Independence of the Seas Review
Indy for the first time, amazing..
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose this as our first cruise as it was at the right time of the year and the destinations where ideal. Our cabin was an outside cabin with a large window on deck 2. With the flo rider, climbing wall, putting golf, amount of bars and the huge theatre we knew we would have plenty to do. As someone with limited mobility, not wheelchair bound, we wanted a cruise that had everything on board that was easily within reach. We travelled as couple and found so many people to talk to Trevor and daughter and Malcolm and all the Facebook friends we had chatted with before the cruise it was just perfect to have so many to chat with. The bars where excellent, with so many to choose from, our favourite was Baleros and the Dog and Badger on the promenade. Sorrentos was amazing with food like Pizzas and hot dogs or salad boxes and on tap tea and coffee it was a excellent to use late on a night. The main dinning room, Romeo and Juliets was excellent with great service and fantastic food day after day. WIndjammer was good but not really for us with plastic plates plastic cups we found it a bit tacky but the view from there was really good. We also tried the Al la carte restaurants too with Chops Grill coming out on top. The steak Minion was just to die for.
The theatre was excellent, with some smallish seats for big chaps, we had good waiter service in there and some great entertainment such as a comedian from my home town of Hull and a great musical of Grease.
The excursions where hit and miss, Gibraltar was a nightmare as it was so hot and the travel from the ship to town is done by 8 seater mini buses. if you can walk, it takes about 10 mins good walking, or organise a private trip. Don't forget RCI charge for all bus transfers from the ship into, or near, the town centres. Take this in to account as it can soon add up. Best is to check out trips on web sites and look for the Hop on Hop off buses, most are great value. Lisbon is a little pricey at 20 euros each. On the whole we had an amazing time on Indy and will sail again but not in cabin 2628, too noisy. Go on have a go you'll love it.
Cabin Review
Oceanview Stateroom
Overall a nice cabin, however, the wardrobe smelt a bit mould after a few days and we had to take our best clothes out and hang them in the room or the shower. Take some room spray or potpourri to put in and hang up. The noise from the gangway being prepared is very noisy indeed and woke us up on most days around 06.30 to 07.30 with bang bang bang so if your a light sleeper choose a more in the 2500 range midships room. Put your cases under the bed, loads of room and ask the cabin attendant to change the sheets on the bed as our sheets didn't get changed anywhere near enough. No towel shapes either, like monkeys etc. Everyone got them but we had one small dog done on one day. On the whole not a bad room but wouldn't choose it again.
Port Reviews
Gibraltar
Transfer from the ship in to town is a joke with 8 seater mini buses transferring thousands of people. Get off quick, get one person in the ticket que and another in the mini bus que. Get tickets quick, or order something like a private transfer tour or taxi in to town. We went in to the square and had a coffee and sandwhich, be prepared though it is pricey. Some seating and nice cafes.
Palma de Mallorca (Majorca)
Get a transfer in to town then walk across the road and around the corner to the right where you can get a HOHO bus for 15 euros each. About an hour and ten minutes and a good tour of the island.
Valencia
My wife went in to this city and loved the architecture of the town and took some amazing pictures. Transfer from port side about 6 dollars.
Seville
A quick transfer which took us through the old and new parts of Cadiz and then to an amazing beach just outside of the town. Beautiful sand with a beach cafe and clean toilets.
Lisbon
Again my wife took a couple of hours going in to the main town and she loved the shopping and some of the churchs etc. HOHO bus outside the dock but at 20 euros each we found this a bit pricey. Others did the tours and also the tutut car tours which are around 50 euros but awesome fun we were told.