Going on Rhapsody and have questions on excursions, room gifts and a few more?

Question

It will just be my mom and I, so I'm wanting to do something a little special for her.

I'm looking for shore excursions that we can do. She has some mobility issues, so I wat very little to no walking and the walking to be easy, so she can enjoy herself. We will be in Ochos Rios, Georgetown Grand Cayman and Cozumel Mexico. The only thing I know I would like to do is a sub excursion, but I don't know which port would be best.... Also, I would like to stay at around $50 per person. This is our first time doing excursions on any cruise, so it will be something new for us.


Also, how common is it for their excursions to sell out? I missed the 10 day deadline and have to book onboard and am a little concerned that I won't be able to get anything, so I am trying to get several options.

Also, with the excursions, do they usually start early? We don't want to have to get up real early, since we do that everyday anyway.

Also, I would like to have some gifts in the room for her. But, I would like to spread them out. Do you know if RC allows you to choose the day things are put in the room? I'm looking at 4 things and don't want it all in the room on the same day. It is mostly food since I don't really think there are many options on Rhapsody like some other ships for food and snacks during the day. It seems there is only one place that would have snacks, so I would like to have a few things for her.

Finally, the casinos. We really don't do any gambling, but I thought it would be fun since there aren't as many things to do onboard. Is it true you don't have to be 21? Also, I read there are non-smoking areas in the casino, is the smoke still bad? Finally, if you buy chips or tokens, can you keep them as a souvenir, or is that now allowed?

Sorry for all the questions, this is our first time on an old ship and Royal Caribbean, so I'm a little concerned.

Thanks so much

Answer 1

I believe you are referring to somthing like the Underwater Observatory tour in Grand Cayman. If so, I this would be a good option. Depending on the length of the excursion and which one you go with, you could get them for less than $50 per person. Some will also offer island tours as well, they cost a little more, but give you more options and you get more time for your money. There are also bus tours in the area, one I've always remember is the Trolley Roger tour, that may work for you as well. I'm not sure what you and you mom like to do, so it is kind of hard to pick excursions. Just check the icons on the cruise line website and it will tell you anything about mobility issues.

You can book the tours on your own, outside of the cruise line, but I don't really recommend it. A lot of people do, but then the cruise line is no longer responsible if the excursion runs late and you can't get back before you have to be onboard. Also, unless you know you are using a good company, you don't know what you are getting into.

I would be too concerned about booking the excursions. A lot of people book the excursions on their own to save a little money. Also, not everyone takes one and for most cruises so many are offered that they usually don't sell out. The more popular ones may be sold out, but you should be okay. Just have a list of several that interest you and start with your favorites first and move down if something isn't available.

Most excursions will meet right after the ship docks, generally leaving about an hour after you are to get off the ship. Most of them aren't too early, I think you will be okay. You will have several days at sea to relax as well, so it may be worth getting up early for the excursions. But as far as actual times, that is something you will need to ask once onboard.

For the gifts, you can call Royal Caribbean up and tell them what you are wanting and the dates that you want it. You can also give them a general time frame of when you would like it put in the room, they will try their best to get it around that time. But they can take care of all that for you, you can also order things onboard (I believe, you may want to check on that) Trust me though, there is plenty to eat onboard, I'm sure you won't go home hungry. Most people gain weight on cruises.

You only have to be 18 to get in the casinos. The only time they require you to be 21 is on some Alaska cruises. It just depends on when you go to the casino and who is in there. Generally the tables and slots near the door aren't quite as bad with the smoke, but if there are a lot of smokers in the room it can be a little heavy. You can go onto Royal Caribbeans website and it will tell you how many non-smoking tables and slots they have on Royal Caribbean. As far as the chips, you can buy them at the beginning of the cruise and use them through out (as far as I know) so you should have no problem keeping them if you like.


I hope that answers all your questions.

Good luck with getting everything set up and have a great time!

Answer 2

I took my Mom on the Rhapsody as her first cruise. She was not dissapointed but I was.

Being one of the older ships in the RC fleet, there was constant plumbing problems. Most of the bathrooms in the public areas were closed at one time or another during the trip.

The pools were closed a few days during our cruise.

The cabin steward could not keep up with her duties and one of our cabins was never made up.

We purchased the soda fountain cards but the bartenders ignored us in favor of guests ordering bar drinks.

In regards to excursions, hit the pursers desk as soon as you arrive. Also, you can book excursions on your own by researching on the web. There are also tour operators at the end of each dock. This will save you a little money since they don't have to give RC a commission on booking the excursion.

Yes, most of the excursions start early. Especially those in Cozumel as there is a chance you will have to tender (ride a ferry boat) to the dock due to the damage caused by the recent hurricanes.

If your Mom has mobility issues, avoid the submarine ride. It is neat but you have to board the sub from a boat and the platform is very unstable and the stairs to get into the sub are very(!) steep. Last year, the sub was $95.00 per person.

Now, positives for the RC RofS, the wait staff in the dining room were exceptional. The food was good. The shows were good.