L454S

Just did a 5 night Feb 3 - 8 on Empress. There is no CL or DL. There was a sail away party for Diamond and up on the patio behind Bolero's. The Viking Crown was open for D+ and P from 5 - 8:30 PM daily. Had the regular 3 drinks loaded to the sea pass card daily.
That is the MSC Seaside in the background, had just gotten off that one and crossed the street for this one.
Pic is sail away from Miami at Bolers's
 

So far, it's been money well spent. I know we would do it again.

You also get to a point where all the trouble(self sterilization) is not worth it and takes a great deal away from your trip. I guess we all have our lines in the sand where the cleaning/worrying meets enjoying the sailing. Till then, enjoy the cruise you paid for. I know I will, and not think twice about Noro, or any other illness. I don't mind washing my hands a couple extra times a day than I would at home, but that's about it.
Oh, by the way.....95% is not a select group. It is the overwhelming majority.

You also get to a point where all the trouble(self sterilization) is not worth it and takes a great deal away from your trip. I guess we all have our lines in the sand where the cleaning/worrying meets enjoying the sailing. Till then, enjoy the cruise you paid for. I know I will, and not think twice about Noro, or any other illness. I don't mind washing my hands a couple extra times a day than I would at home, but that's about it.
Oh, by the way.....95% is not a select group. It is the overwhelming majority.

We had been sailing with Princess for a few years before we started with RCI. I was the opposite of other posters, I called the Windjammer the Horizon Court for a while. Also went looking for the Lido deck.
We did the MSC Divina this past Jan., it was about half what RCI wanted for a New Years sailing. Were satisfied enough to book the Seaside next month(Jan27) and try a YC cabin. I will probably be in search of the Windjammer or Schooner Bar... and of course the Viking Crown for the evening drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Oh wait, can't do that ! Just have to wait a bit and see how this plays out.

After final payment, RCI will not be refunding any money for changes or upgrades. We have upgraded to a higher class cabin and paid the difference(they WILL take more money). 
If you have an inside cabin and the ocean view cabins come down in price to or below the price you paid, you can get the upgrade to the better cabin. BUT, if it is a lower price than what you paid, there is NO refund.
The last time we did this was a couple weeks ago. Had an E(small/7654) class balcony cabin on the Serenade. A week before sailing, an AFT D Class(large/7174) balcony cabin came available for less than we had paid. We called and were upgraded at no charge. BUT, no refund for the overage.

We tend to use MTD like a personal fixed seating. Make our online reservations in MTD for the same time every day. After boarding we go to the dining room and pick out a nice table for 2 that we like and ask the hostess for that table. If we like it on the first night( service, etc.), we just ask the hostess to make it the same for the cruise.
This may be harder to do for seatings about 7PM. Generally, a lot of the early diners are still there, so a lot of the tables are occupied. I find a little flexibility helps. 
This works well for early seatings, not sure about later(8PM on)

This is very typical of RCI. We wanted connecting rooms last year and none showed available on RCI site. We called RCI and they said they had plenty.....go figure. Now we just call, sometimes you can't even trust the OTHER websites to be in sync with RCI.

Arebee has given the answer that works for me. I have tried clearing cookies, cache, and tried using Firefox, Safari, etc.. Nothing worked till I was once told to try clicking top left "file" and then "open new private window". Use this as normal and no problems. I know what I wrote here is for Mac, but have heard same results in Windows.

Best yet was the entire westbound transatlantic cruise from Copenhagen to Boston. Norway was great, but 4 days and 3 ports in Iceland was so different from other places we had been. Would do that sailing again in a heartbeat. The Serenade was on top of their game. Great room steward, wait staff, etc.......Everything was just right.

I find it to be good, and yes it is "brewed" coffee as opposed to Princess who were using the coffee syrup to make a pot. I find it stronger at different hours and venues, but still to my liking.

No laundry facilities onboard. Number of luggage bags depends on how light you can travel. We can easily make it with 3 checked and 2 carry-ons. Just did 23 days with that much.
 
Oh, and take care of the ship for me, I will be on it for the return sailing from Amsterdam to US in September  2018......

We just stayed in the Hotel Ala for a couple days after departing the Rhapsody. Can recommend it highly. Hotels are all over, and no cars or transport. Some are on the Grand Canal and cost more. We picked what we did as a mix of location/price/reviews. Hotel Ala is about 50 yard walk from the Vaporetto stop. 
As mentioned above, try not to schlep bags too far from the only transport on the island(Vaporetto). Venice is not that big, but it gets BIGGER carrying bags. Most hotels will let you stow your luggage there if you arrive early. We got to the hotel at about 9AM after disembarking, left the bags and off we went.
The main Vaporetto terminal(closest to ship) is still a long way to carry bags. Take the people mover(tram) for a couple bucks. This will put you closer for the shortest walk to the ship.

Just did 21 days on the Rhapsody. I was impressed with how well maintained and clean the ship is. For me, I like a ship as opposed to the an amusement park. Just personal preference.

Just did 21 days on the Rhapsody. I was impressed with how well maintained and clean the ship is. For me, I like a ship as opposed to the an amusement park. Just personal preference.

Just did 21 days on the Rhapsody. I was impressed with how well maintained and clean the ship is. For me, I like a ship as opposed to the an amusement park. Just personal preference.

Onboard the Rhapsody now in the Med. No taxes on the T/A from Tampa, but since Barcelona(B2B), there is a tax added no matter if we were in Spain, France and now Italy. It seems to be as others have posted, just under 10% on food like Giovani's. However, buying pictures in the ships photo shop was taxed at 21%. It does state in the compass that foods and drinks will be taxed at 21%.  Drink purchases made with the preloaded 3 drinks for Diamond have not incurred added charges to us.
 
I know that does NOT clear things up, but just wanted to post current information.

Onboard the Rhapsody now in the Med. No taxes on the T/A from Tampa, but since Barcelona(B2B), there is a tax added no matter if we were in Spain, France and now Italy. It seems to be as others have posted, just under 10% on food like Giovani's. However, buying pictures in the ships photo shop was taxed at 21%. It does state in the compass that foods and drinks will be taxed at 21%.  Drink purchases made with the preloaded 3 drinks for Diamond have not incurred added charges to us.
 
I know that does NOT clear things up, but just wanted to post current information.

Thanks DocLC, figure we better sail on the Rhapsody before it goes the way of the Dodo. We even get our 140 crystal block on this T/A.
Klaconqueso, laxed weight limits makes it a lot easier for you to bring things home with you. When we dispose of 14 days worth of underwear and socks, we can bring home more STUFF!!!!!!

Thanks DocLC, figure we better sail on the Rhapsody before it goes the way of the Dodo. We even get our 140 crystal block on this T/A.
Klaconqueso, laxed weight limits makes it a lot easier for you to bring things home with you. When we dispose of 14 days worth of underwear and socks, we can bring home more STUFF!!!!!!

I have done this before. You will never get money back, even if the cabin you want is less than you paid. They will accept MORE money for you to upgrade yourself. Call and get a quote............

Yes, it's done once a year. We were on it this past August. Not to be missed. Avatar is from that trip.
 
They changed it a bit for this coming trip. We had16 days, 4 days in Iceland, 3 ports. Overnight in Reykjavik. This year they dropped one Iceland port and shortened the trip to 15 days.

That is a nice upgrade for the money. Sometimes it pays to keep up with the rates even after final payment.

Some people hate the hump cabins on Radiance and other class ships because of the loud music noise coming up through the centrum, several threads about this on another site. We have had hump cabins twice, never had a problem sleeping.
 
Aft cabins are far away from elevators, OK by me. It tends to be very quiet at the end of the hall, no foot traffic. Some aft cabins have larger balconies(do your homework), don't go by deck plans. The view is great, but I like the side view also.
 
Bottom line, I would take either one for the right price and itinerary.

Follow the money trail, more profit in the larger ships. I do like the Radiance class ships best, similar to the Island/Coral Princess ships.
 
Have been on the Liberty, Navigator, Allure.......They were fine(never had a bad cruise) but, we prefer the smaller ships. Doing a T/A on Rhapsody shortly, have not tried a Vision class yet.