02/15 to 02/20 Royal Caribbean Cruise - Western Caribbean

 Royal Caribbean Cruise

Western Caribbean

February 15 - 20, 2026

Rhapsody of the Seas is a mid-sized ship in the Royal Caribbean (RCC) fleet. Built in 1997, it's 915' long, 765 crew and 2,416 passengers. Its cruise speed about 22 knots.

Sunday, Feb 15 - Left Tampa 4:00 p.m.

Monday, 2/16 - At sea

Tuesday, 2/17 - Costa Maya, Mexico

Wednesday, 2/18 - Roatan, Honduras

Thursday, 2/19 - Cozumel, Mexico

Friday, 2/20 - Return to Tampa

(Yes, the map lied)

Charlie, Dan, Melanie, Jack

This was kind of a spur of the moment idea. Dan Melanie, Jack and I left on February 15th, a sunny day, for our one hour and 10 minute drive from Clermont to Tampa. After they dropped me off with the luggage, they drove to the parking lot where the reserve spot was waiting for our six day trip.

The usual pre-boarding check went smoothly; passport, sail pass was presented, but both Jack and I even without belts needed to be scanned before continuing. I must be threatening to border crossing personnel.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge connecting St Petersburg to Bradenton across the mouth of Tampa Bay.  The main span clearance is about 180 feet which is why Tampa limits ship height. It a "photo moment" when cruise ships leave Tampa.

Our staterooms were together thanks to the planning of both Mel and Debbie from Cruise Planners. Mel and Dan are frequent cruisers and Debbie is their go-to planner. My future cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, Alaska including a train excursion to Denali National Park and a return trip back home via Amtrak's Empire Builder are all being taken care of by Debbie.

(To me) the very long corridors led to elevators amidships from our deck 2 to decks 5 or 9 our most frequent trips. The 180º photo would be the same.

One channel was devoted to the starboard external camera. This of Tampa Bay's port

Coincidentally, a check on YouTube provided this "travel" video of Jeff and Alex aboard the Rhapsody of the Seas AND were in cabin 2120. So if you're interested in a more detailed 5-minute look and the YouTube copyright infringement rules don't snag this post, you'll see a more cluttered look at my stateroom. View it HERE. There are about three passengers per crew member aboard this ship.

Towel art courtesy of my room steward, Ervan

I always admired a ship in a bottle — until I realized I was on a ship with plenty of bottles. Priorities change. My contribution to the art world was not the impressive ship within a bottle. This is a bottle within a ship. 

On days we were not in port, our daily patterns usually consisted of coffee/breakfast at 8:30 a.m., breaks on deck 9 with small soft serve ice cream available if desired. Lunch was in the Windjammer with never ending food selections. Then we sat on the deck poolside until cocktail hour in the Schooner Lounge at 3:30 pm. After that, we returned to our rooms to change for dinner at 6:45 pm with shows starting at 9:00 p.m., in bed by 11:00 p.m.

The Dining Experience

On Day One, we spent most of the day up in the Windjammer Lounge for lunch, drinks while our rooms were being prepared. Eventually, we went our separate ways for dinner. Jack and I chose Izumi Japanese Restaurant. As it was a specialty restaurant, we paid extra.

For the remaining meals, our assigned 6:45 p.m. seating in the main dining room, Edelweiss on deck 4, was at table 818.

Nie, Charlie, Iputu

We could not ask for more perfect service from our two most gracious, polite, attentive servers. Their culture and manners so evident. The majority of the crew hail from dozens of countries, the majority of which are from the Philippines, India and Indonesia. Nie from China, Iputu from Indonesia.

I learned my "Thank yous'" in Indonesian: Terima kasih, Chinese: Xei Xei, Indian: Chundava, and Filipino: Salama. Of course, as is my custom, photos of my food choices follow.

An awesome picture perfect attention to neatness and detail

Each night a different themed menu. Day two, French, Day three, Mexican, Day four, Caribbean, Day five, Italy and the final night, "A Bon Voyage Dinner." Even the Windjammer followed suit with tastes and specialties from the same locales. Everything delicious and served in proportions that satisfied. 

The Entertainment

Day One comedian Darren Caldwell, was very funny and related well to the audience, a very mixed audience. Cruise Director, Sheenagh, read the list of countries where some of the passengers originated. The majority of about 2100 from the good old US of A.

Day Three: (forgot Day two), featured singer, Jennifer Singer.

Day Four: Piano Man featuring selections form Elton John, Billy Joel and Barry Manilow.

Day Five: The Love & Marriage Show. Three couples from audience, wives leave the stage, questions asked of husbands who think they know the wife's response. Well done and very funny.

Day Six: Jeff Bodart, comedian. We went to the late (adult) show. 

The Ports of Call

It was my choice to remain aboard at each port affording me only photos from aboard ship.

Day 3 Costa Maya, Mexico. The site of ancient Maya ruins, passengers were warned about smoking in public places in all the Mexican ports visited. Arrests and fines including detention of up to 36 hours for violators; Quite funny when you think about the drug capital of the world. Passengers also warned of counterfeit medications. 

Day 4 Roatan, Honduras. Tenders provided ship to shore transportation. Honduras was one hour behind so passengers had to mind the time. Guests could choose excursions to Tabyana Beach break, Big French Key and Turquoise Bay All Inclusive Horseback and Beach Break. 

Day 5 Cozumel, Mexico. Shore excursions and packages were well suited for lots of folks but not for this one. Tropical reefs, crystal clear waters an ancient ruins. Snorkeling or hiking the ruins I'm sure are wonderful bucket list items...even a beachside massage at Kuza.

A ship passing in the night. The greatly enlarged, distant well-lit cruise ship seen from our starboard side resembles the Oasis-class ships such as Icon of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas...so says Google.

A view of the walk I chose not to take to visit a few shops selling things I don't need.

The Sun Princess docked next to us in Costa Maya, Mexico

A huge ship carrying about 5,000 fully booked with families

Yes, just how did this boat wind up where it was?

We also saw Harmony of the Seas

The Norwegian Escape; This one accommodates about the same as the Sun Princess. By comparison our Rhapsody of the Seas carries half that amount. A much smaller vessels but with its advantages: Less walking, easier to find seats at shows and fewer crowds at elevators.

A returning tender

At Cozumel, Mexico

Scenes from on Board

At the Casino

Poolside, the lad had ducky swim shorts and towel. He gave me a small duck.

Caught a sunset in the Caribbean

Entering Edelweiss for dinner

The quiet poolside area...no kids allowed

Restrooms spotless

One kind of talent to be admired...

...and another talent to be admired. Drink in one hand, food plate in another while baby enjoys the ride.

Our dinner server Nei working also at the soft serve ice cream machine poolside and Llyrica, our Indonesian server at the Windjammer buffet.

The Shall We Dance Lounge

And to conclude, a few videos that tell their own story.

The wind at sea can be very intimidating.

Seeing is believing.

Pure wonder.

Some came prepared.

We were only in day two of the six day cruise and already Jack and I had given our thanks to Mel and Dan for their experience and guidance as to where to go and what to experience aboard ship. As our personal tour directors, it has been a wonderful adventure. We thank you and look forward to the next one.