First impressions of this ship............Wow! It is enormous and gorgeous!

Food is excellent although not much variety. We were tied to an 8.30 sitting which was a bit late because we didn't get out of the dining room much before 10.30 which made it a bit difficult to find a seat in one of the many bars, although if we walked around for a while we could find a seat (this was always possible when the shows started and people started to disappear)

Cabin was too small for a family of four especially as our children are 19 and 16 and had to sleep on drop down bunks but otherwise we could not fault them. bathroom was lovely with a good sized shower. Cabin was kept immaculately clean by the staff and during the second week we had a different towel animal sculpture every evening complete with a pair of our sunglasses which we all had a laugh at!

Constant food and drinks are available throughout the day and we took advantage of the pizzas from Sorrentos and lovely cookies from the cookie bar.

Most of the time we thought we were in a hotel rather than a ship until we stepped out on deck and saw the sea.

Drinks were far too expnsive and the waiters fight for attention in the bars by becoming familiar with you, basically because they are not paid enough although they are all lovely! Drinking alcohol is notallowed under the age of 21 unless parents sign a waver which could be a problem for some.
Cannot fault the staff who are very willing to help with anything.

Many teenagers throughout the ship who look as if they are at a loose end (our 16 year old didn't want to join them, preferring to stay with us which is unusual)

We definately would take a trip on this ship again but it is more geared up towards couples of an older age rather than families.

We definately enjoyed this trip

What can I say about this cruise for us it had everything. It was our first cruise so didn't know what to expect but it was better than we imagined.
From the moment we arrived at Southampton the service was excellent. After leaving the luggage to be taken to our room we went to check in and was on the ship in 30 minutes and ready to start the holiday. No wasting time at the airport.
The rooms were lovely and the beds were the most comfortable I have ever stayed in. The stateroom attendants were always helpful.
The restaurant staff were very friendly and efficient and the food was excellent. On a couple of nights the waiting staff did a parade through the dining room and sang which was very nice.
The shows in the theatre were excellent in fact the last show called centre stage was better than some west end shows i have seen. The sets are brilliant soemtimes its hard to believe you are on a ship.
I agree that the pool deck areas at times could be crowded but everyone didn't seem to mind and as most of the days you are off the ship visiting different places its not a problem.
There is plenty to do at night as there are so many bars to chose from in fact on our last 2 nights we decided to do a bar crawl and managed to visit 10 bars!
I would definitely do a cruise again especially with RCL
We had 2 teenage girls with us who had a great time as they have a lounge and club just for teens and they met many friends.
The only thing that you need to be aware of is the weather on the journey out and back into Southampton can be a bit unsettled and therefore not sun bathing weather, because of this my next cruise will be a fly cruise.

A beautiful ship kept spotlessly clean by the generally helpful staff.

We dined in the dining room each evening and were well looked after by Felix our waiter. Friends had special requirements for their children and this was arranged on the first night and everything was provided therafter.

We had main sitting on deck 5 but could turn up anytime until 6.45.

Food is very, very good. Main dining room menu has a wide choice and if you don't like a disah the staff will change the order for you.

Windjammer excellent too but on sea days gets busy at meal times - we just ate later or took food to the pool.

Entertainment focussed for British tastes. Most shows are very good - resident singers, dancers and musicians are excellent. Rock the Boat - (rock band) are a must see! Graham Seamour (the cruise director) is a superb entertainer.

For most excursions we just did our on thing. Usually cheaper than ship's tours. In Gib just get the minibus taxi to the Rock (£20p/p) and have a 3 hour escourted tour.

We got the express train to Rome, dear but convenient. In Cadiz, Cagliari, Lisbon, Cannes just get off and walk - tourist offices give out maps.

For Vigo we got a tour to Santiago which is worth a visit.

Formal nights (3) are well attended so take your evening wear and join the party.

The Rock Britannia night is super, get your dancing shoes on.

OK I am just off the IOS and have had a great holiday.

Yes some niggles

Accident on M3 on way to Southampton which meant by the time we got on board the Windjammer was closed. Walked down Deck 5 and noted Sorentos and the cafe but both had price boards up so thought they were not included in the meals. Found out later yes you can eat as much as you liked at both places and get coffee, tea and Ice Cold water at both. You can also pay and they will make you coffee for you.

Windjammer - If you get offered fresh orange juice by a waiter you will pay $4.95 for it, this is also free if you fetch it yourself from the thirst bars located in Windjammer.

Ben and Jerrys Ice Cream - Why pay for it when it is free on deck 11, go to Sprinkles booth on starboard side of ship.

Outside spaces - check the seats before you sit down, they wash everything every night and can be a bit of a shock it you sit down and get a wet bum.

Ice shows - Brilliant

Cruise Director - Brilliant

Drinks on board - Yes expensive but i was drinking bacardi and coke with no ice and was getting at least a double measure if not more for $6.25.

Pre-Paid Gratuities - You can only give these to the stateroom attendant and either the head waiter, waiter and assistant waiter in the dining room or there is a box in the windjammers, you can not give them to any other member of staff.

Cruise News - Loads of unnecessary advertising came with it, all went straight in the bin. A lot of the information is for US travellers.

Shuttle Service - Dont bother.

Barcelona - $9.95 from RCI, 3 euros on the local bus, 8 euros for a taxi for 4.
Malaga - The shuttle only goes to the end of the port you still have to walk into the town, again use a taxi.
Lisbon - Get off the ship walk round the corner past the station and get the number 28 bus into Lisbon 1.4 euros and the number 15 tram back again 1.4 euros. RCI wanted $11 return. If you dont want to get the bus then the round lisbon sightseeing bus is only 15 euros and you see a lot more

Alcohol rules - They do check your luggage for bottles of drink, and they do take them off you if you buy them ashore. If you buy alcohol from the duty free shop they save it for you until the last day then give it back to you.

Shopping - Lots of shops to look at and each day they have a sale down the middle of Deck 5. Watch your allowances the staff will sell you anything you want to buy but wont tell you that you are over your limit until it is too late.

Parades - Some nights they have a parade down the centre of deck 5 but unless you are standing in the right place at the right time people will push in front of you and you wont be able to see much. best thing is to watch it on your tv the next day

Entertainment - Watch your Cruise news they change the times of the shows from day to day. I have loved the shows on all the other cruises we have done (7 to date) but thought these were poor, a lot of equipment but half the time i didnt know what was going on, very american and we were told they were the same shows at last year.

Soft drinks Package - You can get coke lemonade or a glass of water. Ensure you ask for a glass of water of they will charge you for a bottle of mineral water.

You dont have to worry what day it is, each lift has a the day of the week on the carpet when you get in so you know where you are.

Watch out if you plan to party on your balcony, six people were put off the cruise, despite being warned twice they still partied on one balcony. If you get too drunk you will be asked to go to your room and leave the bar you are in.

Meals - Didnt eat in the restuarant much as we preferred to eat in the windjammer at a time that suited us. Yes you have to find a table but there are always staff around to help you. Never really had a problem with finding a table for the 4 of us. Food was different every night and we found there was a great choice each day. The sushi is highly recommended.

Would I go on the ship again, only as a large group. To many things that my husband and i wouldnt use, dont like the sell sell sell attitude of the staff, bingo anouncements really begin to grate after a while, price of drinks really still to high.

Staff are allowed to use all the facilities on the ship when not on duty so often found we couldnt get a seat in a bar because they were taken up by staff.

Doctor - $100 a visit, they dont take any insurance so you have to pay and claim back later.

Your Bill - Check it on the TV they have a habit of charging things twice, one man was charge 5 times for the same bottle that he bought in the duty free shop and twice for his wine with dinner at night.

TV - Great, you can get all the information you need from the different channels on the tv, you can see how much you have spent, shows that you missed, where abouts you are when at sea, lots more useful information as well, worth spending time watching it.

Overall a great holiday but will be going back to Thompson's next year.

Had a great time but like the smaller ships, you can,t get a seat in the bars, drink far to expensive and the night club was a smoking room a shame for anyone who wanted to dance and did,nt smoke.

We have cruised with RCI before on a smaller ship, Vision of the Seas and were very happy with the ship.
The Independance is everything we expected and more.
BUT, it's JUST TO BIG, to many people. Getting breakfast or lunch could be a challenge to say the least, seating thousands of people between 12pm and 3 pm was sometimes a case of circleing the Windjammer untill a seat was vacant.
The ship is stunning the entertainment superb and the staff terrific as usuall for RCI.
RCI are discounting heavily to fill the ship and be assured they are getting that back on the drinks etc,£4 for a beer, £6 for a cocktail plus for a family of four £400 in tips.
If you want a balcony, dont book untill a week or so before you want to go, I was talking to a Old Chap who told me he couldnt get a Balcony room when he booked 8 months earlier, I darnt tell him I payed less than him and got two balcony cabins a week before we sailed.
I dont think even bigger ships is the way ahead, it makes me shudder, we will sail with RCI again but back in the Vision class

The ship is to big, To many long waits. one trip back took 30 minutes to get on board. Food a big diisapointment, pub grub, fish and chips, bangers and mash, chicken, even steak and kidney pie. No luxery food just all second class cheap food.
The continual harping on about gratuities cost of £280 each couple, double if you have got two kids even if they are young. I paid $285 per day, surely it should include paying their staff a proper wage. Why should any drink (which were very, very expensive $4.55 for a .75 ltre of water. $36 for a bottle of wine which is £5 in Tescos) incur a15% charge?. No news letters, no chocolate when they turn down the bed of a night. We were told by ab American that the cost of drinks increased when the boat came over from USA. Royal Carabean has lost this customore and I suspect many more.

ship very clean,staff ensured high standard of cleanliness at all times.
food was of high quaility.sushi in the windjammer was
excellent,and the food and service in chops grill was of the highest standard even though the cover charge of $25
was a bit steep.the cost of drinks was high $7.50 for a pint and caused annoyance amongst the passengers.
staff in the majority were good,except for the off-hand manner of some of the senior waiting staff.
on board entertainment left a lot to be desired the big shows were of high standard in the theatre however on two nights films were shown.overall the cruise was a good one,but being we are platinum members we have experienced less expensive,been better entertained on other royal caribbean ships.

First, I have traveled on several Princess cruises and thought Royal Caribean might be an upgrade....I was way wrong.
Royal Caribean Independance of the Seas Dec 13-20, 2008 from Ft Launderdale to Caribean.
1. One of the largest boats in the world...but very chopped up design on the inside. Looks like they took most the space and made a mini shopping mall in the middle...I have seen a shopping mall before...other than the fact that they could do this on a cruise ship...was not impressed...we have malls at home.
2. There is no food service at the pool area. In contrast, Princess has a great pizza, hamburger,fries available poolside...and the pizza is the best I have ever tasted on Princess..so I was VERY disappointed to find frozen like pizza on the RC Independance...and you would need to walk down to level 5 in the "shopping mall" to get it....
3. Only one main pool...and it is too small.
4. Chopps(steak house) was great!.. but unless you reserve online before going on cruise..you will not get in AT ALL.
5. Only one main Buffet for the entire ship...wow...4000 people trying to get food at the same time...rude old ladies all over hungry and pushing everyone to get to the food...it was madness and crazy...I would have rather paid and sat down somewhere...rather than fight 4000 people at the buffets....in contrast...Princess has usually 3 buffet food locations throughout the ship...so it is spread out.
ALMOST impossible to get a table to sit at in the buffet.
6. The boat has a Flowrider at the back for kids and adults.with only two riders at a time...and at least 1/3 of the boat full of kids....the line can be 3 hours plus at best...and the staff that supervises the flowrider ..all very very rude...I saw them make at least 6 kids feel bad and cry....= not fun. avoid.
7. Rock climbing wall was excellent. staff was helpful and professional. lines are usually small and manageable...15 minutes max wait. recommend.
8. Overall... bigger is not better...the quality of food and service is the lowest I have experienced in my 7 cruises I have taken. I would stay away from this boat.

We have just been to the Canaries and the weather has been poor but the ship is awesome!It is very clean and the staff are superb-would really recommend it .I would take a cabin with a balcony or at least a window.I thought the shows were great but possibly not enough smaller shows available,Graham Seymour is very funny.Plan your times to enter the Windjammer as it can get very crowded.I wonder if it would be better to go on this ship to a place with more certain weather to fully get the most of it but please go on it as it is FABULOUS!We really did enjoy it.