Far below expectations

Item: Independence of the Seas
Rating: 2.8
Author: Mwood1221

Independence of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Mwood1221

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 49

Overall rating:

2.8 out of 5

5 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 02, 2017

Ship: Independence of the Seas

Traveled as: Family (young children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

The ship is beautiful and the staff are warm and friendly, but the substance is severely lacking. I can’t express how disappointed we were with the food on the boat. If you are an adult who is interested in drinking all day and partying in the sun, then this boat is a decent option. If you enjoy good food and/or have children, stay far away from this boat.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

The food on this ship is terrible. Honestly it’s almost inedible. I expected unremarkable food from the buffet but the food in the main dining was so bad. Also the main dining took forever, it was an hour and a half to two hours each night. I can’t describe how disappointed we are with the food. Even the pizza shop was bad.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

There were plenty of activities for adults but no where near enough for kids. The club for teens was closed the entire trip and the “lounge” for teens was closed as well. We went to visit the teen lounge and the doors were locked and the staff from the other kids clubs had stacked their bags of trash on the middle of the club floor. We paid for this cruise... why didn’t they open the kids clubs?

Children's Programs

1 out of 5

There are four different kids clubs on this boat and two of them didn’t open the entire time we were on the cruise. Our eleven year old never got to enter the kids clubs or the lounge because the doors were locked and the lights were off the entire time. Our three year old visited the kids club once but didn’t want to go back because it was so boring. Very few activities for kids on this boat.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

The staff tried their best to provide a good experience and sometimes they were successful. They can only do so much with limited resources.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

The ship is beautiful inside and out. However, there is little follow through once we were inside the ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Ports of call

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

2 out of 5

Very gimmicky. There is nothing outside the cruise port so the only thing to do is visit the shops and bars immediately at the port. There is no local town and very little beach. In fact, the port itself has no beach.

Thumbs Up 1

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

8 Comments

grandmarnnurse 6 years ago

Sarahs58—you are correct about the long dinner being a huge part of the evening! They even tell you to allow 1 1/2-2 hours for dinner. I knew that going in. That’s why it’s not fast food or buffet! It’s an experience. A pleasurable one at that!

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

vickylo 6 years ago

We was on the indie in October. We found the food fantastic. Also entertainment was great. Didn't travel with young children so cannot comment on this.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Sarahs58 6 years ago

We went in September and really enjoyed the food in the MDR. Plenty of choice and considering how many people they are catering for the food was always hot and nicely presented. My only slight gripe is that the food, particularly the curries, is not spicy enough for my taste but we had an Indian waiter who gave me the heads up on which curries were best and brought out the bottle of Tabasco to add to the heat. As for taking an hour and a half, the dinner is a large part of any evening and we enjoy not rushing our meal. Don't think that is too long for three courses and coffee.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Shay1920 6 years ago

Did you ever go to guest services to find out why the kid club's weren't opened?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

GospelCruiser 6 years ago

I don't see cruises listed so probably just another troll

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

shopaholic6 6 years ago

How on earth can you knock the facilities for kids? They ships go out of their way to provide kids’ entertainment - too much in my eyes! I don’t particularly want to go on a cruise ship and be surrounded by other people’s children, but to say the facilities are lacking is ridiculous.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

grandmarnnurse 6 years ago

We actually found NCL to have better food and options for dining, but the Indy has a ton of things to do! I sailed it in 2014, and I am not a heavy drinker, party person!

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

funboomer47 6 years ago

What are you talking about?!! There are so many activities for children on the ship!! Food is also good. Sounds like you are picky about food. Try Holland America or Celebrity for their food. They don't have near as much for children though as Royal Caribbean has.

Thumbs Up 5

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

First Caribbean Cruis

cruising on the independence of the seas