7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Nov 7, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$738/person$105/night
View DealShip comparison
Marella Explorer 2 vs Rhapsody of the Seas
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Rhapsody of the Seas wins 4 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Marella Explorer 2
Rhapsody of the Seas
Size
71,301 GT
78,491 GT
Passengers
1,814
2,000
Year built
1997
1997
Crew ratio
2.5 guests per crew
2.6 guests per crew
Space ratio
39.3 GT per guest
39.3 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
264 m
279 m
From price
No data
$636.16 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Rhapsody of the Seas is the larger vessel at 78,491 GT, 10% more than Marella Explorer 2's 71,301 GT. Marella Explorer 2 edges ahead in service at 2.5 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest. Rhapsody of the Seas accommodates 186 more guests (2,000 vs 1,814), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Marella Explorer 2 trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Rhapsody of the Seas |
| Capacity | Rhapsody of the Seas |
| Modernity | Tie |
| Service | Marella Explorer 2 |
| Spaciousness | Marella Explorer 2 |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Rhapsody of the Seas |
| Fleet Power | Rhapsody of the Seas |
Bottom line: Rhapsody of the Seas leads 4–2 across our categories, strongest in Size. Choose Rhapsody of the Seas for overall superiority; pick Marella Explorer 2 if Service matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Marella Explorer 2 if
- More crew per guest (2.5 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (39.3 GT per guest)
Choose Rhapsody of the Seas if
- Size matters to you (78,491 GT)
- More onboard variety (2,000 guests)
Prices
See Current Prices
You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Marella Explorer 2 | Rhapsody of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | No sailings | $636.16 pp |
| Per night | No data | $91 pp |
| Departing | No data | Nov 14 |
| Duration | No data | 7 nights |
| View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Rhapsody of the Seas
7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Nov 14, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$636/person$91/night
View Deal
7 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Rhapsody of the Seas
Nov 21, 2026 · 7 nights
Caribbean
$878/person$125/night
View DealHotels & Accommodations Near Port of San Juan
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes, up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
