Hotel CA

we prefer Independance-- more to do and better flow for full ship (except disembarkation). Both are nice though and agree with Bob-- fewer kids on likely on Brillance --still we like the Freedom class ships the most--they strike a nice balance on size and management of people (ergonomic layout for crowd flow)

Thank you very much for sharing this

More Vodka bottles than Rum each week????

 

I gotta cut back on my Vodka consumption.............................

The shows last week were top notch-- especially the headliner. Embarkation and Debarkation were OK-- Problems you read should be taken with a grain of salt. We had one of the best cruises in years a week ago on IOS and really have grown to love everything about Freedom class vessels.

 

People can be strange in what they expect or what they take as a slight (as reported by no less an authority as Jim Morrison) so I would caution you to be careful what you accept as legit criticism that applies to an overall trip or ship.

 

I can't count the number of times I have read a blistering review by someone on CC that was immediately followed by several others who were on the same cruise yet had a spectacular time and encountered none of the negative experiences articulated-- as if they were not even on the same ship at the same time. I am beginning to agree with those that say you and your attitude have more to do with making the cruise memorable (in the good sense) than anything else. Things happen on all vacations and what you make (or don't make) of them will dictate the final verdict it seems.

 

We were very pleased with our Independence cruise experience--so much so we booked another for the fall.

Also same experience last week-- off at 7:30 thru customs by 7:45 and in cab by 8:00 am

I am a transplant recipient (7 years ago) and travel/cruise all the time. I never bring the original med bottles except my only liquid (Nystatin)--which always gets looked and and scrubbed at the airport TSA security pass thru. I take 15 or so pills 4 times a day (different meds at different times so a total of about 50 or so different meds). I use a weekly pill organizer with 4 big areas per day.

 

I ALWAYS keep it in my carry on back pack (for safety) and I carry a written list of drug names and daily does in the event I end up at some medial facility w./out my meds (foreign or rural hospital for example).

 

I have never been stopped or questioned about any of the meds except the aforementioned Liquid Nystatin at the airport security area. Sometimes I need to carry controlled substances (oxycodone for example-- those I do bring along in the prescription bottle just in case--but again I have never been questioned).

 

I have found a cruise to be one of the easiest vacations to manage my med schedule and never had had any issue at all taking meds on board.

 

So from my perspective-- 60 meds is easy peasy especially on a cruise ship.

You forgot to mention the Schooner bar--usually able to get a seat and great bartenders.

 

We self disembarked last Monday Feb 22nd (4 day on IOS)-- lots of people but we went straight off--met in the meeting area at 7:15 am with luggage, taken down to deck 1 at 7:25 am and were at the airport by 8:15 am for a 10:30 flight on SW. After reading about the issues with disembarkation on the IOS, we were worried about making the flight but was no issue at all for us.

 

Embarkation on Thursday the 18th however was delayed an hour and a half because of computer issue (so we were told).

 

We liked the IOS so much we booked a 5 day in November already. Great ship and tremendous staff from our viewpoint.

Last week there was tons of things to do on sea days on the IOS-- Reggae band at the pool -- hundreds of things elsewhere (bingo, talks, shopping, games, specialty shops--like Ben and Jerry's ice cream parlor, etc.) and of course my personal favorite- the casino is open on sea days!!!!!!!!!!

We don't always make it, but our goal is 10:45am.

 

Same/Agree

We did the luggage valet service for the first time a couple weeks ago. Only one of us had to pay the $20 to have our 2 large cases (Southwest Free) transported. Will never do it another way!

 

Completely agree-- really works well--just put them out the night before and get them at baggage claim upon arriving home

We are booked on Freedom in November and we have always done the late seating. This will be the first our kids travel with us so we wanted to choose early seating and I was surprised to see 5:30 instead of 6PM. I'm with others, wishing it was at 6. I'm not interested in My Time Dining as I like having the same staff/table each night. It seems like a mixed bag of 5:30 or 6PM preference in this thread.

 

By the way-- We had 6:30 MTD on the IOS last week and had the same staff and table every night. We also did MTD on a 10 day Seranade cruise last November and had a table for 4 at either 6:30 or 7:00 scheduled every night-- always had same table and same dining staff--so don't assume MTD means different staff each night--you can set up dinner reservations at the same table anytime you like for each night

 

I can't figure out why everyone would not prefer this option but then again I dislike Strawberry ice cream and prefer vanilla over chocolate too

Did a check the best I could on a typical Caribbean sailing among all Royal ships. I found 15

Out of the 15 only 3 ships had 5:30 early dining rather than the 6 PM that many of us are used to. I know from reading here it's sure not popular.

Just off Freedom and hated it. On top of 5:30 dining on Freedom, the shows were still at 9 for early seating.

I know we could do anytime dining, but we enjoy the same group of people with the same waiter every night.

Any ideas why?

 

On the IOS last week the first Headliner show was at 7 and if you wanted to make the first show you had to eat at 5:30 or after 8:30

Only reason to prebook (and PrePay) would be to insure you get the time you want.

This is a short review of our lovely 4 day cruise on Independence of the Seas Feb 18-22.

 

We arrived at the FL terminal at about 11 am and checked in very quickly-- seems there were 2 weddings on board before we were to sail and most of the wedding parties were getting off before we left. Unfortunately, there was a computer failure and we were not cleared to board until close to 12:30 pm (we do hope the wedding and shortened receptions all went well) where we boarded along with the Bride of one of the weddings (she looked beautiful!).

 

Boarding hitch aside, by the time we ate, our cabin was ready so we went direct to it. One of our bags was there (the other was 20 mins behind it) so we unpacked and had some time to wander and get a cocktail before the muster drill.

 

Drill went off on time and we were away. We had MTD at 6:30 each nite and it was a breeze. One night we wanted to see the early show (Elton John impersonator named Jason something-- He was FANTASTIC-- best show we ever saw at sea) and so we had to move dinner back to 5:30 late in the same day --and it was absolutely no issue. MTD has now been flawless for us on 2 cruises.

 

Day at sea was a little cool at first but warmed in the afternoon. We just sat poolside and enjoyed the Reggae band and happenings around the pool. Typical chair issues but there seemed to be plenty of room. We love the Freedom class ships with the promenade where you can get coffee, shop, eat or just stroll and we discovered the Champagne Bar that night. 3 of the best, most accomplished bar tenders we have ever met-- all from Romania and it was impossible to name a cocktail they could not make-- with one exception.

 

The Dickens martini !! (no Olive or Twist)

 

Great service from our Cabin steward and fantastic service in dining room. Food was very good in most venues. We think the current staff on

Independence now are some of the best in the fleet.

 

We only had 1 stop-- Cozumel and we spent a lovely, relaxing day at Nachi Cocom (Thanks to the Ports section on these boards)--great place-- lived up to or exceeded all expectations. By the way-- no mosquitoes present as far as we could tell and it was not a breezy day.

 

Nice return day at sea-- warm and relaxing.

 

I was a little skeptical about a 4 day cruise (would it be long enough?) but we LOVED it-- great time --typical solid performance by Royal and its staff.

 

One final note about Self Debarking off Indy-- I read a number of 'horror stories' and was worried as we had a 10:30 am flight out of FLL. There were a lot of people, but it was orderly and smooth and we actually were at the airport by 8:25 am-- I think we may use this option from now on.

Just 1 operational last November

Which ports?

 

Unless the ship has been upgraded to Voom (new internet) and Splendor I do not believe has been-- the internet is unbearably slow-- think 1999 dial up slow-- so we try to never have to use it. On the other hand many Ports have restaurants and Bars with wi-fi for free (especially true of Caribbean) where you can browse the internet/email/whatever and reasonable speed as you eat drink and make merry.

 

So it all depends on which ports you are visiting

Definitely not for 1400 pp-- sizes are too similar to justify paying that much more

Welcome to Thunder Dome.

 

well said sir!

Or if you do like the selections, you can walk away with big holes in your pocket.:p

 

Big Delicious holes in your pocket.

There are extraordinary deals to be had a certain ports of call-- St Thomas and St marten come to mind-- but you do need to do your homework so you know what you might pay for similar item at home so you can recognize when it IS a good deal.

 

To echo previous statements--the seedier side of cruising comes out in these shore talks and sales gimmicks. But if you know what you want and what you might pay on the low end at home, you can find great deals from reputable dealers in the Caribbean.

[quote name='amiller2850']We normally use RCCL but have also sailed celebrity, HAL, and carnival. Comparing carnival to RCCL was like comparing Walmart to Kohls. Service on carnival was awful. No edible food on our ship. Cleanliness was deplorable. Same food plates on the deck and bathroom mess found next day... The ship then had norovirus outbreak next 2 cruises and was barred from docking in Canadian port because virus came on shore. Shows were horrible on carnival. Marilyn Manson music in bondage costumes... Couldn't bring kids at all... Kids club employees on carnival had no patience for kids or parents. We stood around the wall one day after dropping kids off and heard them speaking to the kids really rudely. We will never sail carnival again and will stay with RCCL. the employees on RCCL have always been wonderful, more attention to detail and cleanliness, better shows, etc. overall a better product IMO. Prices are similar also so you aren't overpaying or a better product.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

LOL

"Other than THAT Mrs Lincoln, did you enjoy the play?"

Tortola has the nicest beaches in the Caribbean IMHO-- Dont for get to try the 'pain killers'

 

Dominica has some good snorkeling (champagne reef tour thru Royal was really nice)

 

Only beach we did not enjoy was St Kitts

excellent interview--more of a normal person--thanks for posting

I know it was sad what happened, but it's over all you hear is about the Anthem no one died/injured just move on with your life.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

Why do you keep clicking on the threads and then start complaining? Just step away from the threads......

 

We need a bigger boat!!!