Is Independance really that bad

[bogofman]

Thinking of trying independace of the seas out of Southampton next year.

 

Is it really as bad as all the negative reviews i keep finding, on this site and else where?

[Barnaby100]

Butlins at sea?

 

We were booked on 14 day in August but had second thoughts. We have done the 4 night to Cork which I don't imagine is typical (wedding parties, hens, big family groups).

 

I would go on it again but only if in a full suite. You get to eat breakfast etc in chops (you get food from windjammer) but you get proper cups and plates not plastic school canteen and you get a seat. Windjammer at breakfast was like a chimps tea party. All over the ships there were not enough places to sit (it was very wet) and it felt really crowded.

 

Having said that the food was better than Legend a few months earlier. Teenagers love the shops and food outlets etc.

 

I did enjoy it but not sure I could do 2 weeks. We met lots of people who,love it. It is a fabulous ship, really amazing. My parents came with us- they are serial cruisers but rarely rc. They said they would go back on an off season one to the canaries if the price was right. They found the range of things to do astounding.

 

The tattoo count is very high (this is my mother in laws measure not mine!). On the august 14 nights prices are pretty steep even for an inside and an owners was £9k at it's lowest I think and they all sold in days.

 

If you have teens or are under 30 then go for it. If not then maybe sail from somewhere else in Europe where there will be less butlins Brits.

[Barnaby100]

Should add that the waiting staff, cabin staff and concierge were really second rate when compared to legend.

 

On Legend 5 nighter the officers walked the ship talking to guests all the time. They also checked food, talked to staff , if they saw a chair turned over they picked it up,etc etc There pictures and profiles were on display everywhere- they were very visible.

 

On independence in 4 days i didn't see a single officer except at guest services. I think it showed as the staff were poorly trained and managed which I think added to the sense of chaos all the time.

[jay888]

Thinking of trying independace of the seas out of Southampton next year.

 

Is it really as bad as all the negative reviews i keep finding, on this site and else where?

 

No it is not, and can not judge a ship on a 4 day cruise because you get a different type of passenger. I did a 10 cruise last year and have rebooked for a 18 day cruise this year. I have spent over 1500 days sailing and found Indy crew to be some of the most helpful I have come across

[Barnaby100]

Was there an ongoing sense of chaos on a longer cruise? It just lacked organisation at times for me. The weather was dire, the ship was full and there really was nowhere to sit in public places/bars.

 

It had all ages, one man was in his nineties. There were several weddings on board. They were married before it sailed.

 

And yes there were a few people lying in corridors - drunk or asleep? I assume they were locked outbof rooms. Lots of running about. Lots of unminded children running about- some quite young.

 

The ship is beautiful.

 

Our rccl experience couldn't be more diverse. Legend was an old ship but personal friendly and very well run. Dignified.

 

Independence was a great ship. Just very chaotic and not very friendly.

 

We have adventure in a few weeks. In the middle I expect.

[Bobal]

Our rccl experience couldn't be more diverse. Legend was an old ship but personal friendly and very well run. Dignified.

 

Independence was a great ship. Just very chaotic and not very friendly.

 

We have adventure in a few weeks. In the middle I expect.

 

You'll find another (different) experience on Adventure as it's aimed squarely at the Spanish market and will be packed with Spanish families (we sailed on her in August last year). Don't expect to get a seat in the Windjammer unless you arrive early, and don't expect the table turnaround to be quick. Unlike other cruises where you can expect people to stay for maybe half an hour the Spanish families will sit for a couple of hours. On the plus side, they like to eat late and stay up late so there are always beds by the pool until late in the morning and (certainly when we sailed) no signs of drunken idiots. You must attend the white party on deck, which is the best deck party I've been to.

 

We sailed on the Legend two years ago and, despite the fact that it's a smaller ship, it was one of our best cruises - dignified is a good word. But I think that's down to the big mix of nationalities onboard that cruise - we always think the more of a mix there is the better the atmosphere.

 

The stories which keep cropping up about Independence (and the lack of guaranteed good weather from the UK) have put us off trying her. We've also found it cheaper to fly to the Med and sail from there with guaranteed sunshine in the summer :)

[spanner14]

No it is not, and can not judge a ship on a 4 day cruise because you get a different type of passenger. I did a 10 cruise last year and have rebooked for a 18 day cruise this year. I have spent over 1500 days sailing and found Indy crew to be some of the most helpful I have come across

 

thank you jay888, you've really reassured me. We booked Indy (a) so we can cruise without having to fly and (b) because we absolutely loved her sister ship, Freedom.

 

I've no doubt there may be some passengers whose behaviour irritates me (able bodied people tying up the lifts all the time and pushing past me when I was in my wheelchair :mad:) but I think you get that on any cruise anywhere.

 

I just don't read the bad reviews because I've booked it now and I'm REALLY looking forward to my cruise! :)

[Barnaby100]

You'll find another (different) experience on Adventure as it's aimed squarely at the Spanish market and will be packed with Spanish families (we sailed on her in August last year). Don't expect to get a seat in the Windjammer unless you arrive early, and don't expect the table turnaround to be quick. Unlike other cruises where you can expect people to stay for maybe half an hour the Spanish families will sit for a couple of hours. On the plus side, they like to eat late and stay up late so there are always beds by the pool until late in the morning

 

The stories which keep cropping up about Independence (and the lack of guaranteed good weather from the UK) have put us off trying her. We've also found it cheaper to fly to the Med and sail from there with guaranteed sunshine in the summer :)

 

We read that before we booked. It was the thing that appealed to my husband as my in laws and hisfamily live in Spain. We get by ok with the language (well he and my daughter do- I just smile and nod).

 

The last siting is 9.30 and the early is 6.45 which sounded good to us.

 

I have been watching it and voyager for several months. We had to go that week and the price dropped in the middle of the night which sealed it. Plus flights are cheaper and more regular to malaga than Venice or Rome!

[beardedladies]

Thinking of trying independace of the seas out of Southampton next year.

 

Is it really as bad as all the negative reviews i keep finding, on this site and else where?

 

We have sailed on the Independence at least 10 times from Southampton and always found the service, crew very attentive and very helpful... Stayed in various staterooms from inside stateroom up to and including the Royal Suite, all very clean well designed. This ship is lovely, we tried Celebrity Eclipse but found missed certain things like the promenade and the buzz of people around...

 

I agree after staying in a suite you are spoiled by not having to que up for shows and finding a seat in the Windjammer, but even if you do its only for a few minutes, always quick turn around or just go before or after it gets so busy , (vary the times if poss)...

 

Well worth trying a longer cruise out of season, we did Jan 11 this year and it was a lot quieter ship not many children on board but the few that was was always well behaved... but sadly limited sunshine :rolleyes:

 

Plus to add I do have a lovely tattoo, in this modern world I was hoping peoples perception of guys like me, who have these would gradually change... :eek:

 

Happy cruising! Mark

[Barnaby100]

The tattoo comment was meant to be tongue in cheek and linked to butlins. Wasnt that what one of the papers put in a review when the ship first sailed which is where it all came from?

 

I was amazed at how they did the spray on tattoos. The queue was massive. Maybe I should have got one for the mother in law.

[Barnaby100]

I also think it's fair to say that the first summer they sold some rooms and more so additional adult In rooms very cheaply and friends say that 1st year was more hectic than now.

 

In April we were told the boat was full. The numbers were well below maximum as there must have been less rooms with 3 or 4 in.

 

There are no cheap school holiday rates this year as it seems to be pretty well sold out and so they must be doing something right.

[Bobal]

 

I have been watching it and voyager for several months. We had to go that week and the price dropped in the middle of the night which sealed it. Plus flights are cheaper and more regular to malaga than Venice or Rome!

 

I read your other thread about the price drop - well done - it's great to hear of the price drops and upgrades which we've been getting in the UK this year. Funnily enough we were on Voyager and on Adventure last summer - I think you'll really enjoy Adventure :)

[Barnaby100]

Even better when I went to book I got 800 dollars room credit. Room had dropped by£1000 per person overnight so a great deal.

 

What I did find out which i guess everyone else knows is that of you call rccl direct in the uk they can book the euro price as they also cover Ireland. Your credit card will charge about 3 per cent conversion. Looking on cruise fish there a quite a few where the euro is much lower. When I priced this cruise on saturday it was £6400 pounds or 5200 euros. Almost a 2.5 k difference.

[spanner14]

We have sailed on the Independence at least 10 times from Southampton and always found the service, crew very attentive and very helpful... Stayed in various staterooms from inside stateroom up to and including the Royal Suite, all very clean well designed. This ship is lovely, we tried Celebrity Eclipse but found missed certain things like the promenade and the buzz of people around...

 

I agree after staying in a suite you are spoiled by not having to que up for shows and finding a seat in the Windjammer, but even if you do its only for a few minutes, always quick turn around or just go before or after it gets so busy , (vary the times if poss)...

 

Well worth trying a longer cruise out of season, we did Jan 11 this year and it was a lot quieter ship not many children on board but the few that was was always well behaved... but sadly limited sunshine :rolleyes:

 

Plus to add I do have a lovely tattoo, in this modern world I was hoping peoples perception of guys like me, who have these would gradually change... :eek:

 

Happy cruising! Mark

 

Well that has cheered me up (just as well with only a month to go). I wish you were on my cruise!

 

May I just say - love the username. :D:D

[Barnaby100]

Well that has cheered me up (just as well with only a month to go). I wish you were on my cruise!

 

May I just say - love the username. :D:D

 

You will enjoy it. I enjoyed it. My parents cruise for 6 months a year (from 5 star to cargo boat ) and they enjoyed it. The ship is an experience. It is beautiful.

 

It got the butlins name as far as I know because they gave a journalist a free cruise. He then wrote an article for a big paper (express or mail type) and called it Butlins at sea- i think that was where the drunks, football shirts- tattoos originated as well. I have just tried to find it on google but can't (maybe it was news of the world!). It was a massive own goal.

 

Everyone else just copies that which is why you see it in so many reviews.

 

Too expensive to get drunk on it! Wait for a port.

 

Butlins has larger rooms!

[teddie]

OK, then, Brits. What exactly is a "butlin"? Clarify further, please; I am intrigued.

 

teddie

[spanner14]

You will enjoy it. I enjoyed it. My parents cruise for 6 months a year (from 5 star to cargo boat ) and they enjoyed it. The ship is an experience. It is beautiful.

 

It got the butlins name as far as I know because they gave a journalist a free cruise. He then wrote an article for a big paper (express or mail type) and called it Butlins at sea- i think that was where the drunks, football shirts- tattoos originated as well. I have just tried to find it on google but can't (maybe it was news of the world!). It was a massive own goal.

 

Everyone else just copies that which is why you see it in so many reviews.

 

Too expensive to get drunk on it! Wait for a port.

 

Butlins has larger rooms!

 

Thanks Barnaby100! Perhaps I'm easily pleased, but I always try to see the best in my holidays and ignore the bad (unless it's really bad). I don't really drink (one cocktail a day is my limit) and don't gamble, so tend to stay away from the louder bars and the casino. As I say, we LOVED Freedom so hopefully will love Indy too. :):)

[spanner14]

OK, then, Brits. What exactly is a "butlin"? Clarify further, please; I am intrigued.

 

teddie

 

lol at what is "a butlin" :):)

 

Butlins (named after Billly Butlin) is a holiday camp in the UK. They're at seaside resorts and were designed to give "ordinary British families" an affordable holiday. Originally, the accommodation was only in "chalets" and you ate all your meals in a huge communal dining room. They laid on entertainment such as "lovely legs" competitions, and the camps had swimming pools and evening entertainments.

 

We still have Butlins camps but now you can choose to stay at an onsite hotel and everything is obviously on a more modern and pretty large scale.

 

Assuming you don't have anything similar in the US, here's some info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butlins

[LoisGriffin1]

The Independence is great. I went on an 11 night cruise last year and was really worried beforehand. I like cruises with a diverse group of passengers and knowing that it was going to be 90% Brits did worry me a little.

 

The ship is great and the crew worked hard. The only problem I had was with the room steward.

 

The weather was bad on all but 2 days of my cruise. There is a serious lack of places for people to go during bad weather. I didn't mind too much because we had an aft balcony which was mostly sheltered. It is a valid complaint considering the first and last days are likely to be bad.

 

I hated the buffet. It was more to do with the behaviour of the passengers though. I just went for other dining options for a more relaxing meal. People we were chatting to one evening even witnessed a fight in there.

 

With the exception of the buffet the passengers were great. There were a lot of older people in wheelchairs on the cruise and I never witnessed any of the things that are said in other reviews like wheelchairs running people down or people refusing to let them in elevators. Most people were considerate.

 

The ship really has something for everyone. There was a lady in her late 80's who became the oldest person to climb the rockclimbing wall.

[deltatango]

I was a bit concerned after I had booked this cruise when I read some reviews being very negative on the ship and some drunks, children, etc etc yet you read other reviews that were on the same ship same cruise and they had the best time of there life and could not fault anything, what you have to look at is how many cruise critics people are on the cruise who have given a bad review bet its not more than 0.01% where else can you get a cruise from Southampton with a balcony for £68 a day it really is a no brainier book your cruise and enjoy yourself on the IOTS.

[vermontcruisers]

OK...Is a butlin a Brit version of a Redneck?:rolleyes:

[Barnaby100]

OK...Is a butlin a Brit version of a Redneck?:rolleyes:

 

Hi. You dont have individuals called butlins. Its the name for whole holiday resort concept. So people are saying it's like being in a butlins holiday camp.

 

These were very popular in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Now the British aspirational classes (now known as the new squeezed middle) have moved beyond this and it is a concept beneath us.

 

We now go to centre parcs instead

 

Because it is totally different and not a holiday camp at all and from our unique woodland lodge we can look down on those who still go to Butlins.

[goouchjac]

We were on the Indy in 2008 and loved it,,of course went out of Ft.Lauderdale than,,,was a great ship with a great staff:):)

[spanner14]

Hi. You dont have individuals called butlins. Its the name for whole holiday resort concept. So people are saying it's like being in a butlins holiday camp.

 

These were very popular in the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Now the British aspirational classes (now known as the new squeezed middle) have moved beyond this and it is a concept beneath us.

 

We now go to centre parcs instead

 

Because it is totally different and not a holiday camp at all and from our unique woodland lodge we can look down on those who still go to Butlins.

 

lol Barnaby100 :):)

 

I must admit to being a Center Parcs fan as opposed to a Butlins fan :o but since our DD got older, we won't take her out of school and Center Parcs in the school holidays are ridiculously expensive.

 

Mind you, I once looked at the prices for Butlins' posh hotel and it was almost the same price as Center Parcs - never mind Billy Butlin's idea of "affordable family holidays"! So I have never experienced Butlins first hand.

 

With regard to is "a butlin" like a redneck...no idea. I think people are referring to what we in the Home Counties call "Chav mentality"; whether that's similar to a redneck, I have no idea. :D:D

[beardedladies]

The tattoo comment was meant to be tongue in cheek and linked to butlins. Wasnt that what one of the papers put in a review when the ship first sailed which is where it all came from?

 

I was amazed at how they did the spray on tattoos. The queue was massive. Maybe I should have got one for the mother in law.

 

:D:D:D All is forgiven.... he he, the air brush tattoos were very popular seems not just with the kids but everyone of all ages, mind I have a real thing now... Mark