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The Good, the Fab and the never Ugly TR – Independence of the Seas 27 Aug to 6 Sep

Lisa-UK

By Lisa-UK,
in Royal Caribbean International

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what3v3rever

what3v3rever

Posted
Posted

There are smoking and non-smoking areas in the Casino.

Lisa :)

 

Great review! One question: I had read that the only smoking areas on Independence were on one deck in the disco, the cigar lounge, and in limited outdoor areas. Has this changed?

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Lisa-UK

Lisa-UK

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Hi all again - I'm very pleased to answer questions for y'all..........

 

 

6Months - very sorry - I didn't go to the Diamond Club as this was our first RCI cruise and we didn't get an invite as I guess you have to cruised before, so I can't help you - soz.:(

 

Cruzobsessed - why thank you for your nice comments........I will try and post some piccies on one of the share sites as everyone keeps asking (not just here, but at work etc) I will see what I can do :)

 

MDR buffet - once seated, you are offered a menu with choices. Our waiter advised that it would take up to 15 mins to deliver an ordered breakfast, but if we didn't mind not having a 'fried egg' everything else was available from the buffet. They had laid out hotplates in a central section and had a large selection of usual breakfast fayre available - hot and cold. You could just help yourself. Personally, I thought the food was ok, (sausages a bit gristly). In comparison the the Windjammer, the buffet food in the MDR was not as nice. However, the 'ordered' food may have been better, but we did not go back to try this.

 

gycp: Bay of Biscay - yes, I won't lie, there some 'motion from the ocean' as the Captain said in his commentary. Fortunately, I didn't suffer and didn't see anyone too green around the gills - maybe they had headed off to their cabin:eek: . I did hear that a lot of folks had purchased the 'sea bands' and a few of the children felt icky. The Captain did say on the way back that the waves were 40feet - which indeed we did note. Inside the ship there was gentle swaying, but no visible movement - i.e. glasses on tables. Hope that helps?

 

 

what3v3rever: Smoking: this was allowed in the Casino, (areas are definedby stickers on the machies); in the Labrynth Nightclub - between the Casino and the Schooner Bar - open from 11am daily when we were aboard. On decks 4 and 12 Portside; the Cigar room and on Balconies. There were plenty of ashtrays.

 

kind regards

Lisa

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Lisa-UK

Lisa-UK

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Hi

 

Thankyou Honeywell and Cruzobsessed - glad you liked them.

 

Indeed it was you Cruzobsessed who finally made me think that I really should be sharing the joy! Your work is indeed done. I think my workmates thought I hadn't been on a cruise at all due to a) lack of tan (I had a Casino tan) and b) no photos!

 

They will all be thrilled tomorrow.

 

thanks

x

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FloridaPalms

FloridaPalms

Posted
Posted
Hi all

 

Thanks to Cruzobsessed, I got my act together and have now put some photos on Picasa (a lot of photos!!)

 

Please click here if you would like to see the Album:

 

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/lisaandandy.rennison/MedCruiseOnIndependenceOfTheSeas27Aug6Sept2008#

 

What a wonderful photo album!

Cudos to the photographer - these are really excellent photos. I loved seeing all the ship and places you visited and especially enjoyed seeing your Johnny Rockets dance and the difference a week made for the boys on the Flowrider.

Thank you so much for sharing these. Can't wait until it's our turn! :D

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tip

tip

Posted
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Thank you for the honest, yet postitive review. So many on this board are caught up in the grousing and whining.

 

We are booked for the Independence of the Seas on 21Feb09 and look forward to our cruise. You have provided us with some very good tips.

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moogiechompy

moogiechompy

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what3v3rever: Smoking: this was allowed in the Casino, (areas are definedby stickers on the machies); in the Labrynth Nightclub - between the Casino and the Schooner Bar - open from 11am daily when we were aboard. On decks 4 and 12 Portside; the Cigar room and on Balconies. There were plenty of ashtrays.

 

kind regards

Lisa

 

 

Hi Lisa,

 

Thanks for the review, it sums up our positive experiences too. :) Just one query, we got off the Indy on Sat, the cruise right after yours and I am fairly sure there was no smoking in the casino, we didn't see any stickers or ashtrays in there and just checked a Compass and it is not listed as a smoking location either. Is this something that is changed depending on the cruise? Unless I have completely missed somewhere downthere!!

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Kakirie

Kakirie

Posted
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Hi Lisa,

What a fantastic review! Me & DH are not going on the Indy until June next year, But really can't wait especially after reading your review.

We will be celebrating our 'Silver Wedding' its our pressie to ourselves

We have never cruised before & are Soooooooo excited!

I have read & re-read different posts to give me tips & helpful Info.

Thanks to everyone who has come on this great site & helped out 'us' two 'Newbies'

 

Kakirie

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Lisa-UK

Lisa-UK

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Thanks all for the nice comments......:D

 

Heather - I am soooooo pleased you are going to on the Indy again- I tried to book for August and am waitlisted should a 3 person cabin come up. Trouble is, the prices has shot up - I guess RCI is enjoying a high booking rate from the UK and so are driving up the prices. I will be back onboard one day............

 

jc - awwww - delightful sometimes ! :rolleyes:

 

moogiechompy - honest, there was smoking in the Casino, but you are right, nothing was posted on the Compass. I spent a lot of time down there and do like a puff :o . There were quite a few smokers, but the place never really stunk up - I guess they had good aircon. I wonder if they changed it right after our cruise? If you were just passing through, you may not have even noticed. When it got busy at night was when the smoking was most noticeable.

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tomko2

tomko2

Posted
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Awesome review -- thank you!

What did you mean about the balcony chairs? Were they lounge chairs or just regular patio chairs? Could you move them around?

We have an aft balcony and love to move around to catch the sun so wondering about the chairs.

Thanks again.

Kathy:)

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moogiechompy

moogiechompy

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Thanks Lisa, well for non-smokers (myself included) who worry about these things, I was convinced it was non smoking in the casino (we were usually down there much later in the evening) so the air filters / air con and whatever they do to remove the smoke must work a treat down there, best of both worlds for everyone :)

 

Just one tip about the balcony chairs, a couple of balconies down asked our stateroom attendant if they could bring down a lounger from the pool deck, he went and got one for them, it was a bit cramped on the balcony and you are a bit limited being that low down for sunbathing, but I'm sure its great for a quiet afternoon snooze

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Lisa-UK

Lisa-UK

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Hi

 

Kathy - the chairs were regular patio chairs with arms. They were rigid and did not recline, so you could slouch and put your feet up on the table, but you back did not adjust. You could move them around very easily.

 

moogichompy - great tip about the loungechair (Kathy hope you read this part). I would have definitely asked for one - or got one for my Mum if I had thought about that - GREAT TIP! Also, are you going to post a report or any photos?? I love hearing the Indy stories.

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6MonthsHere6MonthsThere

6MonthsHere6MonthsThere

Posted
Posted
Awesome review -- thank you!

What did you mean about the balcony chairs? Were they lounge chairs or just regular patio chairs? Could you move them around?

We have an aft balcony and love to move around to catch the sun so wondering about the chairs.

Thanks again.

Kathy:)

 

 

Kathy, ALL AFT balconies are much deeper and have 2 upright chairs, a small table and 2 LOUNGERS:D :D ;) :cool: , so you will be fine!!!

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tomko2

tomko2

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Kathy, ALL AFT balconies are much deeper and have 2 upright chairs, a small table and 2 LOUNGERS:D :D ;) :cool: , so you will be fine!!!

 

Perfect!!:D

That's what I was expecting since we always have an aft cabin but it will be our first time on the Indy!

Great stuff.:D

Kathy

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tomko2

tomko2

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Kathy, Will make sure we bring her across the pond for you safely:) :D :cool:

 

Please do and could you also make sure there is lots of money left in the casino for me. ;)

I will return the favour so that you will have a great cruise on her in April.:D

Just realized the significance of your CC handle! Boy, we just get to have a plane ride to Florida and back each year; do you it in STYLE!!!

Kathy

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6MonthsHere6MonthsThere

6MonthsHere6MonthsThere

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Please do and could you also make sure there is lots of money left in the casino for me. ;)

I will return the favour so that you will have a great cruise on her in April.:D

Just realized the significance of your CC handle! Boy, we just get to have a plane ride to Florida and back each year; do you it in STYLE!!!

Kathy

 

 

Yes, but I will have to charge you 3% ;) :D :eek: LOL

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