Rare crewsweeper Posted June 17, 2015 #151 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Great review JimZim! Thanks for sharing. DW is booked on the IotS for next April with a women's group. She's a "loyal" Carnival cruiser (platinum) and just got back last month from her second cruise on the Sunshine. So your pictures and comparisons to Carnival are appreciated. We're booked on the Vista in January 2017 and from what I can gather from our small roll call, the Havana cabins are already sold out. There's only 4 with hammocks, so better not wait too long. Be a great area to avoid lots of screaming kiddos. BTW I have those YI moments too.:D Like the time I dropped my S&S card in the elevator and it fell straight through the crack in the floor by the door. My wallet was in the safe in the cabin. I had to get security to open the cabin, open the safe and then someone to go down to the bowels of the ship and retrieve my S&S card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark-Sheffield Posted June 21, 2015 #152 Share Posted June 21, 2015 Wow, really enjoyed your review and photos. We have booked on INDY for next year and its our second time and cannot wait. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecuador Posted June 21, 2015 #153 Share Posted June 21, 2015 great review and fantastic photos. Re tripod Do you only use tripod ashore or do you use it on the ship.I have a travel tripod and am thinking of taking it on next cruise for some low light photos but not sure if there would be too much movement on board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildcat46 Posted June 23, 2015 #154 Share Posted June 23, 2015 I am bummed. None of he pictures would open for me. the review was great, but it sounds like I really missed out on the pictures. Just a bunch of square icons and I tried opening them in two different browsers will not luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dawnmariex Posted June 28, 2015 #155 Share Posted June 28, 2015 Thanks for the great review. I'm going on her on July 12! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
binky&jane Posted June 29, 2015 #156 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Thank you so much for taking the time to give such a thorough review!! Absolutely the BEST yet!!! Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank You!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MisterFidgetpants Posted June 29, 2015 #157 Share Posted June 29, 2015 Fantastic. Just started. Book marking for later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Lover Posted July 1, 2015 Author #158 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Re tripod Do you only use tripod ashore or do you use it on the ship.I have a travel tripod and am thinking of taking it on next cruise for some low light photos but not sure if there would be too much movement on board. I only use it onboard, and never take it ashore. Mainly I use it for low-light night shots and then also sometimes for selfies on a timer. The motion of the ship is no problem at all for the camera on a tripod... as both the ship and the camera move in sync. A low-light shot of something on the horizon would not work, though, as the motion of the ship would mess that up. But shooting something within the ship is no problem on a tripod, even if the ship rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teamd Posted July 2, 2015 #159 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Freaking Awesome and VERY detailed review of Independence Of The Seas, Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cei3 Posted July 7, 2015 #160 Share Posted July 7, 2015 Was Super Mario on your cruise? cei Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wadesmith Posted July 8, 2015 #161 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Are you going on the Eastern 7 night debarking on Aug. 2nd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccw2891 Posted July 9, 2015 #162 Share Posted July 9, 2015 We're sailing soon on the INDY and was wondering do you remember if there were any fees to assess the beach/waterpark in Haiti?...Or what the fees for the zipline were? I noticed you said the lunch was free , just wondering what else may be included there. Looking for a lot of low cost to free things to do while traveling. Your review is awesome and I thank you for all the details. Labadee, Haiti Normally you wouldn't think of Haiti as a vacation hot spot. It's one of the poorest countries in the world, with a whole lot of political instability and about the worst living conditions you'll find in the Americas. But Royal Caribbean has developed a little portion of Haiti as their own little private vacation paradise. And paradise it is... One of the best days of our 14-day cruise was spent right here under the palm trees of Columbus Cove. For most passengers, a day at Royal Caribbean's private destination at Labadee will basically be a day at the beach. Swim in the warm Caribbean waters and relax on a lounger. Buy some drinks, if you'd like, or just enjoy a free barbecued lunch. For those interested in a little more excitement, rent a jet ski, go snorkeling, or play on the inflatable toys at the water park: There's also a gigantic zip line, a bobsled ride, and a waterslide! If you'd rather take it easy and you're willing to shell out a few bucks to be served, rent one of the bungalows overlooking the water. You've got to be careful about sunburn at a place like this. Even if you cover yourself with sunblock, you can get a pretty nasty sunburn after spending the day here... if you're not careful. There are several distinct areas within Royal Caribbean's Labadee development. I recommend going to the one furthest from the ship... it's called Columbus Cove. The most important thing it's got going for it is a lot of trees and a lot of shade... to help you keep from getting sunburned. Also, because it's the furthest from the ship, it's the least crowded. The beach at Columbus cove is really nice. There are no waves, and the sand is soft and plentiful. No beach shoes needed in the water at all. There are bathrooms, and a restaurant serving a free barbecue lunch. It's not really that long of a walk from the ship... but there's a tram that can take you there if you don't want to walk it. Also, Columbus Cove is where that water park is located... so if you've got kids, this is a natural for you. One of the most popular beaches at Labadee is called Adrenaline Beach. It's the beach where you can watch the people come screaming down off the hill on the zip line. That's definitely fun to watch! The problem, as you can see from this next picture, is that the loungers are all out in the direct sun. So, wear lots of sunscreen, cover yourself up after a while... and if you can afford it, think about renting one of those luxurious day beds! The rocks of the breakwater help protect swimmers at Adrenaline Beach from the strong currents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccw2891 Posted July 9, 2015 #163 Share Posted July 9, 2015 We're sailing soon on the INDY and was wondering do you remember if there were any fees to assess the beach/waterpark in Haiti?...Or what the fees for the zipline were? I noticed you said the lunch was free , just wondering what else may be included there. Looking for a lot of low cost to free things to do while traveling. Your review is awesome and I thank you for all the details. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeDemonBlond Posted July 9, 2015 #164 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Thank you for spending the time to put this together. Interesting about the Pinocchio set. 4 years ago I was on the Independence sailing a 14 day Mediterranean cruise. That very set and performance was performed. I remember giving it a standing ovation at the end. I remember it as my teenage kids were embarrassed that I stood up. The rest of the musical/dancing numbers on the ship were so-so unfortunately but that particular performance stood out for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted July 9, 2015 #165 Share Posted July 9, 2015 We're sailing soon on the INDY and was wondering do you remember if there were any fees to assess the beach/waterpark in Haiti?...Or what the fees for the zipline were? I noticed you said the lunch was free , just wondering what else may be included there. Looking for a lot of low cost to free things to do while traveling. Your review is awesome and I thank you for all the details. Using the beach is free. However, the zipline is around $95. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie MeMe Posted July 9, 2015 #166 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Thanks for the pictures. They are fun. Trying to get this back to front page to be found by rollcall if not successful with link I cut and paste. Carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestmommy Posted July 10, 2015 #167 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Could you please tell me which side of the Independence is the smoking side? Thanks for that as well as for the great review of the ship that you spent so much time creating for the rest of us to enjoy and benefit from! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdon9876 Posted July 14, 2015 #168 Share Posted July 14, 2015 I wanted to thank you for your thorough review. It was a tremendous help in the days before we took our journey last week! Wonderful information and photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
relaxatsea Posted July 21, 2015 #169 Share Posted July 21, 2015 We'll be on this ship next month. You review and photos were excellent, thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHarvard Posted July 21, 2015 #170 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Thanks for this! My fiance and I will be on the October 7 day for our honeymoon and seeing all of this has made us even more excited about it! -M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleo1611 Posted August 28, 2015 #171 Share Posted August 28, 2015 Great Review ! Can you tell me how much it was at the Hilton Rose Hall in Jamaica and how much it cost by taxi if that's how you got there? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLUBVOYAGES Posted August 28, 2015 #172 Share Posted August 28, 2015 We will be on the Indy on October 4th, and I have the same question of Cleo1611. Thank you to answer us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Lover Posted August 29, 2015 Author #173 Share Posted August 29, 2015 Great Review ! Can you tell me how much it was at the Hilton Rose Hall in Jamaica and how much it cost by taxi if that's how you got there? Thanks. We did this as a shore excursion booked through Royal Caribbean... so there was no taxi involved. We all got on an air conditioned bus for the trip to the resort. I don't remember the exact cost... but let's say it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $120 per person. Keep in mind it's an all-inclusive resort... so that cost includes all the booze you can drink, and all the food you can eat... plus access to the pool, lazy river, and beach. If you've currently got a cruise booked to Jamaica... just go to Royal Caribbean's web site and login to your cruise and you can then investigate what shore excursions are offered and what the exact price is if they offer the Hilton Rose Hall excursion on your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLUBVOYAGES Posted August 30, 2015 #174 Share Posted August 30, 2015 Thank you for the information Spaniel Lover :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise_Anne Posted August 31, 2015 #175 Share Posted August 31, 2015 As I sit at my desk gazing longingly at your pics, Indy is exactly as I remember her, lol! Now just counting the days until January! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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