Sailing on the Independence in March

[fritzi]

Hello, have just made reservations for myself and my husband on the Independence of the Seas. We are really excited about this new ship. We have been out on the Conquest (Carnival) and thought that was great but now we see that from the pictures, the Independence is much more spectacular. Was wondering whether anyone has sailed lately to reply on the beauty of the ship, the food, etc. I noticed the specialty restaurants were kind of expensive so we were planning to have our meals on the deck or the regular dining room. How was the food? My husband is a good singer and would like to know what time the karaoke room is open for people to have fun. Any info you can give on this ship is appreciated.

 

Also, any chance Royal Caribbean may lower rates on this ship as time passes. We are paying kind of a high rate and were wondering if there was a chance we could get some money back if they reduce rates. Does anyone know how Royal works with discounting? Thanks

[juniorsmom]

We are just back from the Independence and it is a beautiful ship. It still has the new ship smell;). Sailing on a new ship is a real treat. Absolutely new signs of wear. Everything is clean and fresh.

 

I found the food to be good. We ate in the dining room, windjammer and Chops the speciality restaurant. We tried the buffet (windjammer) one night but prefer the dining room. Although I had a craving for mashed potatoes and in the buffet it was easy to help yourself.

 

You will enjoy yourself.

[fritzi]

Wow, thanks for your info. Was also wondering if they have one or two formal nights on the 6 day cruise if that's the itinerary you were on. Also, did they offer lobster tails, did they have good entertainment on board? Do they have an alternate entre if you are not interested in the menu items? Any other info would be appreciated. Thanks .

[uksimonusa]

Hello, have just made reservations for myself and my husband on the Independence of the Seas. We are really excited about this new ship. We have been out on the Conquest (Carnival) and thought that was great but now we see that from the pictures, the Independence is much more spectacular. Was wondering whether anyone has sailed lately to reply on the beauty of the ship, the food, etc. I noticed the specialty restaurants were kind of expensive so we were planning to have our meals on the deck or the regular dining room. How was the food? My husband is a good singer and would like to know what time the karaoke room is open for people to have fun. Any info you can give on this ship is appreciated.

 

Also, any chance Royal Caribbean may lower rates on this ship as time passes. We are paying kind of a high rate and were wondering if there was a chance we could get some money back if they reduce rates. Does anyone know how Royal works with discounting? Thanks

 

March is Spring Break time for some US schools, so I don't think you will see the prices drop much, but you may be lucky, we are booked on April 4th, the last US cruise before she heads back across the pond and yesterday the price for interiors went up $30 on our cruise.

 

If the Indy is like Freedom then the Karaoke room is pretty much open all the time.

 

Stop by the Dog and Badger pub on the Royal Promenade in the evenings and have a sing along with my friend Shane Tapper, alway a good night in the pub with Shane:D

[NorbertsNiece]

You are going to have a wonderful time. The specialty restaurants are really very good and if you were to consider trying one I would recommend Portofino's; yes you do have to pay a cover charge but it's worth every cent. The menu in the main dining room offers a variety of choices for each course; you will not go hungry. Be sure to try the antipasti at Sorrento's. :)

[honeywell]

Hi Fritzi and welcome to Cruise Critic! I am also on the April 4th sailing on Independence! Can't wait!

 

Something that has helped me get a feel for our ship is reading the Cruise Critic member reviews. Here is a link for you to see the reviews, if you haven't already read these.

 

Have a wonderful time!

[cruzobsessed]

i was JUST on the indy....last week:(......after several rc cruises this was by far our favorite cruise and ship. after 8 nights....i never got used to its beauty:)

the food in the windjammer (buffet) was the best we've ever had. with 4,000 people on the ship we never felt crowded. we always got a sunbed.....(try the upper decks if you have trouble).....a table in the windjammer....and the elevators.

[kipper8]

Hi Fritzi and welcome to Cruise Critic! I am also on the April 4th sailing on Independence! Can't wait!

 

Something that has helped me get a feel for our ship is reading the Cruise Critic member reviews. Here is a link for you to see the reviews, if you haven't already read these.

 

Have a wonderful time!

hi i am also on the independence on the 4th can anyone tell me how the flow rider queues work:):):)

[bajathree]

Hi Fritzi and welcome to Cruise Critic! I am also on the April 4th sailing on Independence! Can't wait!

 

Something that has helped me get a feel for our ship is reading the Cruise Critic member reviews. Here is a link for you to see the reviews, if you haven't already read these.

 

Have a wonderful time!

What do you know....i am on the same sailing:D

[link99]

What do you know....i am on the same sailing:D

 

So are we Florida Schools out this week for Spring Break should be a full ship. I know my Son will be spending time at the Flow Rider. I might give the body board surfing a try.

[NorbertsNiece]

hi i am also on the independence on the 4th can anyone tell me how the flow rider queues work:):):)

 

Same as all queues..... when you fall off you pick yourself up and join back up on the end to have another go!

[Alysia]

i was JUST on the indy....last week:(......after several rc cruises this was by far our favorite cruise and ship. after 8 nights....i never got used to its beauty:)

the food in the windjammer (buffet) was the best we've ever had. with 4,000 people on the ship we never felt crowded. we always got a sunbed.....(try the upper decks if you have trouble).....a table in the windjammer....and the elevators.

 

We were also on the same sailing with cruzobsessed. She is right, the cruise was great!!! Once you go on a ship like that one you won't want to go on anything else. It never felt crowded in spite of its sized. You will have a great time.

[juniorsmom]

Wow, thanks for your info. Was also wondering if they have one or two formal nights on the 6 day cruise if that's the itinerary you were on. Also, did they offer lobster tails, did they have good entertainment on board? Do they have an alternate entre if you are not interested in the menu items? Any other info would be appreciated. Thanks .

 

We were on the eight night cruise so there were two formal nights. We were at chops on the lobster night and yes they did have a alternate menu, chicken, steak or salmon maybe one more choice I forget. As far as entertainment goes, we spent way too much time in the casino, I should have gone to a show.

[eyeskatermum]

We traveled last August on the IOS. 14 days in the Med. Sea. What an outstanding ship! We were it's third sailing with a full ship and the first time they had ever done the itinery we had.

 

First of all, the ship is so big. No, it's huge. We have pictures standing next to everyship we have ever sailed on and this was the first time you can't see the name of the ship in the pictures 'cause it's way up there! The promenade is larger with more shops and places to snack and sit. There is more to do, more to see and much more to explore.

 

The best thing about the IOS is the cruise director - Graham (forgot last name). He is a gas and has the greatest sence of humor. Don't miss his morning show on the television - it's just way too funny.

 

We ate everywhere. Chops, Portofinos, Johnny Rockets and the dinning room not to mention Windjammer. On deck by the pool is soft swirl ice cream and a smoothie bar. Never had anything bad. You should know that the money you pay for the dinning service in the specialty restaurants is consider the gratuity since these waiters won't get the add on money that you will be billed for on your stateroom bill. Tip on the bill when you finish your meal only if you want to add extra for the staff that waited on you or the wine service.

 

We did have lobster night. I noticed that the lobsters are getting smaller, but I had plenty as our waiter went back several times for us. I was not fond of the Ice Tea at the table in the dinning room - but I was able to get 1/2 a glass and an extra water to make it more to my help. On the second night the waiter had it already mixed for me so it was enjoyable. We ate in the dinning room since we had a lovely family from England at our table. They were not always there - and sometimes we were so tired from the ports (especially Rome) we passed and took room service. And that was enjoyable too.

 

It was the best ship we have been on so far. I can't wait for the Oasis. If it's anything like the IOS it too will be an experience.

 

As far as formal nites, I don't believe you get three until you go on a 12 or more day cruise. Pretty much all the rest are 2 nites. I do notice that people are dressing down a bit for Formal nites now, but I enjoy putting on the ritz once in a while. We did rent the ships Tux for my DH this time, and it was well worth the money. With the airlines charging for luggage and overage not having to bring all that extra clothes and shoes was well worth it. He got two shirts and two pair of socks and I brought a third for the other night. The tux was in the closet the day we arrived.

 

We did try the laundry - was expensive and took too long to get back, so don't plan on using that. Just a suggestion. The only other thing we did not enjoy was constantly being photographed. Joe Photo's are everywhere. I do say that the photo pickup area is much better designed on the IOS - was much easier to get them.

 

Have a great cruise.

[NorbertsNiece]

eyeskatermum : totally agree with you on everything..... except the laundry.... we did the bag of laundry for $20 and found it met our needs perfectly.... we also had to have a jacket washed as the apes on Gibraltar had left their mark!! Again it came back when expected. We were also travelling full. As for the photographers.... worked out that so long as you didn't make eye contact we were safe!!

[honeywell]

So are we Florida Schools out this week for Spring Break should be a full ship. I know my Son will be spending time at the Flow Rider. I might give the body board surfing a try.

 

Hi Link!

 

We have a very active group chatting about our upcoming Indy 4/4 cruise. You can find all your fellow ship mates here.

 

Come on over and introduce yourself! Many of us are traveling with our kids and we are planning a Meet and Mingle on board.

 

Please join us!

[taba]

Also, any chance Royal Caribbean may lower rates on this ship as time passes. We are paying kind of a high rate and were wondering if there was a chance we could get some money back if they reduce rates. Does anyone know how Royal works with discounting? Thanks

 

There have been some recent reductions in rates. They are about a week old. Check the Royal Caribbean website. There are also resident dsicounts and discounts for over 55. You should be able to get a refund if you qualify for the rates.

[tomko2]

We were on the Indy in December -- such a beautiful ship. Some photos in the link below. Ate at Chops ($25 pp) and Portofino's ($20 pp) and enjoyed both very much. In the Main Dining Room we had a wonderful table with lovely tablemates. Our Head Waiter was very pleasant. At the end of dinner one evening my DH asked if he would have escargot the next evening and our Head Waiter arranged it for the whole table.

The pizza at Sorrento's is delicious. Take the time to walk around as much as you can to see the ship; there is a lovely marble staircase (lit at night) near the forward elevators - pretty place for photos.

The Ice Show is beautiful.

Have a wonderful cruise.

Kathy:)

[fritzi]

Thank you all for responding. We can't wait to go on this magnificent ship. Not a negative response from anyone. That's incredible. I am sure we will be spoiled now for any other cruise we go on in the offing.

 

The one thing that i just found out about is the smoking policy. I was dumbfounded to learn that smoking is not permitted in the inside or oceanview cabins - only on the balcony cabins - outside of the room. My husband smokes and is now annoyed that he will only be able to smoke on the left side of the ship and cigar bar.

 

Did anyone notice other areas of the ship like the casino that had designated areas for smokers?

 

I know smoking is a sore spot for many, but carnival and ncl still allow it and as i mentioned, was quite surprised to find out rccl had tighter restrictions. I suggested to them they should make the public more informed on their websites regarding smoking policies - before they actually booked and paid for a cruise.

 

I am sure this will not be a terrific problem for him but it does take away something from the cruise he was expecting. Thank you again for all your wonderful responses.

[LLindaC]

Yes, I am glad that they are limiting smoking. I am highly sensitive to it and have gotten ill from exposure. You can still smoke in the Dog and Badger pub on the Promenade. It gets thick in there. Smoking is permitted in Boleros, the On Air club (karaoke) and at the Casino bar.

 

I still think smokers should go outside to puff. Every time there is indoor smoke it puts emplyees and guests at risk. We have a smoke free town and it's made a huge difference in air quality and in the working environment.

[fritzi]

LLINDAC -

 

Thanks for your information. My hubby will be happier now!

[LLindaC]

You're welcome. We are cruising in two weeks and I can't wait ! We were on the Freedom and Liberty and they are great ships. Have a wonderful time!

 

ps...don't let him "sneak" a smoke in the cabin or you risk getting a stiff fine!! Maybe next time get a balcony!

[fritzi]

LLindaC

 

Thanks again - have a wonderful time.

 

By the way, how do I list the ships that I have been on like you have. I don't know where to go on my profile to put these ships in? Thanks again.

[Newtrek]

LLindaC

 

Thanks again - have a wonderful time.

 

By the way, how do I list the ships that I have been on like you have. I don't know where to go on my profile to put these ships in? Thanks again.

 

Go to user PC at top of this page and go to Edit signature and you can also put in a counterclock too if you have upcoming sailings.

[webteach]

I just booked for March 1 this morning. I was worried because we are used to smaller ships so I thought I'd do a search of CC to see what people have to say. Your post was the first one here! Must be an omen.