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There’s a firm NO to FOMO onboard Independence of the Seas®. Hang ten on the FlowRider® surf simulator. Go head to head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag clash in Battle for Planet Z®. And score game-changing grub at Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade. From next-level thrills to lowkey chill, celebrate each day at sea exactly how you want.
The freedom class continues to be our favorite fleet but the food quality on royal continues to decline. Ship is a little outdated but rooms and public areas are always clean. Crew is fantastic, cheerful and always helpful. We opted out of main dining room as the menu changes they recently made make it super repetitive if you cruise frequently and the dishes always lack flavor so we upgraded to the unlimited dining package. Chops was fantastic on this ship. We find chops is better on the smaller ships for sure but again if you cruise frequently the menu remains unchanged for about 10 years. Giovanni’s was decent. We had the chef go a little off menu and prepare other sauce options as the menu again is limited and repetitive. For Italian they lack some basic staple dishes and when ordering chicken parm - not on menu but they will make it- we got tiny chicken medallion pieces. Playmakers used to have more options like salads and other sandwiches which are all gone and the burger which used to be amazing is now the frozen patty used at Johnny rockets. For the price of the dining packages you expect steps above main dining room meals but the reality is they are simply a notch above. Would be nice if they had some different menus across the fleet class or even “chef specials” at the specialty restaurants. There is also inconsistency across the ships with meals which is rather odd as you would think they all have the same set of standards. We continue to cruise royal because the staff is always going out of their way to make sure you are happy but royal needs to look at their dining again as the quality just isn’t there.
Let me start by saying embarkation was a breeze. This was my family's first cruise so that matters. I thought the inside of the ship was a great size for our party and easy to navigate (My Dad cannot walk that far and my 6 year old son did not once complain). The ship's pool was wonderful for kids his age; however, seating was difficult to get by the pool on sea days. Coco Cay was awesome for families as well. I thought the excursion we did run by RC was also good. For 1st time cruisers it was idiot-proof. The reason this review is not 5 stars is the food. The food was a generous 7/10 across the board. There were plenty of options for picky eaters but quality and flavor was lacking. The biggest flaw, the buffet. It was just too crowded. More fast service counters are needed elsewhere on the ship to minimize this issue.
The freedom class continues to be our favorite fleet but the food quality on royal continues to decline. Ship is a little outdated but rooms and public areas are always clean. Crew is fantastic, cheerful and always helpful. We opted out of main dining room as the menu changes they recently made make it super repetitive if you cruise frequently and the dishes always lack flavor so we upgraded to the unlimited dining package. Chops was fantastic on this ship. We find chops is better on the smaller ships for sure but again if you cruise frequently the menu remains unchanged for about 10 years. Giovanni’s was decent. We had the chef go a little off menu and prepare other sauce options as the menu again is limited and repetitive. For Italian they lack some basic staple dishes and when ordering chicken parm - not on menu but they will make it- we got tiny chicken medallion pieces. Playmakers used to have more options like salads and other sandwiches which are all gone and the burger which used to be amazing is now the frozen patty used at Johnny rockets. For the price of the dining packages you expect steps above main dining room meals but the reality is they are simply a notch above. Would be nice if they had some different menus across the fleet class or even “chef specials” at the specialty restaurants. There is also inconsistency across the ships with meals which is rather odd as you would think they all have the same set of standards. We continue to cruise royal because the staff is always going out of their way to make sure you are happy but royal needs to look at their dining again as the quality just isn’t there.
Let me start by saying embarkation was a breeze. This was my family's first cruise so that matters. I thought the inside of the ship was a great size for our party and easy to navigate (My Dad cannot walk that far and my 6 year old son did not once complain). The ship's pool was wonderful for kids his age; however, seating was difficult to get by the pool on sea days. Coco Cay was awesome for families as well. I thought the excursion we did run by RC was also good. For 1st time cruisers it was idiot-proof. The reason this review is not 5 stars is the food. The food was a generous 7/10 across the board. There were plenty of options for picky eaters but quality and flavor was lacking. The biggest flaw, the buffet. It was just too crowded. More fast service counters are needed elsewhere on the ship to minimize this issue.
AWARD-WINNING AWE-INSPIRING ACCOMMODATION
Redefining the cruising experience one room at a time. Our staterooms are an alluring escape from the non-stop action that our cruise ships are known for. From our spectacular views to our deluxe amenities, a stay with us is like nothing else at sea.
TASTE THE BOLD
Savour every bite of batter fried goodness poolside at the new Fish & Ships℠ seafood spot. Take your taste buds on a trip to the Far East at Izumi, where fresh Asian-inspired flavours are literally on a roll. Or indulge in prime cuts of meat and steakhouse classics at Chops Grille℠. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find plenty of delicious ways to fuel up between adventures onboard.
FISH & SHIPS℠
Order up batter-fried favourites at Fish & Ships℠ – the new seafood spot that’s just within splashing distance of the pool.
IZUMI
Say “Konnichiwa” to a reimagined favourite. Sushi, sashimi and more, all made to order with intense flavours, the best ingredients and impeccable presentation. Now that's fresh.
CHOP'S GRILLE℠
For more than a decade, the chefs of Chops Grille℠ have proudly presented quality, hand-cut prime steaks at this hallmark Royal Caribbean restaurant.
GO ON A WINNING STREAK OR LOAD UP ON EPIC SWEETS
You’ll find endless new surprises onboard just waiting to thrill you – whatever your age. At Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade, both kids and adults will have a blast making their own legendary plays at the arcade – all while tucking in to match-day favourites like wings, popcorn shrimp and burgers. Just make sure to save room dessert at Sugar Beach℠, where over-the-top ice cream creations and sugar-coated surprises will make even the most seasoned sweet tooths feel like kids again.
PLAYMAKERS℠ SPORTS BAR & ARCADE
It’s always game on at Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade, where you can catch your home team live on 50 screens or face off against your friends. With a menu of game day favourites and icy-cold draughts on tap, anything you order is a winner. Like the signature Playmakers Burger, the buffalo wings or the four-scoop Touchdown Sundae.
SUGAR BEACH℠
Treat your sweet tooth to every sweet under the sun – plus a few sugar-coated surprises. Sugar Beach℠ is stocked to maximum candy capacity with all your favourite confections.
Enrichment programs or classes cover a wide range of topics, from wine tasting to arts and crafts.
MAXED OUT ON THRILLS
Forget everything you thought you knew about cruising and get ready for next level thrills at every turn.
THE PERFECT STORM℠
Grab a buddy and plunge through three storeys of twisting, turning thrills to the bottom of the dual racer slides Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠. The conditions are just right – for The Perfect Storm℠.
Treat yourself to some TLC onboard Independence of the Seas®, with an incredible selection of health and wellness options, from luxurious spa treatments to high energy workouts.
With a wealth of amazing features especially for kids and teens, plus fantastic entertainment and activities that families can enjoy together, it’s easy to see why Independence of the Seas® was voted the best cruise ship for families in the Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice Awards in 2015.
SPLASHAWAY BAY℠
The fun comes in gallons. This bigger, better kids' aqua park features slides, water cannons, waterfalls and more. And when the drench bucket gets full, everyone gets wet.
