FIRST TIME CRUISE

Rhapsody of the Seas Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 37

Overall rating:

5 out of 5
Verified Review
Rhapsody of the Seas

7 Night Alaska Sawyer Glacier (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 30, 2014

Ship: Rhapsody of the Seas

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 4038

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

For our first time cruise the experience was amazing - the Tracy Arm Fjord was a stunning sight to see.

 

The ports of call were interesting to go to - and our shore excursions were a highlight. However, in Skagway the business people were rude and a bit pushy towards potential customers. In fact, if I ever returned to Skagway it would be for our shore excursion - which was the glass blowing and not for the city. In fact, if you were looking for a shore excursion in Skagway, I would recommend the glass blowing experience - I felt it was a highlight of my trip.

 

The Windjammer food was good and diverse for being an international cruise ship - this is where we ate at for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sometimes it got a bit too packed and they had to shuffle people around. As for the food, I wish there was a bit more for vegetarians to choose from but overall they had a good selection of foods. I recommend that you get there as soon as they open or late to avoid the crowds. I did not go to any of the formal dinning rooms, because the Windjammer and the Parks Cafe was technically included in the cruise ticket price. The Parks Cafe was located in the Solarium and it had small snack-like foods to select from. The food from the Parks Cafe was good for small time hungers, as they offered foods such as yogurts, muffins, fruit cups, and sandwhiches.

 

I don't think I would get the Royal Replenish package again - I felt it was a waste of money - and they had coffee and tea always sitting out. 

 

The Stateroom Attendants were friendly and kept our rooms clean - they cleaned it two times a day.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
wish vegetarians or vegans had more of a selection

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
wish they had more activities other than bingo and dancing - but I was happy to see that they offered books and board games that you could check out

Entertainment

3 out of 5
wish they had more activities other than bingo and dancing - but I was happy to see that they offered books and board games that you could check out

Children's Programs

3 out of 5
I did not travel with small/young children

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Made Darmika, our stateroom attendant was friendly and cleaned our rooms twice a day

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Made Darmika was a friendly stateroom attendant. He paid attention to details and knew when my people in my party were in or if they had just left. I was happy I went with a room with a window because it was nice to be able to look outside and see whales on occasion. Consider bringing a power plug because they only have two outlets and be careful to not touch the bar items (such as the water and gummy bears and chips) until you check the prices!!!! The towel animals were nice to "come home" to and see - they put a smile on my face.

Ship tip

Go to the Windjammer Cafe or the Parks Cafe - the price of the food for these places are included into the cruise price. Consider not getting the Royal Replenish package - I did not drink soda on the ship as it was a bit colder out and they had coffee and tea sitting out (and a ice cream dispenser).

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5
Go early to Pikes Place and see the Needle later, because the Needle stays open later.

Cruise Inside Passage, Alaska

3 out of 5

Juneau, Alaska

5 out of 5
Went to the Mendenhall Glacier wear boots that you don't mind if they get wet.

Skagway, Alaska

3 out of 5
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GOING TO THE GLASS BLOWING EXCURSION! Be aware of the businesses in Skagway they were rude and pushy!

Cruise Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska

5 out of 5
Beautiful! Go to Deck 5 and go to the back of the ship - the railing is lower so you can take pictures without having to take photos standing on toes. Also the ship rotates 360 degrees so just stay there and wait for the picture moments to come to you. If you want to see wildlife then you have to go early and stay on Deck 9/10 and go to the front/bow of the ship.

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5
The walk to the town was 40-45 mintues (only 1.2 miles) but it is a scenic sidewalk. If you take an excursion stay on and get off in town, so you only need to make the walk once. The excursions were not the best in Victoria, they were packed and they drove through the twon very quickly - it reminded me of a Wisconsin Dells tour/Ducks tour. Save your money and skip the excursion - instead walk to Fishermans Wharf and maybe take a water taxi.

Traveler Photos

Shore Excursion: Glass Blowing in SKAGWAY
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