Independence of the Seas Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Ahhh this is so disappointing for us to have to write a bad review but it seems to follow a current trend of recent Indy reviews and we felt this would be useful for other young couples thinking of booking. We have raised our issues with RCI and are awaiting a response to their thoughts on the matter.
Bit of background, this is my 5th cruise (2nd with RCI, last cruise being with them and was 4/5 years ago) and this was my partners 1st cruise, and 1st holiday in 13 years so needless to say we were both very excited for this and had high hopes. We are both young and wanted to get away for a while, saw the itinerary for Italian Med and jumped at the chance to go. We went big, drunks package, excursions, balcony room etc as we wanted the best experience we would get and not have to worry about money or other costs.
On that last note, 'other costs'. RC seem to love charging you for everything. They are like the EA of cruises. Room service, $8, 2 coke's with your room service order, $8 ( I am not kidding it was $8 for 2 cans of coke), go to Jonny Rockets, just under $10 a head, fish & ships, playmakers etc, charges for any food. If you do not want to spend anything extra THIS IS NOT THE CRUISE LINER FOR YOU as you will not enjoy it as much! Then of course the specialty restaurants which are standard across most big liners.
Cabin Review
Ocean View Balcony
Our cabin was spacious and got the sun for a few hours every day which is really the reason we wanted a balcony. Our attendant was good, always made sure we had towels, fresh sheets and everything was made up for us twice a day.
We did experience noise from both sides of neighbors, if this was a loud TV or talking so it wasn't very well soundproofed from either side.
We didn't have any bother with anything happening elsewhere on the ship which was nice but for some reason every night between 12am and 1am there were people having what sounded like a race up and down the corridors!
Didn't feel much of the ship movement either unless we were in the English channel so again another positive to the cabin. Close to a lift as well as the pool deck on 11.
Port Reviews
Southampton
An industrial post as well as cruise terminal so nothing fancy. Port staff were so rude and grumpy, not a great start
Villefranche
Lovely port, sunny and like something from a postcard