Royal Caribbean to withdraw Rhapsody from Australia

Royal Caribbean is to withdraw Rhapsody of the Seas from Australia after eight years as the cruise line continues to bring larger, newer ships to local waters.

Rhapsody will be replaced by the 3,835 passenger Explorer of the Seas for the 2015/16 season. The 14/15 season will be Rhapsody’s last Down Under having made its debut in 2007.

Sources told Travel Today yesterday the move was in line with Royal Caribbean’s strategy of bringing larger liners to Australia.

The reshuffle was confirmed in an email – sent prematurely – to loyalty club members. The announcement was to have been made on Tuesday morning when Royal Caribbean launches its 2015/16 program.

Explorer will join the 3114-passenger Voyager of the Seas in Australia. Both are Voyager class vessels and are newer and larger than the 2435-capacity Rhapsody, one of Royal Caribbean’s Vision-class ships.

Explorer’s maiden voyage was in October 2000, one year after Voyager. 

Rhapsody, meanwhile, embarked on its maiden cruise in May 1997.