Independence - 8 night - Thanksgiving - Mini Review

[Rogueperson]

I'm hearing that there was Escargot on the menu every night in the MDR? Was that true? I read somewhere on here that the cruise before yours (November 16 or 17) had it.

 

I ask because I will be on the Independence this Saturday :P

 

Can't wait.

[Ocean Boy]

RCI just doesn't seem to "get it" that they need to put the Logo shop back on this ship. They learned nothing from Indy's previous season in the Caribbean.:rolleyes:

[masonpips]

I'm hearing that there was Escargot on the menu every night in the MDR? Was that true? I read somewhere on here that the cruise before yours (November 16 or 17) had it.

 

I ask because I will be on the Independence this Saturday :P

 

Can't wait.

 

It was offered and we ate it every single night! It was delicious!!

[Rogueperson]

Another question. Did you have to set the clocks forward going to St. Marten or did you stay on EST through the whole cruise? I know St Marten is an hour ahead of EST

[masonpips]

Another question. Did you have to set the clocks forward going to St. Marten or did you stay on EST through the whole cruise? I know St Marten is an hour ahead of EST

 

We set the clocks forward before the 2nd sea day and then back again the night before Labadee. It wasn't bad because you had the sea day to sleep in and recover and it was the same coming back to Labadee - great to get that hour back later in the cruise. So we were on Atlantic (I believe it's called that?) time for sea day #2, St. M, St. K and San Juan

[Doglady]

Hello, I need an opinion. We are doing the 8 day in April. If we do our own carry off as soon as we can, is a 9:40 flight feasible? We did this coming off the Oasis but is it doable on the Indy?

Thank you for opinions!

[Clarea]

Hello, I need an opinion. We are doing the 8 day in April. If we do our own carry off as soon as we can, is a 9:40 flight feasible? We did this coming off the Oasis but is it doable on the Indy?

Thank you for opinions!

That would be a bit too early for my stress level. You can probably make it, but won't have much leeway if there are any delays.

[Ocean Boy]

Hello, I need an opinion. We are doing the 8 day in April. If we do our own carry off as soon as we can, is a 9:40 flight feasible? We did this coming off the Oasis but is it doable on the Indy?

Thank you for opinions!

 

This past March we had a 10:15 flight. We carried off our bags and left the ship around 7:30. We were at the gate at FLL around 8:45. If you are going to do this make sure you do an on-line checkin for your flight. You need to be checked in at least an hour before departure. So doing the on line check-in rather than waiting to get to the airport gives you more time.

[Doglady]

This past March we had a 10:15 flight. We carried off our bags and left the ship around 7:30. We were at the gate at FLL around 8:45. If you are going to do this make sure you do an on-line checkin for your flight. You need to be checked in at least an hour before departure. So doing the on line check-in rather than waiting to get to the airport gives you more time.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I just double checked and our flight is at 9:50 so that is an extra 10 minutes. lol How early could you have walked off? We always do the online check in the day before on the ship. Although we will have bags to be checked.

[joepeka]

Thanks for the quick reply. I just double checked and our flight is at 9:50 so that is an extra 10 minutes. lol How early could you have walked off? We always do the online check in the day before on the ship. Although we will have bags to be checked.

We were on Indy the week prior to the OP's cruise and we noticed self assist people debarking as early as 6:15AM-ish. They started normal debarkation at 7AM, our group (group 11) debarked on time at 7:30AM and we were at the FLL airport by 8:15AM. You can't count on this every cruise because you never know what delays (weather, Customs, etc.) will slow things down but that was our experience. FYI we debarked at terminal 29.

[Doglady]

We were on Indy the week prior to the OP's cruise and we noticed self assist people debarking as early as 6:15AM-ish. They started normal debarkation at 7AM, our group (group 11) debarked on time at 7:30AM and we were at the FLL airport by 8:15AM. You can't count on this every cruise because you never know what delays (weather, Customs, etc.) will slow things down but that was our experience. FYI we debarked at terminal 29.

 

 

That sounds great, I think we are going for it. The next flight is over a $100 more and this is our "cheap" cruise for the year. Thanks everyone, I knew I would get the right info on here.

[masonpips]

The sheet said self disembark was from 6:15 - 7. We had Group 14 and the sheet listed 7:30 as our departure time. They called Groups 1-15 at 7:27 (not sure if some went earlier and they were just updating w/all groups at that point). We left about 8-8:02 and were in a taxi at 8:15 (AFTER picking up luggage, which you would not have to do). I think it's doable, but I would be stressed (but that's me!).

[Kinny]

We were on the same boat! Pun intended! :D

Wife loved Cat Wells singing at the pub and she makes a point to go there almost every night. I got so bad at taking pics of the menu that I gave up after the 3rd day. LOL I do remember a rack of lamb and Japanese shrimp dumplings on last night though.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

As I will be on the Indy this coming Saturday, would you happen to have a copy of the 8 night dining room menu?

 

How are the clubs for dancing at night? What kind of music do they play? We like dancing to the 80's music. Do the people actually get up and dance or just sit around. When we were on our last 2 cruises no one seemed to want to get up and dance. Very disappointed as we didn't want to be the only ones on the dance floor.

 

When the band is playing in Boleros, the tiny dance floor can get very crowded and there is often spillover into the passageway. This is salsa, merengue, bachata, and so on. If that is not your style you may not care for the popular Boleros. Also this area can get very smokey. I don't know if that is an issue for you or not.

 

When the band takes a break and there is just recorded music, the dancers pretty much disappear from the dance floor.

 

I don't know about the other dance venues on Independence becasue Hubby and I don't stay up that late.

[TwitterCruise1]

The sheet said self disembark was from 6:15 - 7. We had Group 14 and the sheet listed 7:30 as our departure time. They called Groups 1-15 at 7:27 (not sure if some went earlier and they were just updating w/all groups at that point). We left about 8-8:02 and were in a taxi at 8:15 (AFTER picking up luggage, which you would not have to do). I think it's doable, but I would be stressed (but that's me!).

 

 

Cool-- if you need winter weather reports for this upcoming storm, count on Channel 8 for your coverage needs in the morning ;)

[wolfganghowell]

Kinny - can you tell me a little bit more about Cat Wells in the pub? Type of music and atmosphere? Our nightlife is divided among the casino and the pub and schooner. We need some high energy though!

 

Great news about the escargot!!

[Kinny]

Kinny - can you tell me a little bit more about Cat Wells in the pub? Type of music and atmosphere? Our nightlife is divided among the casino and the pub and schooner. We need some high energy though!

 

Great news about the escargot!!

 

Cat Wells can sing a wide range of songs. She can go from country, to R&B, to Rock without skipping a beat. Sometimes people there sing along with her. There are a combination of bar stools, chairs, and sofas there which makes it quite homey. We usually go to the pub a little after dinner and stay there til Cat's shift was over at 10:45PM. It's never really crowded, but then again, neither was the Pyramid Lounge when we went.

[wolfganghowell]

Works for me, yes we have been to many of Royal's pubs. We just tended to avoid the entertainers that played too much mellow songs - put me to sleep. It would be fine early in the evening but after dinner I need something to keep me AWAKE! :)

 

I'm surprised she ended so early - most of the pub entertainers we have seen were in there til 12 or even close to 1.

[monkeyinhat]

Did they show movies at night on the poolside screen? if so what type?

 

Thanks for the St.Kitts info. we did this same cruise , same cabin last year. Enjoy this class ship

[rbrski]

Thanks for all the post cruise updates. We are booked on the Freedom (11/23/2014) for next Thanksgiving. We got the balcony 9396/interior 9401 connecting rooms again. This time they are on the other side of the ship. Let me just say, that configuration is the BEST. It was like having a two bedroom suite with TWO bathrooms!!!!!! You can't even get that with a JS. We were going back and forth of maybe doing the Oasis but having the two rooms for the price of one on the Oasis sealed the deal. We also considered a back to back on the Liberty making it a 9 night but the itinerary didn't make sense.

I hope everyone has a Great Christmas and Wonderful New Year!!!!!

[MichaelCMTX]

Thanks for the review. This is the itinerary and ship we've got our eye on for Jan 2015 - we'll be 16 points shy of Diamond so I've been sorting thru the possible 8-night candidates.

[Babs from Bston]

Thanks for the review. We are doing a 6 night in February (visiting different islands) but I found the review of ship informative.

We are traveling with 8 other couples and they booked as a "group". We "came late to the party" and booked on our own through a RCCL agent. He is so helpful and I prefer to keep all my dealings/questions with him.

Our issue is that we cannot be linked to the group and therefore are not at the early seating with them. It is fully booked with no wait list. I guess we will have to try MTD so that we will be able to join them for the shows and any evening activities. Your review made me a little anxious about that choice.

Has anyone had any luck changing their dining arrangements once they boarded the ship?

[Clarea]

Thanks for the review. We are doing a 6 night in February (visiting different islands) but I found the review of ship informative.

We are traveling with 8 other couples and they booked as a "group". We "came late to the party" and booked on our own through a RCCL agent. He is so helpful and I prefer to keep all my dealings/questions with him.

Our issue is that we cannot be linked to the group and therefore are not at the early seating with them. It is fully booked with no wait list. I guess we will have to try MTD so that we will be able to join them for the shows and any evening activities. Your review made me a little anxious about that choice.

Has anyone had any luck changing their dining arrangements once they boarded the ship?

Yes, we've changed dining once we boarded. Also, try sending an email to rcldining@rccl.com. They might be able to put you with the group. Have all the names and booking numbers in your email.