We traveled on RC's Independence of the Seas to Georgetown, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti. This is the first time we'd sailed with Royal Caribbean and we really enjoyed our trip with them. My husband and I had been on an Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Pearl three years ago which was fantastic as well (our first time cruising). We chose RC and particularly this ship because we were taking our kids with us and it looked like it had a lot more things to do with kids onboard. We made an excellent choice with Ind of the Seas - the kids pool was amazing, the mini golf, the rock climbing wall, the Flow Rider, etc. Our kids loved the children's program (they are five and ten years old). Every day they would ask at some point to go play with the other kids so it wasn't like we even had to ask them if they wanted to go. The kid's leaders were fantastic and I thought it was a very well run program!

All in all, my husband and I agreed that we liked the Ind. of the Seas better than the Pearl. We just liked the decorating style and found it much easier to get around on the ship. However, we thought that the Norwegian Pearl had much better entertainment for the adults. Not that the Independence was bad....it just wasn't as good as the Pearl. It was really hard to beat Sharkbait, the entertainment on the Pearl!

I had done a lot of research before we left on Cruise Critic about other people's thoughts on this ship. I read how some people thought the food was not that great. After having experienced it, I can say it's all what you are expecting. I thought the food was very good but then I was realistic that it was a buffet situation unless you ate in the main dining room. We never had to wait in line for anything and our food was always hot and well prepared. So I personally had no issues with food. Read more