Independence Of The Seas B2B with over 100 pictures

[graham29a]

This is the single most useful and helpful post I have read since joining CC. Thank you so much for taking the huge amount of time to build this amazing picture of the place I will be spending my first ever cruise on in July 2016.

 

I don't think you have any idea of how fantastic this has been for me to read through.

 

Thank you so much.

[coldflame]

This is the single most useful and helpful post I have read since joining CC. Thank you so much for taking the huge amount of time to build this amazing picture of the place I will be spending my first ever cruise on in July 2016.

 

I don't think you have any idea of how fantastic this has been for me to read through.

 

Thank you so much.

 

Without a single doubt. It's reviews like this that give this forums value. Is there a "hall of fame" type of thing in these forums? If so, I would nominate this thread ASAP.

[MagicNMe]

You sir, give a great visual tour and a sincere, friendly review. Really enjoyed this, and thank you for such easy to read Compasses!

 

I'm sailing Indy's sister Liberty to Bermuda at the end of the month, and this gave me a great refresher of what to look forward to on board.

 

Thanks again for sharing your cruise with us.

[jimbri]

Great photos and review. Thanks so much!!

[mattpro]

Excellent review, pictures and commentary.

 

Have been on this ship and B2B itinerary many times so your pictures bring back many memories.

 

A few FYI notes:

 

When in St. Kitts next time you might like to check out Marriott's property - absolutely beautiful - with bar, pool, beach and tons of canopies for shade. About $35 p/p , not including food and drink.

 

The Voyager class RCL ship's have many of the same features as the Freedom Class, especially Promenade. The Southern Caribbean on the Adventure may be something worth checking out for a future cruise, especially a B2B. (Price is lower than Freedom class, Independence)

 

The southern itinerary has some tremendous islands for beaches (Aruba, Palm Beach) and some great all-inclusive hotel packages (St. Lucia, Sandals)

 

You mentioned smoking in the casino, but in such a way that I do not believe you are a smoker. However, if you are, there is a Connoisseur Club located on deck 5 at the front of the showroom where you saw Synergy

 

 

In the WJ there is an omelet station at the rear, where they will make your selection whatever way you like it. (Both Freedom & Voyager class ships )

 

Again, thank you for a very informative and picture laden review.

[Frenchie1964]

Great review!!

[IrishLassie]

Really enjoyed your review & your pictures were GREAT !

 

We had a promenade cabin on FOS (2 decks up from the R.P. over the cupcake store) & it turned out to be really nice. You could barely hear any noise from the Royal Promenade, but I will say that the cabin was smaller than what we're used to! We gave it a try as the cost was only $369. for the 7 day cruise! It was fun to sit & people watch from the window, not sure if we would book another promenade cabin, but if the price was right, maybe! :D

 

Also, give Celebrity a try at some point. We LOVE them.

[lyban]

Thank you for this awesome review. I enjoyed reading it and picked up many tips.

Great photos, but I still do not understand the photos of the promenade and then the spools of thread.

I cannot see what art you are referring to in the first photo that is actually spools.

[molsonschooner]

Excellent review, pictures and commentary.

 

Have been on this ship and B2B itinerary many times so your pictures bring back many memories.

 

A few FYI notes:

 

When in St. Kitts next time you might like to check out Marriott's property - absolutely beautiful - with bar, pool, beach and tons of canopies for shade. About $35 p/p , not including food and drink.

 

The Voyager class RCL ship's have many of the same features as the Freedom Class, especially Promenade. The Southern Caribbean on the Adventure may be something worth checking out for a future cruise, especially a B2B. (Price is lower than Freedom class, Independence)

 

The southern itinerary has some tremendous islands for beaches (Aruba, Palm Beach) and some great all-inclusive hotel packages (St. Lucia, Sandals)

 

You mentioned smoking in the casino, but in such a way that I do not believe you are a smoker. However, if you are, there is a Connoisseur Club located on deck 5 at the front of the showroom where you saw Synergy

 

 

In the WJ there is an omelet station at the rear, where they will make your selection whatever way you like it. (Both Freedom & Voyager class ships )

 

Again, thank you for a very informative and picture laden review.

 

We are going to be in St. Kitts in September. How do I get information about Marriots property. All I see on the web sites is for over night stays

[Havin'fun]

Fantastic review and loved loved loved your pictures. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[adjjb12]

Such a great review, loved the detail and pictures. Thank you!

[Discindy]

What a great review with all those pictures!! Going on Indy in July can't wait!! It's been 15 long years since our last cruise! Appreciate All your tips as well. Thanks for posting!

[workathome]

Thank you for your review! It is really getting me in the mood for my cruise on Indy's sister ship the Freedom. Your pictures are gorgeous.

[ridgecrest]

Thanks for sharing your B2B cruise with us. I enjoyed your review and it made me even more excited about boarding her in July.

[Marycruiser123]

Loved your review! We got off the ship yesterday after the 8 day sailing. I enjoyed your Carnival vs. RCI comparisons because Carnival had been the only cruise line I had done before this cruise. I completely agree about the burgers and ice cream! Also, we enjoy Carnival's pizza much more. Sorrento's was a huge disappointment.

 

We LOVED St. Kitts. Best cruise port we have ever been to. I give the credit to our tour guide though. We went around the entire island, saw beautiful beaches, black rocks, gorgeous views, the fort, caribelle batik, romney manor, chased monkeys in the jungle, fed sugar cane to donkeys, saw lizards and crazy caterpillars, ate some amazing local BBQ and a dessert called sugar cake. If you go ever find yourself back on the island...check out Royston Tours. Highlight of the trip!!

 

Oh, and we were a couple of the not so smart cruisers that stayed in a Promenade stateroom. I had done a lot of research and talked to multiple people who had stayed in those rooms with no problem. We knew it would be loud until midnight when the shows and parades finished up and that was fine since we are out and about past then anyways. However, the 24/7 music was much louder than anticipated. Even with ear plugs, I woke up to the base music multiple times a night.

[mickev99]

Loved your review! We got off the ship yesterday after the 8 day sailing. I enjoyed your Carnival vs. RCI comparisons because Carnival had been the only cruise line I had done before this cruise. I completely agree about the burgers and ice cream! Also, we enjoy Carnival's pizza much more. Sorrento's was a huge disappointment.

 

We LOVED St. Kitts. Best cruise port we have ever been to. I give the credit to our tour guide though. We went around the entire island, saw beautiful beaches, black rocks, gorgeous views, the fort, caribelle batik, romney manor, chased monkeys in the jungle, fed sugar cane to donkeys, saw lizards and crazy caterpillars, ate some amazing local BBQ and a dessert called sugar cake. If you go ever find yourself back on the island...check out Royston Tours. Highlight of the trip!!

 

Oh, and we were a couple of the not so smart cruisers that stayed in a Promenade stateroom. I had done a lot of research and talked to multiple people who had stayed in those rooms with no problem. We knew it would be loud until midnight when the shows and parades finished up and that was fine since we are out and about past then anyways. However, the 24/7 music was much louder than anticipated. Even with ear plugs, I woke up to the base music multiple times a night.

 

So glad to hear the good reviews about Royston Tours, that is who we are booked with when we sail Indy in late July. I actually didn't know anything about St Kitts but got really excited when I started researching it, I can't wait to see the sights!

[ILCruiser]

Packing List & To-Do List

 



Lawry's seasoning salt

 

Lawry's Seasoning Salt??? That's an intersting must-have.

Edited May 4, 2015 by ILCruiser

[mickev99]

Lawry's Seasoning Salt??? That's an intersting must-have.

 

 

For jellyfish stings. I'm from Florida and it's always in my beach bag :)

[LMaxwell]

Another fantastic review by Jim Zim

[2nsmom]

awesome review!!! Can't wait to board her next month :)

[KMagz]

Great review and photos! We were on board with you on the 6-day portion and even appear in some of your photos. :)

 

Just one thing I must comment on. re: Synergy (the party band.) They are pretty good BUT... The band that preceded them, and were on Indy for YEARS, was hands down the best band party band I've seen on a cruise ship (and possibly on land too.) Google "Rock The Boat" band. Great band. Great guys. Great playlist. As a matter of fact they are so good, they've been moved to Anthem of The Seas.

 

EXCELLENT REVIEW!

[70SS350]

Thank you for this awesome review. I enjoyed reading it and picked up many tips.

Great photos, but I still do not understand the photos of the promenade and then the spools of thread.

I cannot see what art you are referring to in the first photo that is actually spools.

 

@lyban check post #22 second pic of the art work with the wine glass above the R, that art work is made up of individual thread spools to make one big piece. Hope that helps.

[Spaniel Lover]

Lawry's Seasoning Salt??? That's an intersting must-have.

 

It tremendously improves the omelets and potatoes in the morning! However, I had a JYI moment and accidentally left my container of Lawry's on the table when I left the Windjammer on approximately morning #4 of 14. So, I had to suffer through the entire rest of the cruise without it.

 

So, as you see, there were even more JYI moments than I fessed up to in the original text.

[70SS350]

Great review Jim. Was on the Indy in February, it was on of our favorite cruises so far. About the Solarium, I agree with you as we'll about the Allure Solarium. But wait until you get on the Anthem and see the Solarium on her. Was on the Quantum for the two night, and I think it is hands down the best looking so far.

[Topo Gigio]

Thanks for your review. Indy is my favorite cruise ship!