Started badly due to upcharge from HGV Cruise Agent, but as usual Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' awesome staff made our experience amazing!

Independence of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

dhester

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 18

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

Verified Review

4 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 25, 2022

Ship: Independence of the Seas

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Started out badly due to up-sale by HGV cruise agent, but saved again by Royal Caribbean's great staff like: Okli, Housekeeping (meeting our every personal need), Shuya, Diamond Room Concierge (always looking out for us), Iwayan, Waiter, Suraj, Assistant Waiter and Windjammer Waiter (making our dinner the greatest experience - like a 5 star resturant), Japaeth and Joy in Beverage (for fun making island cocktails - great class). Thanks to Sojourn for the awesome games and activities - trivia is fun, too. I wanted to take time to thank the Casino staff, I should have gotten all their names, but especially those that worked the Craps tables were outstanding! I watched them assist an elderly man, make change, ensure his bets were exactly what he wanted. The guest was having difficulty these staff members all helped him and showed great patience - even though the pace of play can be overwhelming at times. A special thanks to Esmeralda in the Casino for always helping not only the guests, but also her fellow crew members that would occasionally get a bit overwhelmed with the numerous bets going on. She helped us all have a great time at the crap table. Amazing how she can remember everything going on at once. Truly a skill. On Independence specially appreciate the designated smoking areas (so we could avoid them), and the mess walking mats on the pool deck - great idea! Loved the get together Q&A with the leadership team. Fun and informative. Bad start - ended beautifully in true Royal fashion.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

2 out of 5

Stressed to our HGV Cruise Agent the importance of a bed with a Starboard/Port orientation - like the typical inside cabins we've always gotten. As a Diamond Member, we know about cruising. Unfortunately, she could not help with bed orientation and in our opinion, upsold us to a room that overlooked the promenade with a Forward/Aft bed orientation - exactly what we were trying to avoid. Then, RC Client Services could not assist in that same category and didn't realize until late on check-in day that we were willing to take a downgrade to an inside cabin. Our Steward, OKLI, and Diamond Room Concierge, Shuya helped turn-around a lousy Day 1 where we did not enter the room or unpack or anything until the room situation was handled. Never again. ALL RESERVATION STAFF WHETHER ROYAL CARIBBEAN OR AGENT SHOULD KNOW THE BED ORIENTATION IN EVERY ROOM ON EVERY SHIP. That shouldn't be so impossible. As the Room Stewards, they know. Make a list - share the list. I took pills every night to enable sleep. Not my best cruise because of the bed orientation. NEVER AGAIN.

Ship tip

All Royal Caribbean ships are great - all depends on what type of experience you are looking for. The larger ships have more entertainment and activities. The smaller ships offer more personalized services and chances to get to know your travel mates. Can't go wrong with Royal - we are loyal to Royal!!!

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