Value was not great. Additional costs were way out of wack

Independence of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 18

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Independence of the Seas

5 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 09, 2016

Ship: Independence of the Seas

Cabin number: 8558

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Took the trip using miles. Candidly was disappointed.  The itinerary was ok; however people need to realize the costs for excursions, drinks, "tips" and non standard meals added more than $1000 to the cost of the trip. This is in addition to the miles and fees.. The shore excursions in Belize were not worth it and really overpriced. Cozumel was so-so. The submarine excursion was ok. The rooms and service were good. The food in the main dining was only average and actually quite disappointing for what you would expect. We had to have one of our meals replaced for being so bad.

The cruise line actually is having you subsidize the salaries by adding daily tips fees to your room. You really don't have a choice. This are over $25 dollars a day and went up even more this week. This is really why cruises should be forced to disclose total costs much like airlines..  I suggest taking your trip cost and doubling it or tripling it to get an actual cost. Of the 4 cruises I have been on, this was the most disappointing.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
Drinks way overprices, food only average and service at the bars was not good or really friendly and the add 18 !/2 % tip whether deserved or not.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Ok. Average cabin with balcony.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5

Belize City, Belize

1 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 18

5 Comments

mistlo    8 years ago

I agree with Bownut. All costs are disclosed even the tips which can be prepaid. All the other costs are your choice.

bosney    8 years ago

Shore excursions are always overpriced if you pay through the cruise lines. Much cheaper if you make your own when you dock.

Bownut    8 years ago

I'm pretty sure that all costs are disclosed on your cruise docs, on the cruise line's web site, and wth a little research, available many places. You wanted it all for free? Better luck on your next vacation.

JusMe    8 years ago

A few questions....

1. What cruises have you been on that did not add the daily tips ?  

2. What excursion in Belize was not worth it ?  There are a lot of excursions..

3. Were you were surprised that you had a bar tab ?  did you thing drinks were included ?  

4. Were you forced to buy the extra charge meals ?

 

The charges you listed are regular extra charges for the major cruise lines and should not have been a surprise if you had cruised before.

madeleine    8 years ago

Wow that's expensive 😨

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