Independence of the Seas - Review

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

We just sailed the Indy 3/23/14 - 3/29/14 and WOW! What an awesome experience. The past few years we ventured out from RCI to see what else was out there (Disney, Carnival & Princess). We are LOYAL TO ROYAL! The food was great and the service was exceptional!

 

Day 1 was a little hectic as we had to drive a few hours to the port. One person in our party (that was already in Ft. Lauderdale at a hotel) forgot to pack an important item - Underwear! So we drove around for about an hour (it was early) to find a store that was open. We finally found a Target in West Palm Beach and then we were on our way. The port was very hectic as usual. DH dropped off myself and DD and headed out to find parking. The porter gave him the incorrect directions and he couldn't find parking anywhere. All the lots were either closed or full. A nice port employee heard me on the phone with my very frustrated DH and offered to help. He took my phone and gave him directions to the midport parking garage where he finally found a parking spot. He then had to wait for a shuttle. A bus pulled over and must of thought he was crew. The driver offered to take him off property and then drive him to the Indy. He said the van was full of crew members so he declined and waited patiently. A shuttle came about 5 minutes later and he finally arrived at the port.

 

We then headed in to check in. The security line moved very quickly. We had 3 - 1 liter bottles of Evian with us and 1 bottle of wine. They pulled DH over after x-ray machine and searched his bag. It was no problem but I think they were just checking to make sure he didn't have more than 1 bottle of wine. We then proceeded to the check in. They had separate lines for general passengers, gold, platinum, emerald, diamond etc.... We are gold so walked right up to an agent. It was about noon. We did not have to sit around - we boarded right away. Once we got on the ship we headed to our cabin and they stopped us on Deck 8 and said no cabins will be ready until 1:30pm. No worries! We did not want to deal with the crowd in the Windjammer so we went to Sorrentos for pizza and it was empty! Best choice ever! They also had panninis and small sandwiches.

[kwazi07]

We just sailed the Indy 3/23/14 - 3/29/14 and WOW! What an awesome experience. The past few years we ventured out from RCI to see what else was out there (Disney, Carnival & Princess). We are LOYAL TO ROYAL! The food was great and the service was exceptional!

 

Day 1 was a little hectic as we had to drive a few hours to the port. One person in our party (that was already in Ft. Lauderdale at a hotel) forgot to pack an important item - Underwear! So we drove around for about an hour (it was early) to find a store that was open. We finally found a Target in West Palm Beach and then we were on our way. The port was very hectic as usual. DH dropped off myself and DD and headed out to find parking. The porter gave him the incorrect directions and he couldn't find parking anywhere. All the lots were either closed or full. A nice port employee heard me on the phone with my very frustrated DH and offered to help. He took my phone and gave him directions to the midport parking garage where he finally found a parking spot. He then had to wait for a shuttle. A bus pulled over and must of thought he was crew. The driver offered to take him off property and then drive him to the Indy. He said the van was full of crew members so he declined and waited patiently. A shuttle came about 5 minutes later and he finally arrived at the port.

 

We then headed in to check in. The security line moved very quickly. We had 3 - 1 liter bottles of Evian with us and 1 bottle of wine. They pulled DH over after x-ray machine and searched his bag. It was no problem but I think they were just checking to make sure he didn't have more than 1 bottle of wine. We then proceeded to the check in. They had separate lines for general passengers, gold, platinum, emerald, diamond etc.... We are gold so walked right up to an agent. It was about noon. We did not have to sit around - we boarded right away. Once we got on the ship we headed to our cabin and they stopped us on Deck 8 and said no cabins will be ready until 1:30pm. No worries! We did not want to deal with the crowd in the Windjammer so we went to Sorrentos for pizza and it was empty! Best choice ever! They also had panninis and small sandwiches.

 

Nice review so far! Do you have any pics?

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk. Please excuse any typographical errors.

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

I do have pics - I'm uploading to Photo Bucket now and will figure out how to post :)

[kwazi07]

I do have pics - I'm uploading to Photo Bucket now and will figure out how to post :)

 

Copy the photo URL into the post. I think you have to have on both sides of the photo URL.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk. Please excuse any typographical errors.

[mikensuenfl]

DW,myself,my son and his family were on this cruise.this might of been the best cruise on rc that we have ever taken. saying this after being on rc approx. 78 cruises,, ship is in great shape, staff is outstanding ,starting from capt remo and his lovely wife tova.the friendliest staff that we have ever sailed. it was so very wonderful to be with our dear friends who we know working on the indy.6 days was just too short.. service and food was outstanding.lobster tails were great.looking forward to sailing on her again.. indy is great..

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

DW,myself,my son and his family were on this cruise.this might of been the best cruise on rc that we have ever taken. saying this after being on rc approx. 78 cruises,, ship is in great shape, staff is outstanding ,starting from capt remo and his lovely wife tova.the friendliest staff that we have ever sailed. it was so very wonderful to be with our dear friends who we know working on the indy.6 days was just too short.. service and food was outstanding.lobster tails were great.looking forward to sailing on her again.. indy is great..

 

We felt the same way! The service was one of the best we have ever experienced on any cruise! The crew was outstanding and our cabin steward always greeted us by name.

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

[Scoobydobe7]

Love to hear this. We are boarding next Sunday!!!!

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

We decided to enjoy sailaway on our balcony - less crowded and a great view! We were in cabin 8610 - awesome location and the balcony was huge! A few minutes before sailaway a passenger arrived via taxi screaming please don't leave me! She ran up to the fence and said my flight was delayed by 5 hours and her husband was on his way and would be there in 5 minutes. They took her passport and a crew member got on the phone. She was crying I felt so bad for her. The ship waited about 20 minutes and she kept saying he will be here in 5 minutes. Well the ship said sorry and told her she couldn't board. We felt so bad for her. She was crying and on the phone with her husband yelling the ship is right here but they won't wait. I wonder what ever happened - if they flew to Grand Cayman and met up with us or not. That, my fellow cruisers is why we drive to the port EARLY or arrive the night before and stay in a hotel.

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

Our luggage came so quickly! We unpacked a little and then decided to head up to the H2O zone so DD could swim.

 

 

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

 

 

 

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

The food was delicious. IMO it was a step above Carnival in the dining room. Carnival does has an edge on the dining options for casual lunch.

 

French toast for breakfast in the dining room

 

 

DD had pancakes and loaded it up with all the good stuff

 

[krisko]

Thanks for the review, we're doing Indy 6nt next week.

 

Do you remember if there was a 70s and/or 80s party in the promenade or disco? My daughter wants to put together a couple outfits.

[mikensuenfl]

another quick note. we booked park-n-go,to leave our car.great service, fast service in and out,friendly drivers.and a surprise final touch,on checkout they give you 2 bottles of cold water. oh, my bath towel is still on the bathroom floor.. something must be wrong..oh my,back to reality.

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

We do prefer the dining room for breakfast when available. We are early risers so there was never a wait. Here is a pic in the dining room during breakfast. I apologize I'm not the best photographer but did my best. :) You can order off the menu or go to this mini buffet where there was fresh fruit, yogart, cereal and toppings like nuts, coconut, candy, sprinkles etc.. This was just one side.

 

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

Thanks for the review, we're doing Indy 6nt next week.

 

Do you remember if there was a 70s and/or 80s party in the promenade or disco? My daughter wants to put together a couple outfits.

 

There was a 70's Disco Inferno at 10:30 on Day 5 in the Promenade and from 11PM - midnight there was a 70's afterparty hour with DJ Supreme in the Labyrinth nightclub.

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

another quick note. we booked park-n-go,to leave our car.great service, fast service in and out,friendly drivers.and a surprise final touch,on checkout they give you 2 bottles of cold water. oh, my bath towel is still on the bathroom floor.. something must be wrong..oh my,back to reality.

 

Good to know for future! I was thinking the same thing this morning - where is my breakfast - oh I had to make it. :(

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

[Poorplaya]

Loving this review and information, we will be on the Indy April 26th for nights, very glad to hear about the food and service!!! I'll be checking in for updates on this one for sure!

 

 

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[CaribbeanH2OLover]

The Royal Promenade

 

 

The casino

 

 

The schooner bar

 

 

The theatre

 

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

Lots of fun!

 

The rock climbing wall

 

 

Mini Golf

 

 

Arcade

 

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

More to come........

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

Loving this review and information, we will be on the Indy April 26th for nights, very glad to hear about the food and service!!! I'll be checking in for updates on this one for sure!

 

You will love it!