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Great Cruise Holiday on the Independence May 2008 |
| Reviewed By: Literskis, North Yorkshire on 1st Dec 2008 |
| Cruise Line: AIDA Cruises |
Times cruised before: 3-5 |
| Cruise Ship: AIDAura |
Sailed:
May,
2008 |
| Destination: Canaries |
Age: 46-55 |
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Independence of the Seas Canary island-cruises-summer-holidays/">Islands Review
21 -31 May 2008
Stateroom Junior Suite 1406 Deck 10
The holiday got off to a good start with the ease of parking at Southampton docks we arrived at approx 11.30am and after unloading luggage that was taken from our car boot the parking and checking in took a maximum of 30 minutes. It was made even easier if your pre registered online before leaving home.
Upon entry on to the ship the usual photo and issue of a sea pass card ( entry to your stateroom and means of payment throughout the cruise) went smoothly and before we know it we ventured around the public areas we enjoyed lunch and after 1pm the staterooms were ready, ours was at the back of the ship and was a junior suite 1406 Deck 10 it featured a huge balcony that gave splendid sunset views and panoramic views throughout the cruise, our luggage arrived in our room at about 3pm - brilliant turnaround.
Our cabin was spacious, well planned and you could hear no sound from the adjacent staterooms, our staterooms attendant was very helpful in his quiet discreet manner, which was appreciated.
The cruise as a whole was of an excellent standard:- the food range and presentation, entertainment shows and live music, organisation for disembarkment at each port went smoothly, the whole ship was alive of activity and although on boarding it appeared that many children had taken a few days of school prior to half term - in reality there was so much organised activity for all ages (6 different age bands staring at 6-18 months ranging to the 15 -1 year olds) that they blended in with the surroundings.
The range of extra entertainment features were amazing with the ice rink, Flow Rider, rock climbing wall, golf simulator, mini golf all well used and with little queuing as people kept on the move.
We also enjoyed quite good sunny weather throughout the cruise with showers only on our day at Virgo in Spain.
Concerns- there is little to add here the only issue was that after settling our on board account on the final night of the cruise on the final morning we received an additional invalid invoice which required a further visit to the reception to clarify - as any unsettled account denies dismemberment.
The future promotions staff at the Loyalty and Cruise Sales Office were uninspiring and we did not book another cruise whilst aboard - the offer of a discount of $200 per person was not sufficient incentive.
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| Quality of Food |  |
| Brilliant choice | | Entertainment | |
| Great | | Shore Excursions | n/a |
| We planned our own | | Staff |  |
| the staff were very friendly though this ceased after tipping was completed | | Children's Facilities |  |
| Even though this cruise was in school term time there were some 300 children present, as the ship was vast these numbers were absorbed.
However we also went on this ship in the first week of Sept 6-20 and although in school term time there were many more young children and teenagers and this did impact on our enjoyment, so much so we consider this as a family focused ship and we will now opt for adult only ships, not that we dislike children - we were concerned at the amount of adult alcohol consumption in the presence of very young children late at night, in a smoking only bar (the Labyrinth no children after 9pm ) and the total disregard for others.
| | Onboard Activities | |
| Great range | | Cabins | |
| Ours was brilliant | | Overall Rating | |
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Happy HOLIDAY's
Qeen Mary 2 cruise dec 2008
Queen Victoria - Caribbean 2008
MSC Fantasis Christmas Cruise
