Semi-Live Review Independence of the Seas March 7th-12th. It's my 40th Birthday!!!

[ridge123]

Thank you for sharing! Waiting for more 

[Coralc]

That first photo with the lighthouse in Nassau and Atlantis in the background is beautiful! Thanks for sharing it! 

Edited March 10, 2020 by Coralc

[perfect match]

Hope you’re having a great birthday 🎂 Cruise! I’m enjoying following along with you. 😀

 

You mentioned that Playmakers is near the casino. Any issues with smoke from the casino finding it’s way into Playmakers?

[danoconnl]

It's pretty big and plenty of tables far from the casino.  there are sliding doors that close between playmakers and the casino.  Last year I didn't notice the smoke at all.

 

Dan

[manders175]

Dinner on night grill was at Izumi Hibachi. Wanted a birthday treat and this place did not disappoint! We booked on the Cruise Planner before we boarded and it was $45 per person. 

 

Included in that $45 was edamame appetizer, with a salad with the ginger dressing. For main course, you got to select your choice of 2 meats which were chicken, beef, steak, lobster, shrimp, or scallops. You also got fried rice and vegetables. If you had enough room left over dessert was included as well. I did not have room. Haha. 

 

Sushi rolls and miso soup were also available for purchase. If you pre paid online for dinner you will be charged for the sushi and soup at the end of dinner to your sea pass card. 

 

Our chef Junard was really funny and made dinner really great and interactive! 

[manders175]

I forgot to post that earlier in the day we visited Independence Dunes. It is found on Deck 12 mid ship, by the kids activities. If you are at the Sports area on deck 12 aft you actually have to go down to deck 11, walk towards mid ship and then up another set of steps to the dunes. 

 

There are 9 holes, and you get some awesome views while playing. 

[manders175]

There are 3 main pool areas on this ship, all found on Deck 11. Of course mid ship is the main pool area with the tv big screen and 2 salt water pools. 

 

If you had aft from the main pool you will find Splash Away Bay, or the kiddie area. 

 

If you go forward from the main pool you will find the adults only solarium pool including 2 bigger hot tubes that hang over each side of the ship! 

[manders175]

5 hours ago, perfect match said:

Hope you’re having a great birthday 🎂 Cruise! I’m enjoying following along with you. 😀

 

You mentioned that Playmakers is near the casino. Any issues with smoke from the casino finding it’s way into Playmakers?

Hi! Did not notice any smoke from the casino at Playmakers. Like Dan said, those sliding doors going into the casino really help to keep the smoke out. 

[manders175]

That night we went to the Freeze Frame Ice Show in Studio B. This is where they also have hours for open skate through out the week (make sure you bring long pants and socks) and set up Laser Tag. 

 

Go see the Ice Show! These guys and gals are so incredibly talented. 

[manders175]

Here is the cruise compass from Day 3. Next up is Perfect Day at Coco Cay! 

[manders175]

Today was Perfect Day at Cococay! The last time we were here was before the upgrades and this island is completely overhauled! As a disclaimer, it was 72 degrees and 25 mph winds, and the water was freezing! If I had bought a waterpark pass I would have been disappointed but on a hot day would have been perfect!

 

Plenty of areas to chill for the day, splash with your kiddos, or adventure out to zip line and take on the water slides! 

 

There were plenty of food places and restrooms on the island. We were in port with Mariner today and the island never felt over crowded. 

[ridge123]

8 minutes ago, manders175 said:

Today was Perfect Day at Cococay! The last time we were here was before the upgrades and this island is completely overhauled! As a disclaimer, it was 72 degrees and 25 mph winds, and the water was freezing! If I had bought a waterpark pass I would have been disappointed but on a hot day would have been perfect!

 

Plenty of areas to chill for the day, splash with your kiddos, or adventure out to zip line and take on the water slides! 

 

There were plenty of food places and restrooms on the island. We were in port with Mariner today and the island never felt over crowded. 

 

I love your pictures! 

 

With 25mph wind, was the ship swaying a lot when it was sailing? Do you feel seasick? 

[LBumb]

great photos

happy birthday

[manders175]

43 minutes ago, ridge123 said:

 

I love your pictures! 

 

With 25mph wind, was the ship swaying a lot when it was sailing? Do you feel seasick? 

The ship has been rocking pretty bad off and on since we left port in Ft Lauderdale. I have not gotten sick at all, but if this was my first cruise it would have been bad I think. My 5th cruise, this is probably the worst I've had it so far. 

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, manders175 said:

My 5th cruise, this is probably the worst I've had it so far. 

The typical sign that things are getting rough is when the staff ties barf bags to the handrails in the stairwells.

[Coralc]

30 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

The typical sign that things are getting rough is when the staff ties barf bags to the handrails in the stairwells.

 

People were carrying them around on Majesty in early February. I've never seen that before. Usually if people feel bad enough they go back to their cabin instead of socializing. 

Edited March 11, 2020 by Coralc

[CruiseGirl4ever]

Enjoying your review - thanks so much! We'll be on Liberty in August. Happy birthday to you!

[manders175]

3 hours ago, Biker19 said:

The typical sign that things are getting rough is when the staff ties barf bags to the handrails in the stairwells.

You must be on the same cruise with me? Lol

[manders175]

Dinner tonight was in the Windjammer(the buffet), theme Mexican night. I will post some pics of the Windjammer from the last week, complete with the Washy Washy guys!! 

 

Windjammer is on Deck 11 aft, and you will also find Chops Grill and Giovanni's Table right inside the entrance. 

[manders175]

Tonight was 80's night on the Royal Promenade, complete with Pac Man and a ghost! 

[Biker19]

6 hours ago, manders175 said:

You must be on the same cruise with me? Lol

Was on Anthem last week - barf bags were out the last two days.

[manders175]

So I have mentioned the Promenade multiple times. If you have never been in this ship, this is the main thorough fare. You will find it on deck 5, and it runs from forward all the way to the aft of the ship.

 

You will find all the shops here, sorrento's pizza, cafe promenade, Ben and Jerry's, Ale and Anchor Pub to Guest Services, the Shore Excursions desk, and Next Cruise. 

 

This is also where they had the Greek Parade, 70's night, and 80's night from my previous posts. If you look hard enough, you'll even find the big red dog! Lol

[manders175]

After 80's night we headed to the Royal Theatre again for a production show called Once Upon a Time. It's based on classic fairytales, but with music you might still hear on the radio. 

 

It was actually really good. Again these singers and dancers are incredibly talented. Go see it! 

[manders175]

Last but not least tonight was The Quest adult game show! This is an 18 and older adult scavenger hunt that tends to leave some of the guys without clothes! Lol. I'll post a few pics so you get an idea.

 

This was held in Studio B, the ice rink, which is right in the center of deck 3. FYI, the only way to get there is to take the stairs/elevator from the front of the ship down to 3. 

[manders175]

Here is the Cruise Compass from Day 4. And 2 cute cruise towel animals that we found in our room on different nights! 

Edited March 11, 2020 by manders175