We had a really wonderful time. The Rhapsody felt like the perfect size, there was plenty to do and explore on the ship, but it never felt overwhelming and I could actually find my way around after a day or two. The theater was beautiful, as were the different bars throughout, lots of large windows so the ocean was always part of the view.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
3 out of 5
The sit down dining was good-- especially, oddly enough, lunch. Sit down dinner was always dependable if not amazing (but soda is complimentry at dinner, which was a nice touch compared to many other ships). The Windjammer was OK but sometimes tended to not get refilled or to be dried out, however, there was always LOTS of fresh fruit, everything from crisp apples to sliced pineapple, which I loved. And there were soft serve ice cream machines placed around the ship (near the pool) for kids (and adults) which was a very nice perk.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
Do not miss the Argentinian dance troope/'art of flourescence' Los Pampas Gauchos! They were outstanding. Other shows were the usual cruise fare.
Service and Staff
3 out of 5
There were definitely staff that went above and beyond, like our Steward, Mac, and our assistant waiter, Luiz, but overall I found the staff like the staff you'd find anywhere else in the US- they would help when asked but didn't really want to go out of their way.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
LOVED our stateroom, LOVED our steward (Mac), it was a joy to come 'home' to it every day. Roomy and immaculate.
We took the shuttle bus to Costa Maya, a sleepy little fishing village on the water, whose main industry nowadays seems to be the selling of souvenirs and beer. The bars are set up right on the sparkling clear water and you can sit with your feet in the waves drinking Margaritas and eating chips and salsa. Perfect relaxing day, just walk the strip before you let anyone pressure you into sitting in their restuarant, and pray that your ship is the only one that docks (another ship docked just before we left and suddenly the town was much busier and louder).
We didn't opt for a shore excursion with the ship, but rented a taxi for the day. He took us out to the Tulum Ruins, then for a swim at a local cenote. We saved a little money, but best of all we managed to miss all of the cruise crowds and really see the port and get to talk with someone who lived there. I highly recommend going off on your own at this port. We also stopped for quesidillas at a little hole in the wall restuarant not far from the port and had the best quacamole of our lives-- it was wonderful to get off teh beaten path, and it all felt very safe.
You must go to Gumbalimba Monkey reserve! It is amazing, and still managed to feel untouched by the huge cruise tourist industry. There are parrots flying in the air and monkeys that hop up on your shoulder and fall asleep. I will never forget this trip. You MUST do a shore excursion with the ship to get here though, it is owned by a cruise line, but it is worth every penny (and not that expensive anyway). And after playing with parrots and monkeys, there is a pretty little beach with cheap beer and reflexology foot massages. Otherwise we walked around down town Roaton with a young guide who attached himself to us and was a very nice and informative young man. He took us to the best shops and we bought a lovely hand carved table (the wood carvings are beautiful here).
took a cruise shore excursion to Chichen Itzu. Ended up being a very rushed trip, our ship docked late and our tour guides wasted time bringing us to some dingy souvenir market instead of straight to the site, but Chichen Itzu itself is breathtaking. And any souvenir you could possibly want from Mexico is being sold at Chichen Itzu for the best prices imaginable, and you can watch the local artisan create the masks, etc, so you know they are authentic.
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