Independence of the Seas Review

4.5 / 5.0
1,703 reviews

Pyramid Lounge creche or for adults?

Review for Canary Islands Cruise on Independence of the Seas
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Kentfred
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
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Additional details

Sail Date: Oct 2016
Cabin: Grand Suite

Sailed on 10 night cruise including Madeira, main three Canary Islands and Vigo.

Our slot for embarkation was 11.00 am to 12.00 am. Embarkation went very smoothly, very few queues at check in and we were onboard by 11.15. From parking car to getting on took no more than 20 minutes. Whether this was the same for later times I am unsure but certainly looking from our cabin around 2.00 pm there were no queues for the car park we could see. Also heard no complaints from fellow passengers about embarkation.

We ate in the MDR all cruise and the standard seemed very much as it was three years ago when we last cruised with Royal Caribbean. We did My Time dining and although there were queues at 8.00 pm when we tended to go for dinner they moved fairly quickly. I suppose one down side there seemed to be mashed potato with everything. Waiting staff were excellent as ever and we never had a problem with drink orders after the first night. Once the waiters understood our preferences they made sure that our wine was topped up and even asked if we needed top ups without us asking. The wine package seems awfully expensive and cost over £1,000 (bad exchange rate). However with a decent bottle of wine $53 including tip and water at $4 it did not take long for to be worthwhile. Basically five drinks a day. (yes I do drink a lot).

Cabin Review

Grand Suite

Cabin GS

Specifically choose this cabin as not below the solarium with its tiled floor. Had cabins under the solarium before and had to put up with constant noise through the day and night with people moving sun loungers, towel trollies at night, ladies high shoes etc. Did notice that there was a rubber walk way in the solarium now which probably reduces some of the noise. Be aware

Port Reviews

Vigo

Ship docked very close to city centre. Easy to get off and stroll around

Southampton

Car parking slick and professional

Madeira (Funchal)

Do not go on Sunday

Tenerife

Did not get off

Lanzarote

Not long enough at port to get off

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