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Independence of the Seas helps vacationers pack a lot of activity into a quick getaway. The vibe is upbeat and fun, and the ship is large enough to accommodate all types of travelers but not so big as to feel overwhelming on a short cruise. Whether you're a family with kids, a couple or group of family and friends, you'll find your happy place on this ship. The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar, but you won't need cash on the ship. You'll receive a SeaPass card that functions as your shipboard ID, room key and credit card.
Daily Fun on Independence of the Seas
These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day. The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas has a total of 3 pools and 7 hot tubs. Royal Caribbean also serves the Coca-cola family of products. That means Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship.
The drink menu is boring
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T-shirts, shorts, athletic wear, casual sundresses and bathing suits are commonly worn on board and ashore. Certain suite guests and upper-tier loyalty program members receive complimentary Wi-Fi, so know your included perks before you sign up for a package. Royal Caribbean has one of the fastest Wi-Fi systems at sea, called Voom, and you can take advantage of this on Independence of the Seas.
Dive Into Adventure
That weird circular object by the waterslides is the Sky Pad, which used to be a bungee trampoline but no longer. It wasn't clear what it's used for now, though I saw open-play archery scheduled there. There's also a gluten-free counter at lunch and dinner for folks with dietary restrictions.
Fellow Passengers
Yet it still has all the hallmarks of a modern megaship with multiple dining and drinking venues, wow-factor entertainment (including a Broadway musical), plenty of active fun and room to sunbathe. The 154,407-ton Independence of the Seas is 15 decks high and carries 3,864 passengers at double occupancy (or 4,627 at maximum occupancy) in 1,932 cabins. It was built in 2008, and its last major refurbishment was in 2018. Currently, it's deployed on short three- and four-night itineraries out of Florida to the Bahamas.
Grand Suite - 1 Bedroom
Independence of the Seas has three marquee, extra-fee specialty restaurants and a host of fee-free and a la carte casual options. They're often emptiest on the first night, but I didn't see any discount offers for booking on night one. My room on Independence of the Seas was just down the hall but facing the sea. I had a balcony cabin, the most popular room type on most ships. It offered plenty of room for two people, and I don't think it would be a problem with an extra person sleeping on the pullout sofa.
Professional spa products from acclaimed brands such as Elemis®, bliss®, La Thérapie and Ionithermie bring the most advanced services to the sea. Massages, wraps, facials and acupuncture, or choose medi-spa treatments to smooth wrinkles, lift and tone. A more brilliant smile is just a tooth whitening away, while a salon completes the perfect look with hair and nail services.
Johnny Rockets® has been serving up delicious American fare to diners around the world since 1986. Its menu features fresh, never frozen, made-to-order hamburgers, sides, shakes and desserts. So, no matter where you are onboard or in the world, you’re always surrounded by good food and simple pleasures at Johnny Rockets. Independence of the Seas offers a wide variety of cruises to beautiful ports worldwide. Dining choices will take your taste buds on a scrumptious culinary journey.
Independence of the Seas doesn't feel huge or overly crowded
Unlike on other Royal Caribbean ships, it does not have a retractable roof. Cruise ship buffets don't always have the best reputation, but I've been impressed with Independence of the Seas' Windjammer Cafe. Found on Deck 11 aft, the expansive dining area is well set up to accommodate the crowds. I easily found tables on all visits (including embarkation day) and never waited in line, thanks to multiple food stations scattered throughout the space. There's no outdoor seating, but there are plenty of windows.
The 4000-passenger ship Independence OTS underwent a US$7 million drydock upgrade in April 2013 as part of RCI's bigger USD 300 million fleet renovation program. The new features included the Italian Trattoria "Giovanni's Table", a cupcake shop, Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, new digital signage boards, shipwide Wi-Fi, large poolside movie screen. It's worth noting that what you gain in terms of a view with a Promenade cabin, you lose in terms of privacy -- especially on the lower decks of the Independence of the Seas.
Most Royal Caribbean ships also have Coke Freestyle machines where you can make 100 different flavor combinations. In the 2018 refit, the floor was re-sprung and some of the equipment was upgraded. Circuit-training machines ring the walls of windows and include treadmills and stationary bikes. There's also an area for weightlifting and a group of cycles for spinning (individually or in group classes).
Breakfast is a similar selection to the buffet, but made to order and waiter-served. More out of the ordinary options include a breakfast power wrap, breakfast burrito and a market vegetable breakfast bowl. Lunch is a three-course affair with appetizers, entrees and dessert. Entrees might be a lamb pita, BBQ pulled pork sandwich, butternut squash risotto or roasted Atlantic cod. On such a short cruise, I did not spend much time on my balcony, other than to dry wet bathing suits.
A meal costs $62.99 for dinner ($14.99 for kids ages 6-12) and $26.99 for lunch. The heart of Independence of the Seas' dining lineup is its three-deck-high main dining room, with a Shakespearean decor theme. You'll be assigned a table location based on your group size and dining time selection. If you wish to upgrade and book a suite on Independence of the Seas, you have a choice of Royal, Owner's, Grand, Panoramic and Junior Suite options. Different suite types come with different Royal Suite Class perks, which may include access to the Suite Lounge on Deck 14 (just off the Viking Crown Lounge).
It has a good mix of free and extra-fee, casual and fancy dining options. I enjoyed all my meals on board, but most of them didn't blow me away. You could find your favorite and return night after night or try someplace new with every drink. The upper decks (11 to 15) are where you'll find all the outdoor fun and activities, as well as the buffet and spa. The middle decks (6 to 10) contain exclusively cabins and suites, so you can ignore all of these except the deck where your room is located.
From The DreamWorks® Experience to a first-run movie in the 3D theater or poolside, under the stars, on the outdoor movie screen, there is plenty of fun just waiting to be discovered. Your kids will find their happy place making new friends their own age at the Adventure Ocean Youth Program. Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions.
From France to California, the wide world of wine is well-represented through extensive partnerships with top winemakers, including some exclusive bottles you won't find anywhere else. And the abundant wine list is perfectly paired with a menu of light bites and sweet delights. If you find yourself fleeing a gang of ghosts, saving deep space from invaders, or starting a dance revolution, you might be at the Royal Caribbean Arcade. Your favorite games from the 1980s and 1990s are onboard, as well as Guitar Hero, Fast and Furious Drift, Skee-ball, air hockey and more. Mini golf is included in your fare, so play as much as you like.
