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Independence of the Seas was amazing! by
Susie G from Indianapolis, IN Sailing date: Mar 2009Pros: Coffee buffets EVERYWHERE, the promenade, our waiters, our room! Cons: no chocolates on pillow at night :( We loved the ship. Despite the huge size, we felt that the lines for elevators, dinner, etc, were acceptable. The disembarkation process was quite long and that was really the only bad part of the whole cruise! We loved that you could get food or drinks any time during the cruise and especially loved the coffee-to-go and hot chocolate stations! The real lemonade is another great addition. We LOVED that the hot tubs were open 24 hours as well.
Oh yes, and we actually sailed in Jan of 2009, but that wasn't on the drop down list. Ship QualityLayout was great and the restrooms were always clean. Dining/FoodWe were in the upper level of the main dining room and we thought it was lovely! Our waiter, Jim, and his helper, Olivia were amazing. Our head waiter was a lovely guy (can't remember his name, but he was turkish...) Stateroom QualityWe had an inside cabin and it was HUGE! We loved our little shower...it didn't even get the floor of the bathroom wet! Ship Staff QualityEveryone we came in contact with seemed to be excited to be on that ship. It was such fun to get to know all of the people! Entertainment & ActivitiesI didn't think the ice shows would be anything special and I was glad to be proven wrong! They were such fun. The comedians were great and our cruise director was the best ever. We loved the newly wed game show on this cruise.  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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  great ship - poor experience by
chris p from naoles, fl Sailing date: May 2009Pros: ship design and construction Cons: dining experience and shore excursions Ship is great
embarcation great
iceshows excellent
evening dining a huge disappointmnt after 2 big complaints service becanme acceptable, food quality only accepatable
windjammer cafeteria good food and service
out of 5 shore ecursions booked 3 were canecelled at just 24 hours notice - stall surly at having to help with rebooking new excursions
expect long waits for elevators Dining/Food
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Entertainment & Activitiestwo good evening shows - others disappointing
ice shows excelelnt 
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Malaga, Spain
Barcelona, Spain
Cagliari, Sardinia
Cannes, France
Gibraltar (U.K.)
Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italyhave to pay for shuttle to city
Vigo (Santiago De Compostela), Spain
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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A Cruise on the Best by
Ronald F. from Brechin Ontario. Canada Sailing date: Apr 2009Pros: I really appreciated the courtesy and gracious attitude of the servers and the cabin stewards. My wife and I were treated like royalty Cons: If anyone found any faults with this cruise, they should stay home and read a dictionary We sailed on the "Independence of the Seas." The ship was magnificent. It was clean, and our room attendant kept our room spotless. The Capt's humerous remarks added lightness to the trip. The entertainment was so professional. We also appreciated the friendliness of the staff. There was always a"hello" or "how are you enjoying your trip?"
We enjoyed the Ports of call namely, Azores, Madeira. There was large visibility of Gaffitti painted on walls, sidewalks, and windows in Vigo, Spain. It was so different from the Portugese Islands, which were so clean and the people were friendly. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe Meals had good variety and the proper quantity Stateroom QualityOur cabin attendant, Aniceto, should be the "poster man" for Cleanliness. Ship Staff QualityI wrote a complimentary letter regarding a situation that I witnessed, where the Serving staff went way beyond the normal of being friendy. Entertainment & ActivitiesAlready mentioned in Review comments
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Funchal, MadeiraMy favorite stop.
Don't Miss: Eating establishments, and tour to the winery Ponta Delgada, AzoresA beautiful and clean Island. Friendly people. Pleasant shops fairly good value.
Don't Miss: Tour of the hills Vigo (Santiago De Compostela), SpainIt was dirty, and covered with painted graffitti. Unfriendly people on streets
Don't Miss: N/A 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Very relaxing cruise by
Terri P from Soquel, CA Sailing date: Apr 2009Pros: The fitness center, the cleanliness, the friendliness of the crew, the smoothness of the trip and the cabin with balconey Cons: the food was not quite as good as other R.C. ships The ship was very interesting in its layout, and fun to explore. The sailing across the Atlantic was very smooth, and the cabin layout was great. Ship Quality
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Funchal, MadeiraWe took the shuttle in to town and walked back. The town had interesting streets, and the espresso was terrific.
Ponta Delgada, Azoreswe walked the streets, and it was very pretty, but being a sunday most shops were closed.
Vigo (Santiago De Compostela), SpainWe walked up to the Citadel, and though it had many steps, the sight of Vigo from there was wonderful, along with the view of the bay. We had a very good lunch at a small cafe one street off of the waterfront, and the food was the tastiest of the trip and at a good price. We were almost pushed into a seafood rest. that was advertised, and would have spent a fortune for lunch (over 65 euros). Instead our meal cost us each 10 euros, including beer. Not to be missed.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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a great cruise. i would do it again . by
thomas b from st petersburg fl Sailing date: Apr 2009Pros: service Cons: windjammer crew not as friendly the ship was large and wonderful. never experience such a large ship. had everything i wanted and needed. Ship Quality
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Great vacation by
A Traveler from Ft. Lauderdale Sailing date: Mar 2009Pros: The boat, staff and activities Cons: lots of prepole omn board...pools very crowded We loved the Independence of the Seas. Our waiter Jan Michel has left us spoiled. We will never be able to eat in another restuarant again.The best service we have ever had dining.. The Cruise director Graham was also very impressive and funny. Ship Quality
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Stateroom QualityMost comfortable bed we have ever slept on Ship Staff QualityExtremly positive and nice...very helpful Entertainment & ActivitiesIce show was impressive
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Belize City, BelizeTube and zipline was wonderful and exciting
Costa Maya, MexicoRent jet ski from independent owners on shore Great $$ savings
Cozumel, MexicoSnorkel excursion was way too crowded and not a great snorkel stop...no fish or coral. I would go thru an independent. Catamaran not a good choice.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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The Best of Cruises by
Robert R. from Spring Hill, Fla. Sailing date: Feb 2009Pros: Everything. After 30 cruises on RCCL, this ship was wonderful and beautiful. Cons: Absolutely nothing. We loved the spaciousness of the ship and our balcony was wonderful, a little bigger than the last one. But everyone that you dealt with on the ship was very friendly and cooperative with all of your requests. The Cruise Director was excellent, Graham. We have seen and met a lot of cruise directors, and he is just the "best". The shows were great, just everything. I don't want to get gushy, but we certainly enjoyed ourselves and hope to cruise on The Indepenence again soon. Dining/FoodOur servers were very good and the food as good as always. I asked for a special dessert that has been retired and they produced it one evening for the table. Excellent. Stateroom QualityPerfect! Our stateroom attendent was excellent. Ship Staff QualityAs I stated, they were very cooperative with any questions. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe enterainment was superb! 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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A great family reunion cruise by
GP from Dearborn Heights, MI Sailing date: Feb 2009Pros: Food and Service Cons: The entertainment was very boring. Not RCCL standards of past cruises Our rooms were on the 8th floor and because we had balconies we were able to open the glass walls to make one large balcony for all 17 of us! Room service and dining room service was excellent. Stateroom attendant was very attentive. Overall a beautiful brand new ship, but one thing was missing the beautiful midnight buffet and chocolate bar. I know it's a cost cut, but come on! Ship QualityGetting a little large especially on formal night when you walk all over in heels! Dining/Food
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Entertainment & ActivitiesVery boring comedians and RCCL dancers. The ice show needed something other than just people skating and twirling! 0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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An Excellent Cruise by
A Traveler from New York Sailing date: Feb 2009Pros: Variety of Activities on the Ship Cons: Having to go home The ship was a great experience. The staff were great, everything was very well organized and the the ship itself is amazing. There is a good mix of adult and children's activities. Ship QualityThe ship is new and well decorated. Everything is well laid out with lots and lots of common areas to accomidate the large number of passengers. All of the facilities are great. Dining/FoodThe food was excellent with a wide variety of choices to accomidate everyone's tastes. The menus were impressive and had imaginative and gourmet choices. I was impressed that they offered two vegetarian entrees each night at dinner along with other non-vegetarian entrees and low fat entrees as well. My children were always happy and they really had something for everyone. Stateroom QualityThe staterooms are small, but well thought out, and the beds super comfortable. We never felt crowded. The bathrooms are small, but are very comfortable to use. Ship Staff QualityI can't say enough about the staff. Everyone I dealt with was extremely courtious and helpful. Our waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter made the trip for us. Entertainment & ActivitiesA good mix for all ages with some great attractions such as the flow-rider, rock wall, and ice skating rink. Unlike what a previous reviewer wrote, the ship offers shows for both seatings so everyone can see the shows if desired. The evening shows were very good, and the individual entertainers in the lounges were quite good as well. Children's ProgramsMy children had a blast on the ship. The flow-rider and rock wall were particular favorites. 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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FUN< FUN<FUN by
robyn b from virginia beach Sailing date: Jan 2009Pros: the flow rider Cons: the adult comedy shows started around midnight Wow this ship is big and they are going to get a bigger one in a year called the oasis. I loved the ship and had lots of fun. Ship Quality
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Belize City, BelizeI enjoyed belize the best. I went to a place called jaguar paw resort and went zorbing, repelling, and floating down a river
Don't Miss: get out of the city area Costa Maya, MexicoI just hung out at the port's pool and that was nice.
Cozumel, Mexicopay and go to xcarat. it is the most fun
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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