Rhapsody of the Seas Delivers the WOW!

When it comes to the on board passenger experience, Royal Caribbean reigns supreme in delivering the WOW factor. The line’s newest ships wow their guests with parades and events on the Royal Promenade—the ships’ indoor Main Street and gathering space. But what about the older shipmates in the fleet—the ones featuring a Centrum—the central atrium that was so innovative when Royal Caribbean introduced the concept in ship design more than two decades ago?

In a move that is sheer genius, Royal Caribbean has turned those 65-foot tall spaces on their Vision-class ships into a vertical “royal promenade” with aerialists executing gravity defying stunts on a variety of apparatus overhead while singers and dancers perform in concert below.

Having enjoyed cruises on other Vision-class ships in the past, I was anxious to see the improvements on Rhapsody of the Seas up close during my recent Alaska cruise. Would the addition of specialty restaurants and, particularly, new accommodations in place of upper deck public areas (the library, card room, Crown and Anchor study, and Explorer’s Lounge) open to the Centrum make the ship seem less spacious? Would the views of the sea be spoiled?

Come along and find out as Cruise Diva takes a first hand look after her complete makeover and shares the WOW you'll find aboard Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas.

Photo © Linda Coffman. CruiseDiva.com