If you’re considering a Royal Caribbean cruise on the Rhapsody of the Seas out of San Juan, Puerto Rico — with stops in St. Croix, Philipsburg, Antigua, St. Lucia, and Barbados — you’re in the right place! Here’s an honest review of our experience onboard and a full breakdown of each port, plus a few tips to make your trip smoother.
🚢 Ship Overview: Rhapsody of the Seas
Let’s start with the ship itself. The Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s smaller and older ships, so don’t expect the bells and whistles of their mega-ships — no waterslides, no bumper cars, and fewer onboard attractions. But if you’re in it for the ports and relaxing vibes, this ship delivers.
What we liked:
- Food: No complaints here! The variety in the main dining room and Windjammer buffet kept everyone happy.
- Entertainment: We were really impressed by the nightly shows — talented performers, plenty of seating, and something new every night.
- Family Fun: While it’s a quieter ship, our kids still found enough to do. Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed time by the pool, casino, and participating in various daily games and trivia.
- Our Room: We stayed in a mini suite, which gave us a little extra breathing room — and that made a big difference with kids.
🌴 Pre-Cruise in San Juan, Puerto Rico
We arrived in San Juan a couple of days early to explore and settle in before boarding. We stayed at Hyatt House, which was walking distance to restaurants and bars and a quick ride to the cruise port.
One highlight: we booked a hike in El Yunque National Forest to visit the waterfalls. It was adventurous and beautiful, but definitely not for anyone with mobility concerns — we’d rate it about a 5/10 in difficulty. A word of advice: don’t climb the waterfall unless you’re planning to jump or slide down. Our guide didn’t explain that well, and a few in our group were stuck figuring out how to get down!
🏖️ Port 1: St. Croix
We took a short taxi ride from the port to Rainbow Beach, where we rented two chairs and an umbrella for $40. It was laid-back, with a beach bar and great food — the spicy margarita was no joke (and totally worth it).
The water was clear and calm, though not great for snorkeling — but that didn’t stop us from trying! A relaxing and easy beach day overall.
🏝️ Port 2: Philipsburg, St. Maarten
From the port, we took a water taxi to the main beach area — a quick, budget-friendly ride. But be prepared: once you arrive, you’ll be swarmed with vendors trying to rent you chairs. It was overwhelming.
Next time, I’d research beach areas in advance and walk to a specific spot to avoid the chaos. The beach itself was nice, though the waves got rough in the afternoon. Tons of options for food and drinks along the boardwalk!
🐠 Port 3: Antigua
(Quick note: It’s pronounced An-tee-guh!)
Here, we booked an excursion to Swim with the Stingrays — which sounded amazing, but turned out to be a bit chaotic. After a long bus ride across the island, we boarded a boat to Stingray City, where you could swim and hold stingrays.
Honestly, it was a little too crowded for our taste. It was fun to try once, but not something we’d repeat. Afterward, we explored the shops near the port, which were plentiful and fun for a quick stroll.
🌋 Port 4: St. Lucia
St. Lucia holds a special place in our hearts — my husband and I honeymooned here! It’s a lush, mountainous island with narrow, winding roads. Be warned: travel time can be long.
We booked a full-day Land and Sea Tour via Viator:
View tour on Viator
Highlights included:
- A scenic drive with a photo stop at the Pitons
- A snorkeling stop at Sugar Bay — some of the best we’ve seen
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- A visit to a waterfall and the mud baths (so messy and fun!)
This was a long, unforgettable day. But if anyone in your group gets carsick, consider skipping or finding a shorter option — those roads are no joke!
🐢 Port 5: Barbados
Barbados was a dream. We joined a catamaran snorkel tour, which ended up being one of our favorite excursions of the trip.
We snorkeled over a shipwreck, spotted turtles and stingrays, and then stopped near Rihanna’s house (or at least the one she supposedly rents) for a swim. The water was stunning, and the food and drinks on board were excellent.
This was a day I’d gladly repeat again and again. Barbados is definitely on our list for a return visit!
✅ Final Thoughts: Would We Recommend This Cruise?
Absolutely — as long as your expectations are aligned. If you’re looking for over-the-top onboard amenities, Rhapsody may not be your ship. But if you’re excited about amazing Caribbean ports, solid food, great entertainment, and a relaxing pace, this is a fantastic option.
Each port had something unique to offer, and our time in San Juan was the perfect way to kick off the trip. We loved this itinerary and would 100% recommend it to families or couples looking to island-hop without the hassle of airport hopping.
