Sailing on the Independence in March

[alansfreed]

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

 

I thought I'd give you some more answers about this since I didn't see much response to this question (we were on Independence the week of Christmas).

 

When we first got on the ship, my daughter and I headed to Flowrider right away. First, you have to sign a waiver, and you get a plastic bracelet that you wear for the entire week. The bracelet is proof that you signed the waiver... they'll stamp the Flowrider area of the bracelet, and there are also places on the bracelet where they can stamp for the ice rink and rock wall, so there's a single bracelet for all activities that involve a waiver. On subsequent days, you still have to go to a desk and get a colored bracelet for each day of riding after showing your "main" bracelet as proof that you've completed the waiver. That seemed kind of redundant to me, but what're ya gonna do :)

 

There are specified hours for the Flowrider, and they split the time between stand-up surfing (not easy!) and boogie boarding (much easier!). During the stand-up surfing, you get into the line that coincides with the direction you'll feel most comfortable facing upon starting. In other words, if you'll feel most comfortable putting your left foot forward, you'll stand in one line, and right-foot folks will stand in the other line.

 

As people take turns, they alternate between one line and the other for the stand-up surfing.

 

For the boogie boarding, there's a net they'll put up to divide the Flowrider into two lines. It doesn't matter which line you get into -- this method simply gives them the chance to move lines more quickly since two people can go at once, one on each side of the net.

 

The workers were very generous to give everyone a fair turn. If you fall off right away, they generally let you have another chance at it, sometimes two chances. I thought that was nice, so you didn't stand in line and only get one shot at succeeding. Generally I found the lines to be about a 20-minute wait on average.

 

I have posted a bunch of photos from our trip (Geotagged, so you can see a map of exactly where each photo was taken):

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/alansfreed/ChristmasCruise#

[honeywell]

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:)

 

Tomko, thank you for sharing the link to your Webshots! We have the identical cabin but on the other side - #1402, so I could see exactly what our cabin will look like! Was happy to see that privacy curtain to divide the living area from the bed area - my kids will be sleeping on the pull out sofa so it gives us all more privacy!

[tomko2]

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.

 

Keep checking the prices maybe there will be a good enough price drop to spring for a balcony cabin. There is smoking in the casino and some bars as well but you have to check which ones; I believe the Champagne bar had smoking. Hope all goes well.

Kathy:)

[1stCruiser2008]

I am on the March 1st one to Western Caribbean. Which week are you on?

 

Donna

[1stCruiser2008]

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.

 

I am on March 1st also! Where do you live?

 

1st Cruiser2008

[tomko2]

Tomko, thank you for sharing the link to your Webshots! We have the identical cabin but on the other side - #1402, so I could see exactly what our cabin will look like! Was happy to see that privacy curtain to divide the living area from the bed area - my kids will be sleeping on the pull out sofa so it gives us all more privacy!

 

You will love this cabin! It is longer than a normal D1 with 2 bedside tables by the sofa as well as two bedside tables by the bed. The balcony is so spacious!

I don't think the privacy curtain is more than a few feet wide (need to check my photos again to see how far the rod extends.

Have a great cruise.

Kathy:)

[1stCruiser2008]

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.

 

I couldn't find how to do the counterclock????

 

Donna

[1stCruiser2008]

I couldn't find how to do the counterclock????

 

Donna

 

 

I found it!!

 

Donna

[Chancec]

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.

 

How do you undo the countdown clock? I entered my 1/24 cruise on the Indy and it came up with the wrong ship (Island Princess ). I went back and did it again thinking I entered the wrong ship ( I didn't) and the same problem x 2.

[tomko2]

How do you undo the countdown clock? I entered my 1/24 cruise on the Indy and it came up with the wrong ship (Island Princess ). I went back and did it again thinking I entered the wrong ship ( I didn't) and the same problem x 2.

 

Go back into Edit Signature, chose preview and click on the clock and then hit delete. Preview your signature again and it should be fine.

Kathy:)

[Chancec]

Go back into Edit Signature, chose preview and click on the clock and then hit delete. Preview your signature again and it should be fine.

Kathy:)

 

I did not have a delete option on the drop down list after right clicking on the preview.

[Chancec]

I tried edit options and did something there that worked, thanks.

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

I'd watch daily for price drops. We are cruising in February. In early December there were dramatic drops in price that were able to take advantage of, but now they have skyrocketed back up.

[fritzi]

To Firstcruiser 2008.

 

We are on the March 1st sailing like you. We are an older couple who presently live in the Atlanta area and are originally from N.J. many years ago.

 

We are very excited. We could have gone on the Navigator for 5 days for a lot less money but decided to spend more and take the 6 days. We were just at Belieze and Cozumel last year on NCL Sun. They are both decent ports - especially Cozumel so even though we have just seen them, wanted to really savor the Indy. Someone wrote that once you sail on this type of ship, all else is disappointing. This may be our last cruise for awhile because we have run out of destinations (have been to many cruise ports) and hubby is getting tired of all the cruising vacations.

 

I am waiting for airfare drops to Barcelona so we can experience the Med.

Cruise but it may be awhile before we shell out $4 K or more for this airfare and cruise experience, but that is my dream.