Independence of the Seas Review

Holiday July 2018

Review for the Mediterranean Cruise on Independence of the Seas
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dancerjoy
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Jun 2018
Cabin: Interior

Chose this because I love previous cruises on Indy and wanted to see what she was like after the refit. The main changes were adding things for kids, it seems RCI are trying to pish out their older passengers and become completely family orientated. The ship seemed very overcrowded, a bit frantic with kids racing around everywhere so you had to be a bit nippy on your feet to avoid them, and Indy had a different, less happy atmosphere somehow. I didn't realise that the Scottish school holidays started the last week in June or I wouldn't have booked to go at the time I did, I would normally avoid any school hols! The chairs outside on deck 4 (non smoking side) have been replaced with the most uncomfortable weirdly z-shaped chairs I have ever attempted to get comfortable on! I used to like deck 4 as it was quiet and comfortable - not anymore it isn't! Also from a comfort point of view the seating in the Champagne bar is now dreadful; conversely the seating in Boleros is fabulously comfortable - yay! I dint have major problems re sunbeds as htere's only one of me, but it was irritating that beds had towels on them for hours on end with no-one sitting on them or attendants removing them. Ice shows and entertainment were really good, altho some scheduling was strange - I would have liked to have gone to the talks by Alan & Pat on the Tower of London and Crown Jewels, unfortunately these talks were all scheduled for lunchtime (apart from the last but one day which I did go to). I may go back on Indy, but will make a point of checking ALL school holidays, however a couple of ladies who've travelled on her a lot said they won't go on her again due to overcrowding and the dreadful chairs on deck 4, their previously preferred deck. My cabin was noisier than before (2407) but I did get used to it and the steward was good. Waiters etc were all fantastic, as always with only the first night being very rushed,, but I won't do my time dining again either - think I just prefer early sitting.

Cabin Review

Interior

Cabin 2V

Bit noisy - didn't sleep the first couple of nights. Apart from that, just a normal inside cabin.

Port Reviews

Lisbon

Would have been excellent except the new cruise terminal is such a long walk firstly off the ship, then into town. Previously walked in no problem - now it's a looooong walk and it wasn't very clear whch buses took you into town and which were excursion

Vigo

love that you get yoff the ship immediately in port! Great cappuccino and the violin man was still there!!!!!

Barcelona

Quite like Las Ramblas here!

Gibraltar

one of my favourite ports! Always head for the swarovski shop and always get a bargain! :-)

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