Amber Hayes

Cuba sailings through 2019 are now available.

Hello Everyone,
 
I did a review of my cruise on the Enchantment and upset some people. I wanted to do a review of my last cruise, Independence of the Seas, March 25-30, 2017.
 
This was a wonderful cruise experience with the exception of being quarantined for part of it. I will explain further on in my review.
 
I arrived at Fort Lauderdale airport on time, went to baggage claim, got my one suitcase and found the Royal representative. They would not confirm how long a wait I had but within 15 minutes was on a transfer bus to the port. (This was the most positive transfer experience I have had, normally at least an hour wait time.) Arrived at the port and I had reserved wheelchair assistance through Royal (can't walk up the gangway). Was placed in a chair immediately and brought up to the counter, signed in and was brought upstairs where a Royal crew member took my chair and brought me on the ship. I was on by 12:30 p.m. This was wonderful service, my experience with wheelchairs has been less than positive and this was so fast.
 
My cabin, 7623, was not ready but would be at 1 pm. Unfortunately there must have been a problem, all cabins opened at 1 pm but Deck 7, port side, it was 2 pm before we could go to our cabins. Arrived at my cabin and unpacked my carry on. Was very impressed with the cabin, I had booked a Promenade view cabin, which I loved. Sitting at the window seat and reading was very relaxing. It was a large cabin with more than enough room. Tiny bathroom but that is normal.
 
I love the Independence. This is my first time on a Freedom class ship and I thought it was the perfect size. The Royal Promenade is fun to just wander up and down and look in the windows. I love that on Decks 6, 7 and 8 there are window seats where you can sit and watch the Royal Promenade and what is going on there. Those same decks have a small patio viewing area by the elevators.
 
What I don’t understand is why people book a Promenade view but don’t leave their curtains open. Yes you can see into the windows of the cabins but if all you are doing is watching television or eating breakfast or even taking a nap the view is wonderful and the light is perfect. There were many passengers that didn't even open their curtain, might as well have stayed in an interior and saved money. I left my curtain open until I went to bed at night.
 
The King Lear dining room (MDR) was great. The food was always good and plentiful. It arrived hot and tasty. The wait staff was always attentive, never an empty glass. I ate at Jade, continental breakfast, Sorrento's, great pizza, and Cafe Promenade. All dining venues had great food.
 
The shows, Grease and the Ice Skating show, were amazing. These shouldn’t be missed if you book this ship. I wasn’t impressed with one of the comedians, the other was ok. The production shows were okay.
 
The cruise director’s staff was good. I have figured out that the cruise director is now a position of Public Relations. The CD use to be the face of the ship, always greeting every passenger, all over the ship, but not anymore. The Activities Director and Assistant CD pretty much run everything with the CD making television programs and only at the Newly Wed game and the parade in the Royal Promenade. When did this shift in the CD's job duties happen?
 
The Casino staff was some of the best I have every worked with. Julio, the casino manager, came and checked on me while I was quarantined. I was sorry to hear he was leaving on vacation and moving to another ship, Adventure, I believe but that is okay because I have two cruises booked on her now.
 
I couldn’t get off in Costa Maya because of being quarantined. For the first two days I ate at Jade, King Lear, twice, and Café Promenade and later became very ill with stomach pain that had me doubled over and other problems. The clinic on the ship was wonderful, said they thought it was food poisoning and quarantined me for about 30 hours. I couldn’t leave my cabin. I didn’t know that the whole ship is notified when you are quarantined and if you go anywhere on the ship while under quarantine and present your card, like for a soda, they will get a crew member to escort you back to your room. The Director of Housekeeping checked on me at least 4 times and the Room Attendant checked on me several times. While quarantined all food has to be room service and Royal doesn't charge you for the Room Service. I got to watch the premium movies for no charge, but still not the way you want to spend a cruise, watching Moana, Bourne, Jack Reacher, Storks, etc. There is no escaping the quarantine police. 
 
I loved Cozumel but the doctor wouldn’t let me do my Cozumel Bar Hop that I booked because of the quarantine. I did get off the ship and walk around for about two hours.
 
Cabin 7623, Promenade View. I loved this cabin, it was right by the elevator. It was large and comfortable. I had a king size bed and the mattress and pillows were comfortable, not hard. There was one large closet and my clothes, shoes and luggage fit perfectly. There was plenty of storage space with the exception of the bathroom, very tiny. I had a wonderful view of the Royal Promenade. There is a seat right below the window where I could sit and watch everyone walking and the parade on the last night.
 
This was a wonderful cruise and great ship if I hadn’t gotten food poisoning. I will definitely sail on the Indy again.
 
Candie