Independence of the Seas cruise ship review: Big ship feel without the price tag or crowds
In:Big cruise ships are the standard for the cruise industry, and Independence of the Seas remains one of the best choices for families looking to get the most out of a mega ship without the price tag.

Royal Caribbean introduced Independence of the Seas in 2008 as part of its Freedom Class. At the time, these were the biggest ships in the world. While it may have been eclipsed by the Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships, these remain favorites of cruisers for good reason.
What I find when I sail on Independence of the Seas is a cruise ship that doesn't compromise on things to do, places to eat, and competitive rates.
Royal Caribbean moves Independence around quite a bit. In summer, she's sailing around Europe, and then around the Caribbean in the fall.

To be fair, you won't find the cruise line's top tier attractions or restaurants onboard, but I don't know that's a bad thing either. Often people choose this ship because of the itinerary it's sailing or the fact you can save a lot of money compared to the bigger ships.
Plus, Royal Caribbean upgraded the ship with new features in 2018. They added water slides, new restaurants, laser tag, revamped lounges, and added new staterooms too.
Over 4,000 passengers can sail on this ship, but it really doesn't feel that crowded. I think the open deck space, variety of activities, and proper programming help spread passengers around. I spent 15 nights onboard recently and it never felt overcrowded.
Easy to get around

You might think a cruise ship that stretches over 1,000 feet would be hard to figure out where you are, but its incredibly easy.
Independence has a few key public areas, and once you walk a little, I think it becomes apparent where everything is located.
- Royal Promenade: Grand concourse with bars and shopping (Deck 5)
- Atrium: Multi-deck space with bars (Decks 3, 4 and 5)
- Pool Deck: Waterslides, pools, and sports activities (Decks 11 and 12)
- Viking Crown Lounge: Indoor viewing lounge, with bar. Suite Lounge and Crown Lounge also found here (Deck 14)
- Casino: Deck 4
- Youth Zone: Kids club areas, including the teen club (Deck 12)
- Vitality Spa and Fitness Center: Ship spa and gym (Deck 11 and 12)

You'll board the ship on deck 4 and from there it should be easy to get your bearings. There are two elevator banks to make getting around easy enough.
Cruise ship elevators are probably where you'll run into the longest waits, but it's rarely problematic.
I find the staircases practical for going up or down a few flights.
Variety of dining choices, included and extra cost

There are a number of restaurants on this ship, some that are included and others that have a cost to dine there.
Included restaurants
- Main Dining Room
- Windjammer buffet
- Fish and Ships
- Cafe Promenade
- Sorrento's

Extra cost restaurants
- Chops Grille
- Giovanni's Table
- Izumi
- Playmakers Sports Grill and Bar
- Johnny Rockets
- Room service
The top question new cruisers have is always should they spend extra to dine at the specialty restaurants.

Specialty restaurants are pricey, but I like adding variety to my dining rotation. There's certainly nothing wrong with the included dining options, but being on vacation means splurging a bit.
The beautiful three deck Main Dining Room serves breakfast and dinner every day, with lunch on sea days.
I ate in here most nights for dinner and found most of the food to be between "good" and "very good". A few dishes were "excellent" and one or two were duds. Luckily, you can order as many entrees, appetizers or desserts as you like, so I never went hungry.

I'm also a big fan of the ship's buffet. I love the variety of food, especially the international cuisine. Just know that it gets very busy for breakfast on most days, so getting a table is difficult at peak times.
The grab-and-go food on the Royal Promenade are good for quick snacks. The food is nothing amazing, but when you need a late night bite, this is your best choice.
The three primary specialty restaurants have a cover charge to dine there. It's not cheap, but if you buy a dining package before the cruise begins, you can save around 50% off the regular cost.

Chops Grille is a traditional American steakhouse and it's perfect for steak lovers. I have yet to go wrong with the filet mignon, but there's also a few other cuts you can try.
Giovanni's Italian is quaint and has a mix of pastas and featured entrees. It's Italian comfort food, and I doubt you'll be disappointed from it, unless you're expecting something ground breaking.

At Izumi, it's primarily a hibachi table restaurant with teppanyaki dining. This is where the chef cooks in front of you, and it's one of the best family experiences you can have in a specialty restaurant.
Izumi also has a small sushi bar and a few tables, if you'd prefer to just eat sushi.
There's also room service aboard Independence of the Seas, where you can order food any time of day for a $7.95 surcharge plus an 18% gratuity. Keep in mind there's an overlooked complimentary continental breakfast option.
The bars and lounges are the best spots for evening entertainment

One thing I think Royal Caribbean does really well on Independence of the Seas is offer a robust choice of bars and lounges.
In fact, Royal Caribbean is probably the best cruise line for live entertainment these days, and it shows in the venues.
I found many fantastic choices each evening for drinks and a show

My favorite spot is on the Royal Promenade at the English Pub, where a guitarist plays each evening. There's something about beers and bar songs that works so well.
If you're more of a wine aficionado, there's Vintages across from the Pub. Alternatively, the champagne bar in the Atrium is a good choice for drinks with conversation. Both bars do not have entertainment.

Probably the most crowded bar each evening will be the Schooner Bar on deck 4.
There's trivia sessions throughout the day, and a piano player at night. If you want a seat, be sure to arrive early because it's a small venue and the shows get very crowded.
If you want more energy with your entertainment, check out Boleros in the Atrium on Deck 4. It starts out each evening with a classic rock band, but then turns into a Latin-themed party.
The Star Lounge is the ship's multi-purpose lounge, and it is where you'll find karaoke, musical acts, and trivia.

One of my go-to bars is Playmakers on deck 4. I love the location here, attached to the Atrium and Casino.
Unlike the Oasis Class ships, it's indoors, meaning it's air conditioned and not as hot and humid.
Playmakers has a great drink menu of its own, along with food too. You can order a snack or have an entire meal.
Speaking of drinks, you can pay for each drink you order individually or purchase an unlimited drink package.
Drink packages are very popular with cruisers because they're convenient and make it easy to budget for your drinks. Definitely pre-purchase before the cruise to save money on them.
Mix of family-friendly activities and adult-leaning fun

Royal Caribbean's core cruise experience is about offering more things to do onboard than you can possibly squeeze into a day, from trivia and silent discos to audience participation events.
You'll find dance parties and a balloon drop event on the Royal Promenade. They're a bit hacky, but many people love them as an excuse to get out and enjoy themselves.

There are two theaters onboard with shows each evening. You'll find the Broadway musical Grease performed in the Royal Theater on select nights (rumor has it Grease will be removed later this year), along with featured performers and comedians. There's also an ice rink at Studio B, which has its own show and even lets guests skate on certain days there.
The casino is likely going to be busy each evening, as it's the highlight for many cruiser's evening fun. Slots, table games, and poker are all available. The casino is open as long as the ship is not docked or in a country's territorial waters. Good luck!
If you prefer more sun with your fun, there is a main pool on deck 11, with plenty of seating around it on both deck 11 and 12.

You'll find pools and hot tubs, along with a kids aquapark at Splashaway Bay.
Adults will gravitate towards the Solarium, which is reserved for passengers at least 18 years old. There's a pool and hot tub of its own here too.
On the back of Independence is where the thrills are located.

Three's a Flowrider surfing simulator, pair of water slides, and sports court.
The sports court offers pickle ball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and more. It changes up the activity depending on the time of day.
What I loved to do on Independence of the Seas
Lots of live entertainment each night

The first reason I started cruising with Royal Caribbean was because of how much there is to do on it ships, and Independence won't disappoint in that regard.
There are bands, singers, shows, and more offered each day. I liked we could jump between different venues and see what was happening at one, and then pop back to the other.
Independence is a big ship, but the venues with performances are conveniently located near each other.
Great pool deck for families

Another advantage Independence has over smaller ships is how much pool deck space it has.
There's a pair of twin pools on the main pool deck, and it's perfect for cooling off and submerging yourself in them.
Equally compelling are the variety of hot tubs around the ship. By far, the best are the whirlpools that cantilever out over the side of the ship. They're enormous, have great views, and even have televisions to watch.
Splashaway Bay is a great feature for the younger kids, and it's sure to keep them busy everyday.
Trying specialty restaurants

I bought a three night dining package for my cruise, and it made a big difference in my enjoyment of eating onboard.
Hibachi, steak, and pasta were lovely upgrades from the included food. I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend a dining package as a good way to augment what you can get for free.
I also really like the food at Playmakers. Because it's priced a la carte, you can stop in for just wings. Or after a busy day in port, grab a burger, beer, and some fries.
Who should book a cruise on Independence of the Seas

The best reason to sail on Independence of the Seas is going to be the value it offers.
You'll get a big ship cruise experience that satisfies the needs of most people without the premium prices newer ships command.
Each time I sail on Independence, I'll almost always upgrade to a balcony or suite because the cost is quite reasonable.

Of course, where Independence sails to is an equally important consideration.
I think the European cruises are its top choice. If you can visit cities and destinations in Northern Europe, it's a wonderful escape.
The only warning I'd give for skipping this ship is for someone that wants Royal Caribbean's latest and greatest options.
If your standard is a ship like Star of the Seas, Independence will feel like a step down. It has a lot, but not as much as these enormous and newer vessels.
Itineraries and pricing

Independence of the Seas offers a mix of short getaways, classic Caribbean itineraries, and summertime European voyages through 2025, 2026 and into early 2027.
Most of the year, Independence of the Seas sails out of Miami, offering 3- to 7-night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean. In the spring and fall, Independence of the Seas sails out of Bayonne, New Jersey, offering cruises to Canada and Bermuda.
An inside cabin will start at $358 per person for a quick Bahamas cruise, but you should expect to pay closer to $650 - $900 per person for most sailings.

Holiday sailings over spring break, Christmas, and summer will see much higher prices. Longer or premium Europe/Baltic voyages rise above $1,000.
I'd recommend booking about 6–12 months before the sail date for the best deals, and 12–18 months for maximum cabin availability.