Independence of the Seas

[PhillyFan33579]

4 hours ago, boontj2003 said:

Just got off Indy a few weeks ago. Clean ship, great staff and food was fabulous! Everyone in our party enjoyed the food (which isn’t happening much on other ships)

I have cruised on Grandeur, Enchantment, Utopia and Independence twice in the last two months. We both thought the food in the MDR on Independence was the worst of our recent cruises, although we still thought the food was good on Independence. I agree that Independence is very clean and is in great shape for her age. 

[Mum2Mercury]

21 hours ago, The Fun Researcher said:

I think they meant to say. ” Independence also has the only fish and ships”

Yes, Fish and Ships is a small restaurant on the pool deck -- nothing to do with Playmakers.  I mistyped.

[PhillyFan33579]

On 9/6/2024 at 10:27 AM, Mum2Mercury said:

My husband loves Playmakers.  Note, if you care, that the cheapest beer on the ship is a pitcher in Playmakers.  

Playmakers also has the only Fish & Ships.  

Ovation also has Fish & Ships. Agree a pitcher of beer in Playmakers is the cheapest beer you can buy on the ship. Of course that doesn’t matter for passengers who have the deluxe drink package.  

[Norwich Cruiser]

3 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

Yes it it. Taking the parents in law as well. Then we got Allure booked from Barcelona in October. We did almost the same ports with P&O arvia last summer 2023.

Funnily enough we also have Allure booked from Barcelona ( such an easy port) but in July.

[Mick B]

Hi,

The 12 night cruise we are on is the first cruise after her TA.

In fact I believe this is the only 12 night cruise during her stay in the UK in 2025.

 

I was tempted to book the 15 night TA, but I have just done a very similar cruise this year on the Jewel and did not want to do the shorter 4 or 5 night cruises as they are too short or go back to the same ports and did not want to risk a B2B where I had to swap cabins, so the Canaries cruise was the only choice as we also wanted to avoid flying and staying in hotels before and after due to the increasing high price of travel to and from the ship which in some cases can equal the same cost as the cruise itself and I would rather use that money to have another cruise instead.

 

We will have a few sea days both ends of this cruise and it may get rough and when it does I normally find the promenade deck the best place to be as it is fairly central and during sea days all the shops are open.

 

Another nice thing about the Indy, for those who are Diamond and above is the fact that the Crown Lounge is up on deck 14 and not only has spectacular views, but also has a outside area at the back which is great during the day to sneak in some food and drink and have a private party!

 

Also, the Indy has the Ice rink which not only provides great Ice shows, but also at certain times, weather permitting, you can have a go yourself. I have a couple of times and if I do next cruise then you know who I am as I will be the one who has skidded off and over the rails!

 

Also, the best place is the schooner bar. Great for quizzes. I will be there for the 60s and 70s quiz as they are the only ones I am any good at.

Here is a top tip for anyone wanting a drink in there when it is packed. Don't que at the bar, don't call a waiter - instead, if it is open, go to the bar in the Casino as its only 50 feet away and if you are clever in your approach, the barstaff may think you are a playing the slots and give you an extra bit in your glass!

 

Also, a odd one this, but, On the Anthem and the Jewel my best bar is Vintages. However, this is not so for us on the Indy, instead, our best bar is the Champagne bar which is small but really great!

 

Lastly, IIRC, the solarium pool has the walk down steps and not the ladder type entrance, which is another reason why we love this ship as my wife is not too good on her feet.

 

BTW I have now been able to book My Time Dinner on the app. The first available slot is 1930 and I have been able to book this time for every night. Used to be 1845 and you could turn up around 1815-1830 and get a table most nights if you weren't demanding. It will be interesting to see how this plays out as on my most recent cruise on the Jewel's TA this year there were some very unhappy people who had not booked and were turned away at 1845.

 

In the past we have been to the MTD desk upon boarding and asked for a table for 2 anywhere but with the same waiters so we can tip them at the end of the cruise. They have told us that 1845 is the time, but we can arrive earlier and if an empty table is available due to guests not showing then we may be in luck.

 

Does anyone know what the current situation with MTD is on the Indy?

 

Mick.

 

 

 

[FamilyCruiserUK]

13 hours ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

Funnily enough we also have Allure booked from Barcelona ( such an easy port) but in July.

Haha, yes lots of flights there daily, nice and easy to get too been there numerous times.We always fly out the night before stay in the same hotel. It has a free shuttle bus from Airport, its next to a shopping centre and a mcdonalds and has a sleep, breakfast, shuttle port option. Or just get an uber. Takes 20 mins to get to port. 

Got a great deal on Allure and looking forward to her ampd as we love Oasis. The ports been to numerous times. 

[Norwich Cruiser]

3 hours ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

Haha, yes lots of flights there daily, nice and easy to get too been there numerous times.We always fly out the night before stay in the same hotel. It has a free shuttle bus from Airport, its next to a shopping centre and a mcdonalds and has a sleep, breakfast, shuttle port option. Or just get an uber. Takes 20 mins to get to port. 

Got a great deal on Allure and looking forward to her ampd as we love Oasis. The ports been to numerous times. 

Yes we got a great deal on Allure also booked as soon as they were released.

 

Not so good on IOTS but no worries.

 

We always fly out the day before from Stansted and have stayed at a few different hotels all been very good although lately we seem to plump for the diagonal area.

 

Yes in all honesty the ports are now secondary just enjoy the ship.

[FamilyCruiserUK]

22 hours ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

Yes we got a great deal on Allure also booked as soon as they were released.

 

Not so good on IOTS but no worries.

 

We always fly out the day before from Stansted and have stayed at a few different hotels all been very good although lately we seem to plump for the diagonal area.

 

Yes in all honesty the ports are now secondary just enjoy the ship.

Icon is on our list but refuse to pay those prices. Will wait a few years, never know an Icon class ship may come to Europe one day.

 

[The Fun Researcher]

Curious, how much is a pitcher at Playmakers before gratuity?

[goldfish65]

I am on the ship now and it’s $18. 

[The Fun Researcher]

On 9/9/2024 at 12:08 PM, goldfish65 said:

I am on the ship now and it’s $18. 

Thank you!!  Much appreciated.  I'll have to remember that.  Any idea how many glasses or ounces in one pitcher?

[goldfish65]

60 oz.