Ive cruised on Holland America and Princess in the past. They were both great cruises but cant compare to the grandeur, the size ,and the countless things to do and eat as The Independence of the Seas. There's the incredible Royal Promenade(inside the ship,3 stories high and hundreds of feet long, packed with places to shop and eat), 3 pools, not to mention the children's water park/pool and fun area. There's the wave rider, the rock climbing wall, the ice skating ring-yes, ice skating ring. There was entertainment going on everywhere, from the clubs to the night clubs, to the main dazzling show room. There's a huge health and fitness room with a full size boxing ring! There's spas and Whirlpool's and saunas. There's beautiful glass cylinder, 15 story elevators that move silently all over the ship. And there's FOOD. EVERYWHERE. And I don't understand how some reviews said the food was just average. Robin and I, and everyone at our table thought it was wonderful. New York Strip-Fillet-Duck-Shrimp,large shrimp-Rack of Lamb-Sea Scallops- and Lobster. On one of the formal dining nights, I jokingly asked for three Lobsters. THEY BROUGHT ME THREE LOBSTERS! Being courteous, I ate them all. In all honesty, the food was great where ever we ate on the ship. They even had a JOHNNEY ROCKETS dinner with old fashion burgers and huge shakes! I gained 10 pounds and loved every one of them! And as to the staff, everyone was friendly and seemed happy to help in any way they could. Our room was always clean and neat, with fresh towels. And the air on board and in our cabin, fresh and clean. The only place I saw any smoking was in the Casino, but the Casino was large enough where we just went to a different part of the Casino away from the smokers. In you want to go on a grand, huge, beautiful, exciting, yummy ship that never seems crowded, check out Royal Caribbeans Independence of the Seas. Absolutely amazing.