Observations about our Indy cruise Jan. 12

[39august]

Embarckation and debarkation were so quick and painless. We were at the terminal about 10:50 and on board at 11:10. Our debarkation group was 3 and we were let off at about 5 min. after 7 AM. and were at our airport gate at 8:20 for a 10:45 AM flight. We ate all our meals in the WJ and service was absolutly great at each meal. The food was very good to excellent particularly at Jade. Only on the last night was the food rather limited and disaapointing...except for the key lime pie! We never did receive a flyer for luggage valet, though we couldn't have used it with our flight time. But I was watching how and if luggage valet was offered on Indy, as there have been conflicting reports about whether Indy even does luggage valet. So on the last day I inquired at Guest Services and was told that yes, they do offer luggage valet, but you have to go to GS to request the form. On other ships the form is distrubted to all cabins on a specific day. I also inquired if Grand Suites and above get complimentary luggage valet. Last Jan. the staff on Indy was ignorant of this perk. The GS rep I was speaking with assured me that, yes, suite pax do get complimentary lv. So, apparently this is a glich that has been corrected. The fee for "late night" room service is from 10 PM to 6 AM on Indy. Happy with the new towel policy. Great non-smoking inside except for about half of the casino. The posted non-smoking areas incompass about half of the casino. There were 310 D, D+ anf P on board. So the entire Viking Crown was the Diamond Lounge overflow area 5-8:30 PM each night. Concierge Raj in the CL remember us from last year and was very friendly and accomodating. Mel the Diamond concierge makes sure to chat with everyone during the cruise. She is very visable and the staff in both lounges were excellent. Ice show was outstanding as well. Diamond + were also included in the special seating areas in the theater and ice rink. First ship I have been on that this was the case. Had a great time and am booking a b2b on Indy for next January.

[budgirl63]

Thanks for the post. We were wondering about the valet service. We will be on her February 1st. Can't wait.

[jo24]

Thank you for the great information. Sounds as though you had a wonderful cruise!

 

Jo :)

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Our experience on Indy in December was very similar to yours. In addition the ship was beautifully decorated for Christmas.

 

My only complaint was that we wished we had a little more time in San Juan and in Labadee, but I realize the distance involved in these itineraries made longer port calls impossible.

 

We were blessed with wonderful weather, but,of course, that is never the ship's doing or its fault if the weather is bad.

 

Raj was the concierge on our cruise too. We never did make it into the Diamond lounge this cruise, maybe because we had family with us who are still Platinum. So we spent lots of pleasant time with them. I didn't miss the D lounge much, strangely enough.

 

We had sailed on Independence when it was brand new. I feel that it has retained its appearance very well. I thought it still looked brand new!

 

If I could change only one thing on Indy--and it is minor--I would change the fact that it normally leaves Port Everglades last after six other ships, sometimes as late as seven or seven-thirty. The sail away is a part of cruising I especially enjoy, but with Indy it is often at dinner time unless one has late seating.

 

The late departure is most likely because of Indy's dock position far south at Port Everglades with two ships in front of it. It would be difficult to squeeze past those two other cruise ships.

 

We'd gladly sail Indy again if the timing and itinerary was right for us.

[LucasLounger1]

I'm just gagging to get back on Indy on February 1st. Do you recall if there were curry dishes in the Windjammer and MDR? There were last year and I lived on them. Some of my traveling companions this time are English and of course love their curries. In fact I used that as a temptation to get them to book!

[39august]

Lots of curries in the Windjammer at Jade. Also a few in the main part of the WJ at dinner. You would probably also enjoy the Mongolian BBQ at dinner in the WJ. I think it was the third night of our 6 night cruise.

[drarill]

Great review! thanks for sharing your cruise with us!:):)

[land_8234]

We are sailing Indy on Feb 9th. Thanks for the great info! Can't wait for some sun!!!

[Babs from Bston]

We are traveling on Indy on Feb 23rd...I have not heard of the "luggage valet". We fly out of FLL at 1:50 p.m. after the cruise....is this something we should look into?

 

Thanks....

[Clarea]

We are traveling on Indy on Feb 23rd...I have not heard of the "luggage valet". We fly out of FLL at 1:50 p.m. after the cruise....is this something we should look into?

 

Thanks....

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=luggage_valet_service

Edited January 20, 2014 by clarea

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

I'm just gagging to get back on Indy on February 1st. Do you recall if there were curry dishes in the Windjammer and MDR? There were last year and I lived on them. Some of my traveling companions this time are English and of course love their curries. In fact I used that as a temptation to get them to book!

 

I remember the good old days when the MDR had a different curry on the menu every single night. About a year ago that changed and the curry is not reliably featured on the menu. I really miss that because I ordered curry every night. Someone told me they will bring you curry if you make a special request. I haven't done so, so I don't know if that is true.

 

I hope you folks have a great cruise on Indy.