Quick Independence Review - AWESOME CRUISE!!!

[movierev]

We just got in from our Indy cruise and wanted to give a quick review... the short version - this was one of our best cruise experiences EVER.

 

This was our first cruise since 2019 and we sailed with another couple (first time cruisers) for our wives birthdays.  

 

Had a 12 pm check in and decided to try our luck and arrived at the Port Canaveral parking garage at 11am.  Twenty minutes later we were enjoying our first (of many) drinks in the Ale & Anchor bar!  Fastest embarkation we've ever had.  We heard from several crew members and port side staff that there were 2700 passengers onboard.  I'm sure this had much to do with the quick check in.

 

We had the Unlimited dining package and made FULL use of it.  Chops for lunch on embarkation was a great way to start the trip.  Izumi was the best meal we had and, thanks to advice from CC, we had sushi EVERY night of the cruise before dinner on our balcony.  Chops was very good and we ate there twice for dinner.  Giovanni's was our least favorite... the Osso Bucco was fantastic, everything else was just ok.  The ladies enjoyed Fish and Ships for a lunch - the lobster roll was a hit.  Johnny Rockets has the best burger on the ship (including Chops), ate there twice.  

 

First stop was Coco Cay.  Had a couples massage at 8 before heading to the beach... I know spa services are subjective, but my massage was the BEST I've ever had.  Pretty sure Jogi touched my soul with her magic hands! Afterwards we headed out to enjoy a relaxing beach day.  Had no issues finding chairs or shade.  Started at Chill Beach and hung out until lunchtime.  Decided to move to South Beach for the floating bar and grabbed a quick bite at the Snack Shack (just ok).  The beach at South Beach was fine... the water and the sand under the water WAS NOT.  Sand was slimy and the water a little murky and smelly.  Not sure if we just caught it on a bad day or not.  Finished the day at the pool.

 

Nassau we stayed on the ship and enjoyed another relaxing day in the Solarium.  We had planned to walk to John Watling's Distillery and let our friends get a quick look at the town, but when we heard about the requirements to go ashore we decided to stay onboard.

 

As this was a cruise for relaxing we only saw a couple of comedy shows and both were pretty good.  Our wives were really disappointed that Grease was cancelled.  I lost in the Casino, but had fun in spite of my losses.

 

The ship looked great.  The crew seemed so happy for us to be back on board and eager to serve.  We at too much... drank too much... laughed too much and had the best time doing it!  We self-debarked and we off the ship and driving home in twenty minutes.  Ready for the next one!  

 

Really appreciate this forum and all it's info... happy to answer any questions others might have.

[flamingos]

Independence is a lovely ship.  We had a great time when we sailed.

 

[Coralc]

2 hours ago, movierev said:

 

Nassau we stayed on the ship and enjoyed another relaxing day in the Solarium.  We had planned to walk to John Watling's Distillery and let our friends get a quick look at the town, but when we heard about the requirements to go ashore we decided to stay onboard.

 

 

Great quick review! Thanks. It sounds like a fun cruise!  What was weird about Nassau requirements? 

[registrar]

Where did you get the sushi for enjoying on your balcony?

[movierev]

10 hours ago, Coralc said:

 

Great quick review! Thanks. It sounds like a fun cruise!  What was weird about Nassau requirements? 

In order to get off the ship in Nassau you had to wear a mask, have proof of vaccination and proof of negative test results... after over two years of this mask nonsense, we decided to pass. 

 

[movierev]

54 minutes ago, registrar said:

Where did you get the sushi for enjoying on your balcony?

At Izumi... with the Ultimate Dining package you are not limited to only one dinner, or lunch I guess, option per night.  We would call ahead and pick it up to go, eat on the balcony then head out to dinner!

[JKHawaii]

Was also on this cruise .................. weather was spectacular except for temporary clouds on the sea day.

 

In Nassau, although wearing masks outdoors is required per ship announcement, nobody cared if you wore one outside the port (police car even passed us while walking maskless on a quiet road without stopping).

 

There was a checkpoint to access the Atlantis complex ............ they just wanted to see our proof of negative covid test which we took before the cruise.  And masks were required inside Atlantis.

 

I did find it odd after so many cruises that we never saw or heard from the captain.  I understand the need to isolate from the general population, but not even an announcement "from the bridge"?  We didn't even know his name, as he (or she?) was only referred to as "the captain".  At the top tier event, the hotel director gave his little spiel, saying the captain was busy with some issue. 

 

With the stealth captain and proximity to Cape Canaveral, I'm wondering if Elon Musk has been working on self-driving cruise ships!

[movierev]

That was a little odd now that you mention it... no mid day announcement or Captain's reception.  

[vichastwins]

Were there any of the Broadway style shows going on and/or an ice show? 

[movierev]

On 3/16/2022 at 8:41 PM, vichastwins said:

Were there any of the Broadway style shows going on and/or an ice show? 

For our sailing they had the ice show, but no Grease.

[luckyinpa]

i was just in nassau last week, the only thing i saw on land as far as restrictions was masks supposed to be worn in stores

[slk1000]

On 3/5/2022 at 10:19 AM, movierev said:

In order to get off the ship in Nassau you had to wear a mask, have proof of vaccination and proof of negative test results... after over two years of this mask nonsense, we decided to pass. 

 

I was at the nassau port last week and in January and wasn't required to show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative test either time.  The only thing they asked for was a picture ID when entering the pier back to the ship.  They were very lenient on the mask requirement as well.