Thread: Sydney welcomes back Rhapsody of the Seas

Rhapsody in Sydney

Over the weekend, Sydney-siders welcomed back Rhapsody of the Seas for the first of its 11 port calls into Sydney this cruise season, as Royal Caribbean gets ready for a bumper season.
Ready to welcome some 25,000 Australians onto its ships this season, the Rhapsody of the Seas last weekend brought some 800 international arrivals into the country for the day as well as an extra 1,000 Australian travellers.
Rhapsody of the Seas will be based in Sydney until April 2010, and will be the youngest and largest superliner to be based in Sydney this Summer cruise season, says Royal Caribbean.
"While we have only been sailing Australian waters in recent years, locals too are starting to really love our style of cruising," said Gavin Smith, Royal Caribbean Australia Managing Director.
"We not only bring visitors to Sydney, we invest a lot of time in providing the best sightseeing tours for our guests, so they not only visit our many ports but take advantage of their time here to see the Blue Mountains or visit the Hunter Valley."


(source:e-Travel Blackboard: Australia's Number One Industry Newsletter)

I think Galveston still misses this wonderful ship and its fabulous crew.

We'll be on the December 18 out of Sydney. A Virgo cruise last year out of Singapore - our first - was an awful experience embarking...two and a half hours standing in queues...and we are pensioners...are there any tricks we should be aware of to have a speedier boarding on RotS?

Originally Posted by tappy

We'll be on the December 18 out of Sydney. A Virgo cruise last year out of Singapore - our first - was an awful experience embarking...two and a half hours standing in queues...and we are pensioners...are there any tricks we should be aware of to have a speedier boarding on RotS?

Hi Tappy - we've been on Rhapsody twice out of Sydney and both times there were enormous queues. Last time we went (Jan) they were significantly better organised than 18 mths prior and they allowed my elderly mother and father in law to go through the Express queue usually reserved for Diamond, Diamond Plus or Suite cruisers. My father in law has a walking stick and that is probably what drew attention to his unsteadiness and inability to stand for too long.

The queue did move very quickly - about 40 mins from start to finish. My advice would be to arrive at the ship as late as possible. Most people want to get on early but the problem with that is, do does everyone else. Have a leisurely lunch, enjoy the Sydney quay and check-in 3.30-4.00pm and you'll just be able to walk straight through.

btw - we had TERRIBLE problems in Singapore when we sailed on the Diamond Princess - I just think it's a bad port.

Happy cruising.