Bad reviews of Independence are freaking me out!

[littlesteelo]

We were on the Independence for 18 days this past November and December. There were 3000 plus Brits and perhaps a dozen or so Americans. It was a cultural immersion as the food, entertainment and activities catered to British tastes - in some cases very different from American tastes. This was a surprise for us, but all in all, a good cruise experience. The bars (other than the pub) were often empty. Bartenders and other staff told us that tips were scarce and that most staff on the Independence were looking to other ships for their next contracts. The staff was friendly and helpful as they have been on other RCI ships. When the Independence moves to the Caribbean it will most likely be different - a change in food, entertainment, and activities - more American and fewer British. By the way, I did learn how to pour a Guiness like an Irishman!

 

There were quite a few Americans when I sailed in July 2010. I know there are things like back bacon in the Windjammer (I prefer the streaky american style) and kettles in the cabins, but I still felt like I was on an American ship. It was a nice balance between the two, as opposed to P&O, where it is almost 'too British'. The cruise director is usually Joff Eaton or Graham Seymour, so the entertainment has that British twist to it. I don't see why the bars were empty, they were always full on my cruise. The thing which doesn't attract Brits like it does Americans however is the casino.

 

Regarding tipping, I consider it rude not to tip, and always make sure I do it. I think the British attitude to tipping is different to that in the US. Most people will tip generously for outstanding service, and that would be my definition of a tip, to reward staff doing a fantastic job, but if the service is standard some people consider that to be what they paid for, and feel no need to tip as much.

[Ocean Boy]

When the Independence moves to the Caribbean it will most likely be different - a change in food, entertainment, and activities - more American and fewer British. By the way, I did learn how to pour a Guiness like an Irishman!

 

Two years ago we were on Independence 2-3 cruises before the ship was going to cross the Atlantic to go to Britain. Some of the crew told me that many of them were unhappy about the move as they didn't want to leave the Caribbean as they got to see their families fairly regularly with the itineraries that the ship was sailing and they also did not want to be in Europe when it turned cold. So I agree, the environment on the ship may be quite different when Indy gets back to the Caribbean.

[Gilpet]

I love the Independence, we've sailed on her three times already with two more cruises booked for this year. There was a similar thread on here a couple of weeks ago so it would probably be useful to you to have a look at that as well.

 

It's interesting to note that the only negative comments that are relevent to this thread are from the US passengers. As for the Brit hater I'm surprised the comment hasn't been removed!!

 

I think the tipping issue isn't so much that UK passengers don't tip but that we tip for good service - having paid an additional 15% gratuity for every drink I would expect (and have always received) good service but I would only consider adding an additional amount for really outstanding service, something out of the ordinary. In any other situation other than cruising nobody, regardless of nationality, would ever consider tipping for good service before they have received it - does anybody go into a restaurant ashore and tip the waiter before they have had their meal or tipped a taxi-driver before they arrive at their destination? I don't think so. Despite this we always pay our gratuities up-front on RCI and have always given an additional amount to our room steward and waiters because of the excellent service we have received.

 

I hope you decide to stick with Independence and have a fantastic holiday.

 

Gill

[Gingerbint]

We sailed the Indy in 2010, again on the Canaries cruise last year, going on the TA in Nov this year and already booked for next year too.

We love her, the staff and crew are great and we can't wait to go back!

There is more British aboard as she sails from Southampton then we've had on any other ship but we don't frequent the pub so not an issue, we love the quizzes and there's enough people to meet to avoid the ones you don't want to talk to!

Remember if you have a good experience you tell maybe one or two people but if you have a bad one you tell as many people that will listen. It is the same with reviews.

Everyone has an opinion and it's your that counts, go on you hols, have fun and ignore the reviews!

[jetta8300]

Do you care to elaborate?

 

And thanks to the other posters. The reviews I was reading were all Southampton to Canary Islands cruises...it really did scare me.

 

I guess there is a lot to be said about not reading reviews and working myself up! (I'm also doing that with the Port of Falmouth, Jamaica page...yikes!)

 

Our first cruise was last year, and I was a bit worked up about going to the Bahamas, most reviews I read said they didn't even get off of the boat the port was so horrible! It ended up being our favorite port of the entire trip! (out of St. Thomas, Antigua, and Tortola!) We spent a wonderful day riding the lazy river and touring the aquariums at the Atlantis Resort.

 

I have read similar things about Falmouth for our upcoming cruise. However i'm sure this time we will have a wonderful day, I'm not listening to ANYONE'S negativity! :D We are going to the Breezes resort to eat, drink, and sunbathe the day away! I'm sure you will have a great time! It is what YOU make of it.

[sanwin]

I would agree that certain European passengers can be extremely rude, loud,and ignorant !!

But so can some of the 'British' passengers !!!

Scotish folks are very sociable as are the N.Irish and the Welsh.......but some English people can give the majority English a bad name !...and they are the ones who complain the most !!

 

Everyone has different tastes in food, in enterainment etc....so OP just go on your cruise and enjoy...your holiday is what you make it ...and on the plus side the ship is big enough to avoid the people who queue at customer services to complain !!!!

[Ocean Boy]

I'm not sure what the issue seems to be with British people. I have spent time in London and I have nothing but good feelings toward the city and its people.

[postmeome]

So we are booked on Independence in Jan. 2013 for a West Caribbean sailing. I see that Independence has been doing Southampton to Canary Islands sailings for awhile now...and scrolling through the more recent reviews, so many of them are bad!

 

Bad food, bad service, bad crowds...yikes!

 

I don't get it...Freedom is praised roundly, and Independence is the same ship...shouldn't it be roughly the same experience?

 

Now I'm worried there was a reason this particular ship was so deeply discounted in Jan. 2013.

 

Any advice or encouragement out there? (Of course, if I hit the mega millions jackpot tonight, I will dump this reservation and book the biggest suite on Oasis!)

don't worry,

Indy is a fantastic ship and so are the people who sail on her wether it be moaning brits or loud and arrogant americans:)

[littlesteelo]

don't worry,

Indy is a fantastic ship and so are the people who sail on her wether it be moaning brits or loud and arrogant americans:)

 

Well said! :D

[postmeome]

I would agree that certain European passengers can be extremely rude, loud,and ignorant !!

But so can some of the 'British' passengers !!!

Scotish folks are very sociable as are the N.Irish and the Welsh.......but some English people can give the majority English a bad name !...and they are the ones who complain the most !!

 

Everyone has different tastes in food, in enterainment etc....so OP just go on your cruise and enjoy...your holiday is what you make it ...and on the plus side the ship is big enough to avoid the people who queue at customer services to complain !!!!

thats the first time i have ever heard someone from belfast not swear,

wow you give the "irish" a good name:D

[sanwin]

thats the first time i have ever heard someone from belfast not swear,

wow you give the "irish" a good name:D

 

 

 

 

 

I don't think swearing is clever....I am a very pleasant Northern Irish person from Belfast !!!..I am the daughter of an English mum...an Irish dad....married to a Scot !!!....so the only 'British' race I can't speak for is the Welsh..lol

 

Sandra :D

[Ocean Boy]

I don't think swearing is clever....I am a very pleasant Northern Irish person from Belfast !!!..I am the daughter of an English mum...an Irish dad....married to a Scot !!!....so the only 'British' race I can't speak for is the Welsh..lol

 

Sandra :D

 

I spent time with a group from Belfast in a London pub one evening. I have great memories of those folks too.:)

[postmeome]

I don't think swearing is clever....I am a very pleasant Northern Irish person from Belfast !!!..I am the daughter of an English mum...an Irish dad....married to a Scot !!!....so the only 'British' race I can't speak for is the Welsh..lol

 

Sandra :D

you did speak of the welch:rolleyes:

[stuartgrn]

Don't freak out! Our very first cruise was on Indy - 4 nights just to see what it was like. We liked that cruise so booked a 10 night cruise. We loved that so much we are gong back on Indy in June around the Med. The ship will just blow your mind - it's huge with so much to do. If you want to be with the crowds there's a place on Indy, if you want a quite place to read and relax there's a place on Indy. Like rock music? There's a place on Indy. Like Jazz? You guest it, a place on Indy. I think your getting my drift ... the ship is big enough to accommodate any need you have whether that is partying all night or something more down to earth. We found ALL the staff happy and wanting to help make your holiday just what you wanted it to be. We've been on other RCI ships around the Med and one of the things we really noticed more on Indy was that on formal night LOADS of people make an effort - it's really nice to see everyone dressed up and makes for a great atmosphere on the ship. Hope you enjoy Indy as much as we have!

[blu.beaver]

Hi guys first post and just completed our first cruise which was on the Independence of the Seas (17/03) , arrived back in Glasgow this afternoon ... have just checked my bedroom and no Swan, no penguin, no Compass if the service in this house doesn't improve soon I may have to book another sooner than I expected ... Joking aside it has been one the best holidays I have ever experienced from the minute I boarded until we left the ship this morning it was fantastic ... Here's to the next one ...

[wales4ever]

I fully understand blu.beaver.... When I returned home, I put my used towel in the bottom of the shower and it was still there the next day....

[Lottycruiser]

I fully understand blu.beaver.... When I returned home, I put my used towel in the bottom of the shower and it was still there the next day....

 

You need to tip your housekeeper more :D

[heatherb1958]

We returned today from our 9th cruise on Independence and already have our 10th one booked for later this year.

 

The crew on board are FANTASTIC and have recently worked tirelessly under extreme conditions due to the illness on board the previous two sailings though you couldn't tell it by the time we boarded where everything was back to normal , there were smiles everywhere and a warm welcome.

 

Of all the food I ate the only complaint I had was the scrambled eggs in the Windjammer at breakfast were too sloppy and on this sailing the veg was overcooked.The reason the veg was overcooked was because previous cruisers had complained the veg was too al dente !!!! You cannot please 100% of the people 100% of the time.

 

Indie has two ice shows and they are by far some of the best on the RCI ships.

 

The ship itself is well maintained and kept spotless.

 

Indie will be sorely missed by RCI fans here in the UK who don't like to fly to their cruises, fortunately we are not in that category.

 

I met a young man from Northern Ireland who was on his first cruise with his wife and thought the ship was brilliant, enjoyed everything about it and was booking again for next year,

[Chrisconn]

I do feel better now! The last reviews of this ship in a Caribbean itinerary are from years ago...I'm sure it will be great. Thanks everyone!

[Phillies14]

I hated the staff on the IOS but they might be better now.

What part of the "staff" did you hate or was it everybody??:rolleyes::rolleyes:

[wendyatpml]

We were on the INDY in Oct. 2011 cruising to the Canary Islands. There were only 65 Americans on that trip. I loved it! So much so that we're going back this Oct. 2012 to do the Med Treasures trip. Read my review. I loved the trip and the ship!