Rhapsody of the Seas Alaska Sailing Hero

Top 10 Things To Do Onboard Rhapsody Of The Seas

Planning a cruise onboard Rhapsody of the Seas®️? Get ready for endless thrills and activities onboard.

By Amanda Mesa | Published on March 15, 2023

Smaller than some of the more recently debuted cruise ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Rhapsody of the Seas is a great option if you crave a more intimate, curated adventure. Because of its size, it’s able to dock at ports larger cruise ships can’t, especially in Europe and the Mediterranean — yet still manages to pack a punch when it comes to onboard attractions and activities. No matter what your idea of the perfect getaway, you’ll find a seemingly endless list of fun — and relaxing — things to do onboard this Vision Class ship. That’s in addition to world-class dining and dazzling entertainment every day and night of your cruise vacation.

From sun-soaked pool sessions paired with your go-to vacation libations, to sushi-making classes, behind-the-scenes brunch tours and — my favorite — nightcaps at R Bar after an evening filled with Broadway-caliber entertainment, you’ll never out of things to do onboard Rhapsody of the Seas. Here are just some of the highlights.

1. Unwind Poolside

One of the best things to do during any cruise getaway is spend some time poolside — and the pool scene onboard Rhapsody of the Seas is the perfect mix between chill and lively. Situated at the heart of the top deck, the ship’s main pool offers plenty of room to unwind during refreshing dips. It’s also flanked by four shaded whirlpools for when you need a little break from the sunshine.

2. Enjoy Refreshing Drinks From The Pool Bar

One of the best things about the pool onboard is that it’s steps away from a fantastic bar serving up tasty cocktails, mocktails, beers, wines and other yummy refreshments. There are plenty of lounge chairs all around, too, so you can forget about having to rise super early to grab a good spot. After all — stress has no place on your vacation!

3. Sip, Tour, Brunch

Select Royal Caribbean ships — including Rhapsody of the Seas — offer Sip, Tour, Brunch, a fascinating all-access look at all the magic that happens in the galley of the ship. If you’re a nerd about kitchen operations like me, you’ll appreciate learning how the head chef and the culinary team whip up world-class flavors to feed everyone onboard. Trust me — it’s as interesting as any restaurant reality show you’ve ever streamed. Afterwards, you can tuck into a delicious brunch paired with free-flowing bubbly in the dining room.

4. Take A Unique Sushi Making Class At Sea

If you’re craving more after Sip, Tour, Brunch, consider joining one of the ship’s cooking classes to get your culinary fix. Led by the crew’s seasoned chefs, each demonstration spotlights a different cuisine or cooking technique and offers tips to help you create your own culinary masterpieces. One of the coolest, in my opinion, is the sushi-making class offered by the chefs at Izumi. You’ll emerge from this one-hour lesson knowing the basics of creating a hand-rolled sushi lunch — which you get to enjoy after the class.

5. Plan Date Nights At Specialty Restaurants

I consider food a huge part of any vacation, which is why the onboard dining scene is one of the first things I scope out before deciding on a ship to sail on. Rhapsody of the Seas is home to some of the cruise line’s best culinary hits. Like Chops Grille^SM, an elevated steakhouse experience that serves up prime cuts, succulent seafood and savory, shareable dishes. If you’re a traveling couple celebrating an anniversary or birthday, then Chops is the ticket. There’s also Giovanni’s℠ Table, a trattoria-style taste of Tuscany that’s all about hearty pastas tossed in homemade sauces and authentic Old-World entrees. And of course, one of my go-tos is Izumi. Every sushi roll on the menu is better than the last, and the shrimp firecracker spring roll is out of this world. Now, these are all specialty restaurants and best enjoyed once you plan ahead with a Specialty Dining Package purchase.

6. Keep It Crave-Worthy And Complimentary

If you want to stick to complimentary options during your cruise, expect the same standard of deliciousness. For casual, global fare served buffet-style for breakfast, lunch and dinner, head to Windjammer. For quick and easy bistro bites, there’s Park Café. And for a lavish, multi-course dinner paired with white-tablecloth service, there’s the Main Dining Room. All three options are included in your cruise fare.

7. Go Head-To-Head With Other Guests In A Game Show

If you have a competitive streak — or just want to fill a few hours with nonstop laughs and edge-of-your-seat entertainment — hit up one of the cruise ship’s game shows. Hosted by a riotous emcee, these shows typically recreate popular challenges like Love & Marriage, Battle of the Sexes and Quest, an adults-only scavenger-style competition that separates the audience into teams and prompts them to work together in order to win.

8. Settle In For Encore-Worthy Performances Every Night

There’s nothing like spending a night out at the theater, and Rhapsody of the Seas offers some truly spectacular shows and entertainment. As a former dancer, I have a soft spot for Ballroom Fever — an original production that celebrates dance, from the tango and the jive to the waltz and the rumba. Piano Man is another great option onboard, especially if you love a good piano bar. The show’s talented singers will take you on a trip down memory lane as they belt out hits by some of the world’s most iconic “piano men.” And if you’re craving a little taste of honky tonk, rockabilly or bluegrass, Pure Country is always a knee-slapping, hand-clapping good time. One of the best things about the shows onboard Rhapsody of the Seas is that admission is included in your cruise fare — just reserve your seats via the Cruise Planner app or onboard at the box office.

9. Raise A Glass At R Bar Or Schooner Bar

I love to wrap up a night at sea by enjoying an ice-cold brew or a classic cocktail with good company, and this cruise ship is home to two of my favorite bars at sea — R Bar and Schooner Bar. At R Bar, the vibe is mid-century chic, and the cocktails are all variations of classics — think Manhattans, old fashioneds and martinis, to name a few of the headliners. It’s a great spot to unwind if you’re looking for a more low-key vibe after a day filled with sightseeing onshore. The moody lighting and polished décor also make it a great spot to enjoy a date night with your special someone during your cruise. For a livelier evening out, you can’t beat Schooner Bar. Guests gather here nightly to raise frosty pints and sing along to classic piano ballads played by a master piano player.

10. Dance ’Till Dawn At Viking Crown Lounge

In addition to offering some truly spectacular panoramic views, the Viking Crown Lounge®️ is one of my top hangouts on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship. The bartenders here are well-versed in stirring, shaking and slinging tasty cocktails, and there’s always somebody performing live. In the evenings, it’s usually a live band or musician. Then, as the night wears on a DJ takes over, delivering nonstop beats to the flash of strobe lights as guests hit the dance floor.

These are just some of my favorite things to do onboard Rhapsody of the Seas. The ship offers lots of more onboard activities to fill your sea days with, including dance lessons, themed parties, movie nights under the stars and more. See a full lineup of shows, experiences and restaurants, or find the perfect itinerary for your next vacation getaway on Rhapsody of the Seas.