Independence of the Seas - Recap & Review (1/23) - Photos/video/scans

[ultimatecruisemaster]

Ok... so I took the weekend off, but I'm back and determined to finish this review!

 

Day 4 - Falmouth, Jamaica

 

We woke up early and had breakfast in the Windjammer. My usual start to the day consisting of corned beef hash, sausage, smoked salmon, and biscuits and gravy. Then we headed down to the gangway by 8:45am, to make sure we were off first for our excursion. I popped into a shop at Falmouth and grabbed a pair of water shoes, for about $8. We followed the crowd over to the tour area, and found our group leader. Area was crowded as everyone found their tours. In about 20 minutes, everyone was rounded up and we boarded the bus for the Dunn's River Falls and Dolphin swim.

 

Dolphin Cove and the Falls are right next to each other... and they're about a 1 hour drive from the port. As we drove along, our guide told us about the history of the area, talked about points of interest and answered questions. Definitely made the time fly by. The drive may be a little nerve wracking for some... as you're passing into oncoming traffic... and avoiding obstacles and even goats in the road. Some of the areas you drive through seem a bit sketchy, too. But.. we made it safe and sound.

 

First was the Dunn's River Falls climb. Groups are assigned to a climbing guide who lead your team up the falls. As well, a videographer follows you around filming the climb and leads you in singing and cheering. The DVD's are available for sale right after your tour (I believe they were about $40). The climb takes about an hour... but the time flies right by. There are a lot of groups there... but everyone moves up the falls in turn and you're pretty focused on your own journey. Along the way, there are pools where you'll stop and the guides will take photos on your cameras (bring a waterproof camera... or buy a waterproof sleeve for your phone!). There's places where you can slide down a rock into the water, and where you can fall backwards into the pool. The water is flowing, but the rocks aren't slippery. It can be a little scary at times... but with the support of the team, it's not too challenging. I believe there are spots where you can exit the climb, if you need to give up ... and there are easier routes too, if you ask. We decided against the DVD... but bought a "professional" photo taken on the falls for $10. After a little drying off in the sun, it was back on the bus for Dolphin Cove.

 

For Dolphin Cove.. we rented a locker to put away our belongings and put on the safety vests. You're led out to a dolphin pool, and you stand on a platform, where the water is about waist high. The tour leader instruct the dolphin on various tricks and rewards it with fish. Each person gets to interact with the dolphin a few times. They go up the row up people... and you'll kiss the dolphin, it'll kiss you, you hold its fins and dance with it... as a photographer takes pictures. They say no cameras ... but I discretely snuck a little bit of footage. Also, you can swim out into the pool... and the dolphin will swim into your arms, and also pull you along through the water. They do some more tricks, and teach you a little about the animals.... and after about an hour, you're done.

 

By this time, we were starving... and went up to the restaurant for a buffet lunch. For about $15 there's all you can eat chicken, rice, salad, dumplings (and maybe more, I can't remember). It's in a second story building with a nice view of the water... and free wifi! After lunch, you can view your photos in their gift shop. Packages could get pretty pricey... my girlfriend opted to buy a single photo, being kissed by the dolphin for $35 dollars. We finished the tour wandering around dolphin cove, seeing the birds and lizards they have on site in their mini-zoo. Overall, a long, fun-filled day.

 

The bus took us aback to the port, and we had enough time to browse the shops. We bought some typical souvenirs... and ate some Jamaican patties. My girlfriend bought two bottles of Sangster's cream rum, which we don't have back home.

 

We boarded the ship... and had to check the alcohol, to be delivered back to us at the end of the trip. They took one off the bottles... however, missed a smaller bottle in the bag as well. We ended up drinking the smaller bottle in the last two days. HOWEVER, there was an incident with our full size bottle. On the last day, the bottle never arrived in our cabin. We talked to guest services... and they checked with staff... and there was no record of the rum, and no idea where it went. They offered us a replacement bottle of whatever they serve on board... but we opted to take a $25 reimbursement.

 

Back on the ship, we took a break in the hot tub, then took a nap. Dinner was lobster night, and prime rib. I got both, while my girlfriend had two lobster tails. As usual, we went for a second dinner in the windjammer ... and made a giant nacho plate.

 

At night we went to The Quest. Highly recommend checking it out. Have a couple drinks and enjoy the game! I don't mean to spoil any surprises ... but I was the best male hula-hooper ... and faced off against the best female in the battle of the sexes. She beat me with two hoops... and I got a consolation prize pack... containing a backpack, hat, pen and bag. Luckily, I didn't have to do anything else embarrassing. For the remainder of the trip, people recognized and congratulated me as the hula hoop guy, haha. To finish off the night, we stopped by the Dog and Badger and had a few drinks while listening to the live music.

 

Duck and port wine terrine

 

Crab cocktail

 

Medium prime rib

 

Lobster tail

 

Baked Alaska

 

My prize pack from The Quest!

[ultimatecruisemaster]

Cruise Compass - Day 4 - Page 1

 

Cruise Compass - Day 4 - Page 2

 

Cruise Compass - Day 4 - Page 3

 

Cruise Compass - Day 4 - Page 4

 

Day 4 Starters

 

Day 4 Mains

[Newtocruising2017]

We are on the March 20th sailing too with the same itinerary. Very excited as this is our first cruise. Thanks for the review and pictures!

Edited February 7, 2017 by Newtocruising2017

[singitalto]

Do you remember what drinks they have in the Cafe Promenade? We have the Refreshment package and it includes coffee and teas. I'm a big Starbucks Chai drinker, just wondering if they have something like that???

Edited February 7, 2017 by singitalto
typo

[ultimatecruisemaster]

Do you remember what drinks they have in the Cafe Promenade? We have the Refreshment package and it includes coffee and teas. I'm a big Starbucks Chai drinker, just wondering if they have something like that???

 

I don't know about chai ... but Cafe promenade did have various premium espresso drinks. Mocha, lattes, cappuccino etc... hot or cold.

[ultimatecruisemaster]

We are on the March 20th sailing too with the same itinerary. Very excited as this is our first cruise. Thanks for the review and pictures!

 

You're welcome! I hope the compasses and menus have helped you. You'll have a blast!

 

I'm finally at day 5... I'll finish up the review shortly, haha....

[ultimatecruisemaster]

Another photo dump of miscellaneous ship images!

 

Pool area at movie time. Film was Jack Reacher.

 

Early morning, empty promenade

 

Casino

 

Boleros, during the day

 

Internet cafe area

[gnocchi_mommy]

This was great! Thanks for sharing, we sail on the 11th and can not wait!

[waterbugohio]

Great review.

 

Any pictures or comments on Grease?? Can't wait to see it.

 

Also, does anyone know how long the different groups stay onboard?? Would love to see the Beatles band, but we have 5 more weeks till we sail.

[ultimatecruisemaster]

Great review.

 

Any pictures or comments on Grease?? Can't wait to see it.

 

Also, does anyone know how long the different groups stay onboard?? Would love to see the Beatles band, but we have 5 more weeks till we sail.

 

Thanks! We actually opted to skip Grease. Even though it did play a couple times... there were other things going on that we wanted to check out instead. Also... my girlfriend is a big musical theater fan... so she has already seen about 10 different productions of Grease already.

[poleman88]

Love your pictures and video! Thanks

 

 

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Hi Keegob (Heather), we are from Newfoundland as well and would like to get a chance to meet you on Serendae in 4 weeks. Cheers!

 

 

Scott & Karen

[Marina Harvey]

Thank you so much for a such detailed information and all the wonderful pictures! We are going on Indy on March 25, 2017 and we are Canadian too;))))

 

This will be my first experience on smaller ship and first ever cruise for my daughter, so I really wanted her to enjoy it and have very positive feedback...

 

On Oasis and Anthem class we always had pre-booked entertainment so we know our schedule and what day is what show. How does it work on Indy? Do we need to be way in advance to get good seats? Did you find it was a bit crowded? What shows did you go to and would recommend? Thanks!

[jimp1266]

Day 2 was formal night! So, after a nap we got dolled up and ready for dinner. I started to get hooked on the pumpkin seed rolls, and ordered the lobster bisque and the shrimp ravioli. Was surprised when the ravioli came out... and it was only two pieces. From then on, I asked the waiter the serving sizes. Indulged in two desserts tonight, creme brulee and the souffle.

 

Great review! We are cruising on Indy next month and I was curious about how "dressed up" were your fellow passengers on formal night? Did you notice any tuxedos or suits? We have cruise many times with Royal but our last three cruises were on Norwegian which is very casual.

[ultimatecruisemaster]

Oops! Sorry folks... was busy getting back to regular life .. and didn't notice these new questions here. Will also try to finish up the last day of the recap & review shortly.

[ultimatecruisemaster]

Great review! We are cruising on Indy next month and I was curious about how "dressed up" were your fellow passengers on formal night? Did you notice any tuxedos or suits? We have cruise many times with Royal but our last three cruises were on Norwegian which is very casual.

 

 

On formal night, there was a lot of people dressed up. A couple guys in tuxes ... and lots of men in suits. I wore a suit, and my girlfriend wore a formal dress. Guys could probably get away with just shirt and tie too, though.

 

When walking around the ship on formal night... it was definitely the casual people that stood out.

[ultimatecruisemaster]

Thank you so much for a such detailed information and all the wonderful pictures! We are going on Indy on March 25, 2017 and we are Canadian too;))))This will be my first experience on smaller ship and first ever cruise for my daughter, so I really wanted her to enjoy it and have very positive feedback...

 

On Oasis and Anthem class we always had pre-booked entertainment so we know our schedule and what day is what show. How does it work on Indy? Do we need to be way in advance to get good seats? Did you find it was a bit crowded? What shows did you go to and would recommend? Thanks!

 

There was no pre-booking of shows that I know of. We just planned our day in advance, then went to the theatre/venue at show time.

 

Most shows in the main theatre were easy to get seats for. It's a very large theatre. We'd typically show up 5 or 10 minutes early... and could still get two seats together in the middle, floor section.

 

We showed up to the Ice Show 5 minutes late... and still found a couple seats, too. We did have to do a little scouting though. Generally, I'd say... show up 10 minutes early and you'll be fine.

 

We went to a lot of shows... and really did enjoy them all! We did ... the Welcome Aboard show, Strings (Ice show), Once Upon a Time (Dance show), The Quest (game show), Love and Marriage (game show) and a late night comedian.

[judcost]

Thanks! We actually opted to skip Grease. Even though it did play a couple times... there were other things going on that we wanted to check out instead. Also... my girlfriend is a big musical theater fan... so she has already seen about 10 different productions of Grease already.

 

 

Hey I love your review and took a few notes. Labadee will be a beach day for us i notice on you map there's a few beaches, which one would be best and less rocky (Im going with kids 2, 4, 8) ?

 

Do you have any must do? no to be missed?

 

I might wanna catch a few comedy late night shows, while they are sleeping, do you remember if they have a few ?

[juliea344]

Hey I love your review and took a few notes. Labadee will be a beach day for us i notice on you map there's a few beaches, which one would be best and less rocky (Im going with kids 2, 4, 8) ?

 

Do you have any must do? no to be missed?

 

I might wanna catch a few comedy late night shows, while they are sleeping, do you remember if they have a few ?

 

 

Nellie's Beach, Columbus Cove, and Barefoot Beach (suites only) have the calmest waters.

[donnamp98]

Great review, pictures, menus and cruise compass! We are going on Indy in a few weeks! So excited! Thank you very much for all the information. I have been planning our dinner times around the events from the Cruise Compass that you posted. So excited to hear about day 5! :D

[dcgrumpy]

Great review, pictures, menus and cruise compass! We are going on Indy in a few weeks! So excited! Thank you very much for all the information. I have been planning our dinner times around the events from the Cruise Compass that you posted. So excited to hear about day 5! :D

 

 

FYI. We were just on Indy a couple of weeks. Most of the Compasses I saw before our cruise showed Grease performances on both night 4 and 5. I planned on going night 4. For some reason our cruise only had 2 performances on night 5, none of 4. We had a 7:30 reservation at Chops on night 5. We had to go to the 6:00 Grease show and then run upstairs to Chops.

 

So be prepared to switch things around. LOL

[waterbugohio]

Have a question for you. I know you posted at the beginning that you didn't get the alcohol package. But wondered if you saw or heard of anyone buying a "bucket or cooler" of beers??

Hubby is a beer drinker and the alcohol package is to expensive since he doesn't drink a lot. However several years back we bought a beer cooler. Got the cooler to keep and refills came out to Getting one beer free

 

Debating if we want to pack it. Not sure if they will still honor them.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grandmarnnurse]

Have a question for you. I know you posted at the beginning that you didn't get the alcohol package. But wondered if you saw or heard of anyone buying a "bucket or cooler" of beers??

Hubby is a beer drinker and the alcohol package is to expensive since he doesn't drink a lot. However several years back we bought a beer cooler. Got the cooler to keep and refills came out to Getting one beer free

 

Debating if we want to pack it. Not sure if they will still honor them.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

We've sailed 2 Royal ships--the Indy and the Oasis--and we were able to buy "buckets" of beer (not really buckets, but an insulated cooler). My hubby would buy it, so he could bring some beer back to cabin. It was a cheaper alternative to a drink package, as I don't drink enough to warrant the cost of a package, and he only drinks beer.

[dcgrumpy]

Have a question for you. I know you posted at the beginning that you didn't get the alcohol package. But wondered if you saw or heard of anyone buying a "bucket or cooler" of beers??

Hubby is a beer drinker and the alcohol package is to expensive since he doesn't drink a lot. However several years back we bought a beer cooler. Got the cooler to keep and refills came out to Getting one beer free

 

Debating if we want to pack it. Not sure if they will still honor them.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

They did have the coolers of beer 2 weeks ago. I didn't pay attention to pricing though because we had the drink package.

[waterbugohio]

We've sailed 2 Royal ships--the Indy and the Oasis--and we were able to buy "buckets" of beer (not really buckets, but an insulated cooler). My hubby would buy it, so he could bring some beer back to cabin. It was a cheaper alternative to a drink package, as I don't drink enough to warrant the cost of a package, and he only drinks beer.

 

They did have the coolers of beer 2 weeks ago. I didn't pay attention to pricing though because we had the drink package.

 

Thanks

 

So wonder if we need to bring our old cooler?? That was the promotion at the time. And I know for awhile you had to bring te cooler back to get the discounted price.

[donnamp98]

FYI. We were just on Indy a couple of weeks. Most of the Compasses I saw before our cruise showed Grease performances on both night 4 and 5. I planned on going night 4. For some reason our cruise only had 2 performances on night 5, none of 4. We had a 7:30 reservation at Chops on night 5. We had to go to the 6:00 Grease show and then run upstairs to Chops.

 

So be prepared to switch things around. LOL

 

Thank you for this information! I will definitely keep my eye out for changes! I hate that you cannot see the Cruise Compass ahead of time!