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Rhapsody of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean Vision-class ship
Royal Caribbean · Vision Class

Rhapsody of the Seas

Vision-class glass and calm sea days, splitting her year between Tampa and San Juan.

© Sid Mosdell / WC / CC BY 2.0
Launched
1997
Gross Tonnage
78,491 GT
Passengers
2,000
Decks
12
Home Port
Seasonal — Tampa, Florida (winter); San Juan, Puerto Rico (later in the year)
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Rhapsody of the Seas entered service in 1997 as the direct sister ship to Vision of the Seas, sharing the same expansive glass windows, five-deck Centrum atrium, and retractable-roof Solarium that define the class. She splits her year between winter Western Caribbean sailings from Tampa — calling at Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatán, and Belize City — and Southern Caribbean itineraries from San Juan later in the year, reaching St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Her mid-sized, glass-forward design makes her a calmer, more intimate alternative to Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ships.

✦ The standout feature

Expansive glass throughout the ship — more window area than many larger, newer ships — giving her a bright, spacious feel despite her mid-sized 78,491-gross-ton hull.

What’s Onboard

🍽️

Dining

  • Main dining room with panoramic windows
  • Windjammer Marketplace buffet
  • Chops Grille steakhouse
  • Giovanni's Table Italian
  • Park Cafe casual dining
  • Latte-tudes coffee shop
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Pools & Recreation

  • Solarium with retractable glass canopy
  • Rock climbing wall
  • Outdoor pool and whirlpools
  • Mini golf course
  • Fitness centre and spa
  • Five-deck glass-domed Centrum atrium
🎭

Entertainment

  • Main show lounge productions
  • Casino Royale
  • Observation lounge with ocean views
  • Live music venues
  • Duty-free shopping promenade
  • Comedy and trivia nights
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Cabins

  • Just over 1,000 staterooms across multiple categories
  • Interior, Oceanview, Balcony & Suite
  • Royal Suite top category
  • Connecting family cabins available
  • Classic Vision-class stateroom layouts
  • Compact, easy-to-navigate deck plan
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family & Kids

  • Adventure Ocean kids' clubs (3–17 years)
  • Family pool areas
  • Teen-only lounge
  • Family-friendly shore excursions
  • Connecting stateroom options
  • Arcade and games room

Video Tour

Rhapsody of the Seas — Full Ship Tour

✓ Best for
  • Western or Southern Caribbean itinerary seekers
  • Tampa or San Juan-area cruisers
  • Travelers who want a smaller, more intimate ship
  • Couples wanting quieter sea days
✗ Not the right fit for

Families chasing mega-ship waterparks and thrill attractions — Rhapsody's smaller size means fewer headline attractions than Royal Caribbean's newest ships.

Typical pricing

7-night Caribbean from ~$700/pp (interior) to $2,100+/pp (suite)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Rhapsody of the Seas sail from?
She splits her year between Tampa, Florida for winter Western Caribbean sailings (Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatán, Belize City) and San Juan, Puerto Rico for Southern Caribbean itineraries later in the year.
Is Rhapsody of the Seas the same as Vision of the Seas?
They're direct Vision-class sister ships with nearly identical dimensions and glass-forward design, though Vision (1998) is slightly newer than Rhapsody (1997) and the two typically run different itineraries.
Does Rhapsody of the Seas stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay?
Not typically — her Tampa-based Western Caribbean itineraries generally don't include CocoCay. Check your specific sailing before booking if that stop matters to you.
Is Rhapsody of the Seas a good ship for a first cruise?
Yes, particularly for travelers who want a calmer, easier-to-navigate ship over a sprawling mega-ship. Her smaller size and classic Vision-class layout make her simple to get oriented on quickly.
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