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B2B Indy-Nov.22&30 - Anything you want checked?

In Toronto

By In Toronto,
in Royal Caribbean International

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In Toronto

In Toronto

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In Grand Cayman now at a Burger King with half hour wi fi.

 

Captain change as of November 30. We now have Captain Manolis Kasselas.

 

Another few thoughts -

2for1 drink specials every day except first day. In Schooner and Boleros at 3:30 - 4:30.

 

Lobster tail was excellent - best I have had on a cruise ship in years!

 

Turn around day took 2 hours so a little slow. They provided a special lunch in the MDR.

 

Ice Show was fantastic - Not to be missed!!!

Second week will be a different ice show so that is great - Really looking forward to it.

 

Boleros has fantastic Latin dance music!

 

Free time running out so have to end for now.

 

Oh, almost forgot. Scrapbook kit is available on the ship - looks good and also they had a scrapbook session.

 

Will try to post again but if not will do at home.

 

Regards, ellen

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Schpoompie

Schpoompie

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Is there a logo shop on Indy? Do they have things like the ship models, hats etc.

 

Will be doing a back to back in January =)

We're on board this week as well. We did visit the general store and there is some logo merchandise. We did see the ship model, and they have some things like pens, pencils, erasers, that type of stuff. There is only one magnet that actually says Independence of the Seas. We bought it:). Gotta have that magnet. It's a small, pewter type magnet and cost $8.00. Not sure about hats. There are some, but I can't remember if they had the ship logo on them. Lot's of stuff with the Royal Caribbean logo. They were moving shelves and relocating things so they may be starting to switch up the merchandise since the ship is back in the USA permanently now.

 

Pulling in to Jamaica right now. Happy Cruising!!!

 

~ Rachel

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CRUISEBOY305

CRUISEBOY305

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We're on board this week as well. We did visit the general store and there is some logo merchandise. We did see the ship model, and they have some things like pens, pencils, erasers, that type of stuff. There is only one magnet that actually says Independence of the Seas. We bought it:). Gotta have that magnet. It's a small, pewter type magnet and cost $8.00. Not sure about hats. There are some, but I can't remember if they had the ship logo on them. Lot's of stuff with the Royal Caribbean logo. They were moving shelves and relocating things so they may be starting to switch up the merchandise since the ship is back in the USA permanently now.

 

Pulling in to Jamaica right now. Happy Cruising!!!

 

~ Rachel

 

That's Rachel, have fun in Jamaica. :D

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In Toronto

In Toronto

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Reporting in again. In Fort Lauderdale airport waiting for flight home.

 

Couldn't get connected in Falmouth.

 

The 6 night cruise was very good. Not as many guests this week by quite a bit. Nevertheless the pool area was PACKED on sea days.

 

The H2O zone for young children was super. Kids having a ball.

 

Really smooth sailing.

 

The first week ice show was "Strings" and second week was "Frozen in Time". Both excellent - second weeks show was very fast paced and even young children will love it.

 

Invitation to Dance was very good. 2 out of the 3 comedians were good. We were dis appointed in Once upon a Time. Just not our thing.

 

The Latin group was excellent in Boleros and the place was packed each evening with dancers and non dancers. Mega 4 is a Caribbean group and quite good. Rock the Boat group good.

 

Our D2 balcony cabin on deck 8 was a fair size with nice size balcony. Would definitely book again. Our room attendant, Halstead, was excellent.

 

Really all service was very good. Even though we don't tip extra, bar service was friendly and efficient. Loved sitting up at Olive &Twist around 4 for a quiet drink looking out at the seas.

 

Could not get an email address for CD. Assistant CD said they could not give out and it has to go through hard office.

 

All for now.

 

Ellen

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UNV-IT!!!

UNV-IT!!!

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Reporting in again. In Fort Lauderdale airport waiting for flight home.

 

Couldn't get connected in Falmouth.

 

The 6 night cruise was very good. Not as many guests this week by quite a bit. Nevertheless the pool area was PACKED on sea days.

 

The H2O zone for young children was super. Kids having a ball.

 

Really smooth sailing.

 

The first week ice show was "Strings" and second week was "Frozen in Time". Both excellent - second weeks show was very fast paced and even young children will love it.

 

Invitation to Dance was very good. 2 out of the 3 comedians were good. We were dis appointed in Once upon a Time. Just not our thing.

 

The Latin group was excellent in Boleros and the place was packed each evening with dancers and non dancers. Mega 4 is a Caribbean group and quite good. Rock the Boat group good.

 

Our D2 balcony cabin on deck 8 was a fair size with nice size balcony. Would definitely book again. Our room attendant, Halstead, was excellent.

 

Really all service was very good. Even though we don't tip extra, bar service was friendly and efficient. Loved sitting up at Olive &Twist around 4 for a quiet drink looking out at the seas.

 

Could not get an email address for CD. Assistant CD said they could not give out and it has to go through hard office.

 

All for now.

 

Ellen

 

It was Olive or Twist. Ship was great.

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In Toronto

In Toronto

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What did some of you do in St. Maarten? We are cruising Indy on the Valentine's Day sailing for 8 days, and are considering doing the Orient Beach excursion, so looking to hear what others did there.

 

We took a cab ($20.00 for 2, includes a tip) to Simpson Bay and returned to Karakter Bar and Restaurant for the day. We did the same thing last year but bussed it. I had slightly twisted my foot at the Cha Cha lesson so we cabbed it this time. Karakter Bar is fabulous. Loungers and umbrella right at water are free as long as you eat/drink at the bar. Don't need to spend a lot - We spent $30.00 and there was no problem. Good service.

The restaurant staff called cab for us when we were ready to leave.

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In Toronto

In Toronto

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Another couple of bits of info - We found the casino very smoky, even the non-smoking section. I am a former smoker (25 years ago) and usually quite tolerant of a little smoke but found the casino really "stinky"!

 

Our balcony was starboard side and felt that most of the time the port side got the better view while in port. Only exception was both times in Labadee. If possible, I would choose Port Side for both of Independence itineraries. However, certainly would not be the most important reason for choosing a cabin.

 

Flowrider looked like so much fun. We did not do it but enjoyed watching several times. Great for young people. Always busy. You can participate in a group lesson or have lessons for your own private group. $69.00 per person for the group lesson.

 

Ellen

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#1packerfan

#1packerfan

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Just off the ship on December 6th. Not much logo merchandise in the shops. I was disappointed because I have the square glass/pewter shotglass from every Royal ship I have been on and could not get it on Indy. They do have the ship model, but not the coffee cups/water cups/nylon pouches/luggage tags, etc like most of the ships have.

 

Hopefully at some point they will add those items so that when my sister goes on her in a year, she will be able to get the shot glasses.

 

But the ice show was one of the best I have ever seen. The 2 production shows were fantastic IMO. We had a great time and I would not hesitate to book on Indy again if the itinerary was what I wanted.

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In Toronto

In Toronto

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Who is the Cruise Director right now? Can you get a copy of the officers and staff on board?

 

Thanks!

 

Cruise Director for November 22nd and November 30th sailing was Jamie Fentiman. A bit "over the top" but we enjoyed him. Could be very funny.

 

Captain 2nd week was Manolis Kasselas. Had nothing to do with him so couldn't tell you anything. But, we had a good smooth sailing and arrived back in Fort Lauderdale safely so that is all I ask of a Captain.

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In Toronto

In Toronto

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I just booked a six night for IOS in Feb. What night should I book the ice show for? I don't want to miss it, I've heard so many good things about it!

 

You get your tickets to the ice show on the second morning (sea day) from 8:30 on. Long line but don't worry, they didn't run out either of our B2B cruises. Not reserved seats so doesn't matter if you are first or last. Although they give out tickets for 4 shows each week and I guess if you want a particular show, you should get there before 8:30.

 

We had no trouble each week getting our preferred time.

 

On both 6 & 8 night cruises show times were at 3 and 5 p.m. on Day 2 and 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Day 4.

 

One place that is a ZOO, is lining up to get in to the show - No rhyme or reason to lineup. Only time I saw a bit of rudeness of passengers to each other. A word of advise - go and look at the ice rink sometime before the show and scope out where the best seats would be and make for that area.

 

Also, note. Those without tickets can line up at show time and are let in about 10 minutes before show starts. That is why it states on tickets to arrive at least 10 minutes before.

 

Ellen

 

Do Not Miss the Ice Shows!

Edited by In Toronto
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Paulette3028

Paulette3028

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Cruise Director for November 22nd and November 30th sailing was Jamie Fentiman. A bit "over the top" but we enjoyed him. Could be very funny.

 

Captain 2nd week was Manolis Kasselas. Had nothing to do with him so couldn't tell you anything. But, we had a good smooth sailing and arrived back in Fort Lauderdale safely so that is all I ask of a Captain.

 

Jamie Fentiman, sounds a bit like Allan Brooks, who we had as CD on Allure last summer. If he is still on Indy, in February, we will probably enjoy him if he is still the CD then.

 

Thanks for sharing....and you are right -- I am not enamored with meeting the Captain....my only desire is for the captain to provide a smooth sailing and arrival at all ports of call SAFELY....with that the captain has done a TERRIFIC job.

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