GJM

There was a crew area across from the cabin, but we never really heard any noise.  Yes, the bed was hard but we slept well.  The cabin was very nice, we love the chairs on the balcony with the foot stools, so comfortable.  The room was much more modern then other cruise ships we have been on.  More plugs, which is great.  And the hair dryer stays on now when you are using it, you don't have to hold the button on while drying your hair.  LOL  

We had a great cruise, we saw all the shows, all amazing.  The only real disappointment was the Windjammer, we ate in there for dinner some nights and they didn't have the variety as in the past for dinner.  We also ate at Chops which was very good.  Try and book the Aqua show first, because ours was rescheduled due to the weather.  We also love the Solarium for breakfast. 

We did have the internet, the surf & zoom.  It worked OK, not great but it was perfect.  My husband and I would send messages to each other on Whatsapp, if we weren't together.  

We cabin 8172, not noisy at all.  Across the hall were not any rooms, only noise we heard was the cabin next to us with the slamming of their door.  The bed was near the bathroom with the couch by the balcony.  I will look and see if I have any pictures.  But great location, when you go off the elevator, made a left and about 5 doors down.

We love eating in the WJ for dinner, our first cruise many years ago was on VOS.  Our tablemates in the MDR had nothing in common with them and the wife didn't speak English, it was very uncomfortable.  We started going to the WJ, they would have tableclothes on the tables, nobody was in there.  And we had the best service, they knew us coming in every night and they would even bring us special desserts.

We will do the MDR about 2 nights and the rest in the WJ, I like having all the options available.

I have done this twice flying with Spirit and I only took the personal item carry on I think it is 18"  It was a 5 day cruise.  I didn't think I could do it, and my husband was very impressed!

No formal wear, I roll my clothes.  I just purchased compression bags for our next trip will see how those work.  Our first couple of cruises I always overpacked, not anymore.

Tons of You Tube videos on packing in a Personal item carry item.

On 10/9/2022 at 5:52 PM, Katems75 said:

I would like to know this location noise, too!  I am on Harmony and in 8172 so very close to you.  Hopefully someone can answer if being near the forward stairs/elevators on Harmony is noisy or not!

We are in cabin 8172 in November, we love Deck 8, was on Allure around the same area and it wasn't noisy.

We have honestly never had a problem with the food.  If I get something I don't like, I just get something else.  We have never done specialty dining, but we will be on our next cruise in November.  Whatever I am eating on a cruise is better then what I am cooking at home, and I don't have to clean up!

Hoping it is bottles, I did notice it said bottles when ordering but also said cans.  I just don't feel like lugging water on.  

We were there in April - not sure how you could miss the pool.  There were maps and signs everywhere.  Even had a map left in our room.  I really don't understand how you could not have seen any of this.  Also a ton of RC employees.

We were on in April and entertainment was horrible.  We love seeing the shows, no Grease, just them singing the songs.  The headliner was a magician and most of his tricks were card tricks so you had to watch the screens.  No comedian, they always seem to have a comedian on the ships.

We did love the ship, and the crew was absolutely amazing, and we loved the food.

The little Cinnamon danish they have in the morning, it has a flaky dough.  And they don't always have them, when I see them I have like 3.

Our last cruise we ate one night in the WJ and they had braciola, I haven't had that in years and was so good.

I can't understand the pre cruise testing, you test up to 2 days before sailing.  How do you know you couldn't catch it after you test.  You aren't living in a bubble after testing, if anything coming in to contact with more people if staying at a hotel or flying.  And for people saying the island may require testing.  You can fly to half of these islands for a land vacation with no testing.

We just got Friday - we were so disappointed in the entertainment on this ship.  We love seeing the shows. 

No mention of Escape Room 

Grease was just a concert, it was OK, not great

No Comedian

The Headliner was a magician, he did a lot of card tricks, that you had to watch the monitor.

Welcome Aboard show, was just 2 male performers from Grease that sang older songs.

Other then the entertainment aspect, we loved the ship and crew.  The crew was the best!

I cancelled the Emed because it wouldn't have been here, it was still pending after 6PM  All the Walgreens by us have 0 appointments at any of them.  So we are driving 45 min tomorrow to a Walgreens, we still have our appointment in FL, but we were worried if we hit traffic or something and can't make it in time.  We are driving from SC and going to Port Canaveral.  Next cruise, if we still have to test, I am ordering the home tests.  

I just ordered, it said if I order by 6 I should have it next business day.  Hopefully it goes thru without a problem.

My Urgent Care does, but it was $100 for each of us, and not covered by insurance.

We are cruising on Monday, had our Covid tests scheduled for Sat at Walgreens, just got an email that they cancelled and there are no other appointments at any Walgreens around us.  I did schedule one in FL on Sunday as a back up plan.

Are there any Covid test I can buy in the store that will work for test results.  

This is our first time cruising since Covid and I am in a panic now about getting our test done.

Thank you

We are doing a 4 night in April, wish it was a longer one!  We are driving from SC to Port Canaveral and staying a night.  Was looking at stopping in St. Augustine or Savanah on the way back, but this cruise has been changed 3 times and we didn't realize it was Easter Break, so rooms are so expensive.  

I noticed also for my cruise in April it is around $22, I have paid 11.49 and 15.49 in the past, hoping it goes down.

I have always wanted to do the Panama Canal Cruise, we have sailed Enchantment before, but it was a 5 day cruise.  It was OK, but don't think I would want to be on that ship for 14 days.

I just purchased it for $20 a day on Independence, I am really on the fence about keeping it, but I drink a ton of bottle water and would love the OJ in the morning and a coffee at night.  Still not sure it is worth it.

We loved it on Allure.  We were eating in the Windjammer one night and the came up and gave us a discount coupon to eat there.  The food was wonderful.

Our Independence of the Seas in Sept. changed to Navigator - never received and email or call.  I did notice that they are charging us $200 more for this cruise.

I can't understand the mask wearing when sitting by the pool, if the chairs are spaced.  I also read you have to wear a mask to the slide, but not to wear the mask on the slide.  What are you suppose to do with your mask?  We have 2 stops in Coco Cay - will we be required to wear a mask sitting by the pool or beach.  

Thank you everyone for the info - it is actually a great price.  Will definitely have a balcony so thank you for the info about the sun.

I am in SC so we never really had to quarantine at home.

My husband thinks this is a great way to get me to Europe he since I hate to fly, but will have to fly home.  Just don't know if I can handle all the sea days! 

We are thinking of booking Harmony in April, going to Spain - I think it is about 9 days at sea before it makes a stop.  We have always done Caribbean stops.  How is it being at sea all of those days.  Not sure if I would be able to do handle that many days.  

Is there entertainment every night?

Would love to hear opinions on TA cruises.

We are cruising Sept. 19, the perfect cruise was going to Labadee and Coco Cay.  I kind of wish they would cancel, my husband still wants to go.  I am worried that someone will get sick on the ship and we will all be stuck in our cabins.