Independence of the Seas Review
Western Mediterranean in July 2010
Rating by category
Additional details
July 3-17 2010 cruise from Southampton to Gibraltar, Ajaccio, Cannes, Barcelona, Ibiza, Malaga, Lisbon, Vigo, return to Southampton.
Had a good 14 day cruise on the Independence of the Seas to the Western Mediterranean. We are Platinum level cruisers with RCCL and Celebrity as well as being Gold status cruisers with Princess. Traveled with extended family of 19 aboard. (On our cruise, only 240 Americans were onboard, the rest were from the UK or Ireland).
SHIP: The Independence is a fun ship, very similar to the Voyager class ships but bigger. We had a cabin at the very stern of the ship, 9406, and it was slightly smaller than other balcony staterooms. Although we had some seas, it motion at the back of the ship was no worse than other locations aboard (at least to us). It is almost 1000 feet to the gym and that is 3 football fields so it is not a convenient cabin location. Ship condition was good, but color scheme is looking quite dated. Rock climbing wall is good even if staff are a bit condescending. Flow Rider was very fun, but several family members got stingers or whiplash and had sore necks for days after taking hard spills from the stand up boards. Flow Rider staff are excellent.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Balcony
Cabin 9406 is smaller (shorter) than other deluxe balcony staterooms. It has a loveseat, not a couch. It's position at the very back of the ship is nice and quiet, however, the steel girders curving around the stern block the view of the ocean somewhat. It is a quite location but it is almost 3 football fields away from the gym / bow of the ship. Internet reception inside the room is fine, but there is no Internet reception on the balcony. Balcony is larger than most with two chaise lounges, plus two chairs plus a table.