Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas: Our Southern Caribbean Cruise Review
We boarded Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas in Colón, Panama, giddy like kids on the first day of summer, and spent a week sailing the Southern Caribbean. From a splurge-worthy junior suite to four incredible island ports, this cruise gave us history, beaches, off-roading, and a whole lot of color. Here is our honest review of the ship, the suite, and the stops.
Is Rhapsody of the Seas a good cruise?
Yes, especially for a relaxed Southern Caribbean itinerary. Rhapsody is one of Royal Caribbean's smaller, older ships, which actually works in your favor: suite prices are far more reasonable than on the mega-ships, and the Southern Caribbean ports (Cartagena, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) are the real stars. If you want culture-rich port days over nonstop onboard spectacle, this is a great pick.
Boarding in Colón, Panama
Our cruise was a round-trip from Colón, Panama, a slightly different embarkation port than the usual Florida departures, and a fun bonus if you pair it with time in Panama City (which we did). The moment we stepped aboard, before our room was even ready, we did what we always do: explored every corner, from the sparkling atrium to the pool deck with sweeping ocean views, scoping out lounges, restaurants, and the all-important late-night snack spots.
Onboard: what Rhapsody offers
For a smaller ship, Rhapsody packs in plenty:
The Broadway Theater. This is the entertainment hub, Broadway-style shows, comedy, and game shows all happen here.
Kids clubs. Royal Babies and Tots for the littlest ones, and Adventure Ocean for kids three and up. We will be cruising with young kids soon, so this was on our radar.
A casino. If you need a little taste of Sin City at sea, there is no shortage of games.
Pools and lounges. Classic cruise relaxation with great ocean views.
It is an easygoing, comfortable ship that does the basics well without overwhelming you.
Our junior suite (and a money-saving pro tip)
We splurged on a junior suite, a step up from a standard balcony, and it was worth it. Here is what it included:
A large aft balcony at the back of the ship. Our biggest tip: for incredible views sailing out of port, the back of the ship is where you want to be.
A roomy stateroom bigger than a typical balcony cabin, with a seating area (a loveseat, ottoman, and coffee table), plus extra chairs.
A king bed (which your stateroom attendant can split into two twins), a TV, and a vanity with a coffee maker.
A large closet and a surprisingly spacious bathroom, this room even had a tub, which is rare on a cruise ship.
The pro tip we swear by: if you want a taste of suite luxury without breaking the bank, book a suite on an older ship. The prices are much more reasonable than the same category on a brand-new mega-ship, and you still get the upgraded space and perks.
The ports (the real highlight)
This itinerary's island stops are where the magic happened. Each one gets its own full guide, but here is the quick tour:
Cartagena, Colombia. A vibrant, colorful first stop. We wandered the UNESCO walled city, admired historic churches and forts, and got swept up in the music and street life. (See our full Cartagena guide.)
Aruba. We kicked it up a notch with a rugged Jeep tour across the desert island, hitting rock formations and the dramatic Black Stone Beach. Wild, beautiful, and one of our favorite days. (See our full Aruba guide.)
Bonaire. A quiet slice of paradise. We walked the colorful port, tasted local gelato, browsed craft shops, and ended with a scenic bike ride. Bonaire stole a piece of our hearts. (See our full Bonaire guide.)
Curaçao. A postcard come to life. We did a city tour, visited the famous Blue Curaçao distillery, and crossed the floating Queen Emma Bridge into colorful Willemstad. Even a canceled excursion just gave us more time to explore. (See our full Curaçao guide.)
Four ports, four completely different vibes, all rich with culture and color. The Southern Caribbean really delivers.
Tips for cruising the Southern Caribbean
Book a suite on an older ship for the best value-to-luxury ratio.
Pick an aft cabin for the best sail-away views.
Consider a Panama embarkation and tack on a few days in Panama City.
Prioritize the ports. On this itinerary, the islands are the highlight, so book the excursions that excite you.
Stay flexible. Excursions can get canceled (ours did in Curaçao). A good port rewards you anyway.
FAQ
Where does Rhapsody of the Seas sail?
Our cruise was a Southern Caribbean round-trip from Colón, Panama, stopping in Cartagena, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.
Is a junior suite worth it on Rhapsody?
We thought so. You get more space, an aft balcony, and a tub, and on an older ship the price is very reasonable compared to newer ships.
Is Rhapsody of the Seas good for families?
Yes. It has kids clubs (Royal Babies and Tots, and Adventure Ocean for ages three and up) and an easygoing, manageable size.
What's the best part of this cruise?
The ports. Cartagena, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are each unique and packed with culture, history, and beautiful scenery.
The Verdict
Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas gave us a relaxed, comfortable week at sea and four unforgettable island days. The junior suite was a smart splurge (especially on an older ship), the onboard experience was easy and fun, and the Southern Caribbean ports were the stars of the show. If you want a cruise where the destinations do the heavy lifting, this itinerary is a winner. We came home already dreaming about the next voyage.
Want to sail along? Watch our cruise recap on YouTube: 7 Days on Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas, then dive into each port: Cartagena, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Subscribe to Finding Our Forte for more.
