Review of independence and photos from a P&O cruiser

[LibraLass41]

We arrived at the City terminal at 10am. I was surprised to see so many people there already unloading their cars and making their way to the check-in area, but was told boarding does start earlier than P&O at around 11am, and infact, I did see people boarding at around that time. I queued for my day pass along with 140 invited people from all over the Country who were going on this ships visit. We were given a ‘comfort bag’ by the RCI team, which was nice. It contained a bottle of water, disposable camera, notebook, pen and other promotional bits and bobs.

Independence of the Seas is a new ‘Freedom class’ ship, a massive 158,000 tonnes and has only been sailing for 8 weeks or so. She was looking very good when we boarded, and I was impressed with the furnishings and décor. Today will be a big test, the first cruise of the school summer holidays with lots of children due onboard a sell-out cruise.

We started at the Casino, wow! There must have been 200 or more fruit machines in rows in there, it’s a well known fact that the Americans like to gamble, and prefer to be in there spending their money than on deck like us Brits on a sunny sea day, but I’m not sure us Brits would be using it as much.

As you walk through, you are aware she is big… and when you look up you can see many decks above. We made our way to the ‘Royal Promenade ‘ a 4 storey mall lined with bars and shops… plenty of eateries and a pub here including a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlour. You can see the ‘PR grade’ promenade inside cabins above the shops, which are available to book if you fancy looking down on the mall instead of looking at the sea, I have taken a photo for you, and its on the photo site.

We got in the lift and went to deck 11, the sun was shining and it was easy to imagine we were on a cruise. The pools looked lovely. Plenty of sun lounges were lined around the tiered areas, and we made our way to H20 Zone, the children’s pools, this is a colourful water park with ground geysers, waterfalls, pools with currents and fountains. I am sure many of the children will stay in this area for their water fun…. If you want to avoid this family area then there is an ‘Adult only’ pool area which was very impressive. There were two lovely whirlpools on the sides of the ship with glass lookouts to sea, it is clearly posted ‘adult area’ and I was told this was policed well…. The adult only pool area (photos on site) also had good padded sun beds, and even swing benches. That’s where I would head if I was onboard for hopefully a relaxing time.

Alongside the H2 Zone are the children’s clubs, linked to a children’s arcade. The kids can have their own charge cards and can play the machines (Ooooh dear! Could get expensive?) but if you do no want to give your child unlimited funds, a daily charge of $20-30 for example can be added to their cards by their parents. Here in this area are the separate clubs for different age groups. The younger ones have art and craft tables, TV’s and toys, the older ones internet computers, a non-alcoholic bar, disco, and even their own Jacuzzis where their can sip their mocktail cocktails! Near here too is Johnny rockets, an American burger bar designed in a 1950 rectro style.

Food? Well I was impressed with the eateries onboard and the quality of the food.

Firstly, the Windjammer’ self service restaurant, here the food displayed looked very appetizing, a few photos taken for you, the sweets looked good I must say, but we had to move on (and with a promise of lunch in the restaurant later I was happy too)

The furnishings here looked lovely, much better than Aurora or Arcadia and great views as well. Off to the side were ‘Portofino’ a $25 supplement Italian restaurant serving such delights as ‘Skewer of Maine Lobster, scallops and salmon served with sun-dried tomato beurre blanc and Ligurian potatoes, or perhaps Grilled Fillet of Atlantic halibut over a citrus, crab and shrimp risotto, finished with salad verde and lemon butter sauce…the desserts included Pistachio panna cotta with strawberry-champagne ragout, and Tiramisu.

Also, the ‘Chops Grille’ was here, where you can have T Bone steaks, Veal chops and other meaty dishes cooked the American way.

On deck 12 there is a running tack if you fancy some exercise to burn off some of the calories!

Outside again on deck 13 I saw the ‘FlowRider’ which was empty when I photographed it for you, but looked great fun - this wave simulator allows you to surf or body-board. Alongside that is a 9 hole small-scale golf course, sports court and the rock-climbing wall. Plenty of things to do for the children here.

The games room was well stocked with board games and plenty of games tables for bad-weather sea days.

I was very impressed with the touch-screen maps around the ships to help you navigate this 15 deck ship, what a good idea!! You just key in a place, say the H20 Zone and it shows you the location and deck, much better that the maps onboard other ships which always seem so small and confusing to read.

I saw the Ice-skating rink, which was slightly smaller than I expected, but had lots of seating, I am told you need to queue up for the ice skating shows and get your tickets before going, and also in the day, it is used as a normal skating rink for everyone.

The theatre was big with plenty of seating – it needs to be – but nothing stood out here for me to comment on.

Surprisingly there is NO dedicated cinema on this family ship !!

Okay now the cabins…..

I loved all the cabins on this ship. The décor was modern and quality of linen and furniture the same as P&O. I saw many types of cabin and have photographed them for you. The Royal suite had a grand piano, and balcony with full size Jacuzzi and lovely bathrooms, and one suite I saw, I think it was the Presidential suite would accommodate 14 people ! Ideal for a large well-to-do family, it was magnificent, with a massive balcony, again with Jacuzzi and wooden thickly padded lounges and chairs and a long wooden table for al fresco dining. There was a sauna room with a gold sink and a full size shower, a lovely bath with whirlpool, very large screen TVs that swivel between bed and lounge, amazing.

The food, all food I saw looked wonderful. We dined at lunch in the magnificent 3 tier main dining room. A dramatic staircase connects all 3 levels with huge fat support pillars. All three restaurants have the same menus and food. And the tables seat 2,4,6,8,10 or 12.

I had a lovely lunch of duck terrine and smoked duck slices, a massive sirloin steak cooked as requested with jus and a potato quiche accompanied by 2 carrots and 3 asparagus spears cooked to perfection. I knew and expected a lot of meat and a small quantity of vegetables, and that’s what I got. Although I expect you can request more vegetables if you would like them. Funnily, one Gentleman on our table asked for ‘English Mustard’ to go on his steak, the waiter returned and said he only had French !!! and offered us that. A bit strange for a Ship based in the UK? !!!

The sweet was a light pastry Apple pie and ice cream..

And that’s it… I won’t go on anymore, or I will write a book.

Our thoughts:

A large brand new ship, ideal for families with young children or teenagers, with plenty to occupy them. I am sure couples without children would enjoy this ship too, there are ‘adult only’ areas and plenty of bars and eateries onboard.

I loved all the cabins, the food looked good, the theatre seemed very big, and of course you could go to an ice show as well for a change one night.

I would cruise on her tomorrow, husband not so keen. He said it was ‘too big’ a floating resort at sea not a cruise ship which attracted him for his main holiday.

As with any ship, I think we all need to try it once and make up our own mind. Next cruise for me, a mini 2nighter on Ventura. (A couple on the tour who have been on Ventura said IOTS beats Ventura by miles). Then in 2009 I am trying Oriana and Oceana, I also have a ships visit booked on Artemis at the end of Sept 08, interestingly the IOTS visit was free, and the P&O one costs £15pp, but there you go…

For anyone booked on this big baby – have a great time! Wish I was coming with you!

Over 75 photos of Independence taken on the visit can be viewed on this website:

http://picasaweb.google.com/AuroraPartyCruiseSueV/IndependenceShipVisitJuly08

To see them at their best, when loaded, press SLIDESHOW for bigger photos.

[LEESRE]

Sue,

Very interesting report but thought that it should be on the RCL site not P&O

 

Rex

[humpy]

hi libralass41just looked at the photos and read the review,i must say what a great looking ship.we are sailing on her on 23rd august on a four day tour to cork.from what ive seen i cant wait.thanks for the great review..humpy.

[Janey]

Gosh it certainly makes the Arcadia look a bit drab to say the least. We were parked next to it in Malaga a couple of weeks ago and it did look big! Really fancy the suite with the jacuzzi. Don't like all the coloured toys though.

[OldJerseycruiser]

Thank you for your great review and wonderful photos. It is good to get a P & O cruiser's perspective. We are going on the 4 nighter on her to Cork in August and also the mini cruise on Ventura in September so will be able to see the differences.

[Laticfanatic617]

as you can see from my countdowns below that i'm due on her in november 09...

 

have been on the arcadia last november, and due on ventura this november so i think it's a good reason enough to post on a P&O page as it's in direct competition to the P&O ships...

 

great post...great pics....

 

i'm in a top floor promenade room (deck 8), but there is part of me that wishes i'd booked the deck 6 one over Ben & Jerry's...free ice cream for the cruise!!!!!

 

oh well you live and learn....

[LibraLass41]

Yes, I could post it on RCI site, never venture there to tell you the truth being a PANDO cruiser, it was a good day, but hubbie prefers ships half the size, so doesn't look like we will be going on her, unless I win a competition - or go on my own -LOL:p

[Flat booby]

Thanks Libra Lass for those photos the ship certainly looks great and makes me wish I was going on her instead of the Ventura for our Cruise in Dec. The bigger the ship the more there is to do I suppose. Hopefully we will have a good time on Ventura. I have been reading the Reviews of all the ships and all have had something to complain about apart from Independence.

[middy]

Hi Libra lass. :)

Great review.:)

I did a Canaries cruise on Independence in May, we had an enjoyable cruise but have to say I tend to share the opinion with your hubbie, just too big for me.

[ccrystal]

Thanks for posting, she certainly looks a big ship, but think I'll stick to pando for the time being.

[LibraLass41]

I have now posted the review and photo link on the...... schhhh !! :cool: (otherside...the RCI thread) WHAT A FRIENDLY BUNCH! :)

 

The cruisers on RCI section were interested to see photos too, as I didn't realise this, but they get Independence of the Seas (or IOTS as she is called for short) for the winter season this year (Nov - March 09) for the Caribbean Season..and a few of the RCI gang are cruising on her, and ofcourse haven't seen many photos as she is based in the UK from her Maiden till when she leaves our shores around November time.

 

Don't fret, anyone who is interested in her, she will be coming back to us next April for her med/canaries season again. I did wonder if we were going to get Navigator back again, but no, its Independence....

[timetravellers]

Sue, thank you very much for the very comprehensive review of IOTS. It was particularly interesting to hear about the Ventura cruisers who thought IOTS was better as we are sailing on IOTS next spring having already fallen in love with Ventura!

Photos were really stunning.

Really excited but a long time to wait!

 

Gail

[aggietd]

Thanks Sue,

 

Being a RCI Girl (first P&O in 12weeks) I must admit she looks as good as I had expected her to look, but I am inclinded to think that she is probably a bit to big for me, dont know if I want an ice rink at sea!! we will see, hope to sail on her in 2010, but meantime thanks for the photos.

 

Nancy

[LibraLass41]

Yes, she has a ice-rink - but no cinema !!!

 

She doesn't have a laundry either where you can wash clothes and tumble dry yourself.

[Laticfanatic617]

Yes, she has a ice-rink - but no cinema !!!

 

She doesn't have a laundry either where you can wash clothes and tumble dry yourself.

 

 

but don't they do these $10 bag things, where you cram as much into said bag and they wash it for you??? not that sounds ok to me... let someone else do it for me as i enjoy yet another drink.....

[Redland81]

Thanks for the insight to the Independence. I'm going on it at the end of Octover and the Ventura at the end of January so perhaps I 'll put my thoughts on experiences on the both after that. I'm really excited now after seeing your thoughts though

 

Jane

[cclarke12]

wow those photos are great. We were berthed next to IOS in Livorno on Ocean Village 2 last month and she looked great. We are going on Voyager of the Seas next month and if it is half as good as IOS looks we will be very happy. IOS certainly seems to be having some rave reviews compared with Ventura.

[salsalady]

We arrived at the City terminal at 10am. I was surprised to see so many people there already unloading their cars and making their way to the check-in area, but was told boarding does start earlier than P&O at around 11am, and infact, I did see people boarding at around that time. I queued for my day pass along with 140 invited people from all over the Country who were going on this ships visit. We were given a ‘comfort bag’ by the RCI team, which was nice. It contained a bottle of water, disposable camera, notebook, pen and other promotional bits and bobs.

 

Independence of the Seas is a new ‘Freedom class’ ship, a massive 158,000 tonnes and has only been sailing for 8 weeks or so. She was looking very good when we boarded, and I was impressed with the furnishings and décor. Today will be a big test, the first cruise of the school summer holidays with lots of children due onboard a sell-out cruise.

 

We started at the Casino, wow! There must have been 200 or more fruit machines in rows in there, it’s a well known fact that the Americans like to gamble, and prefer to be in there spending their money than on deck like us Brits on a sunny sea day, but I’m not sure us Brits would be using it as much.

 

As you walk through, you are aware she is big… and when you look up you can see many decks above. We made our way to the ‘Royal Promenade ‘ a 4 storey mall lined with bars and shops… plenty of eateries and a pub here including a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream parlour. You can see the ‘PR grade’ promenade inside cabins above the shops, which are available to book if you fancy looking down on the mall instead of looking at the sea, I have taken a photo for you, and its on the photo site.

 

We got in the lift and went to deck 11, the sun was shining and it was easy to imagine we were on a cruise. The pools looked lovely. Plenty of sun lounges were lined around the tiered areas, and we made our way to H20 Zone, the children’s pools, this is a colourful water park with ground geysers, waterfalls, pools with currents and fountains. I am sure many of the children will stay in this area for their water fun…. If you want to avoid this family area then there is an ‘Adult only’ pool area which was very impressive. There were two lovely whirlpools on the sides of the ship with glass lookouts to sea, it is clearly posted ‘adult area’ and I was told this was policed well…. The adult only pool area (photos on site) also had good padded sun beds, and even swing benches. That’s where I would head if I was onboard for hopefully a relaxing time.

 

Alongside the H2 Zone are the children’s clubs, linked to a children’s arcade. The kids can have their own charge cards and can play the machines (Ooooh dear! Could get expensive?) but if you do no want to give your child unlimited funds, a daily charge of $20-30 for example can be added to their cards by their parents. Here in this area are the separate clubs for different age groups. The younger ones have art and craft tables, TV’s and toys, the older ones internet computers, a non-alcoholic bar, disco, and even their own Jacuzzis where their can sip their mocktail cocktails! Near here too is Johnny rockets, an American burger bar designed in a 1950 rectro style.

 

Food? Well I was impressed with the eateries onboard and the quality of the food.

Firstly, the Windjammer’ self service restaurant, here the food displayed looked very appetizing, a few photos taken for you, the sweets looked good I must say, but we had to move on (and with a promise of lunch in the restaurant later I was happy too)

The furnishings here looked lovely, much better than Aurora or Arcadia and great views as well. Off to the side were ‘Portofino’ a $25 supplement Italian restaurant serving such delights as ‘Skewer of Maine Lobster, scallops and salmon served with sun-dried tomato beurre blanc and Ligurian potatoes, or perhaps Grilled Fillet of Atlantic halibut over a citrus, crab and shrimp risotto, finished with salad verde and lemon butter sauce…the desserts included Pistachio panna cotta with strawberry-champagne ragout, and Tiramisu.

 

Also, the ‘Chops Grille’ was here, where you can have T Bone steaks, Veal chops and other meaty dishes cooked the American way.

 

On deck 12 there is a running tack if you fancy some exercise to burn off some of the calories!

 

Outside again on deck 13 I saw the ‘FlowRider’ which was empty when I photographed it for you, but looked great fun - this wave simulator allows you to surf or body-board. Alongside that is a 9 hole small-scale golf course, sports court and the rock-climbing wall. Plenty of things to do for the children here.

 

The games room was well stocked with board games and plenty of games tables for bad-weather sea days.

 

I was very impressed with the touch-screen maps around the ships to help you navigate this 15 deck ship, what a good idea!! You just key in a place, say the H20 Zone and it shows you the location and deck, much better that the maps onboard other ships which always seem so small and confusing to read.

 

I saw the Ice-skating rink, which was slightly smaller than I expected, but had lots of seating, I am told you need to queue up for the ice skating shows and get your tickets before going, and also in the day, it is used as a normal skating rink for everyone.

The theatre was big with plenty of seating – it needs to be – but nothing stood out here for me to comment on.

 

Surprisingly there is NO dedicated cinema on this family ship !!

 

Okay now the cabins…..

I loved all the cabins on this ship. The décor was modern and quality of linen and furniture the same as P&O. I saw many types of cabin and have photographed them for you. The Royal suite had a grand piano, and balcony with full size Jacuzzi and lovely bathrooms, and one suite I saw, I think it was the Presidential suite would accommodate 14 people ! Ideal for a large well-to-do family, it was magnificent, with a massive balcony, again with Jacuzzi and wooden thickly padded lounges and chairs and a long wooden table for al fresco dining. There was a sauna room with a gold sink and a full size shower, a lovely bath with whirlpool, very large screen TVs that swivel between bed and lounge, amazing.

 

The food, all food I saw looked wonderful. We dined at lunch in the magnificent 3 tier main dining room. A dramatic staircase connects all 3 levels with huge fat support pillars. All three restaurants have the same menus and food. And the tables seat 2,4,6,8,10 or 12.

 

I had a lovely lunch of duck terrine and smoked duck slices, a massive sirloin steak cooked as requested with jus and a potato quiche accompanied by 2 carrots and 3 asparagus spears cooked to perfection. I knew and expected a lot of meat and a small quantity of vegetables, and that’s what I got. Although I expect you can request more vegetables if you would like them. Funnily, one Gentleman on our table asked for ‘English Mustard’ to go on his steak, the waiter returned and said he only had French !!! and offered us that. A bit strange for a Ship based in the UK? !!!

The sweet was a light pastry Apple pie and ice cream..

 

And that’s it… I won’t go on anymore, or I will write a book.

 

Our thoughts:

 

A large brand new ship, ideal for families with young children or teenagers, with plenty to occupy them. I am sure couples without children would enjoy this ship too, there are ‘adult only’ areas and plenty of bars and eateries onboard.

 

I loved all the cabins, the food looked good, the theatre seemed very big, and of course you could go to an ice show as well for a change one night.

I would cruise on her tomorrow, husband not so keen. He said it was ‘too big’ a floating resort at sea not a cruise ship which attracted him for his main holiday.

 

As with any ship, I think we all need to try it once and make up our own mind. Next cruise for me, a mini 2nighter on Ventura. (A couple on the tour who have been on Ventura said IOTS beats Ventura by miles). Then in 2009 I am trying Oriana and Oceana, I also have a ships visit booked on Artemis at the end of Sept 08, interestingly the IOTS visit was free, and the P&O one costs £15pp, but there you go…

 

For anyone booked on this big baby – have a great time! Wish I was coming with you!

 

Over 75 photos of Independence taken on the visit can be viewed on this website:

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/AuroraPartyCruiseSueV/IndependenceShipVisitJuly08

 

To see them at their best, when loaded, press SLIDESHOW for bigger photos.

 

 

Great pictures Sue...

 

I quite fancy the owners suite with the jacuzzi on the balcony....that'd do me and OH for a fortnight....lol

 

Karen

[pkfamily]

Hi Sue,

 

Firstly thanks for all the help with our trip on Oriana we had a great time and unlike the posting by some smokers we have found this site very supportive.

 

Whilst on our trip we met up with the Independance in Barcelona. Most of the people we spoke to loved the ship but had problems finding there way around as the ship was so big. Some people said that they would rather be on a smaller ship like the Oriana.

 

Paul

[LibraLass41]

Glad you had a good time Paul

 

Whens the next one? :D ;)

[pkfamily]

Oriana next August to Greece and Turkey.

 

Have you done Athens or Istanbul and can they be done independantly????????

 

Paul

[LibraLass41]

No sorry, I haven't but i expect someone on here has and will answer you soon!