This was our second time Independence of the Seas and our third cruise in total. Sadly this one did not really have the same impact as the others. There just seemed to be something missing. Our cabin attendant made the customary towel sculpture on the first night and then didn't bother- no big deal I suppose but he failed to give us any clean glasses at all during the vacation and took away our used mugs but didn't replace them, so we had to go hunting for some very early one morning.

We decided not to get off the boat at Zeebrugger and thought we would take advantage of there being less crowds on the ship. Come lunch time we thought a drink would be welcome. Only one bar was open. Quite a few others, being their holiday, had the same idea, so rather than avoiding the crowds we were all crammed into one space. No other bar opened until 3pm anywhere else on the ship. So playing backgammon in the Hearts club (deck 12) meant a trip to deck 5 everytime we wanted a top up. There also did seem to be a lack of staff compared to the other cruises we have been on so perhaps like all places Royal Carribean are suffering from cut backs.

The food in the restaurant and Windjammer cafe was very much up to standard as usual so impressed there as always. Pick your times for the Windjammer though as it can be really difficult to get a seat. Make sure you use the restaurant ( ours was Macbeth) as it is worth a visit. The staff in both these locations work so hard as do the general cleaning staff - wow the hours that they work ! Read more