Silhouette VS The Independence of the Seas

[MoyCoy]

I am looking for a short cruise to use as a Adult only cruise which will serve as a 'back to back' for our upcoming cruse on the Harmony Jan 2017 (7 day Western Carib). My parents will watch the children while my Husband and I reconnect. We sale in a suite last year on the Eclipse in a CS (5 day) and loved the new suite benefits.

 

The prices are similar on both cruises.

 

Independence of the Sea is a 5 day that visits Falmouth and RC private island-- Grand Suite

 

Silhouette is a 4 day that visit Cozumel only -- Sky Suite

 

The Silhouette sails before our Harmony cruise and the Independence sails is after. Independence also has dates before our Harmony cruise too.

 

Both cruise allows one day in-between to catch up on laundry, restock travel essentials, etc.

 

I still have to ck on flights . We are flying from Seattle

Which cruise would you choose?:D

Edited February 26, 2016 by MoyCoy

[TheCount]

I am looking for a short cruise to use as a Adult only cruise which will serve as a 'back to back' for our upcoming cruse on the Harmony Jan 2017. My parents will watch the children while my Husband and I reconnect. We sale in a suite last year on the Eclipse in a CS (5 day) and loved the new suite benefits.

 

The prices are similar on both cruises.

 

Independence of the Sea is a 5 day that visits Falmouth and RC private island-- Grand Suite

 

Silhouette is a 4 day that visit Cozumel only -- Sky Suite

 

The Silhouette is before our harmony cruise and the Independence is after. Independence also has dates before our Harmony cruise too.

 

I still have to ck on flights . We are flying from Seattle

Which cruise would you choose?:D

 

We have sailed the Indy a number of times and a well run ship. In a grand suite you get access to the conceirge lounge and the concierge their , Raj has become a friend. As for going into labadee, I think is what you refer to, you have access to Barefoot beach for suite guests. A great place to unwind. And suite guests only.

 

We are going on the silouhette for the first time in a few weeks away. So we can't give you feedback on this ship at this time, other than it is more adult, than families from what we read.

 

Good luck on the choice.

 

For us. 5 days grand suite and more than Cozumel would be our choice hands down.

Edited February 26, 2016 by TheCount

[cruzzzinma]

MoyCoy, why not stay on the Harmony for the Eastern Carribean? To me, there would be much less stress. No getting off, dragging bags...

Edited February 26, 2016 by cruzzzinma

[MoyCoy]

MoyCoy, why not stay on the Harmony for the Eastern Carribean? To me, there would be much less stress. No getting off, dragging bags...

 

We are also doing a week of and travel in Florida. Most of my family do not enjoy cruising therefore I must transport the children to Orlando and than to Atlanta in order to visit with Grandparents. My Husbands family loves to cruise, so we meet them on a ship! Adding another 7 day cruise would elongate a already long vacation. If time were not a issue, I would stay on for sure. I sailed the Allure and indeed we could not do everything we wanted to do in 7 days. The ship was Massive~

Edited February 26, 2016 by MoyCoy

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

We've sailed on both Silhouette and Independence in the past year and like both ships for different reasons. I think you could be happy on either one, so let itinerary be your guide. I do love Labadee. Being able to spend a day there might tip the balance toward Indepndence, but Silhouette is an elegant ship. I like their no smoking policy in the casino.

[nekzaadvakil]

We're huge fans of RCCL but lately I think we've been converted to Celebrity loyalists. The S class ships of Celebrity are modern, contemporary and large enough for us.

 

My next 2 upcoming cruises are on RCCL, but I am seriously considering changing my Alaska cruise from Explorer of the Seas to Celebrity Solstice. That way we can experience both lines back to back. Only problem is that Celebrity is $1000 more expensive at the moment.

 

Since you're already trying out the Harmony, why not try Celebrity's best offering as well?

[alenushka]

Personally - Silhouette without a doubt. I just took my first RCCL cruise on Indy.. Not impressed with their service at all. Celebrity is my choice.

[MoyCoy]

Thank You everyone for your awesome advice!

[MoyCoy]

Personally - Silhouette without a doubt. I just took my first RCCL cruise on Indy.. Not impressed with their service at all. Celebrity is my choice.

 

What were some of the major differences you found between them. In which department was the service lacking on the Indy?

[alenushka]

What were some of the major differences you found between them. In which department was the service lacking on the Indy?

1. Everyone makes mistakes; how they fix it - makes a difference. RCCL never admitted making mistakes even when people complained and pointed them

2. 3 times we went to guest relations to fix our SMALL issues...3 times we had to involve a supervisor. Unbelievable how rude and not helpful guest relations people were. We are spoiled by X. They always smile and do their best to help and to solve any problem/issue. Not once (3 cruises) we had to involve supervisors on X.

3. My roommate has severe food allergies. Her dining experience was awful. If she ordered a night before - they lost her order next day and she would have to re-order. If she did not order a night before, they would give her "a lecture" how she should have and bring food she could not eat. Again, she had to call MaterD (spelling?) a few times to help her to get "eatable" food.

Food in general was 3/10 compare to X. I only enjoyed one dinner - lobster was delicious :)

4. RC does not impress as a company that strives to please. X - we always felt they were doing everything possible to do their best. Example: one time our breakfast took over an hour at Bistro on Five. We DID NOT complain at all, but we mentioned to our waiters at dinner (joking around) that we would rather go to the buffet next morning. Within 10 min, the manager from Bistro was by our table - apologizing and inviting us to come back to Bistro (free of charge!) to let them show that they could provide better service. In addition, they removed charges from our account for that breakfast and when we came back to our room, we found a plate of chocolate covered strawberries from her! That's customer service of X!!!!!

5. Also, on RC, very strange and unknown charges from the bars (e.g. tips of $5 that we never added) appeared on our accounts A FEW TIMES. We had to stay on line to fix it and to prove we did not authorize it. It was annoying. Lines were ALWAYS 30 min long! Never more than 5 min on lines on X (also, we very seldom needed to be on lines on X).

6. X, Disney, Princess, HAL - if we put our luggage outside late, they still picked it up. They told us on X that they had a person walking all night long any way, and it was OK to put it out past 11 pm. On RC, when I called to let them know I was late with one bag, they gave me another lecture and told me I would have to carry it myself. It got picked up by the time I woke up. Did they have to be rude once again?

 

The only thing i think RC is a little bit above X is entertainment. That's it.

 

We ignored most RC's issues (just sharing with you since you are trying to compare and choose) and we had a great vacation because we had amazing company and it was a chartered cruise - official ZUMBA cruise :D. We had so much fun. However, I would stick with X (favorite) or Disney or HAL for family cruising and avoid RC.

 

Hope it's helpful :)

[villauk]

We did a B2B on Silhouette, followed by Indy. All I can say is we wished our second week had also been on Silhouette. The service on Indy was not a patch on X, even though we do like both lines ;). We did a short cruise again on Indy to give her the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, we didn't change our minds and I doubt very much we will try her again. I'm not sure what it is, as we do like Liberty which is in the same class :confused:. Personally, I think it highlighted Indy's faults even more because we left Silhouette and went straight over to board Indy ;).

[Aquahound]

Independence of the Sea is a 5 day that visits Falmouth and RC private island-- Grand Suite

 

Silhouette is a 4 day that visit Cozumel only -- Sky Suite

 

I love both classes of ships and head-to-head, I would have a hard time choosing between those 2. However, based only on itinerary, I would pick Independence. One, 5 days is better than 4. Two, I love cruises with private island stops, especially if it's Labadee.

 

The ringer though...what is your Harmony itinerary? If you're going to Falmouth and Labadee on Harmony, that would sway me back over to Silhouette.

 

Ref service...take reports like that with a grain of salt. Service can change greatly from cruise to cruise, or even on the same cruise depending on who you come in contact with. Celebrity is certainly not immune from having those same exact issues. I've cruised RCI and Celebrity, both numerous times and frankly, I think service on both is excellent....with the exception of little hiccups here and there on both lines.

[wrk2cruise]

In a sky suite on Silhouette you have access to Michaels Club and Suite restaurant. We were there in early Feb and the Suite restaurant was fabulous. Service as good as specialty restaurants and food very close. You have a tough call given the itinerary. Silhouette was a superior cruise experience in Feb 2016.

[karena1]

We were on Silhouette in Dec and absolutely LOVED it. Ship was so amazing-everything from the public bathrooms to everywhere else was spotless and just great. Staff was great.

 

We have been on freedom and Liberty and love both. Just got off a 4 night on Indy and while I cannot say anything specific that was horrid (other than my husband thought the food the first day in the buffet was terrible-rest of weekend was fine), I will say of the 3 ships in the Freedom Class, Indy was by far my least favorite. Just did not have the pizzazz that Freedom and Liberty did. Again, nothing really specific, just not the same.

 

For me, if Itin was not an issue, I would do Silhouette over Indy. I will book Indy again just b/ we like 4 night cruises, but Silhouette is just a gorgeous, amazing ship.

[villauk]

I will say of the 3 ships in the Freedom Class, Indy was by far my least favorite. Just did not have the pizzazz that Freedom and Liberty did. Again, nothing really specific, just not the same.

 

 

That's exactly what I mean, can't put my finger on it, but something is definitely different on Indy ;).

[villauk]

I love both classes of ships and head-to-head, I would have a hard time choosing between those 2. However, based only on itinerary, I would pick Independence. One, 5 days is better than 4. Two, I love cruises with private island stops, especially if it's Labadee.

 

The ringer though...what is your Harmony itinerary? If you're going to Falmouth and Labadee on Harmony, that would sway me back over to Silhouette.

 

Ref service...take reports like that with a grain of salt. Service can change greatly from cruise to cruise, or even on the same cruise depending on who you come in contact with. Celebrity is certainly not immune from having those same exact issues. I've cruised RCI and Celebrity, both numerous times and frankly, I think service on both is excellent....with the exception of little hiccups here and there on both lines.

 

Paul,

 

Have you actually sailed on Indy or just other ships in the Freedom class range?

[Aquahound]

Paul,

 

Have you actually sailed on Indy or just other ships in the Freedom class range?

 

I have not actually sailed Indy nor Silhouette. I've only sailed sister ships...Liberty and Freedom, and Solstice and Eclipse.

[villauk]

I have not actually sailed Indy nor Silhouette. I've only sailed sister ships...Liberty and Freedom, and Solstice and Eclipse.

 

I only wondered as, like karena1, we found Indy was definitely different to Liberty even though in the same class (which, btw, we really enjoyed).

 

It's interesting to see a few similar comments by posters on here that have sailed on Indy as well as other Freedom class ships.

[Aquahound]

I only wondered as, like karena1, we found Indy was definitely different to Liberty even though in the same class (which, btw, we really enjoyed).

 

It's interesting to see a few similar comments by posters on here that have sailed on Indy as well as other Freedom class ships.

 

Good point...you could be right. I absolutely loved all my cruises on Freedom Class but as mentioned, Indy is the only ship of that class I've never sailed.