Independence Of The Seas
Our itinerary wasn't the most glamorous that was available, but the dates fit with our half term. We visited Cherbourg in France and Cobh for Cork in Ireland.
On our arrival on board we headed straight for a light refreshment (or 2) at the Playmakers bar which is a new addition to the ship. It's a sports bar with pool tables and big screen TV's. We then headed off to investigate.
The ship is beautiful, spotless and not as cramped as you might think with over 3600 guests on board. There are lots of places around the ship when we looked round that didn’t have anyone around. The only time we struggled to find a seat was on the formal night when everyone was gathering on the Royal Promenade for the Captain’s address but apart from that we could always get a seat. Our favourite place to have a drink in the evening was in the Champagne bar, a great place to watch the world go by and meet up with our friends after dinner.
The entertainment on the ship was fabulous, and there was never a dull moment. From day time quizzes, competitions around the pool, films being shown on the screen round the pool and great evening shows, you were never bored.
We went to find the new additions to Independence, the two new waterslides and the Skypad trampoline park. These were at the back of the ship near the flow rider. We weren’t adventurous enough and we didn’t try them, but they did look like lots of fun for the people brave enough to have a go. It was also great fun to watch people on the Flowrider, but you had to be pretty good to be able to do it.
And then there was the food. Oh my word, the food was amazing. We ate regularly in the Windjammer buffet restaurant, and we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner in here over the week. The choice at each meal was amazing, and the quality of the food was brilliant. We often said to each other that the standard they kept for every meal was superb. They do have a gluten free section too on the buffet. One evening I had never seen such an array of cakes, so I had to try one.
We also ate dinner in the main restaurant. The service in here was impeccable and what you would expect from a good restaurant. The choice of food on the menu each evening was good and varied and the menus did change daily. The food in here was again delicious and was probably my favourite place to eat.
We did eat one night at Chops Grille which is a speciality restaurant. I had the 9oz steak mignon and they brought us a selection of side dishes to share, so we had a bit of everything with our meals. This was again superb.
For lunch one day we ate at Johnny Rockets which is an American diner. They serve burgers, hot dogs, shakes and sides and it was really good. And if you’re lucky you’ll get a dance off the staff. Great atmosphere in here with great music while you eat. We ate inside as it was raining at the time, but you can eat outside too here. We all said the food was brilliant wherever you ate.
We bought the deluxe drinks package before our cruise and a soda package for my daughter. We really got the benefit from this drinks package and I would encourage anyone travelling to pre-purchase this before you get on board. We could have any drink on the menu’s up to $14 each and if it went over the $14 you just paid the difference. You just show your card to the bar staff member and they know you have the drinks package, it was all so easy and straightforward without worrying how much you were spending.
I’ve popped a photo on in one of the lifts. We loved how they changed the day of the week to remind you what day it was, this was done in every lift every day, it was the little things too which made it fabulous.
I hope you enjoy reading about my holiday and enjoy the photos and if you do have any queries please do get in touch. I could really go on and on as I loved it so much, and we’re hoping to get on again at some point.