Independence of the Seas March 9-15th, Western...mostly picture review.

[missholly24]

Hi everyone!! I took so many pictures I want to share some of them. I am a 32 year old married, mother of two boys (5 and 7). I am addicted to cruises, this was my 8th. I was lucky enough to sail with a good friend while my husband and kids stayed back in the lovely snowy, freezing Michigan!!!!! I cruise with Royal and Carnival and love them both. I love to look up reviews on Cruise critic before each cruise and see lots of photos. I had a hard time finding reviews on Indy, so here is my contribution. I won't be writing too much, but will have lots and lots of photos!!

Hanging out in Port Everglades before we sail.

 

 

 

Our first DOD!!

Edited March 20, 2014 by missholly24

[Salat13]

Looking forward to your review, as we will make the transatlantic with Indy soon :)

 

 

Gesendet von meinem iPhone mit Forums

[SharkCruiser24]

Looking forward to your review! I am thinking about Indy for my birthday cruise later this year!!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[missholly24]

The ship was the most beautiful ship I have been on. Very clean. We of course made our way up to the windjammer for lunch. It was quite busy, but we found a table right away.

 

Then we just explored, explored, and explored some more. Above is Ben and Jerry's and the Cupcake Factory on the Royal promenade. I'll be honest, not my favorite spot on the ship. I like to see the ocean and/or outside. This space was beautiful, but felt like my local mega mall.

 

[Chicago Cruise Lover 312]

Thank you so much for your photos! We have 37 days until we're back on the Indy, we absolutely LOVE this ship!

[CaribbeanH2OLover]

We will be on the Indy in 3 days! Curious to know more about the service on the ship and how was the food?

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[ARCruisinNana]

Your photos are beautiful! I'm looking forward to my first cruise on Indy next month. Thanks for sharing:)

[wildcatt99]

Hi everyone!! I took so many pictures I want to share some of them. I am a 32 year old married, mother of two boys (5 and 7). I am addicted to cruises, this was my 8th. I was lucky enough to sail with a good friend while my husband and kids stayed back in the lovely snowy, freezing Michigan!!!!! I cruise with Royal and Carnival and love them both. I love to look up reviews on Cruise critic before each cruise and see lots of photos. I had a hard time finding reviews on Indy, so here is my contribution. I won't be writing too much, but will have lots and lots of photos!!

Hanging out in Port Everglades before we sail.

 

 

 

Our first DOD!!

 

That drink looks wonderful. What is the name of it? It looks good.

[Dr.roastbeef]

Thank you so much for your photos! We have 37 days until we're back on the Indy, we absolutely LOVE this ship!

 

I am going to be on that cruise as well. maybe we can share a crumble

[dreamer976]

So glad you enjoyed your cruise on the Indy. I'll be checking back for more of your experiences and photos, as I will be back on the Independence this May for the transatlantic.

 

Don't know if anyone in your group had a soda package, but was wondering if they have put the "Freestyle" machines that dispense soda, punch, etc. aboard? My last cruise on the Freedom, they were in the Windjammer and Promenade.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

We will be on the Indy in 3 days! Curious to know more about the service on the ship and how was the food?

We'll be there with ya....hopefully enjoying some good food on this wonderful ship. :)

[drarill]

Great pictures!! thanks for sharing your cruise with us! Looking forward to the rest of your review. :)

[missholly24]

We will be on the Indy in 3 days! Curious to know more about the service on the ship and how was the food?

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

 

The service and food were excellent. We did not have one single negative experience regarding service. I will say though (knowing full well I sound like a spoiled American girl) that the desserts were awful. Being that the ship sails overseas for a lot of the year, everything had a British feel. The desserts didn't escape this. Jello and pudding IMHO are not desserts. Nothing had a crust....nothing. Sadly to admit, desserts are one of my favorite things in life. That being said, it of course didn't spoil any part of my cruise. It became a joke between my friend and I. I feed jello and pudding to my patients after major bowel surgery. Maybe that was the problem. :p

[missholly24]

That drink looks wonderful. What is the name of it? It looks good.

 

Not sure what the name was. It was one of the "drink of the day's" It was yummy.

[missholly24]

Thanks everyone. I had bought an SLR camera and my sister is a photographer. But honestly, I felt like the "I have no idea what I'm doing" meme all week. LOL!! Its hard to take a bad picture on a cruise though. Here are some random pictures of the ship. They are not in any order.

 

 

Also, this is my first review. Let me know if I am doing something wrong, or annoying, or too many photos...LOLOLOL...and I will answer any questions that I can! I will have to admit that I am a pretty boring cruiser. I like to eat, sleep, lay by the pool, and shop. Eeeeks.

[missholly24]

Schooner Bar. Right outside the Casino. Cool place to sit and relax.

Casino was fun. We lost of course. They had a non smoking section and took cash. I was surprised by that. Also, there was a cool machine by the Cashier's desk that broke large bills into smaller ones. We exchanged many a 20's for 1's and 5's.

 

Our cabin 9670. No issues here, it was great. Fridge was of course luke warm. Not sure why cruiselines can't make the fridge cold. I have never had one. Anyways, it didn't matter to us. Otherwise everything was in good repair and clean. The beds were comfy. I take it back about the issues. The shower head was terrible. Had a fine mist that sprayed you in the face the entire time. Twice, it fell out of the holder and sprayed like a wild snake, but again just provided a good laugh for us. My friend took the first shower. She came out and warned me that "she was assaulted by the shower" The hard doors were nice though so no groping of the curtain here....;)

Edited March 21, 2014 by missholly24

[missholly24]

So glad you enjoyed your cruise on the Indy. I'll be checking back for more of your experiences and photos, as I will be back on the Independence this May for the transatlantic.

 

Don't know if anyone in your group had a soda package, but was wondering if they have put the "Freestyle" machines that dispense soda, punch, etc. aboard? My last cruise on the Freedom, they were in the Windjammer and Promenade.

 

I didn't see any freestyle machines. I did see people getting their cups refilled at the bars though.

[traceyleigh15]

I love your pics. We sail on Sunday!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[missholly24]

Our luggage arrived pretty quickly. We unpacked and hung out on the balcony. The hi-lo drivers amaze me. All the hustle and bustle and beeping excites me. I sent some text messages rubbing it in a little to cold friends and family at home. Once we were at sea, I didn't plan on having my cell phone stuck to my hand like at home :( Our dinner time was late seating. We like that because it seems to be less busy and we aren't rushed during the day. Dining room was awesome. Everything was dark red and gold. Reminded me of the Titanic for some reason (?!?!?!) I of course didn't say that until the last day, not sure how appropriate that statement is. There was a real live 4 or 5 piece band playing dinner music. They played instrumental versions of popular songs. Great job on RCI's part. I love music, and it adds to a overall cruise's feel.

Blurry sorry, but so captures the magic of a cruise dinner!

[missholly24]

I love your pics. We sail on Sunday!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

Thanks' date=' we had a blast. Have fun!![/size']

[missholly24]

The next day was a day at sea. Now this was a spring break cruise....College....Spring....Break. It made me laugh, because I am in a strange spot in life. Watching them made me realize how incredibly stupid/naive 20yr olds are. However, part of me also missed this time of carelessness. Blind optimism....unscathed by the upcoming incoming canon balls of trials and tribulations of life!!!!

 

The cruise director Joff and his asst Cuddy. They were the funniest duo yet. Usually I don't pay any attention to the cruise director. These two are hillarious. Don't miss their daily morning show on TV. (Joff was going on vacation after our cruise)

[MerriWthr]

Hey! We're on the Indy at Thanksgiving in Cabin 9670!! Glad to see how the beds will be configured separated - my daughter and I are travelling together. Let's hope they have the showerhead fixed by T'giving!!

 

Thanks for the photos and review!

 

Michelle

[loverofpv]

Loved your pics and your report...31 days until we are on the Indy...can't wait, we were last on the Liberty and LOVED that ship!!! Thanks for sharing!

[Poorplaya]

We are on the Indy on April 26th and super excited, I'm hooked on the review until the end!! Thanks for posting the pictures and info!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[num1crewsfam]

Loving your pics! Thanks for building the excitement for our Indy cruise in just over a month!!!:D:D