Independence's Day

Dear WoC

Having travelled on Liberty of the Seas as well as Jewel and Brilliance we were pleasantly surprised at the improved cabin and restaurant service on the Independence. The staff were happy and nothing was too much trouble.

We joined the ship at Southampton for the Canaries. Embarkation was trouble-free and our ‘PR’ grade cabin on Deck 8 overlooking the Promenade was better than expected. No night-time noise and no light from the Promenade when the curtains were closed.  

Our cabin steward – Steven – was the best, and never forgot a thing. Cutbacks have been made, like no pad/pen, chocolate on the pillow and only a small bar of soap and no welcome aboard glass of ‘bubbly,’ but the 100$ pp on-board credit made up for it.  

Drinks seemed more reasonably priced and there was NO 15% service charge. There was also a special cocktail of the day and a small 186cl bottle of Australian wine was $5.50$. A ‘gold’ wine package was good value, giving a 25% discount on restaurant prices. Five bottles equated to £16 per bottle for wines priced at $32.

Duty free spirits purchased on-board and stored were very keenly priced. Gordon’s Gin was only £6.88 per litre and two Grants Whiskys were £20. It was only about £13 for 200 cigarettes. Perfume, however, was expensive.

The production and ice-shows were first class and the tribute group ‘East Coast Boys’ to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were brilliant. There were plenty of deckchairs but you needed to get to the theatre 30 minutes before a show to guarantee a seat.  

The new ‘Time Dining’ system was very good and very popular.

All in all, we had a lovely holiday despite a force 9 wind across the Bay of Biscay. The ship is extremely stable and being in an inside mid-ship Promenade View, we felt very little movement.

However, the lifts were very busy at peak times and it was often difficult to find a seat in the bars late evening. I am sure any bigger ship like Oasis will have problems unless lift and seating issues are addressed.  

But this was a truly beautiful ship with plenty to do and plenty of dining options.

Heather Fuller, via email