We decided to take this cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas because it was out of Tampa, near where we live and thought it would be a nice relaxing 7 night cruise. For the most part, embarkation and disembarkation went good. We used a porter for our luggage at disembarkation and we were able to bypass the lines and get straight to customs and immigration and right out of the terminal.
The Good, Bad and the Ugly:
The Good: While the Rhapsody of the Seas is older and showing its age, the guest areas still look good. The Theatre, Broadway Melodies Theatre, was beautiful. Our cabin steward did a great job. The cruise director and assistant director was also great and entertaining. The entertainment staff tried to keep cruisers entertained with limited space and resources to offer what the larger ships offer.
See review above for specifics on this cabin. This had drop down bunk beds for kids but we did not have kids with us. Lots of rust in the bathroom and bathroom door and we smelled sewage and fuel smells in our cabin several times throughout the cruise. I will say that there was ample storage space but no refrigerator in the cabin and the TV system does not allow you to do anything interactive on it such as looking up your seapass account information. The cabinet doors were worn and made a lot of noise to close them. The electrical plugs were also worn and would not hold a plug in them. Also even with padding the beds were very hard. We were smart and brought our own foam mattress topper for the beds. Also, we could hear the domestic dispute and person crying in the cabin next to us as well as doors and drawers slamming shut very well. We had to call security and they did a good job of responding quickly and stopping the banging on the walls and following up with us later but you can hear load voices and what is being said in the cabins next to you.
Hurricane Irma could not keep Key West down for long. The tourist areas are in good shape and the best way to see it is either walking around or taking the trolley cars. So much to see and do from shopping to visiting known bars and eating Key Lime Pie at one of the first bakeries making it. One of my favorite ports.
Unfortunately, shopping downtown will cost you a round trip taxi ride of $20.00 per person which is very pricey just to shop downtown. You can shop at most of the shops just off the pier and eat and drink at Margaritaville or Senor Frogs. We have done the snorkel tour before and some table mates on this cruise did it as well. Not sure why, but we all were rushed through the snorkeling and could not see much. Snorkeling should be great but not sure why they take you to such a poor place to see the fish.
The beach break and snorkeling excursions are great. Shopping is okay. One time we took the plane ride to Ambergris Caye and rented a gulf cart to get around the island. We had a blast and it was a great way to experience the island if you have enough time to do this shore excursion.
Lots of shopping right off the pier and wear your swimsuit and you can swim in the swimming pools with the swim up bars or swim with the dolphins for about $35.00 without needing a shore excursion.