RCCL Rhapsody vs Grand

[chasingships]

I was wanting to know if anyone has been on the Rhapsody and Grand? Could you give a comparison of the two? We have a BA on the Caribe deck booked. On prior two cruises have had outside staterooms only. We are very excited about going on a different ship. Would just like a little heads up on what to expect.:confused:

[isujim]

We have not been on Grand.............but we have been on the Rhapsody twice......so if you have any Rhapsody specific questions, I'll try my best to answer them.

[chasingships]

I Could not get my signature to post my info correctly. I have been on the Rhapsody 2x. I was wanting someone that had been on the Grand and Rhapsody to compare the two. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear. Thanks for the reply!!!:D

[prophotogirl]

How about the Caribbean Princess and the Rhapsody? Personally I would do (and am doing) the CB again and again before I get back on the Rhapsody. I thought the Rhapsody needed a lot of work done to it to improve the inside appearance. Oh and to change the beds! Back in January when I was on the ship with a large group (64 people) I went to several cabin catagories to see if the beds were any better than mine. They were all the same all flat and you could feel the metal rod in the middle. I went on the ship without back problems and came off with them they, the beds, were that bad. Sometimes it was more corfortable to sleep on the floor. I saw a lot of minor holes in the walls and the carpet in some spots needs to be replaced.

[spindrift]

The Grand - hands down. Again, depending on your stateroom, but for professionalism and service--Princess reigns over RCCL.

[springtxbill]

I have been on both and they are my two favorite ships. They are very similar, but the best thing I liked about the Grand was the Personal Choice dining and the choice of shows each night. I was just on the Rhapsody and did not see any problems with it. :)

[chasingships]

Thanks for the opinions!!!

We were on the Rhapsody in Jan and thought the room and service had diminished from the last time we were on which had only been a year. We still had a good time.

 

I read somewhere the Grand was going into dry dock does anyone know when.

 

Renee

[goldsnn]

We have been on the Rhapsody 3 times and the Grand once. I really like both ships, but as in all cases, ships and cruise lines differ.

I like the dining options on the Grand and Sabatini's. The Rhapsody has the Windjammer Cafe that always had good food and just what I was looking for.

 

Nancy

[ricsue]

We were on the Grand May '03 and the Rhapsody Mar '04 and returning to the Grand Dec '04. I prefer larger newer ships, so the Grand wins 'hands down' to me.

Cabins:

I agree with poster in this thread about the beds on Rhapsody, we had to get 2 layers of 'egg crate foam mattress pads' from our room steward, or we would not have made it through the week, the beds were terrible.

We had inside cabins on both ships, I would say the Princess cabin had slightly more walking around room, but Rhapsody had more closet storage. Princess has mini fridge in each & every cabin. Princess offers robes, no matter what cabin class you are in.

Food & Service: I think Princess was slightly better on 'dinners', the rest of it one comparable to the other. Princess offers free espresso and cappucino, for me that was a plus. Princess has a buffet that is open 24/7, for those that is important to.

Ship/Facilities:

Hard to compare, one is 110ton the other 70ton, there is so much more to do on the Grand. The indoor atrium pool on the Grand is much nicer than Rhapsody. The pools/hot tubs are open 24/7, and are freshwater on the Grand. I could go on and on. We had a nice time on Rhapsody, but it will never be the Grand! The only beef I have with Princess policy, is the towel policy, there is no exchange at the pool. However, when I was on Rhapsody, it was the same, there was never anyone there to exchange towels.

 

Hope that helps!:)

[39august]

No free specialty coffees anymore on any Princess shiip. I've been on both ships and far and away prefer the Grand. The Rhapsody is showing her age. The pools are so much better on Grand. I think you'll really enjoy the extra large balcony you will have on the Caribe deck!

[chasingships]

Thanks for the great info!!!:p We have a 6 year old I think we are going to try and take him for a midnight swim does anyone think this will be a problem (too many adults)? I am soooo addicted to these boards, I don't know how I made it through the first 2 cruises without ya'll!!!!!!!!:D

[ricsue]

When we sailed the Grand in 05/03 there were not many utilizing the hot tubs or swimming pools at night. Our sailing was full too! So I think you can plan on enjoying a non crowded midnight swim!

[chasingships]

YIPEEE:D:D

Thanks

 

Renee

[diconway]

We've been on both ships with our three kids. We enjoyed both ships. Rhapsody is a smaller ship with a more intimate feel while the Grand is huge. I would choose Princess over RCCL since there are more amenities for the kids- Freshwater pools instead of salt water, big video arcade for the kids on the Grand, etc.. I think the food is a step up on the Grand also. Either way, you'd have a great time. We would do both ships again. Also, the BA Caribe balcony cabins have extra large balconies as they are above the mini-suites on the Dolphin deck. Keep in mind that the balconies are not very private at all.