rccl-rhapsody8

Note - this page contains multiple reviews.

Name: Jeffrey Glaser, M.D.
Email: drglaser@pol.net
Age: 30
Occupation: Physician
NumberOfCruises: 27
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Rhapsody
SailingDate: 3/5/00
Itinerary: Mexican Riviera
Cabin: 3028/H
FoodDiningRoom: 70
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 80
FoodRoomService: 60
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 70
FoodLidoDeck: 60
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets: 60
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 60
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 70
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 100
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge: 100
OverallPortsofCall: 60
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 60
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 80
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 100
SpaceRatio: 70
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 13 Mar 2000
Time: 15:46:35
Remote Name: spider-tk073.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:

Comments

Being a veteran of many cruises on many lines (i.e. Carnival, RCCL, Royal, Princess, Premier, Celebrity,
Holland America, NCL, Chandris Fantasy) I always look forward to my next cruise experience with certain
expectations. As a preface to this review I will say that my wife and I are sticklers on food and service no
matter where we travel. Furthermore, neither one of us enjoy large crowds, lines, or feeling like a
number...especially when on vacation. Understanding these fine points will help you appreciate my review
of our March 5, 2000 sailing of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Rhapsody of the Seas.

SHIP (General): Royal Caribbean has consistently done a great job in the design and development of
their Vision Class Ships. The Rhapsody of the seas is the second to last of these vessels, being
launched in 1997. Certainly, Rhapsody is beautiful and impressive. Those who are fans of Hyatt Hotels
will feel right at home on board the Rhapsody. She is a floating Hyatt! Perhaps the most impressive
aspect of this ship is her giant 11 Deck Centrum (Centrums were first introduced by RCCL in 1988 with
the Sovereign) which is beautifully appointed with glass elevators and a very impressive sculpture which
spans most of the 11 Decks. All of the public rooms are very well appointed and pleasing to the eye.
Traffic flow is excellent in most public areas with very few exceptions. Although beautiful on the periphery,
furnishings and accessories and 'cheap' looking and lack the feel of quality. This is akin to comparing a
Hyatt to perhaps a Ritz Carlton or Four Seasons. Although Hyatts are impressive and adequate they
frequently lack the features that would classify them as 'luxury hotels'. Better put, the Rhapsody is pretty,
but in a plastic kind of a way. Up on deck 9 the most impressive area is certainly the Solarium done in an
Egyptian motif. This area consists of a pool and two spas covered by a retractable glass dome to protect
passengers from extreme elements. A lovely and impressive area. Aft of the Solarium is the ShipShape
Center adorned too with an Egyptian flair. The ShipShape center is one of the most impressive at sea.
The main pool area is disappointing and pathetic, lacking pizaaz! Royal Caribbean chose the cheapest
and most uncomfortable lounges to pack into this astro-turf covered (as opposed to teak wood) pool
area. Four hot tubs are placed poolside at this center (main) pool and are always hot. Interestingly, this is
the first cruise ship I've been on that consistently heats their pools (average temperature 86). Very nice
touch! Deck space is plentiful and lounges are easy to find even with a packed ship as long as one is not
insistent on sitting poolside.

CABINS: My wife, 3 year old and myself stayed in a standard outside stateroom (category H/cabin
3028/deck 3). Accomodations were adequate at approximately 150 square feet. Cabins on the Vision
Class vessels area bout 20 square feet larger than those on the Sovereign Class ships. Showers still
remain the smallest in the industry on RCCL. Bathrooms are so small that one can shower, shave, and sit
on the toilet at the same time. Closet and drawer space is adequate. We had a very large picture window.
Furnishings are pleasant to look at, but lack quality. In fact, it looks like Royal Caribbean shops at Ikea!
Cabin ammenities are poor consisting of only shampoo, soap and conditioner. No lotion etc... There were
no in cabin magazines or stationary/pen/postcards. The cabin was immaculate and stayed that way due
to our excellent cabin steward. Ice was replenished daily. Our two twin beds were easily converted to a
king the first day by our steward. The cabin was very well insulated from outside noises. I personally
viewed all of the cabin categories and found the category 'D' cabins at 190 square feet plus a balcony to
be my favorite from a value standpoint. More deluxe accomodations including the Royal Suite were BIG
DISAPPOINTMENTS! The layout of the deluxe staterooms is poor and they are lacking in the quality and
ammenities one would expect if spending the extra cash for a suite. Again, the furnishings in the suites
are just as pathetic as those in the staterooms and look like they are straight out of the pages of an ikea
catalog. I'm certain that those who spring for the suites probably don't have ikea furniture at home. The
balconies on Rhapsody are small and astroturf lined. The partitions between balconies do not provide
total privacy (i.e. as compared to those on the Statendam class ships of Holland America).

FOOD: Being a food enthusiast I was extremely disappointed by the lack of quality and variety of food
found aboard the Rhapsody. Dining room meals were hit or miss, but mostly miss...in a big way! The
Windjammer Cafe (where we ate most of our breakfasts and lunches) was poor! Aft by the Solarium Pool
is the Solarium Cafe serving hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza. The pizza was served by the slice and
frequently unreckognizable both visually and by taste as pizza. Hamburgers were horrible and vial as very
fatty beef was used and they were always overcooked...not just well done, but beef jerky like! Hot dogs
were cold and served on hard buns. The french fries were excellent though. I am certain that had I
decided to eat at Denny's for the week my meals would be a 10 by comparison to the Rhapsody. It seems
that people lower their expectations of food on a ship as compared to land based standards. Had the
meals I was served on the Rhapsody been served to me at an establishment on land I'd certainly send
them back and never dine in that restaurant again. Room service was slow and quality was no different
that found elsewhere on the Rhapsody. During lunch and dinner times full menu room service is
available.

SERVICE: Service on board the Rhapsody was top notch! Our waiter, busboy, and head waiter were the
best we ever had. However, I believe that we were just lucky in the crap shoot. Other passengers were
not as happy as we were. My wife and I had the chance to experience service from other tables
waiters/busboys as all breakfasts and lunches in the dining room were open sitting. When not working for
the people who are going to tip them the dining room staff are rude and unenthusiastic. Bar service,
casino service, etc...was very good throughout the ship. The crew was friendly and eager to please.

ENTERTAINMENT: The broadway shows on board were fair to poor. Not quite like Carnival or Princess.
However, during our week we had a great juggling act on board. The bands on the Rhapsody (including
the orchestra) were excellent! There were two comedians neither of which were very funny. Royal
Caribben as with other comparible lines hosts poolside games, horse racing etc. I find this to be very
annoying to those just trying to relax in the sun by the pool. A lounge lizard host humps the microphone
with his mouth and blasts your ear off over the poolside PA. Pleas were made for passengers to
participate in these events when most just wanted to be left alone.

EMBARKATION/DISEMBARKATION: Cetainly, the most annoying part of any cruise vacation. Royal
Caribbean packs people into the terminal like sardines and the lines move very slow. However, once at
the check-in counter representatives are organized and friendly. Disembarkation is organized, but again
annoying. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any easy way to get 2000 passengers off a ship without
some congestion and confusion. RCCL is no better or worse than other lines with similar numbers of
passengers to move. The best embarkation/disembarkation I've experienced was on Holland America and
Celebrity (as a Captain's Club member).

PORTS: This seven day Mexican Riviera cruise called at the typical ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan,
and Puerto Vallarta. We went for the warm weather and the ship...not for Mexico. Mexico is a third world
pit plagued with poverty. Simply put, it is clear to see why people hop the border and move to the United
States from Mexico in heards and not the other way around. It is kind of ironic that Americans choose to
vacation there. My wife and I are beach dwellers who love water sports. Compared to the Caribbean the
Pacific is cold and mercky. In fact, in Puerto Vallarta beach water is brown and foamy as sewage is
dumped directly into the ocean at the base of the bach by giant sewage lines. Cabo San Lucas is pretty
and quaint. Those who are romanced by a place that seems 'foreign' might actually like Cabo. However, if
you like U.S. standards Cabo is no comparison, nor is the rest of Mexico. Because Mexico is so
disgusting and dirty when one comes across a nice beach hotel their they awe and oooh. Compared to
U.S. standards though the nicest of hotels in Mexico would be considered fair to good in the U.S. One
word of advice. DO NOT take the shore excursions as solicited by the line. All of them are overpriced and
you will be packed on a bus like a sardine in a can. For half the price you can do the same excursion on
your own. Get together with a few other couples and hire a driver who will custom tailor a tour to your
liking! My wife and I being beach people always find the nicest beach hotel and take a cab there. In
Mexico we tipped the cabana boy $10 and asked for towels. That way, you don't have to show your room
key (i.e. buy a room for a day). Hotels are very strict about only allowing guests at their pool areas. By
having a towel it is assumed you are a guest and can enjoy the facilities. The cabana boys are easily
bought and love the sight of the American dollar. In Cabo the nicest hotel is the Melia. In Puerto Vallarta,
the Marriott Casa Magna. In Mazatlan, the El Cid Beach Resort (the nicest in Mazatlan, but a huge
dump!!!). Shopping in Mexico is homogenous. The shops right off the ship in all three ports have
everything you can find in town at the same prices. Be sure to bargain in Mexico. No price is fixed!

CHILDRENS PROGRAM: Excellent facilities and staff. Starts at age 3. Children MUST be potty trained.
NO exceptions. Wonderful program!

GENERAL OVERVIEW: Overall for the value the Rhapsody of the Seas is an A+++. If you are one who
enjoys fine dining and a more exclusive mileau Rhapsody is not for you. However, if you like the 'Hyatt
Touch' Rhapsody may be for you. Big down falls are the fact that passengers are constantly hounded by
redundant and annoying overhead messages of solicitation for things such as bingo, shopping, art
auctions, the casino, beauty salon etc. Everywhere you turn you are being badgered...almost as bad as
on the beaches in Mexico where peddlers just won't leave you alone. Passengers are pressured into
giving excellent ratings on their comment cards for dining room service. It is stressed that if a
waiter/busboy receives less than excellent they may be fired. Food quality is pathetic and frequently
unedible. Entertainment quality probably varies from week to week. The ship is gorgeous! Cabins are
adequate and a good value for the money...but certainly not fancy by industry standards. Service staff
tends to be good to excellent. Rhapsody of the Seas caters to all age groups and offers activities which
are varied. I can't imagine anyone being bored on Rhapsody. In conclusion, if you are looking for a
reasonably priced tropical week away and are not too concerned with food quality, ammenities, or luxury
but just want to relax and have a good time you will certainly be pleased with the Rhapsody.

Name: Lisa Verschueren
Email: lisav626@yahoo.com
Age: 39
Occupation: Healthcare Program Manager
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Rhapsody
SailingDate: 3/12/2000
Itinerary: Mexican Riviera
Cabin: 7610/D
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 80
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 89
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 80
FoodMidnightBuffets: 95
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 85
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService:
ShoreExcValue: 70
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 95
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 90
OverallPortsofCall: 70
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 90
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 20 Mar 2000
Time: 14:42:02
Remote Name: spider-th071.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:

Comments

We arrived at the pier at almost noon. The embarkation process was excellent. Total time from curbside
to the gangway was approximately 15-20 minutes. We were allowed to board early with a promise not to
go to our cabin until 1:00. We went to the Windjammer Café where there were a variety of hot and cold
foods available. Already we got a taste of what was in store for us for the remainder of the cruise! We
then went to our cabin, which had a balcony. Well worth the extra cost as we then were able to not only
see the port as we sailed away, but spent much time our there enjoying fresh air and a little quiet time. It
will be very hard to cruise again without the balcony!

As far as the dining room, we couldn’t have asked for more. We had second seating (8:30pm). Colin, our
headwaiter, and Rajesh our waiter were outstanding. They consistently attended our every need. Istevan,
our assistant waiter was new to his role and it showed. The food in the dining room was as pleasing to the
stomach as to the eye. The beef was always best ordered either medium or medium rare. Cooked any
more well done and it was tough. The lobster was awesome and extra was brought to the table for those
of us who wanted seconds…or thirds!!! We ate breakfast in the Windjammer Café as our daughter
enjoyed the buffet aspect. It was pretty much the same each day with a rotation between pancakes and
french toast. The pancakes were pancakes, but the french toast was excellent. They used french bread
for the french toast (what a concept!) You can always get an omelet or fried eggs cooked to order with
scrambled eggs the norm on the buffet line. We never ate lunch at the Windjammer, but did go around
3:30 for afternoon snacks and coffee. Nice selection of open face sandwiches and cookies and other
desserts. We tried the pizza in the solarium, it tasted a lot like the frozen pizza we had at home the night
before we left on the cruise!!! The burgers and seasoned fries were tasty if there was nothing else
available. The coffee taste, as well as temperature, was different everywhere on the ship. I liked it best in
the dining room. There was a Gala Midnight Buffet which was beautiful to see and taste. Take plenty of
film along just for this!!!

Now, on to the entertainment and other activities. John Blair, the Cruise Director and Katrina (his wife) the
Social Hostess didn’t seem genuinely friendly. I could take them or leave them. The comics they had were
good, not belly aching funny but entertaining. The Farewell Show was good. John sang a tribute to Neil
Diamond and sounded a lot like him. I liked the fact that they rotated the show times between main and
late seating. That way you didn’t have to stay up ‘til midnight every night if you had late seating. Always
something aboard for everyone to do. Bingo was great. Final Jackpot was almost $14,000, which was
won by one person (and no…it wasn’t me!). Casino was nice. My husband enjoyed the Caribbean Stud
Poker which he has never played before and actually came out in the black. My game is slots….the
machines were very tight. I made it to the finals at the slot tournament. 1st prize was $1,000 (no…wasn’t
me again!!). Nevertheless, a fun place to visit and, it’s the only place on board that has neon lights!!!!
Nice change from our past cruise on Carnival.

Our first port of call was Cabo San Lucas. We took a ships shore excursion snorkeling. The water very
(and I mean very) cold this time of year. Still saw lots of cool looking fish and even some whales. The tour
included unlimited beverages (including alcohol), not very appropriate for children. Enjoyed the town
itself. We would have liked to have spent more time in town. It was quaint and the local street vendors
were not very aggressive compared to the other ports. The next day we pulled into Mazatlan. We again
took a ships shore excursion horseback riding to a private ranch about a 40-minute bus ride from town.
From what we could see from the bus, Mazatlan didn’t appear to be a port we wanted to spend much time
in. We went to a private ranch called Las Moras. The horseback riding was a lot of fun. My daughter even
got to go twice for a bartered price of $15.00. The tour for the 3 of us cost $200.00 which overall wasn’t
worth it. The ranch provided a bland lunch (we missed ship food!!!!) Next port of call was Puerto
Vallarata. We didn’t take a tour here, which was fine. We took a taxi ($6.00 total for 3 of us) to the
shopping district. One word of advice, if you see something you want and the price is too high, don’t
worry…the next 200 shops will have the same thing. We went to a ship recommended restaurant called
Tequila’s. No Mexican food there! Actually, none of the ship recommended restaurants has Mexican
Food. We went to a place called Las Palmas right on the main street. We ate a nice Mexican meal
overlooking the ocean for a reasonable price of about $15.00 for 3 of us including drinks. The ocean
water was not suitable for swimming or snorkeling at this time. There was a lot of sludge and green foam
in the water.

Overall, the ship was beautiful. The staff was great and very helpful. This was our first cruise with Royal
Caribbean and definitely not our last. In closing, the most worth mentioning complaint we have is that we
felt like we left for the Mexican Riviera and returned via Alaska. The last two days at sea were very cold.
A few people were at the outdoor pool tanning their goose bumps. The Solarium pool was the place to be
during those cold days. I recommend taking at least a sweatshirt or two if you go at this time of the year.

Lastly, the disembarkation was a problem. No fault of the ship. There was heavy fog and the Port of Los
Angeles closed, thus making arrival back delayed 3 hours. A lot of people missed their return flights
home, so this is something ti keep in mind when booking return flights. Also, once we pulled in, I have no
idea why, but it took an additional 3 hours to start letting passengers off. Once again the Rhapsody was
a pleasure to have traveled on and we look forward to cruising with Royal Caribbean again.

Name: Jay Krueger
Email: wyb@wyb.com
Age: 41
Occupation: Engineer
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Rhapsody
SailingDate: 3/5/00
Itinerary: Mexico
Cabin: 2703/n
FoodDiningRoom: 99
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 90
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets: 92
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety:
FoodVariety: 95
DeckService: 89
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon: 93
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 90
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 85
GoodForSeniors: 92
BeautySalonStaff: 95
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 90
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 99
EntertainmentPoolside: 85
CruiseActivities: 85
Casino: 85
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 92
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 93
Stabilization: 85
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 24 Mar 2000
Time: 13:59:38
Remote Name: pc98294105218.jpl.nasa.gov
Remote User:

Comments

I saw a review from someone that was on the same ship during the same week. I felt that we were on a
different ship. Overall this cruise was outstanding! The food, service, everything!

This was only my second cruise. (My first was CCL's Holiday Which I would rate as fair to good.) I will try
an summerize the areas as I have seen done in other reviews.

Embark/Disembark: No problem. We arrived early and went right through the whole process in under 30
minutes. The Rhapsody allowed you wo wait in any public area (We selected the Scooner Bar which had
music, smoking & drinks available). We sat with some friends and waited for our turn. We left the ship at
around 10 a.m., but it was a very relaxing wait.

Food: Excellent! Our waiter had worked in the kitchen and I learned after the first night to accept one of
his recommendations. Both he and the assistant waiter were always checking with us to make sure that
everything was O.K. and if there was anything they could do to correct any problem that we might
have.(There were none.) By the end of the cruise our drinks arrived as soon as we sat down. The
solarium cafe was also good. The hamburgers were not the fast food type, but more llike the ones you
would make at home.

The cabin: We were on Deck B in the center of the ship in an inside cabin. Even though this cabin was
much smaller than the one we had on the Holiday, I felt it was better. The cabin steward was also
excellent! I enjoyed his drunken man asleep in the bed and visitor watching T.V.

Overall: The staff was excellent! The Ship was excellent! The food was excellent!

I would be happy to cruise this ship again!

Name: Steve Voegtle
Email: steve.voegtle@jeppesen.com
Age: 41
Occupation: Manager
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: RoyalCaribbean-Rhapsody
SailingDate: 3/4/00
Itinerary: Mexican Riveira
Cabin: Deck 3
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 98
FoodLidoDeck: 100
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 98
FoodMidnightBuffets: 100
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 100
ShoreExcValue: 90
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 100
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors: 100
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 100
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 100
EntertShowLounge: 100
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon: 90
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 100
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 20
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 25
DiscoNightclubs: 100
DeckSpace: 99
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 94
OverallCruiseValue: 98
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 27 Mar 2000
Time: 13:16:18
Remote Name: teton.jeppesen.com
Remote User:

Comments

Except for the transfers, airfare and airline, this cruise was perfect. Royal Caribbean has never
disappointed me yet. The Rhapsody of the Sea's has an incredible layout, all the modern conveniences
and improvements. The show lounge was really impressive. I have been to other show lounges on other
ships. Normally there were only a few good seats, not so with the Rhapsody. There are very few
obstructed view seats. The lighting and sound guys sit up and out of the way and the supporting beams
are way off to the side of the room. Excellent! Another great feature is the elevators. I did not wait longer
than 15 seconds for an elevator. There are many, and they are fast. The rooms are slightly larger than
other RCL's ships. Nice improvement. The hallways appear narrower, but who cares about that unless
you work there. They have seven hot tubs, more than plenty. And the best feature of all is the Solarium
(Indoor pool area). On cold days, especially for this cruise, that was must! I spent a lot of my time there. I
just think Royal Caribbean is the expert in ship layouts. I've been on other new ships on other cruise
lines. The others do not come close.

Our waiter was fantastic, but the room steward was even better.
Whatever we asked for in both areas we got promptly and with smiling service. I tipped them well. The
food on this cruise was excellent. You know I have read so many complaints about the Windjammer food
(Pool Deck Food). I don't see it. Normally we don't eat up there much since we prefer the dining room
service. But this time I had three meals up there for grins. For cafeteria style, it's fantastic! The variety is
great. I'm wondering what some of these other reviews are coming from. Truthfully, and I said this once
before, you shouldn't be eating up there anyway if you are smart. I can get café food anywhere at home,
but we don't go out fine dining but maybe a half a dozen times a year. Why not eat in the dining room for
all meals?!? I guess the complaint is you don't want to dress up for dinner. If that is the only thing
holding you up, you've got a problem.

First, you only have to dress up for two nights. Second, Breakfast
and Lunches are casual, even shorts! Third, there are only two formal nights in the dining room.
Change your clothes after dinner if it's really killing you. The stops on this cruise are great too. I wish we
had more of a variety for shore excursions though. This is not the cruise lines fault. In Puerto Vallarta,
Paradise Village is ok, just don't accept Mexican money for change. Make them change you out in
dollars. In Matzatlan, the beach venders are plentiful. Don't buy anything for any more than half of their
1st offer. When you are tired of them, have a beer and don't even acknowledge them. In Cabo San
Lucas, take the water taxi to Lover's Beach. This beach is truly awesome. Plenty of room and nice sand!
Don't snorkel at Cabo. It's pitiful there. We saw whales just off Lover's Beach, what a thrill! I don't think
you see them there all the time though. This is a shopping cruise all the way! Great bargains. We are
true blue dedicated dancers. This is one of the big reasons cruising appeals to us. Normally, people on
cruises don't dance.

So, you have the entire dance floor to yourself. Talk about optimum conditions.
This cruise dancing was ok. They had big band every night in the Centrum, but the Centrum's dance
floor is not conducive to ballroom dancing. It was too small and it was a primary walkway. No way you
were even going to come close to a tango on that floor. The dance floor in the Dance Lounge was much
better. I wish they kept the ballroom dancing in there all the time. All the bands were very good. The only
dance music we were missing was salsa. When we were on the Monarch of the Seas, they had this great
Latin band that specialized in Latin music. My wife and I could not salsa once on this cruise. We didn't
meringue enough either. The Captain's Party and the Repeater Party are great dancing parties. Don't
miss them. Outstanding appetizers are served there. I spent a lot of time at the art auctions.

My biggest
complaint about those is they are too darn long (90 minutes). The problem is, if you want the handout
they give you after every auction, you must sit through the entire auction and wait for the darn thing to
end. I purchased three pieces at an unbelievable price. If you are a collector, GO! If you are the type
who spends thousands of dollars on your carpeting, but then hangs baskets on your walls, go do the
wine tasting or belly flop contest or something. I attended all of the auctions on this cruise. Barry, the
auctioneer ticked me off a little when he didn't show my pieces that I had requested on the first auction.
Also, his brochure stated I would get serio-lithographs for attending the auctions. Instead we received
posters. That was misleading. He did raffle some great pieces at the end of each auction. OK, that was
well worth waiting for, even though I came up empty.

The weather on this cruise is not for me. I did not
realize it would be so cold, but coming out of LA in the wintertime, I should have known. The three days
we had in Mexico were great, but the three days at sea going and coming were 60's and 70's. Believe
me when I tell you, the ocean breeze made it unbearable for laying out. The ship's crew informed me this
is usually very typical. I like the Caribbean better. I need it 90 degrees or warmer please! On this cruise,
the only time you were hot was when you went into the hot tub. Also, I don't like the pacific surf. A
ten-foot wave crashed down upon me and nearly dislocated my shoulder. It ached for two days
afterward. I like the nice rolling waves in the Caribbean. To top it all off, my wife and I were grazed by a
jellyfish. I never saw the slimy thing, but it feels like a knife had just cut into you. The bad part of the trip
had to do with the Hotel, the transfers to and from the hotel and the Airline. Some of it was beyond the
control of the cruise line, but some of it was not.

First the hotel. The Downtown Westin at the airport is a
joke. First, the whirl -pool doesn't work. It hasn't worked in awhile according to the hotel staff. When we
arrived at the hotel, they didn't have our reservation. Didn't Royal confirm the reservations the day
before? Did the Westin mess up? Undoubtedly. We weren't the only Rhapsody cruisers out of a room.
Some of us had to be shipped off to the Sheridan. We arrived at the Hotel at 1:30 pm. When they finally
got us a room it was 3:30. We were supposed to have a non-smoking room, we got smoking. I was too
tired to do anything about it. We had already sat in the lobby for 2 hours! The room smelled musty like it
was a smoking room. It was not even a very nice room. This hotel is in the process of renovation. We
obviously didn't get the renovated floor. Instead we got hammering noise during the day.

The next day,
after a long tiring day at Universal Studios we returned to the hotel late at night and discovered our
room key no longer worked. I was so tired, I grumpily went back to the front desk to get this resolved.
They apologized and said the computer bleeps out consistently during their construction period. Maybe
that's what happened to our reservation. Another thing about the hotel, I watched the hotel clerks accept
cash from people for better rooms. Maybe this is what happened to my room. The restaurant at the hotel
serves good food, but it's outrageous in price. Royal Caribbean's transfers need to improve before we
ever use them again. First, we arrive in LA two days prior to boarding and we don't get our transfer to
the ship from the hotel until 2 PM. Are you kidding me? Then, when we finally arrive at the pier, we have
to wait in this ridiculous 50-minute line to check in. Why weren't we already checked in at the hotel like
the brochure said we would be for prior hotel packages? I guess I'll never know. Boarding begins at
11:30. I will be at the pier at 11:30 because I will find my own cab from now on.

The passengers coming
off the cabs were allowed to go to the front of the line anyway. I never understood that one. What gets
me most about check-in was the hold up was at the metal detector. They have everyone using the same
metal detector! AHHHHHH!!! The check-in process is painless and quick, 3 minutes. I couldn't believe
that the metal detector was the actual holdup! Coming off the ship, you board a bus with everyone flying
home on the same airline. When you get to the airport, you all go into the same baggage line with the
same busload of people. It's always better to get a cab and beat the bus to the airport. One more thing
about transfers. The bus waits for people who cannot follow instructions. They wait for those ones who
didn't tag their luggage with the appropriate ship tags prior to flying. They wait for people coming off
other flights. They wait for people who want to take one last picture. And they wait for those ones who
need to use bathroom. There have been times we have sat on the bus for an hour and a half waiting for
people. No more. We are taking a cab when we are ready to take one.

America West is a terrible excuse
for an airline. Royal seldom books you a non-stop flight. They will choose the cheapest airline and flight
they can buy. You are at their mercy as to when you arrive and when you depart. We traveled together
with a group of 6 people and 2 of us were bumped from an overbooked flight. What's even worse, we
were scheduled on different flights! And we came from the same departure points each time but left on
different fights! No more. I will handle all my flight arrangements. I will book non-stop flights on reputable
airlines and arrive when I want to arrive. America West lost all of our luggage on the return home. But,
we weren't the only ones. Overall for the flight home from Denver, they lost 30 bags! Frontier told us
they were tired of fixing America West problems. I don't know how AWE can operate like this and stay in
business. Like I said, the cruise was great (A++++). Everything else, bad (F). We like RCL very much.
We've sailed Carnival. Hated it. Someday we will try Celebrity, the RCL sister company. They have 4
new ships coming out in the next few years, all 90,000 tons! Right now we are not interested in the
Voyager class ships. We fear they will attract too many kids, because of the wall climbing and skating
rink. We don't do either activity.

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