Rhapsody - I need your thoughts on this ship!!!!!!

[Littlegoo75]

I am looking to book a cruise for my husband and I, and some friends this November. We are in the D.C. area, and our friends are in New Mexico. It seems like Galveston would be a good halfway point for us to meet and cruise. I found a 7 night Western Caribbean on the Rhapsody that goes to Key West, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman - sounds like a great itinerary - especially since we love Key West, and the ship is there from 3pm to midnight! It seems like on most other itineraries, the ships leave before sunset, and that stinks.
I am just wondering if we are likely to enjoy this ship. We sailed on the Carnival Pride 2 years ago when she was brand new, and loved it. We thought that we would only sail on the new ships, and Galveston doesn't have any new ships sailing out of there. I just don't want to be dissappointed. Anyone who has been on the Rhapsody lately, could you please tell me about your experience? I wouldn't want our friends to be let down either - He has sailed once on Carnival a while ago, and liked it, she has never been on a cruise before. They are young professionals, "dinks" who make good money, and are well educated - so their expectations are pretty high. Being that between all of us, we are in our late 20's early 30's - I don't think the sophisticated lines like Celebrity or Crystal would appeal to us quite yet - we all still like to let loose and have fun. We are choosing to sail off season because we don't want the ship to be teeming with kids. Can anyone out there give us any advice?

Carnival _______ 11/04 - Haven't decided on a ship yet!!!!!!
Carnival Legend 2/03 ( had to cancel at last minute)
Carnival Pride 4/27/02
Sitmar Fairsea 4/ 1983 ( I was just a little kid!!)

[meredith]

I would go on the Rhapsody again in a heartbeat! Compared to our Carnival cruises, this was much nicer! The service was wonderful! The ship may not be brand new, but it is beautiful and kept up very well. The one thing to think about is that there might be kids regardless of when you sail, we went in October (no specific holiday), there was a bunch of kids, ours included. We took our kids out of school for a week, some other people were home schooling, or going to year round school, so they can travel when ever they want! Then there were those who just took the kids out for a week! We are going on the Vision in 3 weeks, which is the same class of ship and I am really looking forward to it. I have been on some of the "Mega" ships, but I really like the Rhapsody!

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;5;16;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img] 'til we sail away on the Vision

[Folgy]

I have sailed the Rhapsody twice (Alaska and the Mexican Riviera). Love the ship and staff.
Had exceptionaly good food and service both cruises.It has been 2 years since I have sailed on her .Would not think twice about sailing on the Rhapsody again.

* .. sorry can't help you with parents that TAKE THEIR KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL . Not the ships fault [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Alaska (my BIG 50)
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2004;8;8;12;0;00&timezone=GMT-0800[/img]

[BigDave]

I was on it a few weeks ago and loved the Rhapsody, the worst part was getting to and from the cruise.

1. The transfers; Bush Int. which most airlines use is 78 miles away, and the bus company subcontracting for RCI wasn't very good.
2. Getting on and off the cruise was held up by large amounts of foreign citizens the week we went, so you might have a long wait or delay there also.

Personally, we decided to minimise the travel pain and will avoid Galveston for those reasons.
We will stick with what we know is easy, fly to Fort Lauderdale where Port Everglades is right around the corner, or Miami where the Port of Miami not far away.

BigDave

My first cruise: Enchantment, Eastern Caribbean - 10/13/2002
My second cruise: Rhapsody, Western Caribbean - 4/4/2004
My next cruise:
Valor, W. Carib. 2/6/2005 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=22AA22&cdt=2005;2;6;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Radiance, E. Carib 2/13/2005 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=229922&cdt=2005;2;13;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[changinlat]

We're going on the Rhapsody in just under three weeks, so I can't tell you much about it yet. But I will let you know that we are similar to yourselves - late 20's to early 30's, highly educated professionals (true - despite the misspellings and grammar errors that no doubt appear in this posting.)

We have sailed out of Galveston before with Carnival on the Celebration's 4-day itinerary. (Follow the link in my signature below to read my Celebration Review. I specifically talk about embarkation and debarkation.) We have sailed out of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, San Juan and now Galveston. Galveston's embarkation and debarkation were by far the easiest we have encountered. I guess there's no way to predict how many foreign nationals will be sailing on a given week and slowing things down.

As far as transfers to Galveston go, we live in Houston and my (future) in-laws drove us to the port and picked us up. We didn't use any transfers, but we researched them in case the in-laws weren't available. From what I was able to uncover, it is as cheap for 4 people to rent a limo for the ride from airport to pier as it is to buy the transfers from RCI. I believe the limo is about $100 vs. $25 per person for the transfers. I know that you are flying in from different cities, but if you could coordinate flights to arrive within an hour or two of each other, you could probably make it work.

Good Luck with your planning. Check back after May 23 and I'll let you know how we liked it.

~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~

Indecision may or may not be my problem.

You can go to my homepage to see all my cruise pictures.
[url="http://www.geocities.com/changinlat@sbcglobal.net/index.html"]Changinlat's Homepage[/url]
Check out my Celebration Review!
[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=969097554&m=4163011847"]Celebration Review[/url]
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[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=969097554&m=9623098757"]Triumph Review[/url]

March to the Beat of a Steel Drum!

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Until the Wrap Around Balcony on the Rhapsody 5/16/04!!

NCL Skyward 6/85
Costa Riviera 6/89
RCCL Song of Norway 6/90
RCCL Monarch OTS 6/29/97
Carnival Fascination 6/5/99
RCCL Adventure OTS 5/19/02
Carnival Triumph 6/14/03
Carnival Celebration 9/18/03

[michiganders]

We recently sailed the Rhapsody (Feb. 29 - March 7) and really enjoyed it. Even though it isn't "new", it is a beautiful, well-maintained, comfortable ship. I think your group would enjoy it.

We also enjoyed Galveston. I agree with a previous poster that it is somewhat inconvenient to get there (we flew into Houston and drove to Galveston). However, since you are meeting up with friends, you could arrange to get there the day before, and have a nice evening exploring Galveston. That's what we did. Whatever you choose, have a great time!

ps..if you search for other posts by me, you should find a mini-review of our Rhapsody cruise. I can't remember the name of the thread, but it is fairly recent.

RCI (Rhapsody, Monarch, Nordic Prince); Carnival (Inspiration, Imagination); Princess (Dawn); Celebrity (Century); Big Red Boat

[brn2crz]

There are plenty of reviews and roll calls about the Rhaapsody..So you should be able to gather plenty of info.
Galveston is the easiest port I have ever sailed from.I would suggest to rent a car.2 one way rentals,but for only 4 of you.[url="http://www.galvestonlimo.com"]www.galvestonlimo.com[/url] or [url="http://www.lonestarlimo.com"]www.lonestarlimo.com[/url] are good choices,Galveston limo,is actually a van service,they run frequently,and have never heard of anyone unhappy with them.GAl is 70 miles from IAH,and 49 from Hobby.An overnight stay in Galveston is alot of fun.
We are booked in Sept for our 3rd trip.
If both parties are flying though...it may be just as cheap to fly into Miami,as in to Houston.Have fun,and ask all the questions you want.


[url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=505103011"]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=1683059817&m=505103011[/url]
RCI-Rhapsody- 2003
RCI-Rhapsody- 2004
until the return to the Rhapsody of the Seas
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=4169e1&cdt=2004;09;12;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
[img]http://heathersanimations.com/Fish2/netdiver.gif[/img]

[datpham]

Instead of flying in to IAH,George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston, try Hobby Airport, HOU, which is around 40 miles from Galveston.

4 - RCL: Grandeur, Majesty, Sovereign, and Vision
1 - Pricess: Grand
1 - Carnival: Vitory

[mohendry]

I understand that the RHAPSODY will be going into drydock after the Oct. 31 5-day cruise. Not sure when it will come out of drydock or exactly what will be refurbished, but the ship is beautiful, and I am sure will be even more so after drydock.

[jjferr]

My husband an I have been on ROS...we loved it.
We did the Alaska itinerary a few years ago. My advice...do it, go on Rhapsody.

Lisa

[sailor moon]

We took it last August and loved it. We will be on it again for Thanksgiving. You will see a lot of repeat customers because people enjoy the ship so much.

JB
UPCOMING CRUISES:
Splendour of the Seas 4/04
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2004;4;22;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]
Enchantment of the Seas 9/04
Rhapsody of the Seas 11/04
Radiance of the Seas 5/04 - Alaska

[rorito]

ROS is a great ship! Key West was fun, the stingrays in Cayman were awesome and I recommend Chankanaab or Nachi Cocum Beach club in Cozumel. We had a blast!

MARINER of the SEAS
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;5;30;18;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[robbs]

a simply beautiful,elegant sophisticated ship.have stayed in cat c aft balcony and royal
family suite.both were fantastic.recomend aft
balcony if you can get one.service is great.
entertainment is outstanding.ship is done in a n egytpian theme and very well pulled off.you will love the solarium pool area and the steam rooms and saunas are excellent.food(especially their pastas) very good. can't wait to go on her again. fly into hobby if you can and come a day early and enjoy galveston it's a great place to visit in itself. hope this helped

[Linkslady]

I agree with all of the other posters... and sailer moon I'd be there with you over thanksgiving but the cabin we wanted wasn't available..so we booked the Grand (Princess).

The staff on Rhapsody and especially the captain are wonderful!!!

Until the turkey in the tropics cruise!
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ffff&cdt=2004;11;20;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img]

Majesty 94
Sovereign 95
Destiny 96
Fascination 97
Triumph 98
Celebration 99
Rhapsody 9/02
Rhapsody 10/03
Splendour 4/04
Grand Princess 11/04

[littlelulu]

we returned from Rhapsody 4/11
We've been on several cruises and we loved it.
A vacation is just what you make of it.
We would rather be on the ship than in ports, but there was plenty to do at each port.
I wasn't as impressed with Galveston as a port as some people are but it wouldn't keep me from going back there.
It's a great ship, great staff and the ports of call were great.
If you have any specific questions feel free to email me and I'll help out any way I can.

[lisad63]

We also returned from the Rhapsody on 4/11. The ship itself was very nice. We were spoiled by a corner aft balcony room. The highlight of our cruise was Stingray City and snorkeling at Grand Cayman.

However, as stated by Dave above, we had long, frustrating delays in getting off the ship due to the large number of international passengers. We were not very impressed with Galveston, either. The parking situation was a mess.

Last year, we cruised on the Grandeur out of New Orleans. The Grandeur is almost identical to the Rhapsody. We had a much better experience getting on and off in New Orleans, and there were more things to see and do in town when we arrived the day before departure.

For us, if we were to repeat the Western Caribbean itinerary and drive, New Orleans would win hands down over Galveston.

[joycemh]

I have sailed on the Rhapsody three times now. The last time was over the last spring break (3/14). Will sail her again in a heartbeat.

Joyce

[brn2crz]

Long delays during debarkation due to 900 Mexican Nationals on Holiday,is really not a fair assesment of the normal operations of any port.There are plenty of Carnival passengers unhappy with NO due to
the chaos followed by the river closing. I have a business partner who had their cruise on the Granduer delayed 9 hours becasue their Captain became ill and had to be replaced.Delays,screw ups,parking mayhem can happen at any port,for many reasons.

[AQHAFAN]

However, as stated by Dave above, we had long,
Last year, we cruised on the Grandeur out of New Orleans. The Grandeur is almost identical to the Rhapsody. We had a much better experience getting on and off in New Orleans, and there were more things to see and do in town when we arrived the day before departure.

[B]MORE TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS[/B] than in the Houston/GAlveston area...????

unless all you want to do is gamble and watch drunken sleaze on Bourbon Street,then No comes no where near the activites that Houston/Clear LAke/Galveston have to offer.

[img]http://heathersanimations.com/Animals1/uma01.gif[/img]

[BigDave]

That wasn't the only reason, the long transfer with the poor quality bus company is another.

We're far less likely to get a flood across the border when we're not right next to the border.

My choice; Skip the known and possible travel problems by going somewhere else, other folks priorities will differ.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by brn2crz:
Long delays during debarkation due to 900 Mexican Nationals on Holiday,is really not a fair assesment of the normal operations of any port.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

BigDave

Enchantment - E. Carib 10/13/2002
Rhapsody, W. Carib. 4/4/2004
Caribbean Princess, E Carib. 11/27/2004 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=22AA22&cdt=2004;11;27;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Valor, W. Carib. 2/6/2005 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=22AA22&cdt=2005;2;6;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Radiance, E. Carib 2/13/2005 [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=229922&cdt=2005;2;13;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[TexasCruzin]

I am traveling the Rhapsody in September. I was told that RC ships are way better than Carnival. I would suggest staying in Galveston a night before @ one of the local hotels (most have free transportation to the port). I will be at the Holiday Inn Seawall which is right off the beach. Not a bad rate around 79.00. There are higher scale hotels there & b&b. I have traveled to Galveston almost every year for a mini vacation. If you want to confirm if a hotel is nice shoot me an email...some look good on the website, until you get there and they are old. Good luck. I feel good about my booking the cruise.