Rhapsody of the Seas

The Rhapsody of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's four star Vision class cruise ships. Its maiden voyage was in 1997 and has a passenger capacity of 2400. The ship has 14 wheelchair accessible cabins across almost all cabin classes. All areas of the ship, with the exception of the small Viking Crown Lounge are accessible. Some nice features of the ship are the lift into the main pool, self opening doors and gentle ramps over the weather sills on most exits to the outdoor deck areas, accessible toilet facilities in all public areas and a very accessible "all around" deck on level 10. Take our accessibility photo tour.

Ship Features

• Rock-climbing wall
• Outdoor pool
• Six whirlpools
• Indoor/outdoor pool in a Solarium with a sliding roof
• Stunning Centrum, an open atrium featuring shopping and more
• Themed bars and lounges
• Beautiful, airy dining rooms
• Adventure Ocean® youth facilities
• Casino RoyaleSM
• Day Spa and Fitness Centre

Ship Facts

• Maiden Voyage: May 19, 1997
• Passenger Capacity: 2,435
• Godmother: Bodil Wilhelmsen
• Gross Tonnage: 78,491
• Length: 915'
• Beam: 105.6'
• Draft: 25'
• Cruising Speed: 22 knots

Accessible Cabins - 14

To view the list of accessible cabins and see the marked up deck plans see our full review

Koala Conservation Centre

Koala Conservation Centre
Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

The Koala Conservation Centre offers visitors a chance to have a face to face encounter with arguably Australia's most loved animal. The unique tree top board walks are fully wheelchair accessible offering an inclusive experience.
Unlike a Zoo, the Koala Conservation Centre offers visitors a chance to see these lovable creatures in their natural environment. The centre has played a crucial role in saving the population of Koalas on Phillip Island.
The Visitors Centre is equipped with a cafe with accessible seating, disabled toilet facilities and an interpretative centre that will allow the visitor to leave with a full appreciation of this magnificent little creature.

Accessibility Features

Visitors Centre
The visitors centre is accessed from the five disabled parking places in the carpark via a wide and smooth path. Both the carpark and access path are gravel. The surface is smooth and the stones hard packed and fine. The centre is entered via a ramp with a 1 in 14 gradient equipped with handrails on both sides. The entrance door is wide and self opening. The centre houses a gift shop, cafe, disabled toilet facilities and an excellent interpretive centre. Inside the centre the floors are level and hard surfaced. The furniture in the cafe is movable as is the outdoor eating area furniture. The longer tables have roll under ends to cater for a wheelchair. The interpretative centre is spacious allowing easy wheelchair access. All displays are readable from wheelchair height.

view our full photo gallery

Koala Boardwalk
The highlight of a visit to Koala Conservation Centre are the boardwalks that are fully accessible and allow a view of the Koalas at their level in the trees. The park is entered from the interpretive centre through a self opening door and another 1 in 14 ramp. The paths within the park are again a gravel surface. The paths are smooth and a moderate gradient. The two boardwalks are a short roll from the visitors centre. They are entered through a pair of gates that are very lightly loaded. The Koala Boardwalk lives up to its name with an abundance of Koalas on view giving some remarkable photo opportunities. The boardwalks are wide as are the observation areas allowing easy access to wheelchairs.

view our full photo gallery

Woodland Boardwalk
The Woodland Boardwalk also affords good opportunity to see Koalas but is alive with native bird life. Like the Koala Boardwalk it is wide and easily navigated with a wheelchair.

view our full photo gallery

Woodland Walk
In additional to the two boardwalks the Woodland Walk wanders through the natural bush at ground level. This path is a gravel surface, is smooth and of very moderate grade. Taking your time around this path offers the opportunity to spot a large variety of Australian native wildlife including wallabies, possums, echidnas and over 100 native birds.

Location
Phillip Island is a 90 minute drive from the centre of Melbourne via the Monash Freeway and the South Gippsland Highway. Once on the Island the Koala Conservation Centre is clearly sign posted. For further details see their web site

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Map courtesy Phillip Island Nature Parks