A very enjoyable cruise

Item: Independence of the Seas
Rating: 4.2
Author: dgeorge1

Independence of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

dgeorge1

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 53

Overall rating:

4.2 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: November 09, 2019

Ship: Independence of the Seas

Cabin number: 3262

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

I would have liked it much better if there was not so much smoking, half the lower deck and upper deck, and the casino were heavy with smoke and vaping. When I cruised with Holland America, only a portion of the upper aft deck was a smoking area.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Great, fast and easy

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Food was middle of the road. The dining room food after 7:30pm. was not as high quality as the earlier times. Service was great.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Enjoyed the water chutes.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Great. I really enjoyed the ice show.

Children's Programs

no kids

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Everybody was friendly and helpful

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

There were often smoking and vaping even in the posted no smoking zones. It was especially noticeable in the central promenade above the casino.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

The cabin was small but adequate. If we had a third person in the cabin, it would have been a tight fit.

Ship tip

Be ready for crowds in the buffet lines.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida Did not visit port

Only embarked and disembarked

Thumbs Up 0

Cozumel, Mexico

3 out of 5

We did an excursion to see the Mayan ruins. It was mainly stops at tequila and spice stores, We drove past the ruins but did not stop.

Thumbs Up 0

George Town, Grand Cayman

4 out of 5

We went on the boat ride to stingray city. The tour was totally disorganized until we got on the boat ride. my companion was directed onto the bus back to port instead of to the tour boat.

Thumbs Up 0

Falmouth, Jamaica

5 out of 5

We took the River tubing which was quite an experience.

Thumbs Up 0

Labadee (Cruise Line Private Island)

5 out of 5

Very nice, the best visit of the trip. The cruise was worth taking just for this port.

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

1 out of 5

It took us 45 minutes to get to the exit point. The line went half way along the ship and we had to spend too much time in the casino area (second hand smoke) - nasty