DarthGrady Posted January 28, 2014 Author #51 Share Posted January 28, 2014 excellent job. helping me cope with waiting two more months.i agree with room type. we love balcony rooms but only if the price is right. I have had the pleasure of meeting Mario. What a great guy to talk with. we are currently booked inside promenade deck six. ready for more of your review. Thanks! I'll be posting up more this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted January 28, 2014 #52 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Thanks for taking the time to post this! We are deciding between an Indy 8-night or Allure 7-night in December. Been on both and have some concerns due to some of the recent reviews about the Indy "vibe". I really do love the Indy itinerary and the extra night is such a bonus:) Even with the "vibe" thing and the shows not being so great Indy was still a great cruise for us and I really like the itinerary. If we don't go back to the southern Caribbean after Allure it will probably be Indy for us again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tkriger Posted January 28, 2014 #53 Share Posted January 28, 2014 My one complaint with last week on Indy was the shops...they had almost 0 in the way of souvenirs. I know, not a huge deal, but I've been collecting a ship's magnet from each of cruises we take, and they didn't even have that. I just tried looking on ebay with no luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted January 28, 2014 Author #54 Share Posted January 28, 2014 My one complaint with last week on Indy was the shops...they had almost 0 in the way of souvenirs. I know, not a huge deal, but I've been collecting a ship's magnet from each of cruises we take, and they didn't even have that. I just tried looking on ebay with no luck. I thought the exact same thing! There will be a blurb about that later on, but I was very disappointed that they didn't have the usual RCI souvenir stuff. Apparently Indy's shops are run by a different vendor. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcgvol Posted January 29, 2014 #55 Share Posted January 29, 2014 It doesn't matter where you are on the ship - as long as you're ON the ship! ;) I have only been on 5 cruises, all in balconies, but will have an interior and a balcony on our March Indy cruise. I can't wait to see what it's like, I may book only interiors from now on for the savings. For this one, with a price drop(and MIL's senior discount), we were able to move from a 4 person balcony room to an interior and balcony and saved $360!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruizinPMP Posted January 29, 2014 #56 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Nice pictures Grady! It sounds like you fit into the gang without any problems. I wished I could have joined you all. I have to agree about the lower level cabins. I hate to say it but I usually spend a little more to get higher so I can go up and down the stairs to get to the pool/sun decks. I have heard about people getting "the look" about it. I like insides though. You sleep and change clothes in it and it allows more money for maybe... bar bill! Looking forward to seeing more pictures and review of the Indy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted January 29, 2014 Author #57 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Nice pictures Grady! It sounds like you fit into the gang without any problems. I wished I could have joined you all. I have to agree about the lower level cabins. I hate to say it but I usually spend a little more to get higher so I can go up and down the stairs to get to the pool/sun decks. I have heard about people getting "the look" about it. I like insides though. You sleep and change clothes in it and it allows more money for maybe... bar bill! Looking forward to seeing more pictures and review of the Indy! Thanks, and yes, we all had an excellent time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfcathorse Posted January 29, 2014 #58 Share Posted January 29, 2014 love your review and pictures so far! And congrats on your first sailing as D+!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted January 29, 2014 Author #59 Share Posted January 29, 2014 love your review and pictures so far! And congrats on your first sailing as D+!! Glad you like it, and thanks! Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dacsmom Posted January 29, 2014 #60 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Cannot wait to read the rest of your review. This will be my 2015 cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted January 29, 2014 Author #61 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Day 2, At Sea: Our first day at sea was a decidedly lazy one. We didn't even wake up in time for breakfast. The first stop was the official Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle. The turnout was one of the best I've ever seen. They gave out lots of little prizes, and even a few nice ones (bottles of wine and champagne). It was another great opportunity to meet the fellow cruisers I'd been chatting with online for so long. The Activities Manager handing out prizes at the Meet and Mingle. I actually liked him better than the CD, but we'll get into that more later. We met our friends in the main dining room for lunch. The salad bar was excellent as usual. The place was very busy; it seems that more and more folks are learning the secret of skipping the Windjammer and seeking meals elsewhere. Our dinner table Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted January 29, 2014 Author #62 Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) More main dining room, the middle floor The top floor After lunch we had some cookies and tea at the Promenade Cafe, then did some shopping. Unfortunately Indy's shops are a bit different than on other ships. They have a lot of European merchandise, which is likely due to the ship cruising from England in the summer. They didn't have any of the usual logo merchandise, which was a big let down since I usually buy a shot glass with the name of each new ship I go on. They only had the generic RCI glasses without the ship's name. One of the shop employees explained that Indy’s shops are run by a different company than on the other ships in the fleet. We all managed to drag ourselves up to the gym for our daily workout. The gym on the Freedom Class ships is one of the nicest at sea. They have tons of equipment to use, and big forward facing windows provide great views. I tried to get some time in the sauna, but it was broken. The gym Indy's shipyard gift is located in the gym. Most ship's have one, I enjoy finding them Edited January 29, 2014 by DarthGrady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted January 29, 2014 #63 Share Posted January 29, 2014 As usual great pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted January 29, 2014 Author #64 Share Posted January 29, 2014 After getting cleaned up we stopped by the Viking Crown Lounge for a few pre-dinner cocktails. We then went to the main dining room for the formal dinner, which was excellent. After dinner we enjoyed the Connoisseurs Club again before heading to the night club. There was another unofficial Cruise Critic gathering in the night club which extended long into the night. I was a little worse for the wear, having downed several glasses of port throughout the night. At around 2 in the morning we did what any other semi-rational partier would do. We sought late night pizza. Unfortunately we were denied our greasy prize due to a technicality with the clock. You see Sorrento's pizza closes at 3 am, unlike Carnival who (wisely) keeps their pizza counter open 24/7. Since the clocks rolled forward an hour at 2 am, they were closing as we arrived. Unforgivable! They almost seemed to delight in telling us that we couldn't have pizza, and that we should head down to Cafe Promenade for some sandwiches. Boo! Cafe Promenade should close at 2 am! Not the pizza! Royal Caribbean could really take a lesson from Carnival on this. Drunken revelers want pizza late at night, not sandwiches! After that disappointment it was time for bed. The Labyrinth dance club Awesome shattered glass staircase Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted January 29, 2014 Author #65 Share Posted January 29, 2014 More Labyrinth Sorrentos Pizzeria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyk Posted January 29, 2014 #66 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Late in the evening we spent some time in the Connoisseurs Club enjoying a few cigars. It's was nice to be back on a ship with a cigar lounge. All of the Radiance and Vision class ships have been stripped of theirs which is a real shame. I also had a nice conversion with "Super Mario", the #1 cruiser in Crown and Anchor. We shot the breeze for awhile about some of the upcoming ships; he's an absolute wealth of knowledge about cruising. The cigar lounge. Such a nice place to sit and relax with a good cigar and a drink. It's a real shame that RCI feels the need to get rid of them. Had a GREAT time in the Connoisseurs lounge with my husband John. Super Mario was a riot and had many interesting evening conversations with him and many others in that lounge. I am sure we crossed paths in there during the week. Sorry I was unable to make it to the meet and mingle, sounds like it was fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nednrom Posted January 29, 2014 #67 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Glad found this review---18 days and counting before we get on the Indy :):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nednrom Posted January 29, 2014 #68 Share Posted January 29, 2014 D+ members *do* get a BOGO coupon, but last month on the Independence, they had a first night special for all. ($15 instead of $20 I wonder if they extend the special to those who have already purchased ahead of time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DandDM Posted January 29, 2014 #69 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I'm enjoying this review even though I have ten months until my Indy cruise! Look forward to the rest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted January 29, 2014 #70 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Day 2, At Sea: The Activities Manager handing out prizes at the Meet and Mingle. I actually liked him better than the CD, but we'll get into that more later. Tim!!!! (me, too. ;)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totalelf Posted January 29, 2014 #71 Share Posted January 29, 2014 Great review so far! Can't wait to go on her in April! Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginger2000 Posted January 29, 2014 #72 Share Posted January 29, 2014 My one complaint with last week on Indy was the shops...they had almost 0 in the way of souvenirs. I know, not a huge deal, but I've been collecting a ship's magnet from each of cruises we take, and they didn't even have that. I just tried looking on ebay with no luck. We too were disappointed in the lack of IOS stuff. We collect shot glasses, coffee mugs and Jason has tee shirts from all the ships we have been on. However we were able to get gigantic erasers in different colours with matching pens and a notebook as big as your thumb!!!! Great meeting you last week! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted January 29, 2014 #73 Share Posted January 29, 2014 My one complaint with last week on Indy was the shops...they had almost 0 in the way of souvenirs. I know, not a huge deal, but I've been collecting a ship's magnet from each of cruises we take, and they didn't even have that. I just tried looking on ebay with no luck. I thought the exact same thing! There will be a blurb about that later on, but I was very disappointed that they didn't have the usual RCI souvenir stuff. Apparently Indy's shops are run by a different vendor. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk And as much as it gets talked about RCI doesn't seem to get the message. Indy is in the U.S. 6 months of the year. It should be geared toward Caribbean sailing when it is here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racnwdow Posted January 29, 2014 #74 Share Posted January 29, 2014 I think it was very appropriate that you have the pictures of the pizza place with no pizza. I noticed that the pizza closed at 2:20 on the last night too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthGrady Posted January 29, 2014 Author #75 Share Posted January 29, 2014 (edited) We too were disappointed in the lack of IOS stuff. We collect shot glasses, coffee mugs and Jason has tee shirts from all the ships we have been on. However we were able to get gigantic erasers in different colours with matching pens and a notebook as big as your thumb!!!! Great meeting you last week! Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app Great meeting you all as well! I think it was very appropriate that you have the pictures of the pizza place with no pizza. I noticed that the pizza closed at 2:20 on the last night too. I know! It really wasn't intentional, maybe that was more a subconscious thing. :D And as much as it gets talked about RCI doesn't seem to get the message. Indy is in the U.S. 6 months of the year. It should be geared toward Caribbean sailing when it is here. I agree, and that also gets back to what racnwdow and I are joking about. You've got to know your audience, apparently the Americans want shot glasses and late-night post-party pizza! :D Edited January 29, 2014 by DarthGrady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now