Rhapsody of the Seas, in service since 1997, is a Vision-class ship known for her warmth and world traveling. At 78,491 GT and about 915 feet long, she carries roughly 2,000 guests double occupancy (up to 2,431 at maximum). Rhapsody has a classic layout featuring a grand two-level dining room with ocean views, the central Centrum atrium with live music, and an inviting Shall We Dance Lounge for evening shows. In March 2012, Rhapsody underwent one of Royal Caribbean’s largest refurbishments at the time – a $54 million modernization. This added new specialty restaurants (Giovanni’s, Izumi, Chops Grille), the Viking Crown was updated into a modern nightclub (Viking Crown Lounge is multi-purpose), and technological upgrades like an outdoor movie screen and digital wayfinders were installed. Importantly, her Centrum was equipped for aerial performances post-refit. Rhapsody often cruises in Alaska (summer) and Australia or Asia (winter), offering a comfortable, smaller-ship experience. With her extensive 2012 upgrades, Rhapsody of the Seas offers many of the facilities of larger ships (like a nursery, suite lounge, etc.) but in a more intimate setting.
Unique features:
Major revitalization: Rhapsody’s 2012 refit was extraordinarily comprehensive, essentially bringing a 15-year-old ship up to brand-new standards. The addition of five new dining options, aerial shows, and cabin tech (flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi) gave Rhapsody a unique status as one of the most modernized ships of her size in the fleet at the time. This breathed new life into her and set her apart from her sister Grandeur (which was refurbished later).
Itinerary variety: Rhapsody is known for an adventurous deployment history. She has cruised everywhere from the South Pacific to the Baltics. This means she sometimes offers uncommon ports for Royal Caribbean – for example, Rhapsody has done Black Sea and Greek Isles cruises. The ship’s ability to offer exotic itineraries (like Venice to Istanbul or Sydney to Bali) gives her a unique appeal and stories, enriching the onboard atmosphere for destination-focused cruisers.
Last major drydock/update: March–April 2012 – Underwent a 4-week, $54 million refurbishment in Singapore. This overhaul added an array of features: specialty restaurants (Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Izumi, Park Café), the retro R Bar, a Diamond Club for loyalty members, a Royal Babies & Tots Nursery, and an outdoor movie screen. The Centrum was transformed into an entertainment venue with new high-flying production shows. Staterooms were updated (with new bathrooms and flat TVs) and ship-wide Wi-Fi installed. Since this massive 2012 upgrade, Rhapsody has not had another major refit, just routine maintenance stops (e.g., a refresh in 2016).
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Chef's Table Menu
Restaurant: Chef's Table
Date Uploaded: April 11, 2025
Cost:$
An exclusive, intimate dining experience featuring a multi-course gourmet meal paired with fine wines, guided by the ship's Chef de Cuisine.