CruisinBarb63

The only deck I would not be happy with is 10,under the pool/Windjammer.

We had connecting rooms on Deck 10 under the pool and heard absolutely no noise from above (our party had both of the connecting rooms and kept the door open so I can't comment on whether or not you can hear noise from the connecting room. I assume it depends on who is in the connecting room). We loved the location as we didn't need to wait for the elevators or take a lot of stairs to get to the Windjammer or pool (the places we spend a good amount of time).

I had a cash account on our IOS cruise in October and used Traveler's Checks for payment. I was able to cash $1000 in traveler's checks one day when I was settling my bill. I don't think there is a limit for Traveler's checks but $200 per day is the limit for personal checks.

Our last cruise in October we were on Indy, which docked at 7:30am. We did self-assist and got in line by 7:00. They didn't start debarkation until nearly 8:00 and we were at the airport by 8:45 to catch our 10:40 flight with time to stop for coffee at Starbucks and enjoy it.

As long as there aren't any delays, you should be absolutely fine!

All non-alcoholic drinks are included in the Royal Replenish. I took my three teens on a cruise in October and struggled with whether or not to get the package. I finally just did it so I wouldn't have to worry about any costs during the cruise. I don't know whether or not we broke even or got a deal, but I do know my girls LOVED going up to the bar to order frozen drinks whenever they could. It was worth the peace of mind for me and I would definitely do it again. We got a lot of bottled water, several virgin frozen drinks of all sorts, specialty coffee and teas and juice...all included!

One of my daughter's has Celiac Disease as did one member of our party so I paid close attention for future reference (DD was not with us).

When dining in the dining room, you could order the day before. They had a special menu and you could also talk to the chef.

When dining in the Windjammer, you only need find one of the managers and they walked you around showing you what was gluten free. Some items were marked. They were very sure to ask the chefs who were behind the counters cooking, just to verify that there had been no change to the recipe or way it was cooked. In addition, the chefs who were cooking could give you some from behind the counter if you are worried about cross-contamination issues.

I recall one instance when the manager was walking around with someone and pointed out a curry dish advising it was GF then he verified with the chef who indicated the recipe he had included gluten so it was not GF.

They seemed very aware and when I asked the person in our group about her experience she said she was confident she had not eaten any gluten containing items as she never felt unwell.

They aren't the same age but I surprised my 16, 17 & 21 year old with a cruise last fall. I made a power point presentation to let them in on the secret. They really enjoyed it and jumped around like babies.

My friend and DD went to the brunch and galley tour on Indy last month and a menu change was briefly discussed as well. They had some foods at the brunch that are not currently on the menu so maybe that is how they are trying some of them out. I recall them talking about an incredible beef wellington they ate.

I agree regarding the pumpkin seed rolls...those are incredible!

I have a pretty good video of the KLM Jet landing but I'm struggling to get it posted. The instructions from CC is not the best. So let's move on, as we still have more of St. Maarten to see!

You got me! The lady with the big, floppy hat is me! LOL It looks like we had close encounters and didn't even know it.

Aww! A roll call follower. Cool. I hope you enjoyed your Indy cruise as well as we did. I don't believe I had the pleasure to say Hello while on the cruise and I'm sure I missed out. So glad you're following! Please feel free to add to something along the way!

We had an amazing time and loved this ship. We were with the Buddy Cruise group and they kept us pretty busy so we missed the M&M but I heard many did. I ran into a few of the roll call group but I don't believe you were among those we met.

Thanks for sharing!

Following along...my crew was on this cruise as well!

Drink of the Day was $10 plus tip ($11.80)two weeks ago on Indy. We couldn't seem to get a good answer as to the price without the glass so we kept the glasses.

Two weeks ago we had a 10:35 flight after disembarking Indy and we made it with plenty of time to spare.

However, we were the last Indy cruise out of the bigger terminal as she was taking the spot of a bigger ship that was overseas (brain freeze so I can't remember which ship). It's my understanding Indy's usual terminal can be slower.

If you take the earlier flight, my suggestion would be to be in line for self-disembarkation by 7:15 so you are among the first off.

The airport is only a 10 minute drive from the port.

My 21 year old daughter was just tall enough. Yes, they do enforce it. When she went to sign up to ride, they made her stand by the height signs they have across from the desk to assure she was tall enough. It isn't ability related, it is safety related and they do enforce it.

Ship - Independence of the Seas

Deck - 10

Stateroom # - 1605 & 1607

Stateroom Category – K & L

Starboard or Port Side - Port

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? -Yes - we had both rooms

Any specific problems with this cabin? - Some may find it a problem that we could hear the music playing from the pool deck when there was a band playing. It was muffled but you knew what it was.

Any other comments? - These cabins were bigger than we expected. One was a double and the other a quad. There was enough room for everyone to move around and plenty of storage.

Just back from a 7 day on Indy with my 16 & 17 year old daughters. They LOVED it!!! Flowrider, rock climbing, ice skating, arcade, swimming, Karaoke...so much for them to do and a club specifically for teens where they can come and go as they please.

I think its a great choice!

Just off Indy with friends and kids. We missed the ice show due to commitments with our group and we were bummed (have to go back I guess). I definitely agree with Cafe Promenade for first day lunch and the sail away on the helipad was incredible! I couldn't believe how few people were there.

My friend and my daughter also went on a culinary tour on day 6. There were flyers in the dining room on day 5 inviting people to sign up for it. The tour started in the dining room on deck 4 at 11:00am. They LOVED it! It was $30 for adults and $8.80 for children and included more food than they could eat and a tour of the kitchens. The 70's party was fun if you can stay up late :)

I am sure there is a lot we missed. There just aren't enough hours in the day to do it all!

I was on the same cruise and we brought four bottles between our two staterooms. Drank all but one in the MDR with no corkage fees (they even held half a bottle for a second night) and drank the other in Bolleros...no corkage there either. How crazy is that?

I'm just off a 7 day on Indy this past Sunday. There was no prebooking. The ice show was assigned by muster station with two shows on each of two different days. You could also show up 5 minutes before the show to get in to a show you were not assigned.

The evening shows were at 7:00 and 9:00 and there seemed to be room for all interested and our cruise was full.

Thank you for the wonderful review. It has been 30 years since my last cruise and it will be the first for my girls when we board the Indy next month. I wasn't at all worried about the reviews as any day on a cruise with people taking care of cooking, cleaning and the like is a better day then...well, just about any day!

My concern was the issue you mentioned about disembarking. This has been my greatest worry and that doesn't change after reading your review. Our flight is at 10:35 from FLL and I am incredibly concerned. We knew we were going to be cutting it close but our only option was a flight much later in the day that included a long layover. Since we need to be back to work and school on Monday, we took the chance with an early, direct flight. Looks like we will have to be in line when the ship docks.

Thank you again for the positive, exciting review!

When I applied for our daughter in August, they advised me processing was running 7-8 weeks. Since our crise was in 9 weeks, I was nervous but didn't want to pay to expedite. They told me if it got within 2 weeks of traveling & we had still not received it, we could call & pay to expedite & we would have it in 3 days. We did not have to do that as it csme in 2 1/2 weeks but it was good to know we had the option.

Incredible! Was told 7-8 weeks current processing time. Applied for my 16 yo on August 31, check cashed August 24, email advising processing complete & passport in the mail September 4, passport received September 8! Just over 2 weeks...regular processing!

I was told when I made my daughters passport appointment processing time was running 7-8 weeks. I chose not to expedite. Submitted application 8/21, check cashed 8/24, email advising passport has processed & is in the mail 9/3. Boy am I glad I didn't pay to expedite!

This post has what you are looking for http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2243436&highlight=independence

You're leaving out of FLA right? I'd tell them a week or so before about the "vacation to FLA" and that you plan on some nice dinners out so pack nice (i.e. formal like) dresses. Then make sure you tell your transportation from airport to port that it's a surprise--I've had drivers ruin it before asking if they are excited to cruise! When they pull up to the cruise ship it will be an amazing surprise!

I've got the packing down & do plan on telling them one step at a time. The cruise surprise will be revealed the night before while we are in FLL. We are going with a group & there is a party at the hotel Saturday night that I don't want them to miss. If we get a port view room, which I'm hoping, that will help with the reveal. I'm sure it will come together at the right time.

FYI...I just called the post office to make an appointment for my dd who will be 16 next Friday. We decided to wait until her birthday to get her the 10 year passport instead of getting the child passport. They woman I spoke to said it is usually 4 - 6 weeks but they have just been notified by the state department that it is currently 7 - 8 unless you expedite, in which case it is 3 weeks.

We got passports for our older two in May and we got them one day shy of three weeks from the day we completed them at the post office with no expediting.

Since we are leaving October 24, the 7 - 8 week is going to be cutting it close so I may have to bite the bullet and pay the extra for expedite. We should have done the child passport when we got the other two done.