P&O ships verses Royal Caribbean

Our Australia cruise.
I've had a few people ask me what the difference is with the Rhapsody of the Seas, to the P&O ships. So I'll go through a few things to give you a better idea. The P&O Dawn and Royal's Rhapsody are similar ships in size and have some similar features.

P&O Dawn Stats: - 2,050 passengers,11 decks, 811ft/245 mtrs in length, 70,000 tons, Built 1991, Max Speed: 22.5 knot
Royal Caribbean Rhapsody Stats - 11 decks, 915ft in length, 78,491 tons, Built 1997, Cruising Speed: 22 knots

Passenger facilities: P&O Dawn - Three-storey atrium foyer, casino, jogging track, pizzeria, 9 bars and lounges, five restaurants, internet access, whirlpool spas, library, showlounge, duty-free shopping, medical centre, gym and health spa.
Royal Rhapsody -Royals signature Rock Climbing Wall, outdoor pool, 6 whirlpools, indoor/outdoor pool in solarium with sliding roof canopy, Centrum and open atrium, duty free shopping,8 bars and lounges, adventure oceans youth facilities for 6 months - 17 years old, video arcade, day spa and fitness centre, jogging track, casino, 2 level seating show lounge, medical centre, internet cafe, main dining room, pizzeria, windjammer cafe.

Here's just a couple of observations.

Dawn - Room service
Complimentary continental breakfast delivered to your cabin. A nominal delivery charge applies to all in-cabin meals. The 24-hour room service menu is priced per item. Rhapsody - Room service All meals (including coffee, tea, water, iced tea or lemonade) delivered by room service are included in the price of your cruise (however a late night service charge applies, approx $5).
P&O gym is on the bottom pasenger deck, no windows, Royal is on the deck 10 with oceanviews (much nicer if you really must work out!).

Scrapbooking and classes: Dawn - doe not have any dedicated conference rooms. For any classes you would be using a lounge or dining room outside of meal times. You would be slotted a time frame, 2 -3 hours and then would have to pack up your things. Rhapsody - dedicated conference room which we have Private use for 24 hours a day of fun and crop til you drop time!!,

Now the money matters. Yes you do need to pay gratuities onboard which they suggest $10 per person a day. But you have the option to alter that if you feel someone did not give services to your standard, usually not the case though, they literally wait on you hand and foot! P&O have a $7.50 per person a day gratuity

Comparing rates: - Is hard when they do different itineraries. But working on a 9 night cruise on P&O Dawn in November, the rate for the lowest category inside twin share is $1949.00 AU dollars plus taxes. Following are cruise only rates (scrapbook event fee is extra)
Rhapsody: we have the high deck cabins in our group, but to compare with the Dawn from rate, I'll price the lower deck. The Rhapsody for a 10 night cruise is $1020.31 US dollars includes all taxes. So comparing the two, $1020.31 in AU dollars is $1425.13 a difference of almost $525 AU dollars. Big Difference!! With that sort of saving, that's some fun shipboard money to spend!!

So I hope that's convinced you you've made a great choice. The price is fantastic, the ship is beautiful and the classes will be great, plus the little extras we have in store for you?? If you have freinds or family who would like to go, bring them along, the more the merrier!!