Rhapsody of the Seas - May 23, 2008 Beginning of the Alaskan Season

[KelJ]

I'm loving your posts, Wrona! I'm taking notes, and my Alaskan cruise is still over a year away!:D

[PC2]

Wrona: Another question, have you been anywhere where you have needed a heavier coat, like viewing the glaciers in Juneau or Tracy Arm?

 

Thanks.

 

Sandy

[iEmpire]

Thank you so much for the updates, GREAT info and very helpful! I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about the casino if you get a chance? Is it big compared to other ships and are there a good number of black jack and roulette tables? How are the minimums? Thanks so much!

[tapdancemom]

Thanks Wrona for your wonderful posts...so much info...can't wait until I'm on board in June. You mentioned touring the bridge. Is that because you know someone or is it offered to everyone?

[wrp96]

Answers to questions, I haven't needed a heavy coat - BUT I grew up in Alaska AND we have had abnormally warm weather this week. Some in our group did need jackets this morning for Tracy Arm. Best advice is to plan to need one, I recommend one with waterproofing and windproofing - if you have that you can layer it over a sweatshirt.

 

Casino - I am sorry that is one of the few places on the ship I never really set foot. I am not really a gambler. I will try and swing through there tomorrow night but can't guarantee it.

 

Bridge tour - we were offered it for a special reason, let's just say the crew knows our little group and leave it at that. This is my first cruise where I was given the opportunity, and I don't expect it again. The other people on the bridge were the couple with the most cruises - 71. There are over 500 C&A members on the ship but only 22 of us are Diamond members (not the reason I got the bridge tour).

 

Oh, and I am now the proud owner of more RCCL crap, i.e. a baseball cap, for winning Quest. I did good and roped some unsuspecting first timers into it.:D They did call some new Quests on me AND they were very specific about making sure there were no minors in the room. I only have videos of Ms. Rhapsody of the Seas which was hilarious.

 

The live music throughout the ship has been very good.

 

Also the solarium now offers paninis in addition to the pizza and burgers and fries. Mom had ham and cheese and was impressed.

 

And I would like to note I have reached day 5 without pulling a Wrona, I think it might be a new record for me.:p

[dirtgirl]

Hi Wrona! I had dinner with Glenn and Michelle tonight!:D

[CuteTheta]

I have really enjoyed reading your blog.

 

I only have one question for ya. When is the second formal night. I know you orginally said it was going to be the 6th night (Which I would think makes it tonight.) Just trying to check and see if Formal night will fall on my birthday!

[catranliz]

Wrona,

 

What are you trying to do to me?? I sail Rhapsody on June 13th. Each day, as my cruise gets closer, I find it more and more difficult to concentrate on my work. Now, as I read you blog, keeping my mind on work is getting damn near impossible! Thank you though for the the trip down anticipation lane ( which is just South of memory lane )!

 

>>>Randy

[wolfcathorse]

Today is day 6 and its formal night (Prince Rupert port). Our group also got invited to the captains table. Woo Hoo!!!! My first!

[crazy 4 cruising]

Today is day 6 and its formal night (Prince Rupert port). Our group also got invited to the captains table. Woo Hoo!!!! My first!

 

congrats!! sounds like y'all are having a great time--good for y'all

[sircruisealot]

Thank you so much for the updates, GREAT info and very helpful! I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about the casino if you get a chance? Is it big compared to other ships and are there a good number of black jack and roulette tables? How are the minimums? Thanks so much!

 

 

I too, am currently on the Rhap. There are about 6 Blackjack tables and 2 roulette tables. Minimums are $5.00 although the other day, at sea they had $3.00 Blackjack and $1.00 roulette. This lasted about 4 hours.

[jaspercat]

Today is day 6 and its formal night (Prince Rupert port). Our group also got invited to the captains table. Woo Hoo!!!! My first!

 

Congrats! Can't wait to read that report -- and see the pics -- have a great dinner!!

[wrp96]

Today is day 6 and its formal night (Prince Rupert port). Our group also got invited to the captains table. Woo Hoo!!!! My first!

 

 

We did? I haven't been back to the room yet!!!:D

[wrp96]

I too, am currently on the Rhap. There are about 6 Blackjack tables and 2 roulette tables. Minimums are $5.00 although the other day, at sea they had $3.00 Blackjack and $1.00 roulette. This lasted about 4 hours.

 

 

Thanks!!! Hope you are having as great a cruise as I am.

[wrp96]

Good morning Sunshine!!! Wakey Wakey!!! - This is how the Captain starts off his morning announcements. This is also what woke up 2 people on our 8:30 excursion this morning (the announcement was at 8am).

 

We arrived to fog and low clouds here in Prince Rupert but it was very beautiful as the islands just seemed to appear out of the mist.

 

Mom and I had planned the Canadian River Float through RCCL - which is a float trip down the Skeena River. We met at the pier and then took about an hour long bus drive to the put in site. As we drove the sun came out and the skies cleared. The river is currently flooded due to the snow melt (3 weeks ago there was no water to speak and they had to row the entire time). Usually the banks are the best place to see wildlife but since there are currently no banks due to the flooding. We got lucky though on the drive up there our bus driver spotted a brown bear on the side of the road. We got to the put in site and were issued life jackets and water boots and put our shoes in bins to greet us (they recommended leaving anything but your camera on the bus which was secure). This is where layers come in handy. It was warmer on the river than at the ship but you couldn't know that until you got there. I was perfectly fine in a long sleeved t-shirt, my mom needed an extra sweater. The only thing I wished for was warmer socks. There was a bathroom on the bus and an outhouse at the put in site and they recommended going before we got on the river. They can take up to 45 people in 5 boats, but we only had 15 and were spread out among 3 boats so it was fantastic. We floated for an hour and saw things like bald eagles soaring overhead, and other things. Pictures won't do it justice. At the point we left the river we changed back into our shoes and they provided snacks and hot and cold drinks. We then got back on the bus for the drive back. The views again were amazing. At one point the bus was surrounded by a small group of bald eagles, one of them even flew directly in front of the bus. Thankfully the bus driver was able to swerve and miss him. From a distance you don't realize how large they are, but with his wings spread out right in front of our windshield it was :eek:

 

Back in Prince Rupert, we stopped at Breakers Pub at the recommendation of some locals, the guides, and someone from the Alaska board. Great coffee drinks, good fish and chips, oh and they have free wireless internet if anyone is interested. To get there just walk off the ship and go to the left towards the little shops along the waterfront. It's the large blue building you see at the end.

 

Got back on the ship to take a nap, and as I did so I caught the Captain leaving the ship - even they are allowed days off!!

 

Gotta go rest up to be at Captain's table tonight.

[iEmpire]

I too, am currently on the Rhap. There are about 6 Blackjack tables and 2 roulette tables. Minimums are $5.00 although the other day, at sea they had $3.00 Blackjack and $1.00 roulette. This lasted about 4 hours.

Oh wow, thank you so much for the info! CAN'T WAITTTTTTT!

[TEXASMUNK]

have you had the opportunity to "visit" Derek and his audlt daycare at night?

 

if so, pls say hi from Jim and Sue in Ft Worth!

[PhoenixCruiser]

Hope you all enjoy dinner with the Captain :D

 

###

[RoofingPrincess]

Hey roomie, hope you had as great a time with your mom as I am having with mine.

Well, all I can say is that cruising with Mom isn't as much fun as cruising with the MOS crew or the Nutz.

She didn't know anyone else in the group, so I planned my trip around what I thought she'd enjoy.... if she had not been with me, I probably would've joined one of the snorkel excursions that others in our group (including my BFF Tracy) were taking.

The only time we were apart was when I was in rehearsal with the choral group, or when I was in the Thermal Suite (which is NOT as nice as the one on the Jewel!). I love her dearly, but there is such a thing as too much togetherness...! :o

BUT HEY! We were ON A SHIP!! Which will always beat being at work HANDS DOWN!

And Mom reports that her box of booze made it safely back to Wisconsin as checked baggage!

[CAC104]

Well, all I can say is that cruising with Mom isn't as much fun as cruising with the MOS crew or the Nutz.

She didn't know anyone else in the group, so I planned my trip around what I thought she'd enjoy.... if she had not been with me, I probably would've joined one of the snorkel excursions that others in our group (including my BFF Tracy) were taking.

The only time we were apart was when I was in rehearsal with the choral group, or when I was in the Thermal Suite (which is NOT as nice as the one on the Jewel!). I love her dearly, but there is such a thing as too much togetherness...! :o

BUT HEY! We were ON A SHIP!! Which will always beat being at work HANDS DOWN!

And Mom reports that her box of booze made it safely back to Wisconsin as checked baggage!

When my MIL was widowed and still wanted to cruise, she asked me to go with her. We enjoyed each other, but it was understood that in the ports if there was something like snorkeling I wanted to do, I would be free to go, and on the ship I would go to the exercise classes and she would find something else to do. We managed to enjoy the cruise and with so much to do, she always found something to keep her busy. I am sure that most generations traveling together would appreciate having their own time.

[jaspercat]

How was dinner last night?????

 

Sad to say, but hope everyone is having a great "last day" --- enjoy yourselves and safe journey's home.

[RoofingPrincess]

When my MIL was widowed and still wanted to cruise, she asked me to go with her. We enjoyed each other, but it was understood that in the ports if there was something like snorkeling I wanted to do, I would be free to go, and on the ship I would go to the exercise classes and she would find something else to do. We managed to enjoy the cruise and with so much to do, she always found something to keep her busy. I am sure that most generations traveling together would appreciate having their own time.

Well, one of the problems on this cruise was - there wasn't much to do onboard! And since I asked her to come with me, I just didn't feel right "ditching" her to go off with my friends for much of the time.

We couldn't even do one of our favorite things - find a nice shady place to sit on a sea day and watch the water go by (and read and nap)! The outside promenade was so narrow that lounge chairs could not be placed there, and sitting in the regular chairs, we always felt like we had to pull our feet right underneath so folks walking by wouldn't trip on them. And up on the decks near the pools it was really too windy to be enjoyable when we were chugging up and down the Atlantic at 22 kts.

[mstelly]

Who are we gonna get to take over the day to day reports that will be boarding tomorrow?

[grhunter]

Telly, you just want to keep on living virtually on the ship through these posts until you get on "our" cruise.

OK, so I do too....

[scopewest]

Very informative, thank you for posting.