The Rhapsody of the Seas is a popular floating resort. The waters are crowded with sea-worthy vessels, so to make planning easier, we've done all the prep work for a cruise vacation. As part of a Huffington Post Travel series on cruise ships, here is a tip sheet offering all the key information one could ever need to know about the Rhapsody of the Seas.
Destination
The Royal Caribbean
sails in the Pacific Ocean. During the summer, the ship sails the Pacific Northwest from Seattle to Alaska, stopping at such ports as Vancouver, Ketchikan and Juneau. During the fall and winter, the ship heads south, sailing to Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa and Australia. The ship makes several trans-Pacific voyages from Australia to Singapore.
Bright Ship
The Rhapsody of the Seas is a Vision-class cruise ship. These ships are designed with lots of skylights and windows to flood the interior with light.
Sky-Lit Central Atrium
The central atrium of the Rhapsody of the Seas is topped with skylights, giving the interior of the ship a light and airy feel. The Rhapsody offers activities for every age group. Adults can enjoy the excitement of live gambling action in the
or relax at the ship's spa. The Adventure Ocean program offers age-appropriate activities for children from ages 3 to 17. Families can enjoy time together at the rock-climbing wall, outdoor pool or the indoor pool that has a retractable glass roof.
Accommodations
on the Rhapsody of the Seas are available in three sizes.
have the large windows the ship is known for and are available in a family size that sleeps six. Balcony and
offer verandas or balconies.
Cost
The Rhapsody of the Seas sails to a wide range of destinations, and the cost of a ticket varies accordingly. A three-night cruise from
, may cost as little as $549 per person when staying in an inside stateroom, and $1,209 per person for a suite. However, an inside stateroom costs as much as $2,259 per person on an 18-night
. A suite on the 18-night cruise may cost as much as $4,059.
Whale Watching And More
A wheelchair user on the Rhapsody of the Seas recommended the
on the Alaskan cruise. The passenger was surprised at how many of the Royal Caribbean's excursions were wheelchair acccessible. The launch for the whale-watching excursion was equipped with a wheelchair lift. When whales were spotted and other passengers stood, the crew moved the wheelchair to provide a clear view of the animals.
Dining Experience
The Rhapsody of the Seas has a two-level main dining room as well as the Windjammer buffet-style restuarant. The also ship offers what's known as "My Family Time Dining" in which the children's appetizers are served immediately and their meal is served within 40 minutes. After dining, the children leave with Adventure Ocean escorts for special evening activities while mom and dad can enjoy a relaxed dinner together.
Maiden Voyage
The Rhapsody of the Seas embarked on its maiden voyage May 19, 1997. The ship's "godmother" is
. Wilhelmsen has been associated with the cruise line for more than three decades and is a member of one of the line's founding families.
In The News
The Australian newspaper
reported that a sick woman was airlifed from the ship and taken to an Australian hospital in March 2011.
WATCH:
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An inside view of the Rhapsody of the Seas.
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