Family aboard for our first Owners Suite experience in 20+ years of cruising RCCL. We arrived at the dock to no lines whatsoever at 11:45am, not that we we're expecting to wait as Diamond members with an Owners Suite - but great start. Ready to rock in our bathing suits and sun lotion, we we're shocked to have our cabin ready for us at 1pm after finishing the typically packed first lunch at Windjammer. There were no long lines for lunch - just close to impossible to get a seat with Chops closed at the time. Fun afternoon with the kids in the kids pool area, while the water in the kids whirlpool was still clear and clean (I wont go in there after Day 1). Upon returning to our cabin, we met our steward, Kamal, who would be servicing our room and a few to either side of us. Within 2-3 cleanings, he picked up on where we wanted everything, how the kids slept best etc and really made our trip and use of the Owner's suite an absolute pleasure. We did not use room service and really never had any special requests for him after the extra pillows on night 1 which came almost before I hung up the phone :) We then met the Suite Concierge, Nizar, who had quite a sweat going on night 1, but those who work hard, sweat hard. Nizar works HARD to make sure his suite guests have the best experience they can possibly have. A Cabana on Barefoot Beach at Labadee is usually our #1 priority, and with 2 ships in port, and a late arrival on our initial e-mail we almost missed out on one, but got the last one. Our cabana was rocking the great tunes from a mini Bose for anyone reading this.... LOL. Nizar took care of every request with diligence and a smile. He alone was a reason to consider coming back to the Independence next year, but read on and you will see why we did not make that choice.
The Dining Room. Oh Boy. I have long come to accept the quality of the food has gone down as prices have gone up. For years, I have been mentally prepared to be served B-/C+ food in an elegant setting with great staff on RCCL and with that I would give the Dining Room a great score. But the great staff just wasn't there on the Independence, at least for me. Our assistant waiter, Dragen, was the only accommodating staff member in the dining room. I experienced a flat out "holier than though" attitude from our waiter. He made us feel uncomfortable ordering too much, or asking for something out of the ordinary. He always had a chip on his shoulder. Every answer was met with an excuse. I will compliment him on getting our kids done by 6:40 to get back to Adventure Ocean every night but he only got their order right 1 of the 5 nights we did this, serving a Gluten Free meal to the wrong child one night, leaving him without dinner. This is the first time that a head waiter or Maitre'D did not come introduce themselves. It was not until the Director of Dining Services came on Night 3 that we could even share our troubles with anyone. The table next to us was very unhappy with him as well.
The Suite Guest access to Chops for Lunch and Dinner is what saved this trip from the dining room debacles. It was a PLEASURE to have breakfast and lunch one floor up from our cabin in a quiet and elegant setting with GREAT SERVICE. Albeit, just grilled chicken, salmon and strip steak - the ability to have a cooked to order meal outside the dining room was a great perk for suite guests and if they can expand on this idea, which I hear they are going with Quantum and Anthem, the suites will only grow in popularity.
Fantastic in every way possible for a large family. The separate shower and tub allows 2 to bathe at the same time. The curtain and ability to put TV behind or in front is perfect for late nights or early mornings. The 2 doors to the deck is perfect for sleeping kids. Really the perfect cabin.