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In Rhapsody to be on Rhapsody of the Seas (June 2-June 9, 2024)


mom2mybugs

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I always begin my live blogs with a firm intention of keeping up with them and posting amazing pictures.  As the drink pkg takes its toll, I begin to peter out lol.  But this time, I will once again do my best!!!  I'm Jane  and this will be my 9th cruise.  I took my first cruise with my 3 teenagers in 2015 because I had to escape Chicagoland's brutal winter.  Since then, I have found my love of cruising battles my love of Disney for my money (and now Europe, but I solve that by visiting Disneyland Paris and taking Mediterranean cruises).  This cruise came about as my husband and I was sitting looking at the gloomy weather after a bottle of wine and realized that our school schedules would give us a week off together before Jeff started teaching summer school!  YOLO book it so we could planner purchase stuff on Black Friday.  Our last cruise was on Harmony, and we never got off the ship except for perfect day, so we decided it was time to look at itineraries and a smaller ship for this one.  In the end, Rhapsody was perfect.  Our itinerary is 7 days out of San Juan:

Day 1:  San Juan

Day 2:  St. Croix

Day 3:  St. Thomas

Day 4:  St. Maarten

Day 5:  St. Lucia

Day 6:  Barbados

Day 7:  Sea Day

We originally got an Ocean view guarantee.  It took forever but we finally had a master station and I discovered with the barcode trick we were on the 2nd floor, midship.  I was a little worried about being that low simply for smells etc on an older ship, but you get what you get with guarantee.  Anyway, decided to try Royal-Up, which I've tried a couple times before and never got.  I put pretty low bids on a js, ocean view balcony, ultra spacious ocean view and a spacious ocean view.  We found out last week that we were moved to a spacious ocean view #8048.  The room has a floor to ceiling window and is right across from the elevators, which I love.  My only concern is that we are right under the pool deck.  But Jeff and I could sleep through herds of elephants crashing through our room, so I think we will be ok!!!!  

We bought several excursions (great black Friday sales, because they never went that low again), the deluxe drink pkg (that price did get better eventually... Lowest was $64.99 and it hit that several times including just a couple weeks ago).  I purchased the internet for $17.99 but then cancelled... Because I had fomo.  I stayed up and was on right at midnight ship time for check-in times and got 12:00, which I think was truly the earliest for our 8pm sailing.  But when I thought about all those key people getting on an hour earlier, I couldn't take it lol.  So the key was only $2 more per day and it included the lunch.  That and the 11am boarding are really the only benefits on this little ship, so I figure I paid about an extra $40 for the privilege of getting my Lava flow am hour early.  For me, it was worth it.  

We are being thrifty with dining though, and are planning no specialty dining this time (we were so fooded out by the end last cruise).  We may regret it.. especially since I hear mixed food reviews.  We have never had a overall bad cruise meal wise though, and really aren't picky, so we will be ok.  If we suddenly get offered a BOGO or big discount off, I will maybe do it (I really love chefs table and we decided not to do that when we splurged for the drink pkg).  We are figuring after the port heavy days, we might just be tired and hit windjammer but we are really trying to give the MDR and the new menus/shorter time a shot!  I will truly miss park cafe and solarium bistro breakfast, but might actually try the MDR breakfast for the first time.  

We stayed home this memorial day weekend (exhausted at finishing the school year) so we can pack.  The puppies (our 8 and 6 year old schnauzers) make us feel very guilty about leaving so we have spent the rainy weather today snuggling with them!  

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5 hours ago, asquared17 said:

i love that you’re in a port every single day!!! that makes for nice sailing at night and hopefully not too much motion, either. 

congrats on winning your royal up bid!!! these are the things i live for 😂😎🤩

I'm usually ok, but Jeff can get a little seasick.  I was soooooo excited to win that bid for sure!!!  My first one 😍.   Jane

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18 hours ago, Sweety said:

Congratulations on school ending. We have until June 7th. Then I am off on a cruise. I taught an extra class, so we will be going on Utopia in July. Thank you Chicago Public Schools. 

Have fun on your cruise. I will be following. I am thinking about this cruise in 2026.

I can’t wait to see utopia pics.  We are done early because they are constructing like crazy (finally going to full-day kindergarten).  This summer is very long, next summer will be very short!  Jane

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Ok…I really REALLY need to stop placing Amazon orders lol!   They are still getting here before we leave, but I do need to pack.  I swear I buy new travel shampoo containers every time I travel.  Does my shower eat them the way the dryer eats socks?   Tomorrow I will take some of my target gift cards and buy more sunscreen, aloe and anything else I just have to have!  Gotta remember to buy dog food too…but no treats!  My dogs are getting plenty of extra calories with all the cicadas they are eating 🤢   Jane

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8 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

I can’t wait to see utopia pics.  We are done early because they are constructing like crazy (finally going to full-day kindergarten).  This summer is very long, next summer will be very short!  Jane

School is starting a week later this August because of the Democratic Convention. I tried to book another cruise.

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The Rhapsody is the little ship that could. We took our first cruise ever on her in the Med and she holds a special place in our hearts. She is older, simpler, but wiser, lol. The crew is one of the best at sea. Vibes are low key and with such a port heavy itinerary you'll appreciate the down time with your drink package. Enjoy it!

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8 hours ago, Mrs. Regular said:

The Rhapsody is the little ship that could. We took our first cruise ever on her in the Med and she holds a special place in our hearts. She is older, simpler, but wiser, lol. The crew is one of the best at sea. Vibes are low key and with such a port heavy itinerary you'll appreciate the down time with your drink package. Enjoy it!

I've been on her sister Vision twice and I loved it... My very first cruise!  I'm so excited to just look at the beautiful water and relax without feeling I need to do everything on a big ship!!!   Can't wait!!!  Jane

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8 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

I've been on her sister Vision twice and I loved it... My very first cruise!  I'm so excited to just look at the beautiful water and relax without feeling I need to do everything on a big ship!!!   Can't wait!!!  Jane

I love vision. I will be on her for the fourth time spring break 2025. 

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Ok the last few days have been crazy!  Today was the last day of school, so endless energy, things to do, more shopping, back to school, closing up the site, repacking to include the stuff I bought...

  Oh yes, and not forgetting clearing the pics off my phone, charging everything, trying to find cords. I need a vacay from my vacay prep.  Uber is coming at 545am and we will hopefully be to O'Hare in 20 mins!  We've already been offered to trade our plane tickets in (nope) and it looks like there are only about 6-8 seats left open on the plane.  We have 2 checked bags and a carry-on (because when you don't listen to Rick Steves and pack for the best case scenario, you over pack!).  I'm hoping actually that with the crowded plane, they will offer to check the carry-on for free! Jane

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We are here!   Flight was packed but reasonably on time and security only took 20 mins.  O'Hare is using the new machines so we didn't have to take out anything, and we didn't have to do the screen (just a metal detector).  Which was good because I have to get patted down every time!  

We are staying at la terraza de San Juan and it's location is beautiful.  We didn't get in until after 3, so not doing a lot of sightseeing this trip.

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The lobby to the hotel is fantastic!

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We ate at El jabarito, which we realized that we had eaten at our first time to San Juan.  The food was amazing!!!

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Now we are off to just explore, walk around and go to bed early! Finally figured out the stupid Uber I think. The map looks like the right port so hopefully we get to the right place without a detour!  Jane

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22 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

That food looks good. And the hotel looks really nice and modern. 

It's a weird mix of really old and then modern nice touches.  I don't think I'd stay here again, but definitely loving the old San Juan vibe.  Jane

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So.... Breakfast today is...drunken cookie!  We picked one up yesterday.  It's like infused beignets, but cookies!  They give you a little pipette with each cookie, but the people in front of me didn't want theirs, so they kindly gave it to me :).    We will get on the uber in a couple hours!   Can't wait!  

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Jane

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We are on. The Uber was 5 mins early, the driver was awesome, and just so friendly.  We got here in a downpour!  

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Getting on with the key was easy peasy.  Only thing that slowed us down was the stupid mini USB fan that we had to show them. If you bring one, bring it on carry on so they don't glad your checked luggage.  We got here at 1050ish, checked the luggage and were on by 1102!  We dropped our carry on at the key, and are sipping drinks on the rainy pool deck.  First drink:  Bahama Mama for Jeff and blue Hawaiian with kraken floater for me.  I'm very sad about the weather, but understanding it's June in the Caribbean.  I hope I get at least one wonderful sunny day, but if not we will pivot to trivia in the schooner bar and adjust! 

The ship, on a cursory glance, is showing age only on the windows, etc.  Everything looks clean and ready for us so far!

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Service so far is awesome and we have our cups already (that we may never use lol).  They are definitely smaller than when they started getting them. 

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The elevators have been updated. Obviously not destination ones, but maybe getting some tech ready? 

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The inside was a screen too, as opposed to push buttons.  Jane

 

 

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*** UPDATE*** Disregard the hotel question below, I somehow missed your post on that.

 

I see your currently enjoying this trip.  I'm headed out on an Alaskan cruise with the kids in July, but the wife and I have this cruise booked (just for ourselves), January 2025 (only 223 days to go).  I'm curious, where did you elect to stay pre-cruise, or did you fly in the morning of?  We plan to fly in a couple of days early and are about to start looking for hotels.   Enjoy the trip!

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Last night was a blur!  We enjoyed trivia, got all unpacked and moved out table. Fyi... They didn't honor our request and all and we got seated at a 4-top right in the middle of the restaurant!  But I went back and asked to move, and I'm not sure if being a key member helped (she wrote it down that we were) but we were moved to a two table right next to the door.  It's perfect.  

We did the welcome aboard show, dinner (which we thought was amazingly good!), Name that tune and then spent hours closing down schooner.  He played "your song" by Elton John which was our first dance at our wedding and we danced away! 

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More drink pics!

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Not sure why it repeated that last quote! Today was St Croix.  We decided to do the rainforest hike and beach.  It was a really great excursion!  It says strenuous and I would say that's accurate. The first part of the walk is very uphill, and the last part is very up and down rocky with lots of tree roots.  We could do it (I'm 55, my husband has MS and fell once), so it's totally ok to do, but you will home about 3 miles and huff and puff a bit.  It was beautiful!  It's private property, and the guide is actually building the trails!  

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If you look above, you can see hermit crabs on the tree.  I took a picture with the guide... He was fun to listen to and reminds me of a good friend of mine! 

We finished at the beach after a rum punch.  We finally got a little sun, and then the rain came... Epically.

 

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No pics but the windjammer was busy, but there were tables.  The food was very very good!!!!   We had a drink and had a 20 minute nap on the pool deck before heading to schooner.  

We hung in the schooner playing trivia and we are happy to announce WE FREAKING WON Disney name that tune trivia!!!  I got my key chain and I can now rest assured my cruise joy is complete!!!

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Jane

 

 

 

 

 

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Yesterday was St. Thomas.  We booked "St John on your own" which gave us a small boat ride to Cruz on St John's. 

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From there they put us right on a taxi (round trip was 18/person) and then $5 a person to get into trunk bay, which is part of the national Park.  It is truly my favorite beach in the Caribbean.  Just gorgeous and not overly crowded like some of Aruba's beaches or magen's Bay in St Thomas.  We had about 2 hours before we had to get back on the taxi.

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Back on the ship we got to the pool where we had an hour before, yes, more rain! It didn't last long, but we decided to go round 2 of progressive trivia.  I ended up leaving Jeff so I could get the numbers at the top tier event. He didn't do great, but everybody said the last ones were hard and I certainly didn't have any better answers lol!

 

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We got the park Cafe pizza and it was very good! I forgot to take a pic until the end!

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Formal night this cruise is day 3.  We got dressed up and again had a really good dinner in the main dining room.  The food has been very hot and mostly good flavor.  The desserts have been mostly soso, but I'm drinking so many sweet drinks it doesn't matter! 

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It was also 70s night.  I don't have a lot of pictures, because I was too busy dancing! Part of the fun of being on this smaller ship though is that there are fewer people shoving to get the rings, and I finally got two!

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We finished our night with an amazing mudslide and finally got to bed.  Three late nights with early excursions is just about killing us!

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