Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 #1 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Well as I sit in the airport with hours before our flight back to Phoenix, I figured I could start on my review of our amazing8 night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard Independence of the Seas from 4/26 - 5/4. We were set to visit St Maarten, St Kitts, San Juan Puerto Rico and Labadee Haiti! First a little about us, I'm a 26 year old Branch Manager of a bank and my wife, 26, is a cake decorator and small business owner. We booked this cruise for our 7th wedding anniversary nearly 2 years before the sail date. I have cruised 3 times previously and my wife has cruised twice. Our last cruise was aboard the Mariner of The Seas and we absolutely loved it!!! I will admit that finding our after booking our cruise we could no longer smoke on our balcony was a little frustrating. We spent less time in our room because of this. Because this was our anniversary cruise we splurged and booked an owners suite, suite 1320, and let me just say "WOW"! I will get more into the room later but it was amazing. As hard as it was we left our 3 year old daughter with my in laws so we could enjoy the first real thing we've done for ourselves when it comes to our anniversary. We began packing nearly a week before we left, but glad we did as it made the night before a lot less stressful. On Friday 4/25, We boarded our flight from Phoenix direct to Ft. Lauderdale at 10:50 and we were officially on Vacation!!! We got to fly on the Shamu plane, lol, our flight attendants had plenty of jokes to crack during their safety briefing about flying in a whale. It was a full flight but was smooth and before we new it we were in humid but sunny Florida. We were booked to stay in the Hampton Inn North Cruise Port. We needed to call when we got to the airport to request our shuttle pickup, they asked our last name for reservation and how many to pickup. We replied with 5 people and they said it would be 15-20 minutes. About 30 minutes later our shuttle arrived. It was swarmed by a family of like 12 who had just walked up to the waiting ramp and the driver loaded all of them up. Then he finally asked if we were going to his hotel and how many, we told him yes and 5 of us and he said "oh sorry only room for 3." Well we had just called and informed them 5 of us, but he didn't care one bit. So we left my parents behind for the next shuttle and my wife, our friend Tim (cruise critic name Riverz) and I left. 2 minutes later we stopped to pick up 2 people at another terminal. When I asked the driver why my parents were left he said "I'm just doing my job, cuss out the people at the front desk!" I will say once you've made me mad, I'm not the person you want to say that too. So we get to hotel, check in, and ask for a manager, however there isn't a manager on duty on Friday nights, one would be available for us Saturday morning after 9am. Does that make any sense to anyone??? Anyways we got to our room, and it was very clean, very well lit and well decorated. Based on the rooms, I would stay here again in a heart beat, based on service, never again!!!! Rude rude rude, however trip advisor raved about the Service which was one of the main reasons for us choosing this hotel. The morning breakfast spread was nice, your typical free hotel breakfast but everything was hot and refilled regularly. The shuttle bus to the port usually costs 6 bucks a person, free for us as their apology for the shuttle disaster and rude driver the previous day. This port shuttle was unorganized chaos in so many ways, but whatever, they got us all loaded and to the ship just shortly after 11am!!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator0178 Posted May 4, 2014 #2 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Can't wait for the review! We are doing the same cruise in a few months!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted May 4, 2014 We got to terminal 29 just after 11am and check in was a breeze. We got our gold sea pass cards and couldn't have been happier to be on vacation. We were in the windjammer by 11:30 and we had drinks in hand. Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #4 Share Posted May 4, 2014 After our lunch we checked out the ship. This was our first cruise on the Freedom class and noticed the larger size of certain areas from our cruise on the Mariner previously. This ship is in amazing condition and was very very clean. Already we noticed just how friendly the staff was on board. Every was saying hi, and welcoming us on board. We couldn't have been happier with the service we got throughout the cruise. Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted May 4, 2014 (edited) After about an hour checking things out around the ship, our rooms were ready and we couldn't wait to see our suite we had been waiting for!!! We walked into our room and it was like we walked into a palace! Again we booked an owners suite for our anniversary, suite 1320 on deck 10, mid ship, just a short 10 second walk to the aft elevators and concierge lounge. We were on the starboard side of the ship with a magnificent view! We could not have been happier with the room we got! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Edited May 4, 2014 by Poorplaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #6 Share Posted May 4, 2014 I seem to be having some issues posting pictures from my iPhone using the cruise critic app, so I apologize for any duplicate pictures posted!! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #7 Share Posted May 4, 2014 More room pictures!!! ^^^Yes there was a PS3 in our room, great for watching movies!!! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #8 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Room Pics!!! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #9 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Alright, my fingers are a little tired typing all of the on my iPhone, I'll post some more here in a bit, still about 6 hours until our flight to Phoenix!!!! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted May 4, 2014 #10 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Donovan, did you know that you don't have to show your signature in every post? Just uncheck the "show your signature" line at the bottom, below the message box, before hitting "submit". :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBumb Posted May 4, 2014 #11 Share Posted May 4, 2014 great start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #12 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Donovan, did you know that you don't have to show your signature in every post? Just uncheck the "show your signature" line at the bottom, below the message box, before hitting "submit". :) Oh thanks for that, I had no idea lol!! Will it still show my usual cruise critic sig? Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #13 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Alright well I'll go at here for a little bit more. Obviously we were thrilled with the room that we got, my parents purchased a romance package for us as an anniversary gift and we had the whole room decorated and champagne and chocolate covered strawberries delivered our first night. We also had amazing robes and slippered with a gorgeous picture frame delivered which we could take home. Anyways, after getting settled a bit and reading through some things, a few minutes later our door bell rang! It was Svetlana, our room steward. She was from Russia and was absolutely the sweetest lady ever. She was beyond amazing, and took such good care of my wife and I. We couldn't thank her enough for all of her amazingly hard work and how personal she was. After meeting Svetlana, it was off to explore more of the ship and wait for luggage to be delivered, all of our bags were delivered by about 6pm and brought into our room for us. We did our muster still, very easy, and met at the pool bar for our cruise critic sail away party!!! We had quite a great turn out of people at the bar for sail away! Lots of people wore beads, flash glasses and name tags, we could tell who we all were no problem! We met at Boleros with some other family members cruising with us for drinks before our first evening at dinner. I have taken pictures of just about every appetizer, entree, and dessert we had plus all of the menus for the foodies like me!!! Next up, first evening dinner in the main dining room!! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #14 Share Posted May 4, 2014 After some major issues sorted out earlier to get our party all sat together thanks to my wonderful TA screwing it up, we were at table 482 on deck 4 with Rolando as our waiter, and he was beyond phenomenal. All I can say about this gentleman is he loves his guests, all of them. He was so personable, knew us all after night 1, and just took care of everything for us!!!! We couldn't have asked for better service from our main dining room!!! Alright to the food!!!! The theme for the first meal was Mojo!! The menu is attached below, some of the main entrees labeled as the classics don't change night after night which is nice if the entrees that change don't seem to tickle your fancy!!! After this I'll post pics of our food!! I have pictures of the menus from all 8 nights that I will post throughout the review! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #15 Share Posted May 4, 2014 So we ordered different things throughout the cruise, some of which we ordered on different nights, so I only took one picture of those items. The food in the main dinning room was top notch!!! The desserts I will say overall fell short on this cruise significantly. A few nights things were ok, but they were definitely not was we were hoping for. [ATTACH]311593[/ATTACH] The Eggplant and Artichoke Tart [ATTACH]311594[/ATTACH] The Escargot platter - This was a heavily consumed appetizer on out cruise!!! [ATTACH]311595[/ATTACH] The Shrimp Cocktail - after night one Rolando began bringing multiple orders on large plates for the majority of our table The Smoked Fish Rillettes The Classic Caesar Salad A lovely Royal Cheese Platter that Rolando brought us 2 of every night with our appetizers! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #16 Share Posted May 4, 2014 It looks like the 1st 3 pictures may not have loaded, here they are. Sorry folks! Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #17 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #18 Share Posted May 4, 2014 (edited) Ok sooooo...... I went into a little food Coma and forgot to take pictures of our entrees, I promise folks this won't happen again, it was all just so good lol!!!! Next we're desserts, similar to the meals the bottom three deserts were on the menus every night!! The BBB Creme Brûlée - This was not enjoyed by the 3 of us who ordered this dish The Blueberry Peach Crumble - This was much better Edited May 4, 2014 by Poorplaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #19 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Surprisingly after all that food we called it an early night, we were beyond tired and needed some beauty sleep before our scheduled morning massage in the spa at 8am the next morning. Next up, day 2!!! I'll be back in a bit everyone!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerLady Posted May 4, 2014 #20 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Awesome so far! We have her for a back 2 back in December.. REALLY interested in the menu order, so we can plan accordingly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerriWthr Posted May 4, 2014 #21 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Great review so far! I can't wait to read more. We do this sailing in November & I really can't wait! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #22 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Day 2 We started off our morning with a 75 minute full body massage and facial in the spa. My wife and I thought this to be a nice relaxing way to really start our vacation and do something extra nice for eachother for our anniversary, and it was amazing. I won't lie, I fell asleep a time or two because it was simply that awesome! My wife and I loved it and our 2 massage therapists were absolutely amazing. Next it was some relaxing in the solarium and pool side drinks for the afternoon, very relaxing! The chair hogs were not horrible this cruise, I can't say whether the chair police were enforcing the 30 minute signs that were all over the pool deck. The solarium was always busy, but calming. Lots of people so not really much room to chair hog when they're all taken. After some lunch went back to the room to relax for a bit before we went to attend the evenings ice show. Our Concierge Nizar who by the way, is absolutely amazing, got us 7 tickets for us and our family to all get in without any issues. The ice show was quite nice, some great music, amazing twists and flips, and much better than the ice show we saw on the Mariner a few years back. I would highly recommend it!! But get there early, the seats can fill up quickly. There isn't really a bad seat in Studio B but if you're wanting front row or something get there early. Next up Day 2 Dinner menu and pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #23 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Tonight was the first formal evening, we saw many people dressed up in nice suits, gorgeous evening gowns, some tuxedos, but just about everyone seemed to fit the dress code just fine! This evenings meal theme was Saffron! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #24 Share Posted May 4, 2014 Traditional Lobster Bisque Pan Fried Silver Corvina Fillet Roasted Duck A Chocolate Cake with Warm Custard Filling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poorplaya Posted May 4, 2014 Author #25 Share Posted May 4, 2014 It was a casino night for us. We met the bartending team who would be takin care of us for the remainder of the cruise. Raul was the head bartender and his level of customer service and personal touch was something not yet had from a bartender on a cruise ship. Eddie was one of the other casino bartenders and just like Raul, he took amazing care of. Every night after dinner was spent at the Casino Bar, even if we did gamble. They just made us feel at home every time we were there!!! After a few hours it was up to bed, and we were greeted with our first towel animal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now