Yes, Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas runs Caribbean itineraries out of San Juan that include St. Croix — and for a first-timer, total out-of-pocket costs typically run $150–$250/person/day once you factor in the cruise fare, drinks, gratuities, and a shore excursion or two.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's smaller, older ships — and that's actually a feature, not a bug, for first-timers. She holds about 2,400 passengers, she's not a floating theme park, and San Juan–based itineraries keep your flights domestic (no passport required if you're a US citizen). St. Croix is one of the quieter, more authentic stops in the Caribbean, which makes this a genuinely solid starter cruise. Here's exactly what it's going to cost you.
The Real Cost: Rhapsody of the Seas San Juan to St. Croix
Cruise fares on Rhapsody from San Juan vary by cabin type and how far in advance you book. As of 2025–2026, expect these ballpark ranges for a 7-night sailing:
Dave's take: Rhapsody's smaller size is genuinely your friend here—you'll actually remember the staff by day three, and that Caribbean itinerary hits ports most mega-ships skip. Fair warning though: Royal Caribbean holds pricing pretty firm right up to departure, so that $600–$900 interior cabin isn't going to drop to $400 like you might see on Carnival—the trade-off is the ship quality, entertainment, and crowd are noticeably better across the board.
— Dave Giovacchini, Travel Mutiny
| Cost Category | Budget (Interior) | Mid-Range (Balcony) | Splurge (Suite) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise Fare (per person) | $600–$900 | $1,100–$1,600 | $2,500–$4,000 |
| Gratuities (7 nights @ ~$18/day) | $126 | $126 | $147+ |
| Deluxe Beverage Package | $490–$665 | $490–$665 | $490–$665 |
| Wi-Fi (7 nights @ ~$25/day) | $175 | $175 | $175 |
| Shore Excursions (St. Croix + others) | $80–$120 | $150–$250 | $300–$500 |
| Specialty Dining (1–2 nights) | $0 (skip it) | $80–$100 | $150–$200 |
| Estimated Total Per Person | $1,471–$1,986 | $2,121–$2,916 | $3,782–$5,687 |
| Daily Rate Per Person | $210–$284 | $303–$417 | $540–$812 |
Note: Beverage package listed above is optional — skip it if you're a light drinker. The break-even point is roughly 5–6 drinks per day including specialty coffee.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Key Factors That Drive Your Total Cost
1. The Beverage Package Decision Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package runs $70–$95/person/day when purchased in advance through the Cruise Planner (it's higher if you wait until boarding). It covers cocktails up to $14, beers, wine by the glass, and non-alcoholic drinks. If you plan on 2 cocktails at dinner and a couple of poolside beers, you'll likely break even. If you're a one-drink-at-dinner person, skip it — individual cocktails run $11.50–$13.50 before the 18–20% service charge Royal Caribbean adds automatically.
2. Gratuities Are Not Optional Royal Caribbean charges approximately $18/person/day in automatic gratuities added to your onboard account. For a 7-night sailing, that's $126 per person — budget for it upfront. Suite guests pay a few dollars more per day.
3. San Juan Flights and Pre-Cruise Hotel This is where first-timers get blindsided. Flying into San Juan the morning of embarkation is a gamble. Budget at least one pre-cruise hotel night — Old San Juan has solid options from $120–$250/night — and factor in flight costs from your home city. San Juan (SJU) is well-served by direct flights from most major US hubs.
4. St. Croix Shore Excursion Costs St. Croix is a US Virgin Island, so no currency exchange needed. Royal Caribbean's ship-sold excursions for St. Croix typically run $60–$150/person for snorkeling, beach breaks, or historical tours. Going independent is cheaper — local taxis from the pier are reasonable, and Buck Island snorkeling tours booked locally run $60–$80/person vs. $100–$130+ through the ship.
5. Rhapsody Is an Older, Smaller Ship Built in 1997, Rhapsody of the Seas has been refurbished but lacks the mega-ship amenities. No FlowRider, no go-karts, no waterpark. That's fine — specialty dining is more limited, which actually keeps onboard spending lower. The main dining room and Windjammer buffet are included in your fare.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Practical Tips to Save Money as a First-Timer
Book the beverage package early. Pre-cruise Cruise Planner pricing is consistently lower than onboard pricing. Check your Cruise Planner as soon as your booking is confirmed and monitor for sales — Royal Caribbean runs drink package sales frequently.
Skip the ship's Wi-Fi if you can. At ~$25/day, a 7-night package adds $175. Most first-timers find they enjoy being disconnected. If you need it, buy the single-device plan, not multi-device.
Do one specialty dinner, not seven. Rhapsody has limited specialty dining options — a cover charge runs around $40–$45/person on average. One splurge night feels special; doing it every night just means you paid extra for food that's only marginally better.
Pre-pay gratuities when booking if your budget is tight — it locks in the current rate and removes sticker shock from your final onboard bill.
In St. Croix, go independent. Christiansted is walkable from the pier. Grab a local taxi to the beach or book a Buck Island snorkel tour directly — you'll pay less than ship excursion prices and have a more authentic experience.
Set a daily onboard spending budget and track it on the Royal Caribbean app. First-timers routinely overspend by $200–$400 because the cashless onboard account makes it too easy to swipe your SeaPass card without thinking.
Is Rhapsody of the Seas Right for Your First Cruise?
Honestly — yes, for the right traveler. If you want a manageable, less overwhelming first experience with a Caribbean itinerary that includes a genuinely off-the-beaten-path stop like St. Croix, Rhapsody delivers without the sensory overload of a 5,000-passenger mega-ship. The San Juan homeport is a bonus: you can spend a day or two in Old San Juan before or after your cruise without needing a passport, and it's one of the most interesting embarkation cities in the Caribbean.
If you want waterslides, multiple entertainment venues running simultaneously, and 20 restaurant choices, you'll want to look at Royal Caribbean's larger ships like Harmony or Wonder of the Seas. But for a first cruise where you actually want to see the Caribbean rather than never leave the ship? Rhapsody from San Juan is a smart pick.
Want to see what this cruise would actually cost for your specific sailing dates and cabin type? Run your numbers through CruiseMutiny — it breaks down every line item so there are no surprises on your final bill. You can also check current fares and availability through CruiseHub, which often has promotional rates worth comparing against the Royal Caribbean website directly.