Is Independence of the Seas out of Southampton really that bad?!?

[Mark_K]

This should give you an idea of what Butlins was about.

 

http://www.butlins75.com/slideshow.html

 

 

From 1970 or 1971, a typical scene from the main dining room.

 

 

 

From 1954

 

Well, those cottages in the back ground are about the size of your cabin - if not bigger.

[CRUIS4ME]

Learned something new today - Butlins! What a hoot. Reminds me of Dirty Dancing movie where New Yorkers go upstate for family fun week. I guess it is a tradition for some. Now for me, I'd rather cruise....never been on a Butlins cruise. Perhaps in the future I will sit and observe and think about the comparison a bit. Thanks

[rogueangel]

We sailed on the Indy last summer and are going back this summer again, it was fabulous and we had a great time. :)

[Brit-Cruiser]

I was reading the reviews yesterday and thinking exactly the same as the OP. We have booked the Indy for the T/A this November and with each new review I read, I am wondering if we have made a massive mistake in choosing this cruise. My worst nightmare is encapsulated in those reviews & I must admit, that had those reviews been available before we booked, we probably would not have settled on this ship. That said, we have an amazing & incredibly active roll call going, which is great & everyone is getting to know each other pre-cruise.

[rimboron]

weve sailed on her twice and are booked again in May. Its a huge ship with lots of different people, different things to do but thats a good thing isnt it..... Indy is a wonderful ship , spotlessly clean, the staff are second to none ,always friendly and nothing is too much trouble. .Some people are never satisfied and complain about everything so go and see for yourselves and make up your own minds. Im sure youll have a wonderful time.

 

Agreement with all your views Jen, this is our second trip on IOS and we go again on May 9th trying to sort out the best way to see Maderia at the moment .

[villauk]

I was reading the reviews yesterday and thinking exactly the same as the OP. We have booked the Indy for the T/A this November and with each new review I read, I am wondering if we have made a massive mistake in choosing this cruise. My worst nightmare is encapsulated in those reviews & I must admit, that had those reviews been available before we booked, we probably would not have settled on this ship. That said, we have an amazing & incredibly active roll call going, which is great & everyone is getting to know each other pre-cruise.

 

We actually felt quite responsible for our in-laws friends not enjoying their cruise on Indy. We had raved about all our varied cruises and what a great time we have when cruising, so they decided to book Indy out of Southampton during school holidays (something I would not have recommended as they don't have kids!). As a more mature couple, who wouldn't be using all the active facilities on Indy, I would have advised them to try Celebrity as I feel it would have been more suited to their needs.

 

When they returned, unfortunately they also compared it to a holiday camp: nappy changing (diapers for our US friends) in one of the bars whilst someone was performing, loutish behaviour and a general lack of respect for other guests. It may have just been a one off occurrence, however having read the reviews you refer to, I'm now starting to wonder?

 

We have never sailed from Southampton so I can't personally say what is the 'norm', however we have sailed from Barcelona and other Med ports, Venice, Rome etc, on several occasions and we love the mix of different nationalities. In fact, I'd say it adds to our cruise experience. We also prefer to fly a couple of hours in order to reach warmer weather/a new destination rather than take 2 days from the UK.

 

It's all about personal choice and everyone isn't looking for the same experience. Initially, for out first cruise, we found an excellent TA who advised us which cruise line and ship would suit our particular needs. Eleven cruises later, we now have a fair idea on what to book and what to avoid. A holiday is what you make of it and there will be good and bad points whichever you decide to choose. Btw, have you looked at doing a B2B out of Barcelona (5 days + next cruise)? If you book cruise only and arrange your own airfare, it usually doesn't work out any more expensive than sailing from the UK. We did that on Liberty and had a fabulous time ;)

 

Brit-Cruiser - I think you will be fine on the TA, most are seasoned cruisers that choose to book the TA routes.

[OnlyMe]

Hi,

I haven't read all the replies but just wanted to say that we too had the same concerns as you before our cruise in February and all I can say is please please don't believe those reviews! I have absolutely NO idea who could write reviews so bad for Indy - in 7 cruises I have to say that our recent Indy cruise was in the top 3.

You can find a mini review I did here: http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1588892

HTH

[dolphincrazy]

Isnt Butlins upmarket now??? We look at a holiday as being what we make it! You can't please everyone all the time and there are professional moaners out there!! I would still rather be on a cruise than sat at home ;)

 

 

Yes it is nice!!!

 

Well we are going to Butlins in June for our third year running.

 

I am sailing on IOTS in 2 weeks!

 

I can afford both and nothing wrong with a week at butlins with all the family either!!!

[Tamac100]

Isnt Butlins upmarket now??? We look at a holiday as being what we make it! You can't please everyone all the time and there are professional moaners out there!! I would still rather be on a cruise than sat at home ;)

 

 

Yes it is nice!!!

 

Well we are going to Butlins in June for our third year running.

 

I am sailing on IOTS in 2 weeks!

 

I can afford both and nothing wrong with a week at butlins with all the family either!!!

 

hi karen, sound like the perfect family to go cruising with!!! people need to remember life before forums and reviews!!!!

see you on indy in 2 weeks, we will have blast.

trude!

[Tamac100]

We actually felt quite responsible for our in-laws friends not enjoying their cruise on Indy. We had raved about all our varied cruises and what a great time we have when cruising, so they decided to book Indy out of Southampton during school holidays (something I would not have recommended as they don't have kids!). As a more mature couple, who wouldn't be using all the active facilities on Indy, I would have advised them to try Celebrity as I feel it would have been more suited to their needs.

 

When they returned, unfortunately they also compared it to a holiday camp: nappy changing (diapers for our US friends) in one of the bars whilst someone was performing, loutish behaviour and a general lack of respect for other guests. It may have just been a one off occurrence, however having read the reviews you refer to, I'm now starting to wonder?

 

We have never sailed from Southampton so I can't personally say what is the 'norm', however we have sailed from Barcelona and other Med ports, Venice, Rome etc, on several occasions and we love the mix of different nationalities. In fact, I'd say it adds to our cruise experience. We also prefer to fly a couple of hours in order to reach warmer weather/a new destination rather than take 2 days from the UK.

 

It's all about personal choice and everyone isn't looking for the same experience. Initially, for out first cruise, we found an excellent TA who advised us which cruise line and ship would suit our particular needs. Eleven cruises later, we now have a fair idea on what to book and what to avoid. A holiday is what you make of it and there will be good and bad points whichever you decide to choose. Btw, have you looked at doing a B2B out of Barcelona (5 days + next cruise)? If you book cruise only and arrange your own airfare, it usually doesn't work out any more expensive than sailing from the UK. We did that on Liberty and had a fabulous time ;)

 

Brit-Cruiser - I think you will be fine on the TA, most are seasoned cruisers that choose to book the TA routes.

 

big mistake there being a mature couple booking a cruise in school holidays -the question why on earth comes to mind, plenty of adult only and adult orientated cruise lines to choose from

[DaisyDoo246]

We sailed on the IoS in October 2010 and are back on her in June this year.

 

Pre the first cruise my husbnd was not convinced, not his bag and did it to humour me..........needless to say we are counting down the days as are the children (5, 11 & 14). My husband had an awesome time on the flowrider, we loved the casino, the kids loved the clubs and freedom, the food was amazing, the cabin was very spacious, the staff were second to none and the sun hardly came out so only 2 days in the pools!!

 

We have 2/3 hoildays a year and expect luxury accommodation, food and staff.......I would be highly suprised to find out you are disappointed on return.

 

Don't worry about the bad reviews............look forward to the cruise and enjoy the wow factor when you get on board!

[dolphincrazy]

 

hi karen, sound like the perfect family to go cruising with!!! people need to remember life before forums and reviews!!!!

see you on indy in 2 weeks, we will have blast.

trude!

 

 

Really looking forward to meeting you and your family x x

[wales4ever]

Was fine in february, check my review.

[celie1110]

This should give you an idea of what Butlins was about.

 

http://www.butlins75.com/slideshow.html

 

 

From 1970 or 1971, a typical scene from the main dining room.

 

 

 

From 1954

 

 

We have places like this in the US- they are called Dude Ranches or Family Resorts. We actually went to one in PA last Oct with my whole family and had a wonderful time.

I dont understand what is so bad about them?

[hbeaney]

i have also noticed that the reviews recently are quite negative we are due on it in nov it is our first cruise and i have had to persuade my husband to go on a cruise he believes it will be like going to butlins so these reviews are playing into his hands. alot of the complaints are about the norivirus this is very common when there is a lot of people especially at this time of year.it looks like the crew where doing what they could do to get rid of it.

 

We are on the Indie in Nov what date are you we are the 11, we did the Ult Med 18 ngts last Nov what a great time we had, one complaint not enough seats in the promenade but a word to guest relations and lots more seats were out the next day. There seems to be no pleasing some people, I expect things may not be as expected sometimes, but that applies to all holidays.

[guineapig]

I am mid 50's first time on Indy and sail on Sat, bit nervous as school hols-but I have no choice-I work in a school! hope the kids aren't running riot and parents control rather than ignore....

I have no choice when I go but I have cruised before in the holidays on 4 occasions now, mostly the Med, children on the whole were pretty good and I love the way you travel/relax and visit many different countries.

Others say its what you make it and I agree-there will be some obnoxious people with their own agendas-but generally most are polite and friendly.

Its a great way to see the world and meet new people. Have a great time.

[Lottycruiser]

big mistake there being a mature couple booking a cruise in school holidays -the question why on earth comes to mind, plenty of adult only and adult orientated cruise lines to choose from

 

I totally agree with you , besides aren't prices higher in school holidays ? We cruised with our grandkids last year and had to pay more because of school holidays , we accepted that that is the price you pay to accompany children and were also expecting there to be many children on board .

[Scotty G]

Hope the above helped explain.:D

 

I was going to post a link to their website but the slide show does the trick. I suppose Hyacinth wouldn't be caught dead at Butlins. ;)

[Gilpet]

Ok Peteukmcr, are you going to admit which one is you???

 

Gill

[jennywren46]

I cant resist replying again , were a mature couple 65/ 70. Its not the kids you have to worry about on Indy in our case weve come across really well behaved children having a great deal of fun with the well organised staff Its fellow OAPs who seem to have left their manners behind and made us feel ashamed at how rude some people can be.

[tactic]

Isnt Butlins upmarket now??? We look at a holiday as being what we make it! You can't please everyone all the time and there are professional moaners out there!! I would still rather be on a cruise than sat at home ;)

 

 

Yes it is nice!!!

 

Well we are going to Butlins in June for our third year running.

 

I am sailing on IOTS in 2 weeks!

 

I can afford both and nothing wrong with a week at butlins with all the family either!!!

 

 

My sil took her kids to butlins last year - they had a fab time and I know for a fact it wasnt a cheap holiday. Not too sure that people who quote IOS as being like Butlins really know what the modern day Butlins is like.

 

Enjoy your cruise, guess you get on as we get off :)

[ALGOR]

Having sailed on the Indy last March and stayed at Butlins last August, I can tell you there are very few comparisons, the only things I can think of are the queues for the shows which are very long and the consistant attempts by the venue to extract every last penny from you, thats where it ends. When it comes to accommodation, food and facilities they are worlds apart. If anyone comes accross a butlins cruise that is £700 a week let me know and Ill be on it:D

[Yellowfurbaby]

I am also going on the indy in August and cannot wait. No such silly comments about Butlins will put me off. We have saved hard for this cruise. It is our first one and I am determined to enjoy it. I also have been reading the reviews and it seems the last couple of cruises out of Southhampton to the Canaries people were not at all happy about. Lots mention the noravirus which of course would put a dampner on anyones holiday. The ship looks magnificent and I honestly cannot wait :D