finding a table but I didn't find the food in the Windjammer any better than usual and the desserts were not impressive.

 

The Windjammer and the bedding were the only physical changes I noticed since we last sailed Rhapsody. I think most people think that a dry docking will result in a complete overhaul and reconditioning of the ship but that certainly hasn't been my experience. In my experience more carpeting and furnishings are changed "in service", another words while the ship is in use. Much of the dry dock work goes on in areas not of interest to the passengers.

[theotherchad]

I'm glad to hear about the changes. I was also told that the rubberized decking material that they have on decks 9 and 10 has been changed, and the new bedding has gotten rave reviews! The other bit of good news on the Windjammer is that the omelette station is supposed to be back! It was there for our first Rhapsody cruise and gone for the last two. I missed it! The truth is, I would still love the Rhapsody even if they had never gone into dry dock. The ship always seems so friendly, and I do really think it has something to do with the large number of Texans onboard. When the pax are friendly, it helps the crew to have a better attitude and then both feed off each other to produce a really friendly, upbeat vibe. Other than one guy at the pursers desk once, I have never received less than excellent and cheerful service. We leave on Sunday, and I'm getting antsy. :)

[crazy 4 cruising]

Does the Asian station on Rhapsody have sushi?

 

no unfortunately. That was one of th things I loved about the Voyager.

 

I agree witht he less htan impressive desserts this time.

[packedandready]

I'm glad to hear about the changes. I was also told that the rubberized decking material that they have on decks 9 and 10 has been changed, and the new bedding has gotten rave reviews! The other bit of good news on the Windjammer is that the omelette station is supposed to be back! It was there for our first Rhapsody cruise and gone for the last two. I missed it! The truth is, I would still love the Rhapsody even if they had never gone into dry dock. The ship always seems so friendly, and I do really think it has something to do with the large number of Texans onboard. When the pax are friendly, it helps the crew to have a better attitude and then both feed off each other to produce a really friendly, upbeat vibe. Other than one guy at the pursers desk once, I have never received less than excellent and cheerful service. We leave on Sunday, and I'm getting antsy. :)

 

The omelette station is back....I was a regular:rolleyes: . I know a lot of folks rave about the bedding, but I am a VERY hot sleeper and I just about died the first night. I had the ac turned all the way down and I brought a fan from home. I asked our cabin stewart if he could replace it with a light blanket. He smiled and asked if it was too hot....almost like I wasn't the first one complaining. He very quickly took it away and brought me something lighter and I was fine. We love the Rhapsody and sooooooo sorry she's leaving.