Royal Caribbean · Vision Class

Rhapsody of the Seas: ship guide

Southern Caribbean from San Juan in winter, Greek Isles from Athens in summer.

Best for: Travelers who care more about ports than onboard thrills: island-a-day Southern Caribbean in winter and the Greek Isles from Athens in summer. Sails from San Juan, Athens (Piraeus) in 2026 and 2027.

Rhapsody of the Seas
Rhapsody of the Seas
78,491gross tons
1,998guests at double occupancy
765crew
11decks
1997entered service, refurbished 2012
915 ftlong

About Rhapsody of the Seas

Rhapsody of the Seas is a Vision Class ship built in Saint-Nazaire, France, that entered service in 1997. At 78,491 gross tons and 915 feet she carries 1,998 guests at double occupancy and 2,416 maximum with 765 crew. The class is defined by its glass Centrum atrium, the Viking Crown Lounge perched high above the pool deck and a Solarium with a retractable roof, which gives this mid-size ship an unusually open, bright feel.

A 16 million dollar makeover in spring 2012 added Izumi, Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille, Chef’s Table, Park Café, the R Bar, a poolside movie screen, a nursery, new lounges and HDTVs in refreshed staterooms. Drydocks in Brest in 2022 and Freeport in May 2025 renewed the pool deck, carpets, upholstery and furniture. With three pools, six whirlpools and a theater seating 870, she is a comfortable choice for couples and families who like port-heavy itineraries.

Rhapsody is based in San Juan through March 2027 on seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises to Antigua, Dominica, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, many of them port-every-day routes. After a spring 2027 transatlantic crossing she homeports in Athens (Piraeus) for seven-night Greek Isles, Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus cruises that include the new Royal Beach Club Santorini. She returns to San Juan for winter 2027 to 2028.

  • Rock climbing wall about 40 feet above the deck
  • Adults-only Solarium pool with retractable glass roof
  • Three pools and six whirlpools
  • Broadway Melodies Theatre production shows
  • Centrum aerial acrobatics and glass elevators
  • Poolside outdoor movie screen
  • Royal Beach Club Santorini on summer 2027 Greek Isles cruises
  • Port-every-day Southern Caribbean itineraries from San Juan

Staterooms and suites

Interior

Interior staterooms run about 132 to 164 square feet with twin beds that convert to a queen; the larger and superior categories add a vanity area. They are the most affordable way to sail these port-rich routes.

Ocean View

Ocean View staterooms range from about 151 to 193 square feet with a picture window, and with more than 370 on board they are easy to secure; Ultra Spacious Ocean View rooms suit families.

Balcony

About 136 staterooms have a private balcony of roughly 40 square feet, so they book early on Greek Isles and Caribbean island itineraries.

Junior Suite

Junior Suites add a sitting area, bathtub, walk-in closet and larger balcony, with Concierge Club access and priority boarding.

Suites

Grand Suites, Owner’s Suites and the Royal Suite of about 1,185 square feet with a 140 square foot terrace top the ship’s 98 suites, with concierge service, reserved theater seating and the Concierge Club lounge.

Rhapsody of the Seas deck plans

Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.

Deck 12 plan

Deck 12

Izumi.

  • IzumiFrom delicious sushi rolls to fresh sashimi and nigiri, Izumi serves up an exotic Asian-inspired dining experience. Savor izakaya-style appetizers and rolls that range from classic to imaginative. No matter what you order, you're in for a far out, Far East feast filled with incredible flavors from Tohoku to Tokyo.
    Attire: Smart Casual
    Cost: $$
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Open for: Lunch, Dinner

Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.

On board Rhapsody of the Seas

Wine Tasting
Wine Tasting
Windjammer
Windjammer
Whirlpools
Whirlpools
Voyagers
Voyagers
Viking Crown Lounge
Viking Crown Lounge
Theme Nights
Theme Nights
Teen Lounge
Teen Lounge
Table Tennis
Table Tennis
Sush Silent Party
Sush Silent Party
Sushi Making Class
Sushi Making Class
Suite Lounge
Suite Lounge
Spa
Spa

Dining on Rhapsody of the Seas

Edelweiss Dining RoomIncluded

The 1,090-seat two-level main dining room serving breakfast, sea-day lunch and dinner with traditional or My Time Dining.

Windjammer CaféIncluded

Casual buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Park CaféIncluded

Complimentary Solarium deli famous for the Kummelweck roast beef sandwich.

Café Latte-tudesIncluded

Centrum coffee bar with Starbucks coffee and pastries, specialty drinks at a charge.

Chops GrilleSpecialty

Signature steakhouse with prime cuts and seafood.

Giovanni’s TableSpecialty

Family-style Italian trattoria.

IzumiSpecialty

Japanese sushi, sashimi and hot rock dishes.

Chef’s TableSpecialty

Wine-paired multi-course dinner hosted by the chef for a small group.

R Bar and Schooner BarIncluded

1960s-style cocktails in the Centrum and piano singalongs at the Schooner Bar.

Entertainment and activities

  • Broadway-style production shows in the Broadway Melodies Theatre
  • Aerial acrobatics and live bands in the Centrum
  • Casino Royale
  • Three pools, six whirlpools and the adults-only Solarium
  • Rock climbing wall, sports court and jogging track
  • Poolside outdoor movie screen
  • Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
  • Shall We Dance Lounge, Viking Crown Lounge and video arcade

Families and who it suits

Adventure Ocean runs supervised programs by age group, the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery takes 6 to 36 month olds, teens have the FantaSeas center and disco, and families share Adventure Beach, the arcade and poolside movies.

Best for: Travelers who care more about ports than onboard thrills: island-a-day Southern Caribbean in winter and the Greek Isles from Athens in summer.

Sails from: San Juan, Athens (Piraeus) · Regions: Southern Caribbean, Greek Isles, Eastern Mediterranean

Rhapsody of the Seas questions we answer every day

How big is Rhapsody of the Seas?
Rhapsody of the Seas is 78,491 gross tons and 915 feet long with 11 guest decks, carrying 1,998 guests at double occupancy and up to 2,416 with 765 crew. She is a mid-size ship with a theater, casino, three pools, a rock wall and specialty restaurants, small enough to dock in Santorini-area and Eastern Caribbean ports that larger ships tender to or skip.
Who is Rhapsody of the Seas best for?
She is best for couples, friends and seasoned cruisers who pick a cruise for its ports. San Juan sailings visit an island nearly every day, and the Athens season covers Greek islands, Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus. Families are welcome with Adventure Ocean and a nursery, but there are no waterslides or surf simulators on board.
What are the best staterooms on Rhapsody of the Seas?
Balconies are limited to about 136 rooms, so reserve early for the Greek Isles where sail-ins and sunsets reward outdoor space. Ocean View rooms are plentiful and good value, and the Ultra Spacious Ocean View category works for families. Junior Suites and Grand Suites add Concierge Club access and priority boarding.
What is included in the cruise fare?
Your fare covers the stateroom, Edelweiss dining room, Windjammer buffet, Park Café, production shows, Centrum entertainment, pools, rock wall, fitness center and Adventure Ocean. Specialty restaurants, drinks packages, spa and shore excursions are extra. On sailings where Royal Caribbean allows it, SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit that is not available when booking direct.
Where does Rhapsody of the Seas sail in 2026 and 2027?
She sails seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan through March 2027, visiting Antigua, Dominica, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and the Virgin Islands. After a transatlantic crossing in April and May 2027 she is based in Athens for seven-night Greek Isles, Turkey, Egypt and Cyprus cruises including Royal Beach Club Santorini, then returns to San Juan for winter 2027 to 2028.
When was Rhapsody of the Seas last refurbished?
Royal Caribbean lists a March 2012 refurbishment, a 16 million dollar project that added Izumi, Giovanni’s Table, Chops Grille, Chef’s Table, Park Café, the R Bar, a poolside screen, a nursery and new lounges. A spring 2022 drydock in Brest renewed the pool deck and public rooms, and a May 2025 drydock in Freeport added new carpets, upholstery and furniture.

Facts checked against Royal Caribbean: Rhapsody of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Press Center: Rhapsody of the Seas fact sheet, Royal Caribbean Group: Summer 2027 Europe announcement on October 13, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

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