Multiple questions before I book cruise

[Quiltin"Mom]

Hello all,

 

We are looking at booking a cruise on RCI, Independence, for late April 2016. We have only cruised one time before and it was a disaster. It was also 15 years ago. I have been reading everything I can on here, but still have some specific questions.

 

First and foremost, we have not chosen a cabin yet. We would like to do a small balcony (category D1). We are a family of 4, two adults, a 12 year old and an 8 year old. I have looked over the deck plans and I can't figure out which cabins will hold all four of us. Can someone help me? We would like to be on deck 8 and not anywhere noisy.

 

Which leads to question #2.....is there somewhere I can go and look to see how full the ship is for our sail date or which cabins are still available?

 

What drinks are complimentary and included with the cruise? I know alcohol is not inculded, but what about Coke/Pepsi? Is milk or juice available all day?

 

And then I keep seeing people talking about other restaurants on the ship and they are an additional fee. What meals are available that are included in the cruise? Is it just the main dining or are there other options. We are not formal people and would prefer to not have to dress up for dinner. So, is there other food available that is included?

 

Our ports are Cozumel and Belize City. What excursions would you recommend? We are going to try and schedule the Chankanaab Park and swim with the dolphins, manatees and sea lions. What should we do in Belize? We would love to find another wildlife/animal encounter.

 

THANKS so much. I am sure I will have many, many more questions.

[lifes-a-beach]

You can go to RCI's web site, act like you're booking and you will be able to see what's available.

 

Complimentary drinks includes several juices, tea (iced and hot), coffee, water, milk, lemonade. I think that's it.

 

Generally speaking there is plenty of food besides the MDR. I can't speak specifically to Independence but there is always a buffet and sandwiches/ burgers, etc. We rarely ever pay for food except that there was a Johnny Rockets on Navigator and it was like 5 bucks and was very good. Incidentally you needn't dress up every night in the MDR. Just formal nights. The other nights just dress appropriately.

 

In Belize we went to Lamanai on a ships excursion and had a ball. I bet your kids will love it, although there is no animal encounter except a few seen from the boat on the river that takes you there.

 

I can't comment about the cabin selection except to say if you can afford it put the kids in a connecting room. Cabins are quite small. When ours were that age we really liked having them right there but still having a bit more room.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Would suggest posting on the RC board. You will get more specific answers.

 

You can see the deck plans on the RC website. There is a key that shows the number of people a cabin can sleep. If you plan to put all four of you in one cabin would highly recommend a cabin with Pullman bunks for the kids, otherwise they will have to share a sleeper sofa. The cabins are small and there is very little room once the sofa is open.

 

You might want to price two cabins, either connecting or across the hall, such as a balcony and one interior, or two interiors.

 

You might want to call RC directly or work with an experienced travel agent.

 

Included drinks are coffee, tea, iced tea, hot chocolate, milk, chocolate milk, tap water, lemonade, favored waters, juice for breakfast (not fresh squeezed). Available at food locations.

 

Soda/pop and alcohol are not included. You may want to check out drink packages including nonalcoholic packages.

 

Food in the main dining room, promenade cafe, pizza, windjammer buffet are included. Room service is included. Delivery charge is around $5 after midnight. Specialty restaurants are extra.

 

Gratuities are billed to your account daily - would be for four people - just like cabin, no special price for kids.

 

Hopefully that gets you started! Enjoy your cruise and planning.

[Quiltin"Mom]

THANK you for your replies. I am trying to work with a travel agent, but I am ready to give up on her. She is an independent agent and works from her home. She is good at answering my questions, but I don't know what questions to ask. I feel like she needs to kind of "interview" me and see what we are looking for. So far I am stabbing in the dark and changing my mind frequently because I keep discovering other options. I don't know how to find a helpful agent.

 

Frustrated at this point and willing to do it on my own, but I feel like there is so much more I don't know.

 

I will try and call RC tomorrow and see if they are more helpful.

 

THANKS again!!!!

 

Another question - does anyone know if the 2016 Entertainment book has any sort of discount for an RC cruise in it?

[MCC retired]

Many Homebased Cruise Specialists are very good and work under contract with those large cruise agencies that are out there. They stay updated with training and product knowledge , perhaps far more than those working in call centers who may have never even been on a cruise.

This one TA appears not very good at qualifying you . No need to continue.

Contact that agency and get assigned another good TA and drop her.

[05mak05]

Just keep asking questions. We're all happy to help! Here's a tip on cabin selection. Pull the deck plan for Deck 9 on the Independence. You'll see balcony #9696 that connects with interior #9701. Also on the starboard side of the ship, #9396 connects with interior #9401. We booked this configuration for our children and grandchildren. These two staterooms turned out to be cheaper than 4 people in a D1 midship. I'd suggest calling Royal Caribbean and ask if they can find a date for you when these are open. (They go fast.) Two bathrooms, two TV's, etc.

[SuiteTraveler]

Dining options on Independence of the Seas:

Independence of the Seas Main Dining Rooms:

The Main Dining Room (included)

 

Independence of the Seas Alternative Dining:

Chops Grille (extra) Steak house

The Portofino Restaurant (extra) Italian

The Jade (extra) Asian Fusion

Johnny Rockets (extra for lunch and dinner, included for breakfast) Hamburger joint.

The Lido Buffet & Pool Area Dining (included) (burgers, hotdogs, etc.)

The Windjammer Cafe (included) (buffet)

 

In-Between Meals:

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (extra)

Latte-tudes Coffee Bar (extra)

Johnny Rockets (extra for lunch and dinner, included for breakfast)

 

Room Service:

Independence of the Seas Room Service (In-Room Dining) (included during the day and then extra after midnight)

 

In general you must make reservations for the specialty restaurants, except Johnny Rockets. The specialty restaurants all charge a small extra fee per diner. The Lido Buffet and Windjammer Cafe are your included casual dining spots where you never have to dress up. Johnny Rockets is always casual as well.

 

For Belize, kids love to go on the Cave Tubing excursion, which includes a bit of a hike through the rainforest with some stops along the way to see animals.

Edited January 19, 2016 by SuiteTraveler

[cherylandtk]

Also, and this is just to help you in picking the right cruise, if you could tell us specifically what was a disaster on your first cruise, we can help you to avoid that sort of situation or perhaps readjust your expectations or choose a different set of accommodations.

[spookwife]

Hello all,

 

 

 

First and foremost, we have not chosen a cabin yet. We would like to do a small balcony (category D1). We are a family of 4, two adults, a 12 year old and an 8 year old. I have looked over the deck plans and I can't figure out which cabins will hold all four of us. Can someone help me? We would like to be on deck 8 and not anywhere noisy.

this late there may not be any cabins left that hold 4. when you plug in your particulars you wil be shown what, if any, cabins are available.

Which leads to question #2.....is there somewhere I can go and look to see how full the ship is for our sail date or which cabins are still available? not really the website will show you up to 5 cabins available in the category you choose

 

What drinks are complimentary and included with the cruise? I know alcohol is not inculded, but what about Coke/Pepsi? Is milk or juice available all day? Juice only at breakfast. soda is not included unless you have a drink package that includes it. there will be at least one flavored water available

 

And then I keep seeing people talking about other restaurants on the ship and they are an additional fee. What meals are available that are included in the cruise? Is it just the main dining or are there other options. MDR, Buffet and a Promenade, or Park cafe/Solarium the latter two is mostly snacks We are not formal people and would prefer to not have to dress up for dinner. So, is there other food available that is included?

 

 

 

if the life boat capacity has been reached for a particular area, they will not let you book 4 in a cabin even if the deck plans says it can hold that many. it may be necessary to book 2 cabins.. perhaps a balcony for you and an inside for the kids