A Fantastic Refurbishment

I absolute love the wonder of visiting new destinations; be it the stunning vistas of a Caribbean island or an enchanting palace from times gone by in a Baltic capital. However, as cruise ship options grow, with greater activities and innovation on board, a day at sea is truly a highlight of any cruise. As I have written before, the journey on a cruise ship is just as important as the destination.

Independence of the Seas or as passengers fondly refer to her ‘Indy’ is a ship of great magnitude. Within the fleet of Royal Caribbean ships, she is smaller than some of her bigger sisters like Harmony and Symphony but do not be fooled by this. She remains a big ship with a huge personality. Our Go and Cruise community love Royal Caribbean, with many very much ‘Loyal to Royal’. Having sailed on Indy for a cruise to Ireland and France post her recent refurbishment, I can completely appreciate why.

Exhilaration at Sea

Independence of the Seas oozes fun and excitement. In the onboard splash park, you’ll hear shrieks and laughter of pure pleasure from every slide and water cannon…and that’s of course just the adults! The upgraded Splashaway Bay is a must visit if you have children, the only challenge will be dragging them away to sample other activities on the ship!

And, of course, you have the infamous Flow Rider which is just so much fun. With the seasoned surfer dude, dressed in their beloved wetsuit to the Dad who has been dared to have a go by his children, wearing his faithful old Bermuda shorts; everyone is there to experience enjoyment and make the most of their vacation.

Just ensure you leave time for the new Perfect Storm Water Slides and of course the ever-popular Rock Wall!

Adults and children mingle so naturally aboard Independence of the Seas. The Independence Dunes Mini Golf positioned at the forward of the ship affords the most wonderful views of the ocean below, whilst you channel your inner Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy. As the winner stands triumphantly, golf club in hand at the final hole, remember to capture that selfie to be shared with family and friends!

Children love to have the opportunity to learn a few essential mini golf techniques from Mum, Dad or perhaps another fellow passenger. Being on Indy is truly a family affair, where age is irrelevant to the fun factor. Just ensure the loser of the competition ‘shouts’ everyone a milkshake from the iconic Johnny Rockets later!

Sky Pad

The ‘jewel’ of the fun crown has to be the newly installed Sky Pad where you can literally spring into an extraordinary virtual world. Strap in, put on your virtual reality headset and soar high into the sky with the gravity-defying fun. Bounce over craters or float onto clouds, it is completely your choice, whatever you decide, the certainty is your adrenalin fix will be well and truly covered!

Children do not miss out on the fun. They too can enjoy soaring to a height that feels like it’s above the funnel, as the ship continues to power on through its voyage. Right next to the Sky Pad, giant swings appeal to the more calmer side of your personality. The good news is they’re big enough for adults (I have tried!) and a new climbing frame also leaves the young and young at heart feeling a sense of pride and achievement.

Royal Promenade

If you have ever sailed on a Royal Caribbean ship, you will vouch for the fact that the Royal Promenade is truly the heart of the ship. If you are a newbie to the RCI fleet, the promenade will become one of your favourite places onboard. Decadent, indulgent, buzzing, exciting, there are not enough adjectives to describe the Royal Promenade.

During the day, passengers meander along, soaking in the relaxed vibe akin to your favourite shopping mall. You can stop to browse the many shops, treating yourself to a desirable handbag or a novel from your favourite author. The new Sugar Beach sweet shop is also sure to be a favourite for passengers with a sweet tooth!

The cafes and bars which line the promenade offer you a welcoming atmosphere where you can sample your favourite coffee, perhaps with an extra shot after the night before or maybe to have the hair of the dog with a tipple of your choice.

As the sun sets and the stars shine, the promenade exudes fun, energy and more fun! One of the best things about cruising, is the wonderful onboard entertainment and Indy does not disappoint. From the Captain’s welcome to the theatre company’s rendition of Broadway hits, the promenade hosts many brilliant and entertaining evenings.

The iconic Carnival Parade will be a topic of conversation for weeks, months and even years to come as you revel with fellow guests and soak up the party atmosphere. At each end of the Royal Promenade are the glass elevators which soar through the sky giving you a birds-eye view of the pleasure below, you could quite happily ride up and down many times as you catch a glimpse of something else you have yet to see.

Gastronomical Delights – Chops Grille

If you asked cruisers, what was one of the things they appreciated about being on a cruise ship, I am certain many would say the cuisine. Dining is such an important part of any cruise; from guest celebrity chefs to unique dining experiences, your expectations will most definitely be met, in fact exceeded.

Independence of the Seas has great options to satisfy your gastronomical desires and one such place is Chops Grille. From the sumptuous dining chairs to the wonderfully attentive waiters, it is a restaurant where your every need is met and it will be a highlight of your cruise.

From the melt in your mouth steak, with its various sharing accompaniments, to the delicious dessert, you really relish every mouthful and are thankful to be experiencing such a great vacation. Dinner is a time to revel in your day’s memories or perhaps make plans for your next cruise…let’s be honest, it is what we all do!

Eating becomes an experience where you play ‘food chess’ sneakily trying the delicacies around the table from everyone’s plate. Of course, it is not just food but fine wine and cocktails which excite the senses. Full and satisfied you leave the restaurant ready to continue your evening aboard, with perhaps a nightcap to be had or a stroll on the top deck to do a bit of star-gazing.

Independence of the Seas is a popular ship and many fond memories were made by me and my family during our time aboard. One day isn’t enough to fully enjoy this wonderful refurbished ship, and I’ve only touched on some of the delights you’ll find aboard. The good news is you’ll have longer on your cruise to explore Indy in full! I certainly cannot wait to sail on her again, in the hopefully not so distant future.

I’d love to hear if you’ve ever been on Independence of the Seas, or would like to take a cruise on her in the comments below!