Aussie favourite says goodbye to Sydney home

Rhapsody of the Seas farewells her Sydney home for the last time 

17 April 2015 –One of Australia’s favourite ships, Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas, will say farewell to Sydney – and Australia - for the final time today, Friday 17 April, after calling the Emerald city home for the last eight years. So loved is she by locals that a petition to keep her in Australia started when news broke that the popular ship will be leaving Australia. Over the last eight years, she has carried over 290,000 guests, from loyal fans who have sailed 60 cruises to celebrities such as Jimmy Barnes, Marcia Hines, the Village People and Chubby Checker.

“Rhapsody of the Seas lifted the bar for local cruising when she first arrived in October 2007, and during her eight seasons here, has also touched the hearts of locals – some who have sailed every season that she has been here. Home ported in Sydney, she was our first ship to be based in the region and really helped to kick start the cruising boom Down Under. She has brought more than 272,000 guests to Sydney over 136 visits, many of whom were international tourists.  We are proud of the contribution Rhapsody has made in the Australian market and for Royal Caribbean globally,” said Sean Treacy, Commercial Director, Royal Caribbean Australia. 

“She has also been incredibly popular for her crew over the years. They have loved sailing in this part of the world and delivering the best possible experience for our guests onboard.”  

During her eight years based here, Rhapsody of the Seas passengers have consumed many tonnes of local produce, including fruits and vegetables such as bananas from Queensland and strawberries from Victoria; meats like beef, chicken, pork and crocodile; seafood such as barramundi and snapper; as well as a range of Australian wine, beer and of course, water. She had also hosted many celebrities who starred on chartered Cruiseco cruises, such as the popular Rock the Boat, Cruisin’ Country, Cruise N Groove, and Blue Suede Cruise. 

When she arrived in 2007, Rhapsody of the Seas revolutionised cruising in Australia as the largest cruise ship based locally at the time. She offered the first truly international style of cruising with incredible features never imagined by local cruisers including a rock climbing wall, a completely new ship design which featured lots of glass for beautiful vistas throughout, world class dining, and award-winning children’s club. 

“Rhapsody of the Seas changed cruising in Australia forever with features that had never before been seen on cruise ships here. While she will be missed, we are thrilled that her big sister Explorer of the Seas will be replacing her this coming season, more than doubling the number of guests on every sailing, and offering a huge range of amenities including the FlowRider surfing experience, ice skating and much more.”

Rhapsody of the Seas concludes her final season in April, departing Sydney for Singapore on 17th April 2015. 

This coming summer, Royal Caribbean International will begin a new chapter in Australia, homeporting four superliners in Australia when Voyager of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas are joined by recently revitalised Explorer of the Seas in Sydney, and the first Royal Caribbean ship to be based in Brisbane – Legend of the Seas – increasing total capacity by almost 50 percent.

RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS FACTS

Famous guests who have sailed on Rhapsody of the Seas include:

Singers

Village People, Scherrie Payne and Lynda Laurence of The Supremes, Chubby Checker, Jimmy Barnes, Daryl Braithwaite, Angry Anderson Marcia Hines, Molly Meldrum, Leo Sayer, Ian Moss, Mental as Anything, John English, Little Pattie, Ross Wilson , Joe Camilleri, Frankie J Holden and Wilbur Wilde, Normie Rowe .

Country music

Kasey Chambers, John Williamson, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys, Shane Nicholson, Troy Cassar Daley, The McClymonts, Felicity Urquhart, McAlister Kemp, Lee Kernaghan; Amber Lawrence.

Actors

George Kapiniaris (Acropolis Now, Wogs out of Work).

Rugby legends

Tiann Strauss, Jason Little, Joe Roff. 

Number of visits to Australian ports:

* 136 Sydney calls, 272,000 guests

* 46 Cairns visits, bringing 92,000 guests 

* 15 Newcastle visits with 30,000 guests 

* 30 Brisbane visits, 60,000 guests

* 26 visits to the Whitsundays, 52,000 guests

* 6 Port Douglas calls, 12,000 guests

* 16 Hobart visits, 32,000 guests

* 10 Burnie visits, 20 guests

* 13  Melbourne calls, 26,000 guests

* 8 Darwin calls, 16 000 guests

* 6 Adelaide visits, 10,000 guests

Rhapsody of the Seas Fast Facts

Registry: Bahamas ● Built at Chantiers de L’Atlantique, St. Nazaire, France

Maiden Voyage: May 19, 1997 ● Refurbushed: March 2012

Godmother: Bodil Wilhelmsen, wife of Royal Caribbean principal shareholder 

Gjert Wilhelmsen

78,491 GRT ● 279 metres long ● 32.19 metres wide ● 7.62 metres draft ● 22 knots cruising speed

11 passenger decks ● 9 passenger elevators ● 2 bow thrusters ● 1 stern thruster ● 2 stabilizers 

1,998 guests (double occupancy) ● 2,416 guests (total) ● 765 crew (International)

Ship Facilities

Public Rooms    Capacity

Edelweiss Dining Room   1,090

Windjammer Café   710

Chops Grille    74

Giovanni’s Table   79

Izumi     79

Chef’s Table    14

Park Café    76

Broadway Melodies Theatre  870

Casino Royale    282

Public Rooms    Capacity Shall We Dance Lounge       300

Viking Crown Lounge   85

R Bar     66

Schooner Bar    145

Adventure Ocean Youth Area  40

Royal Babies and Tot’s Nursery  8

Conference Center        104

Diamond Club    32

Concierge Club    30

STATEROOMS

Total: 1020 ● Ocean View: 613 (233 with balconies) ● Interior: 407

Staterooms with third/fourth berths: 212 ● Wheelchair accessible staterooms: 14

All staterooms convert to queen-size bed configuration and have private bath, phone, 

flat panel LED televisions, mini-bar, hair dryers and individually controlled air conditioning

OTHER AMENITIES

Rhapsody Day Spa & Fitness Center ● Beauty Salon ● Solarium ● Two Pools ● Six Whirlpools 

Rock-climbing Wall ● Jogging Track ● Outdoor Movie Screen 

Shops and Boutiques ● Video Arcade ● Art & Photo Gallery ● Medical Center

Royal Caribbean Online Internet Center

Information supplied by: Royal Caribbean International.

Photo's Credit: Brian Gaskin

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