Below Expectations

Item: Independence of the Seas
Rating: 2
Author: Cruiser250

Independence of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruiser250

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 40

Overall rating:

2 out of 5

Verified Review

5 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 07, 2015

Ship: Independence of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 8311

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

Our cruise got off to a bad start when we had to wait in line for 2.5 hours to board the ship. No explanation was giving and the least they could've done was hand out some waters. Our room was nice and the employees on the ship that are working for additional tips are courteous. I cannot say the same about the rest of the staff. We paid an additional charge for the internet and the service was awful. Customer service was no help and we were told on 4 different occasions that someone from IT would be contacting us. We were never contacted by IT at all. We tried on 2 different occasions to call for room service and also the spa without anyone answering the phone. We finally walked to the spa to book a massage and we never did get room service. The food is OK but I would definitely upgrade to the two nicer restaurants. We ate their 3 out of the 5 nights. The shows were good but they lasted less than an hour. Belize does not have a port so you need to wait in lines to take a boat from the ship into town. It took over two hours to get everyone that wanted to go to Belize off the ship. Cozumel is nice and make sure you go to the downtown area. It's about 2.5 miles from the port. If you are looking to sit in a lounge, have an appetizer and listen to live music this is not your ship. Live music inside at the bars does not start until later in the evening. There is no place on the ship, other than a restaurant when their open, to get an appetizer. Overall the shows were good, the two upgraded restaurants are excellent, Cozumel is nice and the rest of the cruise is well below average.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

2 upgraded restaurants were excellent everything else OK. Same food in Windjammer every day.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Other than the pool not much going on until late in the evening. Need happy hour music and appetizers somewhere inside.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

It would be nice to have live entertainment inside beginning earlier in the day for happy hour.

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

We did not bring our kids.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Staff working for additional tips were fine the rest were well below average in helpfulness and attitude.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Johnny Rockets, why????Cupcake and Ice Cream next to each??why??? And these places all charge an extra premium???Why???

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Cabin was fine and attendant did a nice job. Internet service and lack of room service was terrible.

Ship tip

They need to have a place in the late afternoon to get an appetizer, drink and hear some live music. Everybody doesn't sit by the pool all day and drink.

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