Wilmsta

Stumbled across this on the RC site - couple of nice little time lapses of Indy being positioned in dock for the refurb.

https://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/our-ships/independence-of-the-seas/live-camera/ 

And when i say cruise bug -  i don't mean Norovirus  

Thanks everyone, so helpful and informative.

I think i'm going to enjoy this cruising business - as i'm already lining up what my second cruise is likely to be. I also get the feeling the once you've got the cruise bug it stays with you!     

Thanks Chris, very helpful. 

Hi all

Quick newbie question - when docked in a port is everything still open on board the ship as normal (pools, bars restaurants etc). Having never cruised before was just curious as to whether it is common place to stay on board and enjoy the ship at possibly its least busiest?

On the flip side - roughly how long on average does it take to get off and back on the ship whist in port - is this a fairly smooth process or can it be a little hit n miss?

Thanks in advance for any answers/pointers

Hi Jardry

My understanding is that with a soda package - you get just that - soda. Any mocktails, fresh juices, speciality coffees or alcoholic drinks etc need to be purchased separately at the full price.

However saying that i’m a newbie to all this so hopefully someone will correct me if i’ve misunderstood! 

Thanks Twangster, very helpful and i’ll def have another read of your blog. 

So much information to take in being new to cruising - so I’m so glad I found this site. 

32 minutes ago, twangster said:

The only bar areas restricted to certain types of guests are the Diamond, Concierge or Suite Lounges depending on the ship.

Some ships have a suite sundeck or Coastal Kitchen restaurant that is only for suite guests.

What ship?

Thanks Twangster - Independence 

Hi all

Another noobie question i’m afraid:

There are numerous bars and lounges on the ships and I was just wondering if they are all accessible to everyone on board or are there some only available for guests in certain classes of stateroom or maybe dependent upon C&A status etc etc.

I’ll be travelling in Indy in August if they are different for each ship etc

Many thanks in advance for any replies.

Adam

Quite possibly a silly question *noobie alert* but if i was to book Voom packages now on cruise planner - do i have to pay straight away? And if so - if the price subsequently gets reduced can i then just cancel, they refund, and then rebook?

199 days - Indy  (first ever cruise)

Is it actually possible to "run" around the tracks or are there too many obstacles/people about? Assume the later in the day you leave it the busier the deck would be etc? 

My thinking is if i do a good few laps before breakfast it would make me feel slightly less guilty about the huge breakfast i'm about to have 

16 minutes ago, tiny260 said:

On Liberty they moved the golf up front over the new panoramic rooms they added.

Fingers crossed it’ll be the same then. It’s the only game I can beat the kids at..!

21 minutes ago, NS8VN said:

This is correct.  I am a little disappointed, going on Indy in November and was looking forward to exiting a bar at midnight and seeing if my short game had improved   But water slides will be fun too.

Especially at midnight ?!

26 minutes ago, twangster said:

The nightclub sits empty most of the time.  All space on a ship is like prime real estate for a cruise line.  Having all that space doing nothing all day long only to be used for a few hours each night is a waste of space from their perspective.  A cruise line is a 'for profit' company with shareholders they are accountable to.  Like on her sister ships there is better use for that space.

Yes of course, that's understandable.

Loved the Indy blog btw Twangster, wonderful pictures. On the dry dock refurb will the mini golf also be going do you know?

1 hour ago, monctonguy said:

Sad to see it go. it was very popular on the cruise I was on..prob one of the busiest times I have seen a nightclub on any Royal Cruise.

 

BUT..Royal makes more money putting a restaurant there that they can charge,,,hence the change. Sad to say.

It does appear a shame that its going but for me i suppose what I've never had i wont miss.

19 hours ago, twangster said:

I did!  I also was maintaining a live blog during the cruise.  It's here:

Independence of the Seas 9 Night Eastern Caribbean Christmas 2017 Live Blog

Excellent - will have a proper read through when I get a few minutes.

I see the nightclub is going from Indy - wasn't it that popular?

Thank you twangster, that’s very helpful.

Seems a little harsh not to give them the refreshment package but if that’s as per t&c’s then I can’t complain really I suppose.

Yes we can’t wait, think we’re more excited than the kids to be honest!

I just had a look a little look at the cruise compass for the Indy Caribbean Christmas cruises - looks like there’s so much going on! 

Actually you may well have provided it by looks of it - so thanks again!! 

Hi all. Booked our first ever cruise on Independence for this August. The deal included the full deluxe drinking package for each person.

Obviously the children won’t be allowed alcohol but the invoice states that they will have a soda package rather than the next one down ie- the refreshment one. Seeing as there is no overall price difference for adults/children I find it strange that they have only been given the soda package.

So I queried this with our travel agent and she says that RC have told her that refreshment packages aren’t available on my or any European cruise?

Checking on my cruise planner it does give me the option to buy refreshment packages, which seems odd.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Is the comment re no refreshment packages on European cruises correct?

Any help/advice will be much appreciated

Thanks

Adam