Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

Review - Independence of the Seas 2/22/16

MoverOfMutts
 Share

Recommended Posts

MoverOfMutts

MoverOfMutts

Posted
Posted (edited)

Just back from 5 nights on Indy. Ports: Falmouth, Jamaica & Labadee, Haiti

 

General info

This was the 2nd Annual Martha's Mutt Mover's raffle/fundraiser cruise. The first was also on RCCL, on Enchantment. I never cruised before doing these for my non-profit. There were a few in our group of 13 that were new to cruising, but the rest had cruised multiple times, several went on the 1st Annual cruise last year. We did the early dinner seating (6 pm) in the MDR. Last year we did MTD. I purchased the Select drink pkg, a couple friends had Royal Refreshment, at least one had the Ultimate. All had balcony cabins on the port side, deck 6.

 

Pier/Embark:

Arrived about 10:15 am, right through check in, and on the ship within about 30 minutes.

 

Cabin attendant:

RUDE! Chastised me when I asked her to put the beds together, and make up the couch (leaving it open for the duration). Must have repeated 3 times I was doubling her work and that I should have requested it beforehand. Even kept showing me her clipboard to prove it was doable, because I told her I tried to do it, through RCCL and my travel agent, but neither could. A trip to guest services resulted in configuration being done, apologies being made, and a comp'd dinner at Giovanni's being had. But is was truly a crappy way to start the cruise.

 

MDR:

Gorgeous, delicious food, great wait staff - Christina/Tohal/David/Ben. Never had a single issue with drink orders or waiting or food quality. Really enjoyed the scheduled seating and knowing we were dealing with the same folks night after night. Have to share - one night, I ordered everything on the menu that had "shrimp" in the name. :p We were in MacBeth for dinner, but for lunch one day, we went to Romeo & Juliet. The salads are made for you, in a buffet style, you pick what you want, how many scoops of each item, and then he mixes it with your dressing and puts it into a bowl. FRESH is an understatement. I would go there every day for lunch from now on! Went there for breakfast one day and ICK, wouldn't bother ever again. The toast came after I was done eating my main meal. Ridiculous, considering they weren't even crowded.

 

Giovanni's

We were tired from Haiti, but the food was great. Steak was done perfectly (I like it practically moo'ing, and you could faintly hear it, I swear!).

 

Windjammer

Typical buffet, but I love buffet dining, so I was happy. I really felt the crowds here, though, and I get really frustrated/freaked out when that happens - too much pushing, rudeness, bumping, inconsiderate. I just can't take that.

 

Falmouth, Jamaica

I booked a private tour with Patrice Bailey. Blue Hole, Scotchies, shopping, and checking out the sites on the way back to port. This was by far the best day of the cruise. The guide (Kay) was funny, informative, and totally laid back. The driver (Trevor) was hysterical, singing and playing local tunes on the radio. Hey, how couldn't it be laid back and fun, it's Jamaica mon, everyting is curry! Kay even handled the ladies hawking their wares, we didn't have to deal with them at all, she did. We got exactly what we wanted, for half the price. **RE: others in our group. One couple was given the wrong time for their excursion, an hour later than it actually left. So they hurried to combine them with the Allure tour. It was stressful for them and our TA is checking on a partial credit. Another gal was stuck on a weird snorkel tour that left her stranded in the middle of nowhere for almost 3.5 hours. I talked to the excursions desk and she received a refund - and they noted this tour had major complaints that day. Both of these were RCCL excursions.

 

Blue Hole

Guide here was Daniel and he took great care of us. As a larger lady (fluffy, as they call it in Jamaica!), he made sure I got to do most everything available, and do it safely. I had a blast! We were a group of 9, with 7 of us getting in the game at some point or another. The high jumping into the deep pools was awesome! I cannot imagine going to Dunns River Falls after experiencing this place.

 

Labadee, Haiti

I splurged on a Nellie's beach over the water cabana ($495) with our own cabana boy. Well, the price wasn't the only robbery that occurred. First, we got there and someone else was in our cabana (#4-by far the best one IMO). They didn't look at their ticket, just believed them when they said "we're in 4". I knew what cabana we had, having asked the night before at the excursions desk. They tried to put us in #1 (the worst IMO), saying "easier for you" (remember, I'm fluffy), "closer to beach", blah blah blah. I insisted on what we were assigned. They weren't happy, but the boss handled it. Then, while at the upgraded buffet on Barefoot Beach (which was delicious), someone went up to our cabana and took our cash. Yes, we shouldn't have left it, HOWEVER, we asked our cabana guy what to do, he said leave everything. He said we were his only cabana and no one comes up. Cabana 4 is at the top of the dead end rock steps, no one needs to be on them unless they are going to the cabana, and the attendants sit right at the bottom of the steps. He was there, because the cabana was straightened up and a towel animal was there. Most upsetting was the fact the RCCL island security boss searched all of us, our things, right there, as if we would pay $495 for a cabana, then hide/try to get away with a $70 ruse! Pissed us off and we ended up just going back to the ship.

 

Casino

Had a blast! Saved most of our gambling for Friday, and it paid off (well, I paid them back, but winning was fun!). 30-1 trips twice in a row, 40-1 straight flush a few hands later. Fun times!

 

Promenade

We tried Ben & Jerry's (love the Phish Food) and Sorrento's Pizza (not impressed, tasted like frozen pizza). A couple in our group did the cupcake decorating and loved it. The ones they made were burgers and fries, and they were adorable!! LOL We peeked into the Dog & Badger, but didn't order anything.

 

The Shows

I am not a show person, so only did the first show, with a great comedian, and the Motown show. I wanted to do Quest and heard it was hysterical, but it was the night of Haiti, and we were bummed and burned and pooped out. I will do Quest one of these times! If it kills me! I took stuff to dress up for the disco night, again, same night as Quest and Haiti, so missed this one, too! LOL

 

Drink packages

NOT WORTH IT. They don't have any soda machines, so having a special cup does nothing for avoiding lines. You have to fill the cup at the bars or restaurants. And if you are already in line there, just grab a freebie tea or water! Just as easy and free. I did get my monies worth in virgin frozen drinks, as well as Coronas, but I wouldn't get anything more than the Select pkg, if I was thinking of drinking, and if not, I wouldn't even get a drink package. The gal that had the Ultimate pkg felt cheated as she just liked a few glasses of wine with dinner, and they gave her the up-sale. :mad: This was her first cruise, so lesson learned.

 

Debark

The $20 for getting your bag sent early, and your boarding pass to you, was the best deal of the entire trip. I didn't have any checked bags, but my friend that traveled with me did, and our stuff was packed together. Bag left the night before, and we didn't see it again until we arrived in Cleveland the next day. It was great! We did self debark. I left the cabin at 7:40 am and I was at the airport by 9:30 am - with about 30 minutes of waiting being for others ni my group, not related to crowds or anything.

 

That's about it. Any questions, I'll try to answer them. I had a great time, in spite of the problems. But, next years cruise is on Princess, so we'll see.

Edited by MoverOfMutts
added The Shows
Link to comment
Share on other sites
src1953

src1953

Posted
Posted

Hi Martha,

 

The previous post I thought came across rather insensitive of me by not acknowledging your rough experience with the cabana. My apologies. What I meant to convey was - aside from the bad things - up until then, was the cabana worth the value you paid for it? You mentioned the price not being the only thing of "robbery" with the cabana. It may sound like an overpriced option to get.

 

We have signed up for 3 shore excursions on Labadee, I'm not sure we'll all get the value from the cabana we reserved.

 

Thanks again for your great review. I found it very insightful. Glad to know you had a wonderful time in Jamaica.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MoverOfMutts

MoverOfMutts

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yes, they are worth it IF:

 

1. You DO NOT have cabana #1, and

2. You stay all day, mostly in the cabana, enjoying the water and floaties

 

If you have other excursions planned, I wouldn't even bother with the OTW cabana, you won't be there enough to enjoy it. I would suggest you go to the excursions desk first thing and ask what your cabana number is. They assign them in advance, so don't let them tell you otherwise. If you have #1, cancel! The only difference between sitting on the beach and having cabana #1 is you are in a wooden shack and have a server, otherwise, it's right on the beach, even the entry to the water is into only about 18 inches of water. You have to swim out around the other cabanas to get to the deeper water. Completely a waste of money.

 

Don't get me wrong, it was perfect for me, as I am not a sightseer, and I love just lounging. But the other two 'strikes' made the price one of the things that rubbed me wrong.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
Thank you! That was very helpful. Does it get you off the ship any quicker or just save time at the airport?

You do have the opportunity to leave the ship with the lowest numbered luggage tags, so it can get you off the ship earlier. You also save time looking for and collecting your bags, so you head off the ship directly to the customs officers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
FSUNole

FSUNole

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the review. We're on Indy in a few weeks. Sorry about your $70, one of these days, a passenger will have a video of these scum buckets stealing from passengers. Also, seems like there have been a few people complaining about the cabin steward whining when the bed isn't in the right configuration. I know embarkation is a busy day and what a hassle for them to have to move the beds... but... they are going to end up having to do it so why piss off the passengers? Its more common with same sex couples so we will see how our beds are arranged... reservation says together.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MoverOfMutts

MoverOfMutts

Posted
  • Author
Posted
We are going at the end of April. Would you please explain the $20 fee paid to expedite getting off the ship. I'm not familiar with that. Thanks.

 

You pay $20, they get your the luggage tag from the airline, as well as your boarding pass, and you put your suitcase outside the door the night before docking. Then you never see it again, until you land at your destination. No wheeling through the ship, no wheeling through the airport, no getting your boarding pass at the counter or kiosk. You exit the ship (either in your group or self debark), go through customs, straight to airport, right to TSA line and through to your gate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MoverOfMutts

MoverOfMutts

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Hi MoM :)

 

As you know, we were on the same cruise, but I guess we were very lucky compared to you. I'll try to get my review done soon!

 

Yes, and it was wonderful meeting you at the raffle/meet & greet! I hope you guys enjoyed yourselves as much as I did!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
MoverOfMutts

MoverOfMutts

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Thank you! That was very helpful. Does it get you off the ship any quicker or just save time at the airport?

 

I do the self debark, so I can only speak to that. It didn't seem to lengthen or shorten anything, and I forgot to fill out my customs card (I'm an idiot), so I had to step aside anyway! :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted (edited)
Thanks for the link..Just curious..is there a form they give you for this service when leaving info about debark in your cabin?

Yes, a few days before the end of the cruise you will get a form to fill out. This post has is an example, courtesy of Marc:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=44781195&postcount=32

 

Note that this form is for Allure at Port Everglades in 2014. Other ships and ports may be different.

Edited by clarea
Link to comment
Share on other sites
seafish3510

seafish3510

Posted
Posted

We just booked our first cruise on the independence any tips? We are not going until 9 30 2017 we are doing the southampton version diffrent ports just looking for ship information

we have been to labadee over 5 times never did bother with the cabana always took my own noodle in mysuitcase and spent the day in the water or on a raft best place in the world. Bring tight fitting water shoes very rocky bottom on the way in.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Clarea

Clarea

Posted
Posted
Been on the Freedom 5 times what is the diffrence between the Freedom and the independence? Is there a cappuccino machine in the diamond club? My favorite thing.

The ships used to be virtually identical, but now Freedom has more staterooms since her latest dry dock. The two-deck nightclub is gone on Freedom but is still on Indy. No Dreamworks characters on Indy.

 

There is a specialty coffee machine in the Diamond Lounge on both ships.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...