Independence of the Seas June 2008| Cruise.co.uk

Wednesday 20th August 2008

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Independence of the Seas June 2008
Reviewed By: McKeown, Consett on 3rd Jul 2008
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruises	Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Independence of the Seas	Sailed: June, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 36-45

We have just returned from our cruise on Independence of the Seas to the Med and what a wonderful ship this is. It is the biggest cruise ship sailing in European waters at 160000 tons. Check in at Southampton was very quick although we were there at 10.00am and that is a good point get there as early as you can because leaving it until say 13.00 hours then it will get very busy. We were let on at 12.30 and went straight to the Windjammer for lunch which was very nice. Cabins were availble from 14.00 hours as the crew have to get them ready after the last passengers get off. Then it was lets explore the ship. We started at the top into the Viking crown lounge which has fantastic views over the ship. Then to the flow rider which was an awesome site some 75000 litres of water flow though it each minute but be careful a number of people have dislocated their shoulders by getting thown to the back. The rock climing wall looks great but it was not for me. We played golf quite a lot during the cruise and it was good fun but it does get very busy at peak times. the basketball court was always full of activity. One thing you might want to get invoved in is the Vitality awards progamme they run, they award you 1 vitality point for a number of activities each day some of them are free some you can pay for but sticking to the free one's you can exchange them at the end of the cruise for gifts like tee shirts/back packs/water bottles etc. One of the activities is the 09.00 walk a mile every morning. There is 3 pools plus the kiddies H20 water park which has it's own little pool/Jaccui/a baby splash pool and of course the water fountains it is fantastic for the kids. The Ice Skating rink is small but great fun and the 2 Ice shows are out of this world you need tickets for the shows they are free but don't leave it too late to get them. There is also a boxing ring and a magnificent gym which gets very busy. The Eating places are 3 floors for the dining room the Windjammer then Jade there is also Johnny Rockets which there is a cover charge a couple of eating places on the promenade This Promenade is a 4 story shopping mall cut out of the center of the ship and it also hosts some of the shows. There is also two resturants Portofino's and Chops Grill for which there is a cover charge the food is fantastic and it is a place you might want to go to celebrate a birthday of something else. The ship was very stable even in the bay of biscay where there was 3 metre high seas it did not move very much so for the people who usually get sea sick you should be fine. With regard to the crew members most were very nice and friendly but there was a few who were not up to RCCL's standard but this did not detract in any way. Kirstie McKeown Overall it is a fantastic ship everyone we spoke to had a great time Ther is a shoe in the theatre most nights some of the shows are very good some not so good.
Quality of Food
Breakfast and lunch in the Windjammer dinner in the dining room
Entertainment
The comedian was very good
Shore Excursions
Too Expensive Did not do any.
Staff

Children's Facilities

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

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Question by Robinson, Redditch (06 Jul 08 17:50) about this REVIEW

Hello Kirstie, We are due to travel on the 9th August to the Med for 14 nights, could you give me some advice on the dress code aboard especially in the evening. I think we have 3 formal nights 1 semi-formal and 9 casual? Also, have you made use of the drinks fountain offer for children? The one for USD4 per day. Many thanks Mark

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Opinion: Disagree Answer by McKeown, Consett (09 Jul 08 21:18) to a QUESTION by Robinson (06 Jul 08 17:50)

Hi Mark, There are three formal/1 smart casual and the rest Casual. Formal can be lounge suit or dinner suit for gents and just a nice dress or trouser suit for ladies. Smart Casual is shirt and tie or smart sports shirt and jacket no jeans. Should you not want to dress up then you can go to the Windjammer those nights. Yes we did make use of the Drinks fountain but unless the children drink a lot of soft drinks then you may be better just buying it as you need it, at the windjammer at breakfast they have juices and at lunch time they have lemonade and fruit punch. Should you be driving down why not take a load of soft drinks on board with you also water because it is expensive @ $4.00 a litre. You do get water in the Resturants free.There is also a water fountain on deck 12. Kirstie

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Opinion: Disagree Answer by Black, Crawley (09 Jul 08 17:44) to a QUESTION by Robinson (06 Jul 08 17:50)

Hi there we are also cruising on the 9th august and cant wait

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Opinion: Disagree Question by Carswell, Holmes Chapel (04 Jul 08 13:33) about this REVIEW

Hi Kirstie,. we are going on the Med cruise next Saturday, and your comments were really helpful. What time in the evening do the shows start? We have been allocated 8.30 dining, and I wondered how that works. We asked for freedom dining. Which did you do? regards, Jane.

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Answer by clery, watford (07 Aug 08 19:28) to a QUESTION by Carswell (04 Jul 08 13:33)

hello, my family and i are going on a cruise on saturday too, we have cruised before with royal carribean and this is our 3rd time. we are also eating at 8.30. sharon.

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Opinion: Disagree Answer by McKeown, Consett (04 Jul 08 20:29) to a QUESTION by Carswell (04 Jul 08 13:33)

Hi Carswell, We always go main dining at 6.00pm as 2nd sitting is 8.30pm and does not finish until 10.00pm/10.30pm. Shows for 8.30pm can be 11.00pm or sometimes 7.00pm before dinner. If you want to change then go to the dining room (get the daily news from guest relations as soon as you get on board)it will tell you where and what time the dining room manager will be to change tables/times. If you don't have much luck with him seek out Mario a good looking Porugese head waiter and see if he can help ( tell him you know my dad Gerry McKeown that he was on the first 3 cruises and also on the 14th June with his family including the baby.Kirstie

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by parkinson, newcastle (04 Jul 08 09:50) about this REVIEW

great review kirstie we are on independence in oct and cannot wait, we come from the north east also and are driving to southampton, how did you makethe journey

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by WARD, WALLSEND (07 Jul 08 10:49) about a COMMENT by parkinson (04 Jul 08 09:50)

Have you thought of flying down ? I have flown to Southampton from Newcastle on 3 occasions and it takes less than an hour.Much more relaxing and less tiring.It cost me around £90 return but well worth it. Keith Wallsend

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by McKeown, Consett (08 Jul 08 19:59) about a COMMENT by WARD (07 Jul 08 10:49)

The troube with flying is the return flight on a Saturday is 6.30am so you will never catch it. You would need to stay over in Southampton to catch a flight on the Saturday. Kirstie

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