Indy....Indy...Indy..burning questions

[banshee72]

:).......arggggg.....too many days until embarkment.

 

A lot of questions....

 

1) does anyone have a current compass from the Indy?

2) How/what is the entertainment on board?

3) Hilton marina...anyone stayed there? comments?

4) Anyone have any suggestions for a decent retaurants by the pier?

5) What time do the bars open on embarkment day?

6) Room is on deck 6. Looks to be right above the general store...do you thin there will be a noise issue?

7) Ports are Haiti, St Martin, St Kitts, and Labadee. Do all of these have shopping/beaches right by the pier?

8) What tv channels are available?

9) Anyone know what movies are currently showing? How often do they change?

10) Are jeans and a polo shirt OK for Chops?

11) Do they do a good job keeping the little ones out of the Solarium?

12) How busy are the bars during the day?

13) What time do you usually get to the pier on the first day?

14) Do the trivia/karaoke usually get very busy?

15) How is the pizza at Sorentos? what are the hrs?

16) What kind of food does the cafe promenade have?

17) If we never have dinner in the MDR...are we still expected to tip?

18) At the end of the cruise do you put the tips in an envelope? Can you decide if you want to tip one person more than another or does all the money just go into a pool to be divided amongst the employees

19) breakfast and lunch in the MDR....is it basically the same food as in the WJ...just a quieter environment?

20) Does the jogging track get clogged up people who are not jogging/walking?

21) the balcony club....how hard is it to see arounf the partition between balconies?

22) Does the English pub have food?

23) If you buy the alcohol package, do they scan your card or just look for the sticker? I guess I'm wondering if they keep track of how much you drink and if so do they cut you off?

24) What is open during port days?

25) How thin are the walls? What can you/cant hear?

26) What time is your room usually ready? What time does your luggage arrive?

27) Any good bars/restaraunts along the beach on Ft. Lauderdale?

28) Any good authentic restaurants in the ports mentioned in question #7?

29) Anyone ever rode the dragon "coaster" at Labadee?

30) Are there bars in most of the ports?

[jbrezen]

# 21 made me laugh because DH and I have same question. We have aft balcony on deck 10:p

[leaveitallbehind]

OMG! Far too many to answer. You are on our roll call - maybe some of these are already answered there? But to some of the more pertinent ship questions:

 

Arrive early at the pier (10:30 is good) as they usually start boarding at 11:00 or so.

 

Not sure where you will eat if never in the MDR but gratuities are expected as part of your cruise costs for your cabin attendant and dining room service staff. Even if you ate every meal in the Windjammer there is service staff there. And MTD requires pre-paid gratuities. Please consider the importance of the expected gratuities - that is the main portion of their income.

 

Jeans would not be my first choice for Chops.

 

I assume you are in a Promenade stateroom. Usually well insulated and the planned events with noise usually are done by 11.

 

Labadee is an RCI owned penninsula and the only shopping there is the local straw market. All the others have shopping and beaches within easy reach by cab at worst. Check the RCI web site for port excursions.

 

Rooms usually ready by 1 - luggage anytime thereafter but usually by 6. Dinner and everything on the ship day one is casual as a result. Take a carry on with you with meds and valuables (and your two bottles of wine if desired) along with any change of clothing you want for that day.

 

All it takes is to lean around a bit to see in the next balcony - but very unclassy. They are not private so plan you activities accordingly.

 

The Solarium is limited to 16 and older and in our experience is well monitored.

 

Never bought the alcohol package but it is scanned into your card. They can shut anyone off who is too drunk or acting in an inappropriate manner due to drinking. Also note that anyone 21 or over in the same stateroom has to buy the package - not just one of you.

 

Walls are not thin but noise is dependant on how loud someone is. Even the best insulation won't drown out very load noise.

 

MDR is full service and a broader menu compared to the WJ, but at dinner the same basic offerings are available in the WJ.

 

Tips can be prepaid prior to sailing, charged to your on board account at the end of the cruise, or given in cash. Your choice. Minimum levels for each are suggested but you can add more to one or all at your discretion. There is some pooling of a portion of the amount but for the most part it goes to who you give it to, especially if in cash.

 

Movies change dailiy.

 

Plenty of bars usually not overcrowded. Open by 12 or so day one.

 

Everything is open on port days except the casino. Good time to use the spa.

 

Sorentos is open 24 hrs. Pizza / croissant sandwhiches / cookies - all good.

 

Most ports have local bars and restuarants in the Caribbean.

 

Hope this helps some, but as I said a lot to look at!

[Daghis]

I've got a few answers to contribute...

 

1) does anyone have a current compass from the Indy?

I don't think I can link to the one I found directly, but if you do a Google search for "independence of the seas 8-night cruise compass" (without the quotes) you should find a site that has one from December.

 

2) How/what is the entertainment on board?

There are several shows offered during the week including the Welcome Aboard and Farewell shows, Once Upon a Time (singing and dancing), Invitation to Dance, Center Stage (singing and dancing), Strings! (ice show), a headliner (won't know whom just yet), and probably one or two comedians.

 

In addition, there are a variety of musical acts performing at the various lounges around the ship.

 

5) What time do the bars open on embarkment day?

Several of the bars will be open as soon as you board.

 

6) Room is on deck 6. Looks to be right above the general store...do you thin there will be a noise issue?

Most people don't comment much about noise from the Royal Promenade except for when parades or parties are going on, and even then the noise is significantly muffled. I doubt that you'll hear much from the shop itself, especially after it's closed for the night.

 

12) How busy are the bars during the day?

It depends on the particular time of day and the bar in question. Vintages tends not to be busy most of the time, while the bars by the pool can be very busy in the afternoons.

 

21) the balcony club....how hard is it to see arounf the partition between balconies?

 

If you're out on your balcony leaning on the railing to watch the water, you can see parts of adjoining balconies.

 

24) What is open during port days?

It might be easier to ask what's closed. You'll find that the casino and shops are closed while we're in port. Plus, there will be fewer activities onboard. Port days are a great time to go to the spa or try the FlowRider.

[WillWorkForCruise121]

:).......arggggg.....too many days until embarkment.

 

A lot of questions....

 

1) does anyone have a current compass from the Indy? Do a search on these boards. I found some from a few weeks back.

2) How/what is the entertainment on board? Will be in the cruise compasses, there is an Ice show and song & dance shows. RCIs entertainment rarely disappoints.

3) Hilton marina...anyone stayed there? comments? Never stayed but the area is very nice. I would think it's a solid choice.

4) Anyone have any suggestions for a decent retaurants by the pier? SE 17th Carlos & Pepe's in front of publix/total wine is great.

5) What time do the bars open on embarkment day? They've always been open as soon as we board, but close briefly for muster drill

6) Room is on deck 6. Looks to be right above the general store...do you thin there will be a noise issue? We stayed on deck six on Liberty, Noise was not a major issue for us. Plus, the general store is not open late at night.

7) Ports are Haiti, St Martin, St Kitts, and Labadee. Do all of these have shopping/beaches right by the pier? I think you are forgetting San Juan. Labadee yes, St. Martin very easy to get to the beach/shopping by water taxi/reg. taxi and shopping is in port. Old san Juan is right where the ship docks with easy access to shopping, and I have never been to St Kitts to respond.

8) What tv channels are available? Not a lot, some that show random 60 minutes stories or Craig Ferguson. We didn't spend a lot of time watching TV so it was fine. There are also PPV movies.

9) Anyone know what movies are currently showing? How often do they change?

10) Are jeans and a polo shirt OK for Chops? Jeans are not advisable, however if they are a dark wash you could probably get away with it. Polo is just fine, but dress slacks or khakis are preferrable.

11) Do they do a good job keeping the little ones out of the Solarium? in my experience they do. Occasionally there will be a kid there that shouldn't be but for me it has been rare.

12) How busy are the bars during the day? depending on the part of the ship some are busy, some are not. It's never hard to get a drink though, trust me.

13) What time do you usually get to the pier on the first day? Don't try before 10 or 10:30, you usually can't board before 10:45 or 11.

14) Do the trivia/karaoke usually get very busy? Yes, get to karaoke early and you will be able to sing at least once... maybe twice, arrive late and you won't have a seat or be able to participate.

15) How is the pizza at Sorentos? what are the hrs? It's ok nothing great but I've had much worse. They are open late... I think till 4am maybe 5

16) What kind of food does the cafe promenade have? Little sandwiches, coffee cakes, danishes, etc. Coffee, Tea, or premium lattes at a charge.

17) If we never have dinner in the MDR...are we still expected to tip? Yes, those tips get pooled and divided among crew in from other eateries as well, cafe promenade, windjammer buffet, sorrento's, etc.

18) At the end of the cruise do you put the tips in an envelope? Can you decide if you want to tip one person more than another or does all the money just go into a pool to be divided amongst the employees You can tip one more than another in the envelope, from what I have heard tips are eventually pooled. Tip at least the recommended amount and then more if you think they have gone above and beyond.

19) breakfast and lunch in the MDR....is it basically the same food as in the WJ...just a quieter environment? I have never had lunch in the MDR but for breakfast there may be a slight difference, but I do prefer the MDR. A lot of the same things will likely be offered.

20) Does the jogging track get clogged up people who are not jogging/walking? I have had a slight problem with this while doing a jog, but never to the point where I had to quit. Just the occasional having to go around someone.

21) the balcony club....how hard is it to see arounf the partition between balconies? The partitions to provide some privacy, Someone would have to be trying to look into your balcony. However, it is very easy to hear EVERYTHING that is going on next door LOL.

22) Does the English pub have food? I actually believe they do, honestly I have only had a drink there but think I remember tapas and some appetizer type offerings, (for fee)

23) If you buy the alcohol package, do they scan your card or just look for the sticker? I guess I'm wondering if they keep track of how much you drink and if so do they cut you off? My guess is it's not just a sticker, but I have yet to try it.

24) What is open during port days? Not a lot. Bars, pools, and activities, all the shops close

25) How thin are the walls? What can you/cant hear? Like a normal hotel really, you can hear your neighbor but most of the time it's not a big disturbance.

26) What time is your room usually ready? What time does your luggage arrive? 1:00 for rooms usually and luggage could arrive any time between 1:00 and maybe 6:00 or later on the very rare occasion.

27) Any good bars/restaraunts along the beach on Ft. Lauderdale? Several. Beach place has a lot of bars/shops right accross from the water. Primanti Brothers is a personal favorite if you happen to be up near sunrise ( a little too far nort to walk from beach place)

28) Any good authentic restaurants in the ports mentioned in question #7? we usually wind up eating on the ship or at the beach we take a taxi too. Labadee only has food from the ship. St Maarten had a crepes stand right near the ship that we enjoyed (wife loves crepes). I guess that's not even on the french side though. San juan will have a lot of local eateries, shops and cantinas. Again cannot comment on St Kitts.

29) Anyone ever rode the dragon "coaster" at Labadee? Never rode it.

30) Are there bars in most of the ports? bars in port are very common, it's never really hard to get a drink.

 

Tried to answer as best as possible.

[banshee72]

Wow! I know it was a lot of questions but thank you so much for taking the time to answer them.

[leaveitallbehind]

Wow! I know it was a lot of questions but thank you so much for taking the time to answer them.

 

See you on board.

[micmacmissy]

We leave a week from Sunday...woo hoo!

 

I have a few questions of my own, if anyone knows...

 

What is open for lunch on embarkation day BESIDES the windjammer???

 

What time do the pools/minigolf/rockwall open on embark day?

 

My son wants to know about ping pong and basketball court. Does Indy have them, where are they located, and can a 12 yr old just "walk on" and play basketball?

 

thank you!

[Daghis]

I've got answers for two of your questions.

 

What is open for lunch on embarkation day BESIDES the windjammer???

Café Promenade and Sorrento's are both open.

 

What time do the pools/minigolf/rockwall open on embark day?

Pools and mini-golf should be open as soon as you board. Rock Climbing wall opens at 2pm for sign-ups and 3pm for climbing.

[39august]

There is no food served in the pub. The person who mentioned tapas is confusing the pub with Vintages, which does serve tapas at no charge from 5-7or8 PM when you buy a glass of wine.