Better than we expected
Independence of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western
6 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)
Sail date: April 19, 2015
Ship: Independence of the Seas
Cabin type: Inside
Cabin number: 8457
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 9 years ago
Review summary
This was our first cruise in 30 years so we didn't know quite what to expect. We are in our 70's and have traveled extensively, flying to destinations and traveling independently. We wanted to find out what a cruise experience would be like. Our overall experience was good. The ship is really nice, the crew is great and the food was plentiful and good. The entertainment at night was excellent. We found the large number of passengers overwhelming at times but we were able to find quiet spaces on the top deck where we could relax. The stops were great. We booked excursions over the internet before we left after reading about the islands. the cruise offers lots of excursions, most of which are just too active for us.We had an inner cabin with a large mirror that made it seem bigger. That was fine for us as we spent very little time in the cabin. I personally hated walking through the casino area to get to the theater - smoked filled and noisy - but others might like the gambling. There were many families traveling together, even very small children. I personally wouldn't take small children on a cruise, but they seemed to be managing well. We loved the sunshine and getting to know Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
We found the buffet crowded and a little frantic at peak times. Best come a little late for a more relaxing meal. The dining room always offered a relaxing setting. We paid for flexible dining and were seated every night with different people which we enjoyed.
Ports of call
Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)
1 Comment
JusMe 9 years ago
Thanks for the review. Welcome to cruising. I hope this will be the first of a long line of cruises for you. May I suggest you look into Celebrity or Holland America For less crowded ships and not a lot of children. Celebrity and Holland America still runs some smaller ships with more space per passenger ratio then some of the newer big ships.