Bill Downs

Age: 44
Occupation: Voiceover artist
Number of Cruises: 1
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean
Ship: Rhapsody of the Seas
Sailing Date: November 16th, 2003
Itinerary: Western Caribbean

I just finished washing dinner dishes.

It’s the typical routine, along with such entertaining activities as paying bills, doing laundry, cleaning house...the sort of fun stuff that’s just a part of everyday living.

But for one incredible week this past November, that routine got tossed overboard, as my wife, Susan, and I experienced our very first cruise on board Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.

You know, we’ve all heard the phrase “get away from it all.” It’s become a cliché. But I can honestly say, Royal Caribbean actually made it happen. For seven days, the world went away, and we enjoyed the first vacation in recent memory where we’ve actually been able to get away from all the pressures and interruptions of today’s world. No cell phones. No email, unless we really felt like checking it. No co-workers hounding us with “where’s my stuff?” No pressure. It was a week for us to do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted to do it. And it’s a week we’ll never forget.

I’m going to take a few moments to describe to you what our experience on Rhapsody of the Seas was like. If you’ve never cruised before, I hope you’ll find this educational and exciting. If you’re a veteran (like us, now!), I hope this article will bring back a few memories and kindle your anticipation for your next cruising vacation.

The whole thing started off back in March of 2003, when I got to talking with longtime friend – and Cruises, Inc. cruise agent – Kyle Kiper about this cruise group we’d heard about. Certainly, it’s something we’d always wanted to do, but given the kind of prices we were seeing in brochures, it just didn’t seem feasible. Well…first off, I’ll let you in on a little secret: having a good cruise agent can make the difference between a so-so vacation and a dream vacation.

The first thing Kyle did was to offer us a great price: about $550 per person for a seven day Caribbean cruise! $550? That’s not bad, we thought. And considering we were still seven months out from the cruise, we thought…why not? Surely, we can get that paid between now and then. So, out went the deposit, and we were booked on Rhapsody of the Seas!

Slowly, the anticipation began to build. We hooked up on a website exclusively for this cruise group, and began getting to know the people we’d be cruising with…not the least of which were three other Cruises, Inc. cruise agents: Rich Lewis, Jodie Real and Tracy Berry. As experienced cruisers, all of the Cruises, Inc. agents in our group proved more than helpful, providing everything from answers to first-time cruiser questions to arranging hotel accomodations on the night before the cruise, transfers to and from the airport and a pre-cruise party right on the beach that was plenty of fun!

Finally, the day came, we boarded the Continental Express jet, and off we went to Galveston, home port of the Rhapsody. After a night at the hotel, we set out to the pier on Sunday, November 16th to board our ship.

Amazingly enough, despite the large number of people waiting to get aboard, the check-in process was remarkably fast. We waited in line for maybe 15 or 20 minutes to get to a check-in attendant, who checked our ID, issued and activated our SeaPass cards, and just like that, we stepped aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas!

Now, if you’ve never stood beside a modern cruise ship such as the Rhapsody, you’re in for a bit of a shock. It’s like standing next to a floating, multi-story hotel! It is absolutely huge…which is all the more astounding considering it’s half the size of the newest Royal Caribbean ships, the Voyager class.

But step inside, and prepare to be amazed.

The central area of the ship, called, rather logically, the Centrum, is a vast, open lobby five decks high – elegantly appointed with brass and glass, artwork and sculptures, sweeping marble staircases, inviting lounges, lovely glass elevators, and at the top, a clear canopy that lets the sunlight stream into the ship. Below, on Decks 2 and 3, are many of the cabins. Deck 4 is the lowest deck of the Centrum, and also features the Champagne Lounge and the lower level of the 2-deck Edelweiss Dining Room. Deck 5 is where you’ll find the Purser’s Desk, as well as the Shore Excursions Desk, the Casino Royale, the lower level of the 2-deck Broadway Melodies Theater and the upper level of the Edelweiss. On Deck 6, you’ll find the Broadway Melodies balcony, various ship’s stores, the Moonlight Bay Lounge, the Schooner Bar and all the way aft, the Shall We Dance Lounge. Decks 7 and 8 are more berthing decks, but also include the Library, Card Room and Internet kiosks.

Moving above the Centrum, Deck 9 is the first true topside deck, featuring a large swimming pool, plenty of chaise lounges for sunbathing, the Solarium and the glass-enclosed Windjammer Café. Deck 10 is the sports deck, featuring a jogging track, shuffleboard, the Shipshape gymnasium and areas for the kids, as well.

And let me paint a picture for you here: the gangway onto Rhapsody is located on Deck 1, and you walk straight across from the pier. No stairs to reach the ship. So, when you’re resting along the rails of Deck 10, you’re nine stories up. Imagine the views…and you wouldn’t be wrong.

One deck up from that is the glass-enclosed Viking Crown lounge, a Royal Caribbean staple, situated toward the aft of the ship, and providing sweeping views of the vessel and everything around her. It’s a great place to relax, people watch and have a drink. And at night, it turns into a hot, happening nightclub.

But there would be plenty of time later to look around, so we went first to our cabin, an interior stateroom located on Deck 2. For two people, an interior cabin is, well, a bit cozy. But it’s sufficient, featuring two twin beds that can be put together to form a queen size bed, a small sofa or love seat, a small table, plenty of storage, including a dresser and mirror, nightstand and closet, a small television, telephone and of course, the bathroom (alright, the head…whatever). Royal Caribbean lists these as being between 137-144 square feet.

After dropping off our carry-on luggage, it was time for a bite to eat. After all, food is one of the big selling points of any Royal Caribbean cruise, and Day One was no exception! So after a sumptuous snack at the Windjammer Café, we were off for a bit of exploring. At 4:15 came the mandatory lifeboat drill, which consisted of donning our life jackets and proceeding to our muster station (all of which are located topside on Deck 5). Then, it was quick like a bunny to the Viking Crown Lounge to watch our departure from Galveston shortly after 5:00 pm…foo-foo drink in hand, of course.

We were off! Out into the Gulf of Mexico we went…and the fun began in earnest. First, came the welcome aboard show in the Broadway Melodies theater, starring our Cruise Director, Sydney, Australia’s own James Andrews. At 8:00, it was Movie Theme Trivia in the Schooner Bar, won by no other than my movie buff wife, Susan! Then…it was time for dinner in the incredibly elegant Edelweiss dining room.

Attended by our waiter, Nelson, our assistant waiter, Wilson, and our Head Waiter, Baja, we and our 8 tablemates dined on some of the most gourmet foods it has ever been my pleasure to experience. Be it as simple as Thai Lemongrass Rice or as elaborate as traditional Duck a l’Orange, each night’s selection, accompanied by my choice of wine (that bit cost extra…fair warning), was always an experience…and and education!

I want to take a moment to talk about dining aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas. I’ve been a lot of places in the world, and enjoyed many different cuisines. But, as is so often the case, the day to day world makes preparing elaborate dishes each night impractical. So it is no small thing to be able to come onto Rhapsody of the Seas and enjoy some absolutely outstanding foods, including many I have not had before. I admit, I was occasionally guilty of indulging myself by ordering 2, or even 3 appetizers, be they vegetable spring rolls, onion soup, smoked fish dip or lobster bisque. The range of selections is dazzling, and all of them are delicious. The same may be said of the dessert selections. As for the indulgence issue, I can only say this: it’s my cruise, I paid for the food, and for this one week, I’ll indulge my culinary whims when and as they come!

Of course, there are other dining choices on board. For those who prefer something a bit less formal than the Edelweiss (at which there is a dress code each night), there is always the Windjammer Café on Deck 9, serving breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner each day in an informal buffet style. Though not as elegant as the Edelweiss, the Windjammer’s offerings are plentiful, varied and just as mouth wateringly tempting as those of the main dining room. And when it’s time for some good old, down-home American hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza, you can’t beat the Solarium Café, also on Deck 9.

One thing you almost cannot do on a Royal Caribbean cruise is go hungry. Food of one sort or another is available 24 hours a day, from round-the-clock stateroom service (there’s something really nice about coffee and a fruit plate in your cabin as a wakeup call) to midnight buffets several times throughout the week. (More on that later.)

After dinner, it’s time to get together with friends for a drink, or perhaps to land in one of the many lounges around the ship. Or maybe you prefer an evening constitutional around the ship’s weather decks. For us, it was up to the observation area on Deck 10 as the ship slipped past the many oil derricks whose lights shone out to us from the distance. We ended the day relaxing by the large, circular windows of the Centrum on Deck 4, as the ship’s culinary artists presented the Chocolate Fantasy Buffet from 11:30 till 12:30. Not that we would ever indulge ourselves in such decadence. Oh, no. Not us. Never.

Day two, Monday, was a day at sea, and so much to do! We fell into the rather pleasant habit of enjoying breakfast at the Windjammer, then sitting outside in the fresh air with friends, sipping coffee and talking about whatever came to mind. I can think of few better ways to start the day.

Then the call for Big Bucks Bingo went out…and, being fans of the game, we proceeded to the Shall We Dance Lounge to participate. Though we didn’t win, we did have a lot of fun, as Simeon, the assistant Cruise Director, put on a good show for all the players.

Lunch was next on the agenda, followed by some exploration of the ship, passing up the chance to attend casino gaming or napkin folding lessons (among many other offerings). That afternoon came a highlight of the trip, the wine tasting seminar, at which we had the opportunity to sample several different wines, from light white to heavy red and sparkling wines. (Note: for first-time cruisers, it’s a $6 fee to participate in the wine tasting. After that, you’re part of the Crown and Anchor society for veteran RC cruisers, and the wine tasting is freebies!) We also had the chance to learn how you’re really supposed to do that swirly-tasty thing when the waiter brings you wine. (Note: don’t sniff the cork. You’re supposed to be making sure it hasn’t been soaked through, not sniffing it. It’ll just smell like cork!)

Then it was time to get into the formal duds, because tonight was the Captain’s Gala Dinner and Welcome Aboard Reception, followed by the first of two fantastic Production Showtimes at the Broadway Melodies. First rate, all the way. We also had the chance to have our formal portrait taken, which is a picture we’ll always treasure.

Tuesday, day three on board the Rhapsody of the Seas! Following our normal breakfast routine, we basically puttered around, doing nothing in particular, anticipating our arrival in Key West, Florida. Arriving at 3:00 that afternoon, we were soon on our way off the ship to meet friends at Sloppy Joe’s, a popular hangout for Ernest Hemingway and later, Jimmy Buffet. A little beer, a little shopping, and then it was time to head for the Western Union, a 1930’s-era sailing schooner aboard which we enjoyed our first purchased shore excursion of the trip, a stargazing cruise with the aptly-named Joe Universe. Motoring out beyond the glare of Key West, we spent at least an hour if not more looking at constellations, gazing at other galaxies, sipping wine and enjoying fresh conch chowder. It was a unique experience we will always remember. Then, it was back to the ship in time for our 1:00 AM departure for Grand Cayman. And just for fun, the culinary staff was hard at it again, presenting a genuine Caribbean barbecue buffet by the pool at midnight! And just to top things off, when we returned to our cabin, we discovered a swan on our bed. Not the kind with feathers, mind you. It was the first of the Towel Animals our cabin steward was so adept at creating for us!

Day four, Wednesday, and it’s another day at sea. It was also a day to sign up for the Adult Talent show, another tradition onboard RC ships, but one in which we elected not to participate this time around. We also skipped the Men’s Bellyflop competition (!) on the pool deck, but made sure to attend the Broadway Melodies Theater backstage tour, which was a fascinating look at how a shipboard theater still manages to put on Broadway-quality shows almost every night.

I want to take a moment here to go over some of the many, many choices of things one can do on board a cruise ship. No one can do them all, and sometimes it’s necessary to choose which you’d rather do more. As an example, on day four, we had the chance to choose from such activities as: swimming, massage, yoga, shopping, rock wall climbing, gambling, walking, dance lessons, arts and crafts, a ping-pong tournament, a diamond and gemstone seminar, bingo, an aromatherapy seminar, cocktail seminars, art auctions, a digital camera seminar, ballroom dance lessons…and that gets us through 2:15 PM that day. There is a wealth of things to do, so know that if you go on a cruise and you’re bored, it’s YOUR fault!

Now it’s Thursday, day five of our cruise on board the Rhapsody of the Seas, and we are in Grand Cayman! One of the cruise agents in our group, Jodie Real, had arranged for a special group excursion here, taking us to Stingray City to swim with, pet and feed real stingrays in the ocean, and snorkel around some spectacular coral reefs. What a fascinating experience that was! To stand on a sand bar, literally surrounded as sleek, silky-smooth stingrays slip around us was a singularly spectacular moment! It was an all-day affair, though, and we had to return to the ship for our 4:00 PM departure for Cozumel. Just as well, as it was the second Formal night of the cruise, so back into the duds and off to the Broadway Melodies Theater for an absolutely outstanding “Rock on Broadway” show, followed by another delightful dinner at the Edelweiss. Afterwards, again, was time with friends and a chance to relax and unwind from the day’s activities. It was also the night for the traditional midnight buffet, with some of the most incredible ice sculptures and culinary presentations you can possibly imagine. (Half the point of the midnight buffet is how it looks! In fact, there were 45 minutes set aside just for picture taking…before guests were invited in to destroy it!) Oh, and it was time for another Towel Animal. This time: an elephant.

Ahhh…Friday. Day six. The end of the cruise is beginning to loom a bit larger, but not before we experience Cozumel, Mexico! Arriving in port at 9:00 AM, we berth directly across from one of the newest of Royal Caribbean’s ships, the truly gigantic Voyager of the Seas. At more than twice the gross tonnage of Rhapsody, Voyager is truly a sight to behold: 15 decks (to our 11), a miniature golf course, an ice skating rink and a passenger capacity several hundred more than ours. It is a magnificent vessel, and I cannot wait to board her sister ship, Mariner of the Seas, when our group sails again in September 2004.

If it’s Cozumel, it must mean shopping! Cozumel is one of the great duty-free shopping ports of call, and we took advantage of it (within US Customs limits, of course). But that’s only part of the story. We also enjoyed an experience unlike anything we’ve ever done before: a voyage on the Atlantis submarine. A true submarine, we rode a ferry out about 20 minutes to the Atlantis dive site, and after boarding her, took a fantastic voyage 105 feet deep, gliding over coral reefs, fish of all descriptions, and the edge of Cozumel island, a drop-off extending down some 3,000 feet into the depths. According to our English-speaking guide, only 1 percent of the world’s population has ever dived to such depths in a submarine. We’re proud to be a part of such an elite group.

Back on shore, we met friends for lunch at Los Cincos Soles, a store and restaurant there in town, where we shopped and enjoyed authentic tamales, gazpacho and of course, ice-cold margaritas! Then it was back to the ship for our 6:00 PM departure. We enjoyed another great show at the Broadway Melodies that night, and it was also time for our final Towel Animal of the voyage, which turned out to be a man, hanging by his arms from a hanger over our bed!

Finally, we were back at sea, and headed for Galveston…but not before one last, relaxing and enjoyable day at sea. After our normal breakfast routine came a fascinating cooking demonstration, a Q&A session with the Captain and his officers, the poolside horse race (not real ones, of course), the guest talent show and more. We also spent a little time packing, because Sunday morning and the end of the cruise was coming on all too quickly. And, I have to admit, I spent a little time parked in front of the big windows on Deck 4, staring out at sea and feeling a little melancholy. One could get used to this very easily. Oh, yes. But…life goes on.

Sunday morning debarkation came early, but it was a much smoother process than we had anticipated. Aside from having to lug around heavy carry-on duffels (note to self: next time, pack light and use wheels!!), things went quickly, and we were off the boat and back to George Bush International Airport before noontime, in plenty of time for our flight home.

As our trip ended, we realized just what had happened on this voyage. For one whole week, the cell phone was off…locked in our room safe. I never carried my wallet anywhere. We didn’t watch the news. We didn’t care about the weather, which was almost always nice, anyway. Susan and I didn’t do ANYTHING…except enjoy each other’s company and do the things WE wanted to do.

What a remarkably refreshing experience it’s been.

We cannot say enough about the service on board, particularly in the Edelweiss Dining Room. Every staff member on board was there, seemingly, with the express purpose of making our lives as easy as possible. They most certainly accomplished that, and we thank them, each and every one. We know what hard work and long hours it can be…but you’d never know it to see them.

One last note: the name of the company is Royal Caribbean International…and international, it certainly is. More than 50 countries were represented on the staff of Rhapsody of the Seas, all working together as a team, in harmony and cooperation.

If only the rest of the world could take a lesson.

Bottom line: this has been the most relaxing, most enjoyable vacation we’ve had in years. If you’re even thinking about doing it…do it. You won’t regret it.

And now…I think I hear a vacuum cleaner calling. How much longer until September?

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