"Live" (its my plan) from Independence of the Seas February 9th 2014

[niksmom630]

70's night on the Promenade...

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[niksmom630]

Chops dinner....

My epic fail food porn moments....it was REALLY dark in there, and I was still playing with settings on my Nikon.....the food was much better than it looked. Here's my shout out to Big Al (CC member I met on Liberty) for recommending the Prosciutto potatoes...they are amazing.....


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DH's bday dessert...

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And my shrimp cocktail... Delish!


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[niksmom630]

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[niksmom630]

Scrambled eggs room service served out of an ice creme scoop...this is new, and well, not so good...



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Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Edited February 16, 2014 by niksmom630

[niksmom630]

Back tracking tomorrow to the photos I missed from Labadee, and then I'll work on scanning Compasses!


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[BoxerLuver]

Thank you so much for this great review! Sorry you have to head back home to all this white stuff:( We set sail on the exact same cruise a week from today and I can't wait to get out of NH!!! One question, our flight home is at 11:00, do you this we should self debark? If we do get to the airport early, at least we would be able to find a seat...

[niksmom630]

[quote name='99florida']Would you please let us know about the dining menu at night? A quick picture each night would be so greatly helpful. Also which nights are formal nights. Thanks[/QUOTE]

The menu order on this cruise was as follows:

Day#1-Mojo
Day#2-Saffron
Day#3-Pimiento
Day#4-Basil
Day#5-Jasmine
Day#6-Pomodoro

Formal nights were Day#2 and Day #5.

The link to the menus here:

[url]http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/download-press-kit/7/[/url]

[niksmom630]

[quote name='countess5']Don't see anything posted, somehow my post from yesterday is gone so I screwed up!:p

I was asking since you have been on Allure and not to compare apples to apples, but how is INDY for entertainment/ you do what we do Jr Suite and beverage package, but we also like specialty dinning and a good show at night.

Congrats on your winnings. Just came off Oasis on Feb 1st and found with the new smoking policy the Casino very smokey. How is yours? I believe you smoke so it may not be an issue for you. :)

We are planning on booking INDY next January, been on AOS so same class but I believe INDY is bigger.

Thanks! Enjoy the sun, Noreastern hitting us with 14 inches of snow today!! :mad:[/QUOTE]

In general, I don't care for the production shows. However, my brother in law and sister in law went to several of the shows, and enjoyed them. The only one I attended on Indy was the Ice Show. I found the entertainment on Allure to be far superior to other ships.

As far as the casino, yes--it is smoky. But having been on Allure where they have the smoking sections divided port and starboard sides, the smoking section in the casino on Indy was split forward and aft. This seemed to help, especially if you were in the section most aft.

[niksmom630]

[quote name='chukli']Love the pic's.
Does the Indy have Pets at Sea store? My little one loves this store!
Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Pets at Sea is held in the Challengers Arcade several times throughout the cruise.

[Folk Singer]

[quote name='niksmom630']Back tracking tomorrow to the photos I missed from Labadee, and then I'll work on scanning Compasses!


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thank you

[niksmom630]

[quote name='joand452']Thank you for the pictures. So anxious for this cruise!

Where is that outside seating area? I don't know if we'll use the D lounge, either, but it's our first cruise with a dedicated D lounge.

Looking forward to more -- but please don't feel you have to hurry. Relax and get back into the real world. Hope you have a new cruise booked! It helps take away the sting. ;)[/QUOTE]

The outside seating area with the faux wicker furniture was just outside the diamond lounge.

Our next cruise will be on Navigator in November, so I'll be jumping over to catch up with the other threads of her post dry dock! It does help having another to look forward to, that is for sure!

[CRUISEFAN0001]

[quote name='niksmom630']Back tracking tomorrow to the photos I missed from Labadee, and then I'll work on [B][COLOR="Blue"]scanning Compasses[/COLOR][/B]! [/QUOTE]
Very cool!

[niksmom630]

Wrap up and a few more photos....

The Cabin....

--We were in Jr. Suite #1590. Did hear some noise from above (pool chair moving) but not too often.

--DBIL was in the balcony cabin next to ours, #1588. This cabin had a very goofy configuration (perhaps because it is adjoining a Grand Suite next door). The TV and the bed were on the same wall--unless you wanted to lay at the foot of the bed, or sit on the couch--you couldn't watch TV.

--The location of our cabin was good because we were smack dab in the middle of both elevator banks. One deck up to the pool.

Falmouth....

--Never did get off the ship, but the shopping area looked nice and clean. We'll be stopping there on our November Navigator sailing, so I have another opportunity to see it. Here are a few more photos from Falmouth....

[niksmom630]

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Leaving and waving good bye to Allure....

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[niksmom630]

Labadee.....

What a difference 10 years can make! The last time were here there was nothing more than beach chairs, umbrellas, a bar, and buffet lunch. That said, with all the expansion it's a bit confusing getting around here, and even with the signage, we had to ask for directions several times.

--If you have purchased the Premium Drink package, you can use it on Labadee. However, the drink selection is limited. No frozen drinks besides the Labadoozie, which is served out of a massive cooler, and topped off with Myers rum. There were other hard liquors available, but the only mixers were sodas--no juices. Beers were also available, but I'm not sure about the selection. Our guys were drinking Miller Light and Corona--so I know for a fact those were available.

--The bathrooms and the bar were a bit of a hike from our cabana. The cabana attendant will take and deliver drink orders, but we got most of the drinks ourselves when we were out and about and walking around.

--I only walked into the water from the beach about knee deep when I spotted some weird looking long snouted fish. As I looked around, I saw alot more. That was enough for me. I have this think about fish touching me :eek:

--While the cabana rental stated it included two floating mats, our attendant asked how many we needed, and we were given 4 total. They also had snorkeling gear--we were not charged any extra for it.

A few more pics from Labadee....

[niksmom630]

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Our cabana had stairs and a ladder to enter the water. A few were handicapped accessible.

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[NanaP1398]

Nice review - thank you for taking the time to do this! I am cruising soon on Serenade and I am a smoker who booked before the rule change and just found out about the new rule about 1 month ago. Yes, I still would have booked a balcony and yes, I will follow the rules even though I have looked forward to this for 1 year! Smoking isn't the only reason I booked a balcony. I am just curious - Is the ship still selling cigarettes? I don't buy them, just curious...Would seem wrong to me...

[niksmom630]

Random shots from around the pool area....

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H20 zone...

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Main pool...

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Gold card seating area...

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The new towel policy is nice. (no longer need to swipe sea pass, and you can take as many as you want). The chair hogs were in their glory. Saw people grabbing 6-8 towels at a time,


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[countess5]

[quote name='niksmom630']In general, I don't care for the production shows. However, my brother in law and sister in law went to several of the shows, and enjoyed them. The only one I attended on Indy was the Ice Show. I found the entertainment on Allure to be far superior to other ships.

As far as the casino, yes--it is smoky. But having been on Allure where they have the smoking sections divided port and starboard sides, the smoking section in the casino on Indy was split forward and aft. This seemed to help, especially if you were in the section most aft.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the feedback! Still thinking about booking. :)

[countess5]

[quote name='CRUISEFAN0001']Thanks to niksmom for the nice reports, photos, and insights on this great cruise.

We'll use a few of the tidbits on the same cruise coming up in 36 days. WOO HOO!

As a side note...we have every intention of relaxing on this cruise. That also means we're going to take our time getting off the ship, NOT schlep all our bags off in the early hours of the morning, and NOT be in a big hurry to the airport immediately after such a relaxing experience.

We'll likely disembark about 10-10:30am, wait for our luggage, hop somewhere for a relaxing brunch, and then mosey on over to the airport for an afternoon flight. All the rush-rush immediately after such a nice cruise would seem to take away from the overall experience and calming value.

It's understandable that some folks can't do this based on the distance they need to fly home...but if they have the time...it might be worth considering easing the way back into civilization rather that sprint back into the hectic world. In our case...this approach has made cruising even more enjoyable. :)[/QUOTE]

Why not use the valet service and let RCL handle the bags to your plane. Have used it twice and boy what a difference!!! :) You see your bags for the last time the last night and then at your home airport! Just walk off with your carry on bags. :p They also provide your boarding pass. That is if your airlines participates. :confused:

For $20 per person it is all worth it! :D

[niksmom630]

[quote name='NanaP1398']Nice review - thank you for taking the time to do this! I am cruising soon on Serenade and I am a smoker who booked before the rule change and just found out about the new rule about 1 month ago. Yes, I still would have booked a balcony and yes, I will follow the rules even though I have looked forward to this for 1 year! Smoking isn't the only reason I booked a balcony. I am just curious - Is the ship still selling cigarettes? I don't buy them, just curious...Would seem wrong to me...[/QUOTE]

Yes, the ship is still selling cigarettes. In fact, the selection was rather expansive on Indy.

Guess this is as good a time as any to post my "smoking" observations:

--The smoking policy (including no balcony smoking) was announced during muster drill.

--Many people I encountered in the smoking areas were not aware of the new policy prior to sailing. A few even were smoking on their balconies until they were notified it was not allowed. It would seem some of the first time offenders I encountered were not charged the $250 fee. So, if you happen upon a balcony smoker in your travels, most likely they are ignorant of the new policy, rather than fragrant rule breakers.

--A "Useful Information" sheet left in the cabin also had the new smoking policy in it, but it was on the back of the "Officers and Staff Onboard" page. I almost didn't notice it.

--Our cabin attendant informed by DBIL that he could smoke his e-cigarette on the balcony and in the stateroom. This is clearly not allowed according to the policy.

--The smoking area on Deck 11 was more comfortable because it was less windy, and there were chairs as well as tables. However, it was very crowded. On sea days, it was nearly impassable. Standing room only.

--There is a towel station right next to the smoking area. Within feet from ashtrays. Smoke free towels available on the starboard side.

--The Deck 4 smoking area was also crowded at times, but a lot quieter. Chairs are wet in the early morning hours. No tables.

--Saw a woman with a room service coffee pot and tray, which she had set up on a chair next to the one she was sitting in. Not sure whether room service delivered, or she toted it up there on her own. :D

--I did not smoke on my balcony. Did I miss it? Yes, a little bit. Mostly when I wanted to escape the crowds and have a few peaceful moments.

--Had one cigarette in the Cigar Lounge. Felt guilty invading the cigar smokers space, so I never went back. I did observe a few cigarette smokers in there, but not many.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

[quote name='countess5']Why not use the valet service and let RCL handle the bags to your plane. Have used it twice and boy what a difference!!! :) You see your bags for the last time the last night and then at your home airport! Just walk off with your carry on bags. :p They also provide your boarding pass. That is if your airlines participates. :confused:

For $20 per person it is all worth it! :D[/QUOTE]
That's a grande idea for sure...but after having 2 people I know using the valet service only to find out their luggage was "misplaced" for more than 2 hours only to have to be sent on a flight after their departure...no thanks.

[CRUISEFAN0001]

[quote name='niksmom630']A few more pics from Labadee....[/QUOTE]
Kudos.

This is one of the best onboard experience reviews I've seen for INDY. Nice work!

Your information will also help those of us who will be following in your footsteps over the next 4-6 weeks.

If you do get the chance to share the scanned daily Compasses...that would be the frosting on your cake.

Thank you! Edited February 16, 2014 by CRUISEFAN0001

[dacsmom]

Thanks for the wonderful review. I booked the Indy yesterday, 602 days is so far away.

[villauk]

Thanks for taking the time to post the review :). I would also welcome viewing the Compasses :). It'll be our first time on Indy in April (strange as she's been on our doorstep for years :D). Can't wait for that fantastic feeling of disembarking one ship and getting straight back on another :p.