Not our usual experience

Independence of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 43

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Independence of the Seas

5 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 19, 2015

Ship: Independence of the Seas

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 6453

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

It takes a very bad experience to be a bad cruise!  Afterall, you're not cooking, cleaning, and everyone is there to serve you during your time aboard.  The entertainment was the best we had ever experienced, and the variety was appreciated!  Finis was amazing, the comedian was a great way to start That said, this cruise was lacking a bit compared to others we have been on.  The tendering process at Belize was not acceptable, and it was not appropriate to emphasize that the self-carry/early disembarkation process would not include elevator service, only to have large groups exit the elevator was irritating.  The ice rink was only available during one of the two "at sea" days, and it would have been nice if they had let you know in a cruise compass that the second day of the cruise would be the "last chance" for the ice rink!  The cruise director was the best we'd experienced yet though. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
Very good.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5
The ship was full of opportunities, but the lines were long for things like the flow-rider. Also, disappointed that the ice skating rink was only open twice for the public--one of which was during our dining time. Seemed appropriate to be open during both "at sea" days.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Amazing entertainment. Great variety--high quality--from skaters, to dancers, to comedians. Finis was especially a highlight.

Children's Programs

My children didn't participate.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Santana and Rose, at table 266 were very good. I will say that we didn't see our cabin steward as much as in previous cruises, but things were always in order. I don't know the name of the gentleman who helped us on the night my child got sick? But he came quickly, helped us get the sheets changed and we were very appreciative.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
It's worn a bit, but clean!

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

1 out of 5
See comments about disembarkation.

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
We enjoy just getting off the ship, grabbing a taxi, and finding a beach. We did not know there would be SEVEN ships in port that day, and that we should have reservations even at public beaches like Mr. Sanchos. Reservations!!! Get a reservation.
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1 Comment

molly856    8 years ago

Can you tell more about the getting off the boat part in Belize? Also, what was then cruise Director like that made him/her so great?

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