Wonderful relaxing cruise

Item: Independence of the Seas
Rating: 4.7
Author: oldhamkelly33

Independence of the Seas Cruise Review to Caribbean - Bahamas

oldhamkelly33

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 17

Overall rating:

4.7 out of 5

Verified Review

3 Night Bahamas & Perfect Day (Port Canaveral Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 16, 2023

Ship: Independence of the Seas

Cabin number: GTY

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

The double dipping at end of cruise cause great stress . We were in Orlando hotel waiting on flight home and discovered we were negative in bank account. Worrying is how can we get out car out of park n fly parking. How can we feed our kids family on way home. Ship knows that pending charges take away guests available funds then debits balance also end of cruise . Also way ship takes out gratitude it causes triple tipping. We were tipping staff from 20 to 59 tip then see end of cruise invoice we were in panic mode. Other than end of cruise stress. We loved cruise even booked another cruise and paid 400 reserve it but we would not had did that if we known we be negative 25 in bank could double dipping. We booked later and kept 400 get home on. We learnt alot on first cruise. It cost us triple amount it should have . I thought the guy does shopping advice and gives vip from Africa. Was very disrespectful to my daughter in front row 11 yr. He never would throw her gift like necklace or glow in sun ring or anything. She gets all excited raise hand and he choose every one else but her. He seemed looking down on us and didn't look our way. My husband spoke up to him once and said throw her a necklace please and he did only when my hubby was getting upset he ignored her the entire show event .

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very helpful staff

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Great food and staff. Wished soda beverage wasn't so expensive. Wished had free water. Room service was wonderful. Long wait for room service answer call about 15 mins then 45 mins to hour receive food

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Disappointed water slides were not open most of our cruise or wet flow . Whirlpool was nice with cover . Pool was ok

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Wonderful shows.wonderful experience .

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Wonderful staff and guest services.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Nice layout and design

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Room was great. No issue and very clean.

Ship tip

Do not purchase anything on ship. Purchase on islands. Cruise will hold 99.75 for every purchase you make. At end of cruise your pending balance stays on for 10 buisness days and lowers your available funds then cruise deducts the entire total out your bank and it seems like double dip. You get your pending funds credit in ten days. Bring 12 pack sodas.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Port Canaveral, Florida

5 out of 5

Port was nice. Yes we had excursion. I thought blue lagoon island staff was very rude at lunch and at gift store. Will not return there.i should went to Nassau instead

Thumbs Up 0

Perfect Day At Coco Cay, Bahamas Did not visit port

Stayed on ship went shows

Thumbs Up 0

Nassau, Bahamas Did not visit port

Went to Blue lagoon island and didn't have time visit. I wanted too

Thumbs Up 0

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Helpful staff

11 Comments

Cruisers4Lyfe 4 months ago

Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

addicted2cruisn 1 year ago

Thank you for your review but let me add some advice for your next cruise. Here is what my whole family did on Independence of the Seas in May. There was 15 of us so when we boarded we went to Guest Services and removed our debit card and placed cash on our sea pass. This allowed us to control spending, we could add more if we needed it on the cruise. It was easy to do and helped us so much. Before our cruise we asked about this same thing happening and got an array of answers but chose to do it our way so there was no question. If they don’t have your card then they can’t possibly charge, right. I am so sorry this happened to you, it was truly my worry as well. Now, I see why RC puts holds on passengers cards….it’s because pole overspend and then have trouble “cashing” Out at the end of cruise. There are hold placed depending on how much your spending, this is why we chose cash to insure there was nothing funky on our cards.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Itspeace4me 1 year ago

Thank you for sharing.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

lumberjackoff 1 year ago

Sorry you had troubles. Thanks for sharing your review.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

TXatsea 1 year ago

The comments about a $99 hold for every purchase is made up nonsense. As stated before NEVER use a debit card.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Oops, research is important. Thanks for sharing

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

cruising2004 1 year ago

Thank you for sharing your cruising experience. Welcome to cruising! With this being your first cruise now you will know what to expect on your next cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

javawoody 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing your experience

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

esrescuer 1 year ago

First, I'm glad you enjoyed the cruise! However, the gratuity policy information is given upfront in your cruise information, letting you know the amount per person per day. It costs a lot of money to run a cruise ship from paying the crew to fueling the ship. We also tip cash but only a dollar or two to bartenders and bar staff along with a little something at the end to our wait staff in the dining room and room steward. When you use a bank debit card, you are always hit with a hefty hold, not just from cruise companies. For example, try renting a car, and your debit card will be hit with anywhere from $300 to $500 the whole time you have the car and is released 48 hrs after its return. That's why these companies like your credit card instead, so they don't have to do this to you. A little common sense in reading the cruise information and your contract, along with a little research, would have given you all the information you needed to know and not this big scare while sitting in the airport! Your family should have gotten off at Coco Cay since it is a beautiful island with great beaches, a large fresh water pool, lots of good food, the fee ice cream is better than what is on the ships and is just a relaxing place.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

Cruiselovers70 1 year ago

Kdlady is correct. It’s not double dipping.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

kdlady 1 year ago

You should always secure your account with a credit card, never a debit card - that's why you had a bank hold. It's not double dipping.

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Exceptionally breathtaking cruise