Just returned from vacation on the Independence of the Seas. While the ship is absolutely beautiful, stunning, and unbelievable from the moment you step on board, it is very difficult to enjoy!! The crew members are fabulous, each and every one of them!!!! You want to hug them all goodbye!! However, there are way too many passengers!! You must put yourself on a rigid schedule to enjoy the amenities on board. If you want a lounge by the pool, plan to wake up at 6 and skip breakfast every day! If you want to work out at the gym or run the outside track, get up at 5 or there won't be any sunny pool lounges after your workout. If you want to see a show, skip dessert and go directly to showroom, then sit there for an hour bored out of your skull till the show starts. If you want to see the ice show, be there 90 minutes early (with your ice show ticket) or there will be a pole in your face during the show. If you are a diamond member, be prepared to wait on line every night for a cocktail, and then stand with your drink due to lack of seating. Wear padding at the windjammer for lunch because the animals ~ oops, I mean other passengers on board will knock you over for a piece of mellon that you may be standing near, and don't EVER expect to hear the words "excuse me" from anyone who bangs into you, ever!!! This cruise line is making ships a few hundred feet larger and adding a few thousand people (and I use the term loosely) to pay for them!!!