Independence of the Seas cruise ship review: What ...

You may get preview of the cruise forward of you by lingering on the pool deck buffet on embarkation day. At lunch on Royal Caribbean‘s Independence of the Seas, I sat a couple of tables away from a big group of ladies toasting one another with drinks earlier than bursting out with “Ladies Simply Need to Have Enjoyable.” I misplaced rely of the variety of teams I noticed carrying matching T-shirts, most proclaiming household reunions, milestone birthdays and bachelorette events.

I did not see the precise bride, who’d boarded earlier. Presumably, she was nonetheless at her wedding ceremony reception in a non-public location. (I discovered later three {couples} bought married throughout my crusing.)

The gang was younger on my long-weekend Bahamas cruise. I noticed numerous of us of their 20s and 30s, in addition to households with children on a final hurrah earlier than college began. However the reunion teams spanned a minimum of three generations (presumably 4?). The gang was culturally various, and I heard numerous Spanish on this crusing, however the overwhelming majority of cruisers hailed from Florida.

All of them had one factor in widespread — a need to have probably the most enjoyable potential on a fast three-day journey. The ship and its smiling crew members had been completely happy to accommodate, serving up drinks, main wild competitions and doling out cone after cone of soft-serve ice cream on scorching Bahamian afternoons.

Some journeys are for seeing the sights or experiencing a brand new tradition. A fast cruise on Independence of the Seas is all about letting the great instances roll with some enjoyable within the solar. On that promise, the ship completely delivers.

Overview of Independence of the Seas

The 154,407-ton Independence of the Seas is 15 decks excessive and carries 3,864 passengers at double occupancy (or 4,627 at most occupancy) in 1,932 cabins. It was inbuilt 2008, and its final main refurbishment was in 2018.

The ship is a part of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class, the precursor to the road’s beloved but notoriously large Oasis Class. Once they debuted, Independence of the Seas and its Freedom Class sisters (Freedom and Liberty — sense a theme?) had been the world’s largest ships. They launched new ideas to the cruise line, together with the FlowRider surf simulator, outsized scorching tubs cantilevered off the edges of the ship and a water park for teenagers.

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Enjoyable reality: The ship’s health middle initially had a big boxing ring within the middle and boxing exercises, however the ring has since been eliminated.

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Greater than a decade later, the ship is now not the largest or probably the most progressive, the Wipeout Bar is gone and the water park has been revamped. But it nonetheless has all of the hallmarks of a contemporary megaship with a number of eating and consuming venues, wow-factor leisure (together with a Broadway musical), loads of lively enjoyable and room to sunbathe.

The ship nonetheless makes the highest 40 hit checklist of greatest ships on the earth, beating out way more just lately constructed vessels resembling Disney Wish, Discovery Princess and Norwegian Prima. It might accommodate all types of vacationers, from budget-conscious vacationers reserving inside cabins to well-off households staying within the largest suites, and presents actions for folk who like to remain lively, those that need to lounge within the solar and partiers searching for a good time.

With a lot to do on board, you will not really feel such as you’re on an previous ship. You will really feel such as you’re on an action-packed ship — one which is perhaps the right measurement for lively family and friends trying to have outsize enjoyable on quite a lot of cruise itineraries.

What I cherished about Independence of the Seas

The ship’s power is excessive

Brief cruises do not all the time have the perfect status. “They’re celebration cruises,” folks sneer, as if the megaship is one humongous den of debauchery with hundreds of wasted weekend warriors on board. That is in no way what a brief crusing on Independence of the Seas is like.

What a brief cruise actually interprets into is a high-energy crusing as a result of your shipmates know they’ve solely a restricted time to profit from the ship’s facilities and time in port. Onboard occasions shall be filled with company all in on the enjoyable, whether or not that is cheering on contestants in a recreation present or singing together with a musician in a bar. Folks screamed for his or her favorites on the “End the Lyric” recreation prefer it was a school soccer recreation, and I watched three, if not 4, generations of households dancing the merengue collectively on the Latin bar Boleros.

You will additionally encounter a ton of teams — birthday celebrations, bachelor and bachelorette events, household reunions, anniversaries and even onboard weddings. The upshot is that the entire crusing takes on a celebratory vibe, even whenever you’re not a part of a bunch. The sense of enjoyable is contagious, and you end up wanting to hitch in wherever the persons are as a result of you recognize you may have time.

I am certain that individuals bought drunk on my cruise (steer clear of the swim-up and floating bars on Royal Caribbean’s non-public island in case you want to keep away from them). However I did not see any sloppy drunk company stumbling by means of the general public decks or getting sick in cabin hallways. Perhaps that is as a result of I went to mattress at an affordable hour. Largely, I encountered teams of individuals able to have the perfect time at each occasion across the ship, whose power was infectious and made all of the actions a bit extra high-octane and enjoyable.

Be aware that the onboard vibe will probably be completely different on the ship’s upcoming longer cruises in Europe and in Canada and New England.

Independence of the Seas would not really feel big or overly crowded

Royal Caribbean excels at passenger circulate on its ships, which makes its megaships really feel manageable. Independence of the Seas is straightforward to navigate, and I not often had the “you’ll be able to’t get there from right here” expertise I’ve had on different cruise traces.

The ship is split into three sections, high to backside. The higher decks (11 to fifteen) are the place you may discover all of the out of doors enjoyable and actions, in addition to the buffet and spa. The center decks (6 to 10) comprise completely cabins and suites, so you’ll be able to ignore all of those besides the deck the place your room is situated. (You will discover a smattering of lodging on the highest and decrease decks.) The underside decks (3 to five) function the Promenade with its bars and retailers and the primary indoor sights — the eating room, on line casino, theater and ice rink.

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I shortly discovered the place the whole lot was situated, important on a brief cruise. Higher but, I did not encounter any bottlenecks the place too many individuals had been pressured into too small a hall or transit area. The Promenade was all the time bustling however by no means shoulder to shoulder. I all the time discovered a seat within the efficiency areas, even once they had been packed.

Briefly, I by no means felt like I used to be trapped in a mass of humanity in the course of the ocean with no escape.

The buffet is properly designed with nice selections

As I’ve written about earlier than, I’m not a huge fan of the cruise ship buffet. However for a mass-market cruise ship, Independence of the Seas has a fairly nice buffet.

Associated to my level above, I by no means felt that “trapped in a crowd” feeling on the buffet. Certain, it was bustling and busy. Generally I had to go searching for a desk for 2. However the measurement of the venue and the station format (versus one lengthy buffet line) meant that individuals may transfer freely and choose their dishes with out ready in slow-moving queues.

I additionally appreciated that the buffet had numerous selections at time for dinner. I have been on Carnival Cruise Line and MSC Cruises ships the place I discovered the choices restricted at dinner. Independence had as a lot selection within the night as at lunchtime, with gluten-free and attention-grabbing worldwide (largely Asian and Indian) stations, in addition to a well-stocked salad bar and always-available burgers and scorching canines. Each day-rotating-themed stations provided attention-grabbing choices, resembling Jamaican meals, on the evening I ended by.

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The breakfast choices included the whole lot you’d anticipate finding, in addition to an sudden worldwide station with Indian breakfast dishes. I admit I did not put the made-to-order omelet counter by means of timed trials, however the steam-tray scrambled eggs had been really fairly moist for bulk-made eggs.

I used to be unhappy that I did not have time to eat on the buffet for dinner, and that is a thought I not often have when cruising!

What I did not love about Independence of the Seas

The ship is displaying its age

Independence of the Seas had a significant refurbishment in 2018, however within the years since then, its cabins have seen numerous put on and tear.

My balcony cabin was comfy, with all of the area I wanted, however I did not want a magnifying glass to inform it had been well-used. The sofa was stained, the mirrored rest room cupboards had been chipped, the image frames had been scratched — and there was a niche between the underside of one of many nightstand drawers and the entrance edge the place small gadgets may fall by means of. After I was placing my toiletries away within the rest room, one of many triangular cabinets fell down, although I had solely put a couple of gadgets on it.

The cabin decor, with a inexperienced leaf-patterned carpet, blonde wooden furnishings and striped curtains, additionally would not really feel fashionable.

None of those quibbles affected my enjoyment of the cruise, however set your expectations in case you’re hoping for a pristine, Insta-worthy room.

The drink menu is boring

I am not an enormous drinker, however I really like a craft cocktail — partly as a result of they’re attention-grabbing and partly as a result of I can by no means consider what drink to order and I choose to pick from a preset menu. I have been loving going to bars on ships like Carnival Celebration and Oceania’s Vista and trying out all of the inventive drink choices.

So think about my disappointment once I requested for the cocktail menu at Independence of the Seas’ two specialty eating places, Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Desk, and was handed the identical cocktail menu discovered at each generic bar on board. No, I do not need a pina colada with my fancy steak, thanks very a lot. The place had been the enjoyable cocktails themed to every restaurant like I discovered on the Mason Jar restaurant on sister ship Wonder of the Seas?

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I did discover a extra attention-grabbing drink menu on the Schooner Bar (desert pear margarita, anybody?), however that was the one time I noticed a unique cocktail checklist. For a ship that likes to celebration, I used to be upset that Royal Caribbean hasn’t hopped on the inventive cocktail pattern like a few of its competitor cruise traces. I’ve since discovered the Schooner Bar menu is new, so if it is profitable, maybe Royal Caribbean will add new cocktail menus to different bars on board.

Since this evaluate was initially printed, Royal Caribbean has revamped the menus in each Boleros and the Ale & Anchor pub.

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My room on Independence of the Seas was a daily balcony cabin, going through the ocean — the preferred room kind on most ships. It provided loads of room for 2 folks, and I do not suppose it might be an issue with an additional particular person sleeping on the pullout couch.

The room has two twin beds that may be pushed collectively right into a queen-size mattress. Bedside lamps with centered studying lights and one-drawer, one-shelf nightstands flank the beds. The residing space encompasses a lengthy couch that would seat three or 4 (and remodel right into a mattress) and a glass espresso desk.

Reverse is a big desk/vainness with a lighted mirror, six medium and three shallow drawers (one for the hair dryer) and an empty minifridge. Small cabinets are hidden behind the 2 slim aspect mirrors, with one other glass shelf above the flat-screen TV.

The TV shouldn’t be interactive. It has roughly 30 channels of sports activities, information, films and youngsters programming, plus a bunch of cruise ship-sponsored channels.

A two-door closet seemed small however had ample hanging area for 2 folks on a three-night cruise, plus 5 cabinets and a secure tucked into the nook. I appreciated the full-length mirror and steel hooks by the door for hanging jackets or hats.

The toilet is small however serviceable. The spherical bathe has two sliding doorways, and I did not harm myself once I dropped my conditioner bottle and needed to retrieve it off the ground mid-shower. The bathe has two steel cabinets and a movable wand showerhead.

Storage contains three towel racks and 4 hooks on the again of the door. The nook mirror hides a three-shelf vainness, and there is a lengthy shelf beneath the sink.

Bogs are stocked with bathtub and hand towels, washcloths, one bar of cleaning soap, a pump dispenser of a shampoo-body wash combo within the bathe and tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner, physique wash and lotion.

On such a brief cruise, I didn’t spend a lot time on my balcony, utilizing it primarily to dry moist bathing fits. It had two upright chairs (with one stage of recline) and a spherical desk that would simply accommodate a room service breakfast order.

The decor, as talked about earlier, is quite dated and displaying some put on. The room is clearly prepared for a refresh, as stains, chips and dings within the furnishings are seen. These minor particulars did not hassle me, however in case you’re anticipating new and fashionable, please readjust your expectations.

What did hassle me was the connecting door to the cabin subsequent door. It was not open, however the sound carried — and this included my neighbor hacking and coughing loudly at any time when I used to be attempting to fall asleep. To check, I could not hear something from the cabin on the opposite aspect and not using a connecting door.

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In case you want to improve and ebook a set on Independence of the Seas, you’ve got a selection of Royal, Proprietor’s, Grand, Panoramic and Junior Suite choices. Totally different suite sorts include completely different Royal Suite Class perks, which could embrace entry to the Suite Lounge on Deck 14 (simply off the Viking Crown Lounge).

Independence of the Seas eating places and bars

Independence of the Seas presents loads of restaurant and bar selections. It has mixture of free and extra-fee, informal and fancy eating choices. I loved all my meals on board, however most of them did not blow me away. I appreciated the various character of the numerous bars. You possibly can discover your favourite and return evening after evening or attempt someplace new with each drink.

Eating places

The guts of Independence of the Seas’ eating lineup is its three-deck-high essential eating room, with a Shakespearean decor theme. You will be assigned a desk location primarily based in your group measurement and eating time choice.

In case you select early or late eating (the place you may have the identical desk location, tablemates and waiters every evening), you may be assigned to a desk on deck 3, 4 or 5 for a 5:30 p.m. dinner or on deck 4 or 5 at 8 p.m. Select My Time Dining, the road’s versatile eating possibility, and you may ask for a desk on Deck 3 anytime between 6:45 and 9 p.m. and alter up your eating time nightly. (If you wish to eat at 6 p.m., you are out of luck, apparently.)

Deck 3 can be the place breakfast and lunch are served (not provided every single day, so examine the Royal Caribbean app for instances). Breakfast right here presents an analogous choice to the buffet, however dishes are made to order and waiter-served. Extra out-of-the-ordinary choices embrace a breakfast energy wrap, a breakfast burrito and a market vegetable breakfast bowl. Lunch is a three-course affair with appetizers, entrees and dessert. Entrees is perhaps a lamb pita, a barbecue pulled pork sandwich, butternut squash risotto or roasted Atlantic cod.

Dinner is perhaps themed (resembling Style of the Caribbean) with an on-theme chef’s advisable three-course meal. Entrees will embrace seafood, hen, beef, pasta and a vegetarian possibility. One Indian dish is obtainable nightly, often meat-based with a vegetarian model out there upon request. You possibly can order premium choices, resembling Maine lobster tail, surf and turf or a filet mignon from the ship’s Chops Grille steakhouse for an additional charge (starting from $16.99 to $34.99, plus an 18% gratuity).

Wine, soda and cocktails can be found for an additional charge.

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I dined right here on Jamaican evening and loved a jerk hen dish that had extra spice and taste than your common cruise ship entree. The waiters had been pleasant and prepared with strategies of the perfect selections that night. After two lengthy dinners the earlier nights, I did not really feel a must linger over my meal, and the eating room workers was accommodating of my request to be out in time for a 7:30 p.m. present.

Cruise ship buffets do not all the time have the perfect status, however I used to be impressed with Independence of the Seas’ Windjammer Cafe. Discovered on Deck 11 aft, the expansive eating space is properly set as much as accommodate the crowds. I simply discovered tables on all visits (together with embarkation day) and by no means waited in line, because of a number of meals stations scattered all through the area. There is not any out of doors seating, however there are many home windows. The aft stations are completely different from the aspect stations, so do a loop earlier than selecting.

Breakfast has all the apparent choices: cold and warm cereal, breakfast breads and pastries, waffles and pancakes, eggs and omelets, breakfast meat, yogurt and fruit. A small Asian part has less-typical selections (not simply at breakfast however in any respect three meals). Lunch options American and continental scorching dishes, a salad bar, a burger and scorching canine bar, an Asian station and dessert.

Dinner has simply as in depth a menu as lunch and sometimes has a theme. Along with the usual scorching entrees, burger bar, meat carving station, salad bar and dessert, I noticed counters serving Jamaican specialties, some made recent on the buffet. I used to be tempted to skip the primary eating room to pattern a few of the dishes.

A gluten-free counter at lunch and dinner is offered for folk with dietary restrictions.

Independence of the Seas has three marquee, extra-fee specialty restaurants and a number of fee-free and a la carte informal choices. They’re usually emptiest on the primary evening, however I did not see any low cost presents for reserving on evening one.

The final word date evening restaurant is the ship’s American steakhouse, Chops Grille. You possibly can select from 4 steak choices, 4 seafood dishes (together with Maine lobster), roast hen or rack of lamb (our selection — it was very flavorful). Vegetarians should request a particular order as a result of the menu doesn’t checklist any meat-free choices.

Your protein comes bare on the plate, so gown it up with sauces and sides. The menu additionally options appetizers, soups, salads and desserts. The pretzel mini-baguettes and mushroom soup are to not be missed. Dessert was satisfying however didn’t have an enormous wow issue. A meal prices $63 for dinner ($15 for teenagers ages 6-12) and $27 for lunch.

If you are going to splurge on dinner, I might suggest the ship’s Italian eatery Giovanni’s Desk as an alternative. It is a tad cheaper at $48 per particular person for dinner ($15 for teenagers) or $23 for lunch, and I believed my meal there was nicer than the one at Chops.

The whole lot I ordered was scrumptious, from the brilliant inexperienced arugula salad starter to the gnocchi gorgonzola pasta (save your abdomen and order a half portion!) and completely cooked branzino fish. You possibly can most likely skip dessert right here, however a companion and I loved the chocolate-hazelnut cake and panna cotta with strawberry and basil flavors.

Chops and Giovanni’s are situated throughout from one another by the doorway to the Windjammer Cafe buffet. Lunch shouldn’t be all the time provided on each cruise in these venues, so examine the cruise app for eating instances in your crusing.

The third specialty restaurant, Izumi, is tucked away in an simply missed spot on Deck 4 by the Schooner Bar. It is bought 5 hibachi tables that may seat as much as 10 folks every. Select your protein and be prepared for a dinner efficiency that may have meals flying, folks singing and also you in stitches.

Alternatively, come for sushi on the bar or scattered two-tops. Don’t love consuming seafood uncooked? You possibly can order different Japanese favorites, resembling beef or hen teriyaki, ramen, miso soup and gyoza dumplings.

Hibachi reservations must be made as far upfront as potential, however you’ll be able to solely reserve a seat on the sushi bar on board in particular person on the restaurant. Sushi pricing is a la carte. Hibachi pricing ranges from $60 to $65 per particular person ($15 for teenagers) relying in your protein choice. Sushi add-ons to your hibachi meal price further.

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The Promenade options quite a few informal eating venues. Sorrento’s is the late-night pizza parlor, open till 2 or 3 a.m. nightly. Eat all of the pizza you need; it is included in your cruise fare. Cheese and pepperoni are all the time out there, with a 3rd taste that modifications every day. You possibly can all the time request vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free pizzas to be made particular for you.

Comply with up your pie with a candy deal with at Sugar Seashore Ice Cream for a further charge per cup or cone. At no cost soft-serve ice cream, head as much as Sprinkles on the pool deck.

One of the vital widespread venues on the Promenade is the Cafe Promenade. It does double responsibility as your morning Starbucks outlet (it opens at 6 a.m.) and late-night snack venue (mini sandwiches and pastries are served till 5 a.m.). In case you’re cool with the free stuff, skip the road and head to the self-service espresso and tea station on the far wall.

Put blinders in your children whenever you stroll by Sugar Seashore, the ship’s rainbow-colored bulk sweet retailer. Between the free Froot Loops and cookies elsewhere on the ship, I would not suppose you might want to spend cash on extra sweets, however in case you want a jelly bean repair, you recognize the place to go.

Playmakers Sports activities Bar presents a restricted a la carte menu of bar favorites — nachos, hen tenders and wings, sliders, plus meal-sized burgers and worth-the-money desserts (the Campfire Cookie is my fave, however a bunch may go to city on the Landing Sundae with 5 scoops of ice cream). You possibly can deliver your children to this bar.

Up by Splashaway Bay, Fish & Ships serves a restricted menu of fried fish, shrimp and hen and fries totally free, in addition to a fried lobster tail basket for $12. One deck up by the children golf equipment, Johnny Rockets will gas your play with burgers, scorching canines, sandwiches and the venue’s signature milkshakes (a la carte pricing). Time your go to proper, and you will catch the waiters singing and dancing.

Lastly, room service prices $7.95 per order, often with an 18% gratuity added. Continental breakfast (juice, espresso, tea, pastries and bread, cereal, fruit and yogurt) is complimentary from 6 to 11 a.m. Scorching American breakfast (pancakes, eggs, potatoes and bacon/sausage) incurs the charge.

The common room service menu is offered from 11 a.m. right through till 6 a.m. and contains soup, salad, sandwiches, favorites (quesadillas, grilled salmon, pasta, pizza, hen wings and tenders), dessert and a children menu.

Bars

Your night bar crawl will not earn you a lot steps because the ship’s essential watering holes are discovered on decks 4 and 5.

Beginning on the decrease deck, Boleros is the road’s signature Latin bar, the place there’s usually an all-ages crowd dancing merengue, salsa and extra and singing alongside to widespread tunes. Subsequent door is Playmakers Sports activities Bar and Arcade, the place you’ll be able to watch all of the video games or play pool, foosball, skeeball or Tremendous Shot basketball whereas downing beers. (Warn your children — there aren’t any video video games at this arcade.)

The on line casino has its personal bar within the middle of the motion. Turn out to be a daily and also you would possibly begin getting drinks totally free. On the opposite aspect of the on line casino, the nautical-themed Schooner’s is the place to go for piano singalongs and trivia (often catering to an older crowd). The desert pear margarita is widespread, although I most popular the lavender martini.

One deck up on the Promenade, Ale & Anchor is the ship’s British-style pub. Come for a beer and the sport, keep for energetic singalongs with the resident guitarist. (The Ellie Finnerty’s Taylor Swift singalong was standing room solely, with the indoor and out-on-the-Promenade seating full up.) Throughout the road, so to talk, is Vintages, your go-to for a complicated glass of wine. The venue additionally hosts wine tastings.

Essentially the most understated bar on the ship is the Champagne Bar, simply throughout from the shore excursions desk. In case you like bubbly, you’ll be able to calm down on the comfortable couches right here and toast your trip success.

However don’t fret — in case you’re sunning or sweating on the higher decks, you may discover loads of watering holes to moist your whistle. The ship has three pool deck bars: the pool bar by the primary swimming pools, the Sky Lounge serving company lounging simply above on Deck 12 and the solarium bar within the grownup part.

The Plaza Bar within the Windjammer Cafe retains you hydrated throughout meals with morning espresso drinks and mimosas and beer, wine and cocktails along with your buffet lunches and dinners.

For a complicated drink with a view, head to the Olive or Twist Bar in Royal Caribbean’s signature Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 14 midship. Flooring-to-ceiling home windows in a 180-degree semicircle overlook the ship’s Splashaway Bay kiddie zone and the ocean. It is a great place to look at sailaway in case you do not need to be out within the solar. Higher-tier loyalty members and suite company can get their drink on totally free at their respective lounges adjoining to Olive or Twist.

In case your thought of a bar is a soda machine, yow will discover Coke machines by Sorrento’s on the Promenade and on both aspect of the buffet. They solely work along with your drinks package-affiliated reusable cup. Along with soda, you’ll be able to pour out juice, seltzer water, sports activities drinks and good water.

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All of the enjoyable is not only for adults. The youngsters rule the college on Deck 12 aft, with all the children hangout areas conveniently grouped round Johnny Rockets and the arcade. You will discover quite a few desk tennis set-ups within the deck areas across the child areas.

The Royal Infants & Tots Nursery entertains the youngest cruisers for a charge, however children ages 3 and up can take pleasure in supervised enjoyable totally free at Journey Ocean. The completely different teams of youngsters — Aquanauts (ages 3-5), Explorers (6-8) and Voyagers (Sept. 11) — have their very own play area, however relying on the variety of kids on board, they could get playtime in one other age group’s area. Tweens and youths ages 12 to 17 can play video video games and hand around in The Dwelling Room and showcase their dance strikes within the Gas teen nightclub.

Be aware: Children ages 17 and underneath have to be of their cabins by 1 a.m.

By day, Studio B presents each open ice skating classes and glow-in-the-dark laser tag (each are free, however require advance signups).

Feeling cerebral? Join the Escape Room, which has a scientific observatory theme. It is pricy at $44 per particular person (minimal age 12), and there aren’t as many puzzles to unravel as in industrial escape rooms on land. It’s a enjoyable option to meet and work together with different company, however I would not prioritize it.

Visitor companies, the shore excursions desk and future cruise gross sales are all situated on the aft finish of the Promenade, close to the eating room. In case you’re searching for a quiet area away from all of the hubbub, sneak away to the library on Deck 5 aft. It is hidden throughout the Star Lounge foyer, however as soon as inside, you’ll be able to borrow a ebook, examine electronic mail on the pc stations or disguise out from the crowds (or your children, you by no means know).

Independence of the Seas reveals

The resident Broadway musical on the Royal Theater on decks 3 and 4 is a 90-minute model of “Grease.” If that is not the present you need for some summer season lovin’, you’ll be able to take pleasure in visitor acts, resembling comedians and ventriloquists, on the opposite nights.

Do not confuse the primary theater with the Deck 5 Star Lounge, which is a secondary efficiency area. Right here, you may discover karaoke and audience-participation video games resembling “End That Lyric.”

Royal Caribbean’s ice reveals are all the time time, and Independence of the Seas’ journey by means of the a long time, known as “Freeze Body,” isn’t any exception. You will be impressed as a lot by the quite a few costume modifications as what the skaters handle to perform on a tiny ice rink. Convey a sweater.

I didn’t should make reservations for both “Grease” or “Freeze Body” upfront on this cruise, as I’ve achieved for reveals on different Royal Caribbean ships. Verify the cruise app whenever you’re on board, however until this modifications from cruise to cruise, you may solely want to point out up 15 to twenty minutes upfront to get the perfect seats.

In case you’ve been on different ships within the fleet, please observe that the Promenade on Independence of the Seas doesn’t stage parades or concert events. A couple of themed events had been listed on the every day schedule, however often, it meant {that a} DJ was taking part in louder-than-normal music with nothing else particular happening.

Independence of the Seas itineraries and pricing

Independence of the Seas has lengthy sailed quick cruises from Florida ports, however in April 2025 the ship will cross the Atlantic to a brand new spring and summer season house port in Southampton, England. From there the ship will sail two- by means of nine-night cruises to western Europe; seven-night Norwegian fjords cruises; eight-night northern Europe cruises; and a 12-night Canary Islands cruise earlier than crusing again to Florida in October.

The ship will make its fall and winter house in Miami and sail a sequence of seven-night Japanese and Western Caribbean itineraries, most of which embrace a cease within the line’s widespread non-public island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

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In April 2026, Independence of the Seas will transfer to yet one more new house port, Cape Liberty cruise port in Bayonne, New Jersey. From there, the ship will supply four- and nine-night Canada and New England cruises, five- and seven-night Bermuda cruises and nine- and 10-night Caribbean cruises.

Charges begin on the following costs:

• $462 per particular person for an inside cabin or $697 for a balcony cabin on a three-night Bahamas cruise
• $808 per particular person for an inside cabin or $1,408 for a balcony cabin on a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise
• $991 per particular person for an inside cabin or $2,036 for a balcony cabin on a nine-night Canada and New England cruise
• $1,114 per particular person for an inside cabin or $1,745 for a balcony cabin on a seven-night Spain cruise

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Gratuities

The room stewards and eating workers on Independence of the Seas are pleasant and useful and deserve an additional thank-you. Royal Caribbean makes that straightforward by charging you an computerized gratuity of $18.50 to $21 per particular person, per day, relying in your cabin class, added to your onboard account and closing invoice. You might be allowed to regulate this quantity on the Visitor Companies desk earlier than disembarking, however please do not — even if you’re upset by the service. Gratuities are an vital a part of crewmembers’ paychecks.

An 18% gratuity is added to bar and specialty eating purchases and a 20% gratuity is added to spa/salon payments. You shouldn’t really feel pressured so as to add a further tip.

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Wi-Fi

Royal Caribbean has one of many quickest Wi-Fi methods at sea, known as Voom, and you may reap the benefits of this on Independence of the Seas. At the moment, Wi-Fi packages with streaming bandwidth begin at $27.99 per day for one system (or $20.99 per day per system for packages accommodating two, three or 4 gadgets), although costs do change over time. It’s also possible to buy 24-hour entry for a flat price of $29.99.

Usually you may get the perfect reductions on onboard Wi-Fi by buying your plans on-line upfront of your cruise. Members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society cruise loyalty program may be eligible for reductions on Wi-Fi packages.

Sure suite company and upper-tier loyalty program members obtain complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks earlier than you join a bundle.

Having bother logging in? A Voom assist desk on the Promenade (exterior The Assortment retailer) is staffed every day.

Associated: How fast is the internet on Royal Caribbean ships? We put it to the test

Carry-on drinks coverage

Royal Caribbean company of authorized consuming age can deliver one bottle of wine or Champagne onto Independence of the Seas at boarding, plus as much as a dozen normal cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks resembling sodas.

If you wish to toast your success in your cabin, you are good, however if you wish to deliver your most popular classic to a restaurant or lounge, you may must pay a $15 corkage charge.

Smoking coverage

Smoking (together with e-cigarette smoking) is forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those that violate this rule will face a $250 cleansing charge.

Passengers can smoke in Independence of the Seas’ on line casino (cigarettes solely) and designated out of doors lounges on decks 4 and 11 portside. The Deck 11 smoking space is adjoining to the seating for Fish & Ships. The on line casino does supply nonsmoking tables, however the cigarette smoke from the smoking part tends to waft all through all the area, and even into the Playmakers Sports activities Bar subsequent door.

Laundry

Independence of the Seas doesn’t supply self-service launderettes. Passengers will pay further for laundry, urgent and dry cleansing companies.

Electrical retailers

You will discover two North American-style 110-volt retailers and one European-style 220-volt outlet by the desk/vainness in your cabin. You’ll not discover retailers by the mattress or within the rest room (apart from a shavers-only outlet — search for by the mirror as it is not straightforward to identify).

Foreign money

The onboard foreign money is the U.S. greenback, however you will not want money on the ship. You will obtain a SeaPass card that capabilities as your shipboard ID, room key and bank card. You will cost shipboard purchases (drinks, souvenirs, extra-fee meals, shore excursions and so forth) to your onboard account, and Royal Caribbean will cost your bank card on file as soon as the cruise ends. You possibly can examine your onboard invoice within the cruise line’s app or at Visitor Companies.

The retailers on CocoCay additionally take your SeaPass card.

Consuming age

You have to be 21 to eat alcohol on Independence of the Seas.

Costume code

Throughout the day, folks gown casually. T-shirts, shorts, athletic put on, informal sundresses and bathing fits are generally worn on board and ashore. Convey a cover-up to go from the pool again indoors.

Within the night, the ship does have a recommended gown code. On my cruise, the themes had been resort informal, dress-to-impress and tropical. Specialty eating places state their gown codes are good informal (Giovanni’s and Izumi) or formal (Chops), however on a three-night cruise, the one gown code is sort of something goes.

I ate at Chops Grille on dress-to-impress evening, and I can say that Royal Caribbean cruisers have diversified notions of the way to impress with their style. In Chops, I noticed males carrying each shorts and denims although most had been carrying collared polo or button-down tropical-style shirts.

Across the ship on dress-to-impress evening, I noticed a pair in full-on pirate apparel, a bunch in an across-the-decades theme (one lady wore go-go boots and a mini gown, one other wore an ’80s Jazzercise outfit, and a person had a ’70s-style shirt and vest with a peace-sign necklace) and a number of other guys in loud tropical-style outfits with matching shirts, shorts and hats. I additionally noticed loads of company in floor-length robes, sparkly attire and fits.

Determine that the one issues that may get you side-eye from the crew in the primary eating room and specialty eating places shall be swimwear, naked toes, pajamas and athletic-style tank tops.

Associated: Ultimate cruise packing list

Backside line

Independence of the Seas helps vacationers pack numerous exercise into a fast getaway. The vibe is upbeat and enjoyable, and the ship is giant sufficient to accommodate all kinds of vacationers however not so massive as to really feel overwhelming on a brief cruise. Whether or not you are a household with children, a pair or a bunch of household and associates, you may discover your completely happy place on this ship.

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