Butlins on a boat or cruising paradise (Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas)

Member Name: Absy_Baby

Product:	Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas
Date:	29/05/09 (185 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A lot to do, all inclusive except drinks

Disadvantages: On a boat, can't get off in the middle of the sea

Currently the largest cruise ship in the world, the Independence of the Seas is the newest Royal Caribbean International ship, the third entering the new freedom class of ship, it was built in Finland and registered in the Bahamas.

It has an astounding capacity of 3634 people and 1360 staff/crew. It entered service in February 2008 and the whole of 2009 it is operating out of Southampton, England.

I hope most of you enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend, I did, I went on my first ever cruise, it was a 4 nights mini cruise to Ireland, on the MASSIVE Independence of the Seas.

The Independence has 15 decks (these are just the ones you're allowed on, there are 3 more staff decks below the water line).

The facilities are quite out of this world for a boat, they include:
A theatre that seats 1300 people
An ice-rink, open to the public and with ice shows
A casino
An arcade
The Royal Promenade (the indoor shopping street with bars and restaurants too)
A gym
A boxing ring
A spa
A climbing wall (I did it and made it to the top)
The flowrider (a surfing machine)
A basket ball court
A 9 hole golf course
A jogging track
8 restaurants
3-4 swimming pools (depending on what you count, there are 3 sections, but 4 pools)
4 jacuzzi's
2 jacuzzi's that hang over the edge of the ship by 12 foot
Loads of bars, and much much more.

We watched a different show every night, went in all the bars and played game shows. It is big, it's almost like being in a shopping centre on water. I was worried about feeling movement, but you don't feel much, there is a constant hum which is the engines and you do move around a bit, I awoke the first morning and was moving slightly in bed, it felt like I was drunk.

I get sea-sick and I wasn't on here, but the water was very calm, I did feel a bit queasy at times, I think this was purely the motion sickness from moving.

Everything except exercusions are included, and drinks, although we brought the soda fountain drinks package for £20 each, and we got a free flask thingy with it, which was great cause we just got drinks whenever for free. There are drinks available in the restaurants for free at meal times too, but alcohol is obviously an extra charge.

The entertainment was good, and there was kids clubs for children of all ages. I would describe this boat as Butlins on a boat. It is great for families and there is a lot to do.

However the main thing that concerned me was the false sense of security being on the ship gives you. A lot of people left their kids to it, and although yes they couldn't go too far being on a ship in the sea, they could however go overboard, there were no high sides and the worse is people could be rapists or paedophiles, just because they are on a cruise means nothing, and people left kids of all ages, and they could have easily been targeted. It just worries me.

We had an inside cabin, which I didn't really like, I mean I'd never pay the silly money rooms with balconies cost but a window would have been nice, it was weird waking up in the pitch black with no idea of the time. It would have been nice to have some natural light. At first I was annoyed we wouldn't know what the weather was like but the Independence has a camera on the front top of the ship and you can look at it on the TV in your room (channel 18/19).

The food was fantastic in typical American order of priorities the food was top, there was a restaurant open at nearly all times, there was a void between midnight and 6am though. Although thinking about it, I think there was a pizza place open later than that. We ate in the main restaurant twice and another 2 on the other nights, there was so much variety and even the super fussy like me had a big choice. The WindJammer had a lot to offer, chips, burgers, pizza, salad, fruit, curry, roast dinners, meats, pastries. Everything you could want.

My favourite meal was breakfast - Pancakes all the way!

We choose first sitting which was 6pm, for dinner this was good as we didn't have to wait till 11pm for our show, we got to see the one at 9pm. We met some nice people on our table and got on well. I think though if the people were horrible it could make dinner quite awkward.

I didn't like that we were given envelopes to tip, I know it was an American boat and they are obsessed, but cruising isn't cheap and salaries in the hospitality industry are generally quite low (I always tip well and when it is deserved, I've had a few jobs in the hotel sector and so I know) BUT being told to tip this for that, and to tip not only our waiter, but the assistant waiter and the head waiter (who we didn't even see) is a bit much. The guy looking after our room was excellent and we tipped what we thought was very reasonable, but according to Royal Caribbean's guidelines we were tight.

My biggest upset was at around Midnight every night a banging noise started, and it continued to start and stop throughout the night, this did ruin sleeping for me, and I like my sleep and by the end of it, I was a bit grumpy.

Personally I wouldn't choose to go on another cruise if I had a choice, it was enjoyable but not my idea of a relaxing holiday. Perhaps if we were sailing around the Caribbean it would be different. My boyfriend however loves them and thinks it's the only holiday he can fully relax 100% purely because he likes the regimented routine, I like to be the boss and not be told what to do when, but hey.

Service: 10/10
Facilities: 9/10 (very kid orientated)
Food 10/10
Ship 8/10
Cabin 8/10 (the bed was great, real comfy)
Overall experience: 7/10

Summary: See review