The guest capacity was amazing, for the first time ever we was able to enjoy the sun practically anywhere we wanted on the upper decks. The staff was attentive and pleasant. The use of masks got very old by day 9. Our masks was absolutely filthy from all of the putting on the mask to be in some areas and removing the masks when in mask free areas. Factor in Caribbean heat, sweating, and sun screen I wished we had packed additional masks. With all of the cleaning and sanitizing onboard by the staff the most germ infested and nasty item on the entire ship was peoples masks.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
The boarding/embarkation was better than expected with the covid protocols.
Ship experiences
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Many of the activities was shut down at what seemed like odd hours not to offer something such as the flow rider, water slides, and sky pad and when they was open to enjoy, they were closed down to early at night. Although it may have been offered, we never once saw the rock climbing walls available for climbing.
Entertainment
3 out of 5
We was disappointed to see alot of the entertainment we enjoy aboard Royal Caribbean ships not being offered. I am regularly following the YouTube travel agents channels and it became quickly apparent they are neglecting to give the full experience with their post covid cruise videos. Is cruising still great, yea of course it is but don’t make everything out to be close to cruising as usual when it really isn’t. I understand covid protocols however the guest capacity was really low during our cruise and I kinda felt like covid was an easy excuse not to offer things such as The Quest, belly flop competition, and many other regular events we always enjoyed aboard. The entertainment that was being offered was of course great.
Service and Staff
4 out of 5
The service and staff aboard Royal Caribbean ships is and has always been great for us! The dinning room waiter and for sure the assistant waiter was excellent. Cabin attendant was amazing. The only staff that started to become annoying was those stopping us and asking to see our covid vaccination bracelets. We are beyond obvious over the age of 12 therefore vaccinated. If I’m not mistaking it was required that everyone over age 12 be vaccinated. I never understood how the dinning room staff and room attended could remember our faces and names starting with day 1 yet the staff member ensuring people entering the casino was vaccinated couldn’t remember our faces and that we had shown our bracelets multiple times. I get they have a job to do but it did become tiring.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The freedom class ships are amazing, throughly enjoyed sailing onboard.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The cabin was extremely clean and sanitized daily. The bed was a touch on the worn/used side but hey it was a standard cruise ship balcony cabin and not a onboard suite or 5star luxury hotel, overall it was great. The balcony was very nice. The cabin attendant was absolutely amazing, he was there anytime we needed him but wasn’t overly aggressive in insuring that we was happy, for us that’s just the way we like it.
Ship tip
Pack extra masks until the mask mandate ends. We packed 1 cloth mask and Royal Caribbean provided 1 typical medical grade mask for each of us in our cabin. After a 9 night Caribbean cruise we was wearing some nasty/smelly masks.
Was the smoothest and easiest disembarkation we have ever experienced, if covid has done anything good for cruising it’s 1st muster drills and 2nd disembarkation.
Glad you enjoyed your cruise. I love the Independence. I went on my first cruise last year aboard the Indy.
My next cruise is in February. I get an unlimited supply of surgical masks at work. So I'm bringing those & a couple cloth ones for formal nights. Thanks for sharing your experience. Again, glad you enjoyed your cruise.
Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Better to bring plenty of disposable surgical masks, they're easier to breathe through. The cloth masks need to be washed daily. They make my glasses really fog up even if I'm not in a humid climate.
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