Independence of the Seas Review

an extraordinary experience for families

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Independence of the Seas
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bredia
First Time Cruiser • Age 80s

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Value for Money
Embarkation
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Sail Date: Dec 2009
Traveled with children

I just returned from my first sailing on RCC..normally, I cruise Princess, but booked RCC for my grandchildren..I was not disappointed in the activities, and my grandson,age 11, had a wonderful time..finding new friends, and taking advantage of all of the activities..I have never been on a ship this large, and the first morning at breakfast at Windjammers, I was overwhelmed by the chaos, and the amount of people..but soon, this leveled out with the size of the ship, ports, etc. and people going to their own dining rooms..I was VERY disappointed with the food in the MDR..it was mediocre at best..our waiter and assistant waiter were very good, but seemed rushed to get the orders in, ordering our entrees, before taking our wine order..most of the time, the meal arrived along with the drink order, which was not satisfactory with my husband and myself.. we prefer cocktails before the dinner is served..we intended to eat at Portafino and Chops, but did not get our reservations in before they were booked..we found in the MDR, that we were better off staying with safe items such as Prime Rib, which they couldn't really destroy. I was impressed with the adult solarium..my husband and I stayed there while our children went to port, and enjoyed the cushioned chairs, and peacefulness. The balcony rooms were adequate,but I do hope that RC reads this, because I was not delivered a survey to my room..The first morning there, I called the cabin attendant, and told him that there was only tea in the room, and I preferred coffee...lo and behold, he told me that only the suites got coffee, and the balcony rooms got tea!!! OMG, I get in room coffee at every motel in the US..I was appalled at this remark..for what I paid for two balcony cabins, I should have been assured that I would have coffee..the room attendant brought me coffee, but no coffee pot, only a tea pot! Go figure, RCC! I will say the entertainment was better than most other ships..we thoroughly enjoyed the men's group performing Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons,..they were excellent..after the show, there was a 70s show in the Royal Promenade..everyone was singing and dancing, and a great time! The cruise director, Joff, was excellent in everything he did! It was also a nice touch to give the children wrapped Christmas presents on Christmas Day..the gifts were very nice totes that rolled into beach towels. The other major problem that I saw was no grill service at the pool..you had to go into Windjammer's, get your lunch, and either eat it there or bring it out to the pool..I have never been on a ship that didn't have this service, and for RCC, and the size that it is, I was very shocked. All in all, we all enjoyed the cruise with no major glitches..the ship was very aware of the norovirus that it had on the previous cruise, and took special precautions to desanitize before we boarded..there were sanitizer at the entrances to dining room buffets, which I very much appreciate, and they asked that the passengers not shake hands with their crew members..do not blame them for that, and thank goodness, their was no virus on our cruise..I would definitely cruise this ship again, but only with families..for adults only, I would probably choose another line.

Cabin Review

Balcony cabin was ample..enjoyed the dressing area, and storage areas..would have preferred a chaise lounge on the balcony if there was enough room..the bathroom smelled of urine, and needed to be totally desanitized with clorox in the tile floor, and around toilet..the beds and bedding were very comfortable

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