Fajardo Before our Cruise and an Honest Look at Rhapsody of the Seas

A cruise from San Juan offers something most departure ports cannot: the chance to turn embarkation into a Puerto Rico vacation of its own.

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Christopher and Ashleigh are back from their sixth trip to Puerto Rico in four years and their second cruise sailing from San Juan. Before boarding Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas, they spent several low-key days in Fajardo, working remotely, cooking at their condo, enjoying the ocean view, and returning to some favorite Puerto Rican food experiences.

They share why Fajardo works so well as a relaxed home base, along with stops at Monte Brisas Bakery for enormous local sandwiches and La Estación for Puerto Rican barbecue. Christopher also offers an unexpectedly detailed guide to grocery shopping in Puerto Rico, including why Ralph’s has become a favorite.

Then they board the 1997-built Rhapsody of the Seas for an honest look at the advantages and limitations of cruising on a smaller, older ship. They discuss the limited activities and entertainment, excellent service, plentiful live music, traditional dining, dated cabin features, and why choosing a cruise for its itinerary can require some compromises onboard.

In this episode:

• Why they enjoy sailing from San Juan
• What it is like to spend a quieter week in Fajardo
• Local food finds worth seeking out
• The benefits and drawbacks of a small cruise ship
• Their ocean-view cabin experience on Rhapsody of the Seas
• Dining, entertainment, trivia, and live music onboard
• An uncomfortable English-only rule in the Schooner Bar
• Blustone Vineyard’s Ad Lib red wine

Listen for a practical, candid look at building a Puerto Rico stay around a cruise and deciding whether an older, smaller ship is the right tradeoff for the trip you want. Be sure to check back for the next episode, where they talk about the ports they visited!