Independence too busy after the refit?

I've just been reading a few reviews of Indy on the cruise critic forum. People seem to be complaining that the public spaces are now very cramped and that it's difficult to get a table in a bar after the recent increase of cabins.

Does anyone who's sailed her after the refit have any thoughts on this?

I don't think it is that. It is that they are trying to do too much on board the ship. Some places are now duel purpose like having the ice skating and laser tag in the same place. The playmakers bar did not previous exist and seems to be quiet large. Then again RCL would prefer you not to drink too much yet pay hundreds and hundreds for the UBP.

That's not what the reviews are saying though. They make it quite clear that the increased passenger numbers are causing issues. :)

One hundred fifteen additional cabins add approximately three hundred additional passengers each sailing. We sailed on the Independence Of The Seas fourteen day Canary Islands sailing that left Southampton on Saturday, June 2nd, 2018. Personally, I really didn’t notice the larger crowds except for the first day in the Windjammer when everyone attempts to have embarkation lunch at the same time. Since this sailing was port intensive there was virtually no chair hogs the entire voyage. The ship was in great shape after it’s forty five day drydock. The new sports bar, Playmakers was a great place to have a drink before dinner. My family and I had a great time.

That's not what the reviews are saying though. They make it quite clear that the increased passenger numbers are causing issues. :)[/quote

 

 

If you believe that just book something else

We were on the 14 night from Southampton on 2 June - after refit - having previously sailed on her last year. It was noticeably busier in the bars in the evenings and sometimes could not get a seat in a number of bars we wanted to ie Schooner, Casino Bar, Champagne Bar. Luckily the new Playmakers could usually find room for us!! The shows were busy but we are happy to get there early and are early risers to get a lounger on sea days. We did stay in the loungers once we got them and it was good to see in the Solarium at least staff removing items from seats that had obviously been ‘reserved’ early but not used after 30 + minutes. These were quickly taken by others and there were some very surprised people arriving to claim ‘their’ lounger! I did congratulate the staff member for undertaking this task.

I don’t think the extra numbers have put me off Independence as we’re looking at cruises for next year to book when we go on Navigator in September!!

I started a thread on this before. We were on the 14 night Mediterranean Beaches Cruise from 15th June.

We had been on Indy twice before.

There were times when it was very crowded.

On the sunny sea days there were literally no sun loungers on decks 11 and 12 from about 9 to 4 even with the staff enforcing removal of towels. We managed to find outside seats on decks 4 but of course there are no bar staff or other related facilities down there.

The Schooner bar was far too busy for the 5pm and 8pm quizzes with standing room only and even then not places to lean on.

It was noticeably more difficult to get bar staff service at peak times and so far more people were going to the bars to collect drinks and so that placed more pressure on the staff. At the Schooner bar on 2 occasions I gave up waiting after 15 minutes at 8pm

On two occasions we went to every bar on the ship to try and find somewhere to sit at 9.30pm and both times ended up in the library (even the Star Loungue - previously the Pyramid room was full)

The Windjammer was much busier than previously but I think that is partly down to more people chosing not to eat in the MDR and less formality. We always found a table but often had to clear it as there were no waiters to do it.

So yes at full capacity the ship was more crowded.

Would we sail on it again? Well yes but not for a few years but that is more to do with the shows still being the same (other than Grease) as they were before.

It's a lovely ship and RCL is a great cruise line but Indy is not so much fun as it was beforehand. That's our view

We have sailed on the Indy the past 2 years for spring break and recently booked it again for next year. We are looking forward to seeing all,of the changes with the refurb but hoping we don't notice it being overly crowded every where on board. I know the kids were disappointed when they heard that the labyrinth night club was no longer on board because that was where they hung out every night. They are wondering where they will be hanging out now late night on the ship.

I started a thread on this before. We were on the 14 night Mediterranean Beaches Cruise from 15th June.

 

We had been on Indy twice before.

 

There were times when it was very crowded.

 

On the sunny sea days there were literally no sun loungers on decks 11 and 12 from about 9 to 4 even with the staff enforcing removal of towels. We managed to find outside seats on decks 4 but of course there are no bar staff or other related facilities down there.

 

The Schooner bar was far too busy for the 5pm and 8pm quizzes with standing room only and even then not places to lean on.

 

It was noticeably more difficult to get bar staff service at peak times and so far more people were going to the bars to collect drinks and so that placed more pressure on the staff. At the Schooner bar on 2 occasions I gave up waiting after 15 minutes at 8pm

 

On two occasions we went to every bar on the ship to try and find somewhere to sit at 9.30pm and both times ended up in the library (even the Star Loungue - previously the Pyramid room was full)

 

The Windjammer was much busier than previously but I think that is partly down to more people chosing not to eat in the MDR and less formality. We always found a table but often had to clear it as there were no waiters to do it.

 

So yes at full capacity the ship was more crowded.

 

Would we sail on it again? Well yes but not for a few years but that is more to do with the shows still being the same (other than Grease) as they were before.

 

It's a lovely ship and RCL is a great cruise line but Indy is not so much fun as it was beforehand. That's our view

And don't tell me you paid about 1000 pounds for the 2 UBP's and had 9 drinks the entire time you were onboard the ship. I bet RCI made a lot of money off you.