So fun... I just spotted my parents! They are the ones sitting at the "outside" table of the English pub! The blonde lady in pink and the guy in a yellow shirt and visor!
I have cruised approximately 30 times on the full spectrum of lines. My family and I cruised on the Independence the last week of 2021. Without reservation, this was my favorite cruise as far as the ship and amenities. The food was stellar, the shows excellent and the staff could not have been more accommodating. Coco Cay was all a private island should be in every way. The standards and protocols in place for health and safety made our experience feel very very safe. I give the Independence of the Seas of Royal Caribbean 5 big stars!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I just sailed on Symphony last Oct, was originally booked in April 2020. It was….meh. Ive been on the 3 Oasis class ships before and loved them. This time it was just an ocean of people everywhere and so much “crap” on the deck spaces, especially the pool deck. Every day they were overflowing with people, even in the Solarium and the hot tubs. All I could think of was human soup. The slides (which, full disclosure I rode daily) took up way too much deck space. Ive realized that the Freedom and Explorer class are my faves. Big enough to have more than enough to do….or do nothing. I have an 8 night on Mariner in Sept and I’m looking at Independence for 2024. As for Icon? It looks like The Magic Kingdom on its busiest day of the year…except there is no escape at the end of an exhausting day. Families can have it 😂
You have no idea how happy I am to see this video!!! I am boarding 5/16 and was hoping to find a great Independence of the Seas tour, like yours. No one can do it like you :) EEEEE, thank you sooo much!!!
One year we had the Ben& Jerry’s Suite. Don’t think they have it anymore. Got free ice cream each day because the view of the promenade from the window was obscured by the cows. Was well worth it. We’ve done number of Promenade cabins. Saves lots of money. But you do need to be mindful to keep the drapes closed. LOL.
Just booked a 3 day cruise in October 2023. My third time on Royal but the first time it was not an Oasis class ship. Looking forward to a quick break to relax to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary
I just got off my 1st cruise as well and this was the same places we went on the independance. What killed me with Nassau is not having internet on my phone to look stuff up cus you have to be really careful there it's dangerous.
This is amazing! Thank you for so much good information and insights! My husband and I is going on our first cruise with Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas in February 2024. This is so helpful, I can see my way around the ship from the video!
Considering a TA on Indy, Oct '25... This video is so helpful and gives me a great sense of what to expect. Thanks for all the great cruise content RCB team. You guys are awesome!!!!
I sailed on this ship back in October out of Galveston and I loved it. She was my first Royal Caribbean experience and I have to say that I am hooked. I loved the Playmakers sport bar and the hang over hot tubs in the solarium were awesome. I was really sad to see her leave Galveston. Thanks for sharing the video.
We cruised on Brilliance of the Seas in December 2022. It was my first time, and yesterday I got an email for a free cruise courtesy of casino royale. So we are cruising this ship March 2023!!
I was on Indepennce of the Seas in December 2013. Loved it and to be honest, I did not want my cruise to end. I enjoyed traveling to St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Labadee, and San Jaun. I wish that our family could afford to go on another cruise, but unfortunately, that is not possible. Still if the oppurtunity comes up, we will definetly go on the Independence of the Seas .
I went on independence of the seas as my first (and only so far) cruise back in 2013, she looks quite different to how i remember in some ways but also is very familiar even after 10 years!
I love this ship! Can’t wait to go on it again later this year and experience all the new stuff. It looks awesome. My favorite thing to see is that the ice cream station is more permanently placed rather than in the center of the aisle. I can’t wait to try the fish and chips. Yes, I’m going to eat! Lol
Booked for this one in July 2025; Southampton to Hamburg, with a stop in Rotterdam. It's our first cruise and a shorter one to see if our lad enjoys being away at sea. Your video has just made my excitement grow further - I've wanted to go on a cruise ever since I was a child myself.
Matt, my 1st of 2 RC cruises was Independence in Aug’ 18 from Southampton, UK to Zeebrugge, Belgium. I wouldn’t mind an inside cabin but my travel agency updated to a promenade view so that I had a window for the 1st time. My Lucy (as pictured on my profile) met Indy Dog who was guarding the reception. As you introduced in this, the facilities have been updated. June of London
Matt you a very correct about Freedom class ships being a great value. I sailed on Independence of the Seas 3 years ago, junior suite for the price of what a ocean view cabin might bring on the newer RCL ships.
This is great! Thanks for the thorough tour. We are going on our first RC cruise next week on Independence of the Seas. Looking forward to trying out the Izumi hibachi grill
We just returned from Indy of the seas and it was great! I sat here and laughed just a bit at the schooner bar, I liked sitting there and the entertainer playing was there for our trip, Josh. He does a comical rendition of "Piano man" since he gets asked to play it every night :-) Our family enjoyed our time onboard so much we booked another cruise on board for March 2023 in a suite! Matt do you have a video on the advantages of a grand suite? ( 2 bedroom)
Thank you for this full ship tour. Going on Independence of the Seas in a few months and been searching for videos of her, but most seem to be old. So exited to be going on our 1st Royal Caribbean soon.
I was on the March 7-11, 2022 cruise on independence and it was awesome. Probably going back on independence next year. If anyone was on the same cruise as me, feel free to say hi.
I think the library is a great place to relax when you board and before your room is open. Only problem is sometimes they are blasting music in there for some reason.
Hi, This will be the ship I will be cruising on for cruise #2. I just did Freedom Of the Seas...On Freedom of the Seas I love the taco bar that is by the pool area....all free...I turned my nose up at the ship and chips and the added prices...hummm It seems like I like this ships pool area better from what I see...there are alot of similarities for both ships...
Our family just booked a cruise with Independence for July 8th so so so excited!!! Gonna be our first cruise and we’re going to Nassau and Cococay but seeing all the amenities on this ship is mind-blowing to me and makes me wonder if we’re going to fit everything in. It’s only a 3 night cruise so I’m trying to figure how we’re going to be able to do everything we want to do on this ship along with the islands 😅
Coming from someone who has taken 10+ cruise between Disney and RC, Nassau is kind of a bust. If you want to do the activities, you should def stay on board. I remember my first cruise I regretted getting off. Cococay is a blast tho
Thanks Matt! Comped for in side room thanks to my better half, slots😏 on 3/28/22. Thanks for the new info. 2nd time on IOS but before the upgrades. TY !!!!
We're about to book this ship for our first RC cruise having been on the DCL Fantasy and Dream a bunch. While we'll always feel like DCL is "home base", I think the Independence is going to be a blast, and a totally different experience!
I just cruised on Mariner and it was my worst experience on RC. As a Diamond member I was disappointed at the perks that went away, the lack of service in the Diamond lounge, and the cancellation of happy hour. There were no drinks in the Diamond lounge. Ice shoes were canceled. Next cruise required an appointment which I didn’t realize until the last day when I went to book. I’ve been on freedom a few times before so I’m hoping my December cruise experience on independence will be better. For the first time ever I booked a carnival cruise. I never even got contacted about my concerns on RC. My family books several cabins when I cruise. Hope this ship will be better. Will never do Mariner again
Thanks. Cococay is the best place. Labadee is not bad, guys they need to update labadee, they don’t put anything there, it’s just naturally beautiful in labadee. Labadee need a pool with a bar on it… But , yeah, the best place is cococay
We are doing a back to back on the Independence in April. You mentioned the Windjammer is open for B, L and D, but I was told it is not open for dinner. Is it open for dinner now? Please say yes, please say yes, haha. We much prefer the Windjammer for dinner over the MDR Thank-you for your great review.
Thanks for the walk around definitely not lot of them on yt of this ship kind of the forgotten rk ship . But on budget think hard overlook right know from some sailing im see in prices
We are going on this ship in a few months. We have a 14-year-old going with us who is a musician and enjoys live music as much as we do. Can she go into the pub and other areas where there are live musicians?
So fun... I just spotted my parents! They are the ones sitting at the "outside" table of the English pub! The blonde lady in pink and the guy in a yellow shirt and visor!
can you put a timestamp?
@@stm2fr 31:08
Girl embarrassing-
@@mortified8855 i don't know, i'm torn between thinking it's adorable and thinking it's cringe. ima go with adorable.
I have cruised approximately 30 times on the full spectrum of lines.
My family and I cruised on the Independence the last week of 2021. Without reservation, this was my favorite cruise as far as the ship and amenities. The food was stellar, the shows excellent and the staff could not have been more accommodating. Coco Cay was all a private island should be in every way. The standards and protocols in place for health and safety made our experience feel very very safe. I give the Independence of the Seas of Royal Caribbean 5 big stars!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I went on the island on the screws. It’s very dumb and not cool.
I just sailed on Symphony last Oct, was originally booked in April 2020. It was….meh. Ive been on the 3 Oasis class ships before and loved them. This time it was just an ocean of people everywhere and so much “crap” on the deck spaces, especially the pool deck. Every day they were overflowing with people, even in the Solarium and the hot tubs. All I could think of was human soup. The slides (which, full disclosure I rode daily) took up way too much deck space. Ive realized that the Freedom and Explorer class are my faves. Big enough to have more than enough to do….or do nothing. I have an 8 night on Mariner in Sept and I’m looking at Independence for 2024. As for Icon? It looks like The Magic Kingdom on its busiest day of the year…except there is no escape at the end of an exhausting day. Families can have it 😂
Independence was the very first cruise I took back in early 2020. Best vacation experience I’ve ever had!
I went to Norway on Independence in July 2018. First vacation I ever took solo - at 20 years old no less. I loved every moment of it.
Just booked our very first cruise today for this ship and I am feeling every emotion! This blog has been a tremendous help so far and we can't wait!
Same
At last a professionally done informative video without a whole lot of useless info and time wasting. Well done. We are booked for August '22
You really don’t believe that do you?
You have no idea how happy I am to see this video!!! I am boarding 5/16 and was hoping to find a great Independence of the Seas tour, like yours. No one can do it like you :) EEEEE, thank you sooo much!!!
Have fun!
We’re boarding that day too!
You should go to wonder of the seas
@@zaine8340 I'm debating! I've heard so many mixed reviews!
I’m boarding this day too!
One year we had the Ben& Jerry’s Suite. Don’t think they have it anymore. Got free ice cream each day because the view of the promenade from the window was obscured by the cows. Was well worth it.
We’ve done number of Promenade cabins. Saves lots of money. But you do need to be mindful to keep the drapes closed. LOL.
DId Mariner as our first cruise back in May 23' thinking about doing Independence in Nov 24'. Appreciate the walk through
Just booked a 3 day cruise in October 2023. My third time on Royal but the first time it was not an Oasis class ship. Looking forward to a quick break to relax to celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary
Kind what looking for is way to celebrate are 10th years marriage. Congratulations on urs
Just disembarked from Independence! First time cruiser and it was an amazing experience. Nassau is a bust in my opinion, but Coco Cay is unbelievable!
There's a lot of people that stay on board at Nassau
I just got off my 1st cruise as well and this was the same places we went on the independance. What killed me with Nassau is not having internet on my phone to look stuff up cus you have to be really careful there it's dangerous.
Beautifull❤❤
Why didn't you go to Baha Mar and Atlantis? Unless you've been so many times.
@@ShipMonster I am going there in July I have family who still live in Nass my mothers father is from there
This is amazing! Thank you for so much good information and insights! My husband and I is going on our first cruise with Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas in February 2024. This is so helpful, I can see my way around the ship from the video!
I am boarding 6/10 and i can't wait!
BY far this has to be the nicest newest boat ive seen yet.
See you on board.
Considering a TA on Indy, Oct '25... This video is so helpful and gives me a great sense of what to expect. Thanks for all the great cruise content RCB team. You guys are awesome!!!!
I love this Ship!
Cruised on her in October, and looking forward to the next time.
I sailed on this ship back in October out of Galveston and I loved it. She was my first Royal Caribbean experience and I have to say that I am hooked. I loved the Playmakers sport bar and the hang over hot tubs in the solarium were awesome. I was really sad to see her leave Galveston. Thanks for sharing the video.
Sail away from Galveston in the Cantilever hot tub was the best!
We cruised on Brilliance of the Seas in December 2022. It was my first time, and yesterday I got an email for a free cruise courtesy of casino royale. So we are cruising this ship March 2023!!
I was on Indepennce of the Seas in December 2013. Loved it and to be honest, I did not want my cruise to end. I enjoyed traveling to St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Labadee, and San Jaun. I wish that our family could afford to go on another cruise, but unfortunately, that is not possible. Still if the oppurtunity comes up, we will definetly go on the Independence of the Seas .
I also went on Indy in 2013, although in September! From Southampton, UK and did a Mediterranean cruise
Thanks for doing these ship tours Matt! I love your narration!
Glad you like them!
@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog please do symphony soon!
I went on independence of the seas as my first (and only so far) cruise back in 2013, she looks quite different to how i remember in some ways but also is very familiar even after 10 years!
Wow didn’t realize how nice this ship was. And affordable!
A stunning ship...have a blessed and safe cruise
I love this ship! Can’t wait to go on it again later this year and experience all the new stuff. It looks awesome. My favorite thing to see is that the ice cream station is more permanently placed rather than in the center of the aisle. I can’t wait to try the fish and chips. Yes, I’m going to eat! Lol
Booked for this one in July 2025; Southampton to Hamburg, with a stop in Rotterdam. It's our first cruise and a shorter one to see if our lad enjoys being away at sea. Your video has just made my excitement grow further - I've wanted to go on a cruise ever since I was a child myself.
Hope you enjoy it!
Matt, my 1st of 2 RC cruises was Independence in Aug’ 18 from Southampton, UK to Zeebrugge, Belgium. I wouldn’t mind an inside cabin but my travel agency updated to a promenade view so that I had a window for the 1st time. My Lucy (as pictured on my profile) met Indy Dog who was guarding the reception. As you introduced in this, the facilities have been updated. June of London
Been on board 3 times in the past our favourite ship
I sailed on this ship in 2015 and we had a wonderful time. Cabins were a little dated so im glad they updated in 2018.
Matt you a very correct about Freedom class ships being a great value. I sailed on Independence of the Seas 3 years ago, junior suite for the price of what a ocean view cabin might bring on the newer RCL ships.
This is great! Thanks for the thorough tour. We are going on our first RC cruise next week on Independence of the Seas. Looking forward to trying out the Izumi hibachi grill
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for posting this! I'm going on Independence of the Seas on March 21!
favorite 3 day cruise ship
Thank you for this! We are supposed to go on Independence (my cousin and me-her first cruise 🚢) in June, as long as things go well! We are excited
Same!!! All I’ve been looking at is cruise videos!
Boarding 05/02 sooo excited !!! Me and my husbands first cruise ship vacay!
I can't wait for my cruise this year! Everything inside looks beautiful
I went on it before and am going on it next month, and trust me, it’s gorgeous! Have fun!
Taking our very first cruise on Independence of the sea going to Coco Cay in September.
This is going to be my first cruise! March 2024!
You’re gonna be hooked!!!
This is the best video I have seen of independence of the seas.i go in February. I learned alot 💯
Thank you!
I love these cruise ship tour videos. I've veen thinking about going on my first cruise. It's something I always wanted to do, but never have.
We just returned from Indy of the seas and it was great! I sat here and laughed just a bit at the schooner bar, I liked sitting there and the entertainer playing was there for our trip, Josh. He does a comical rendition of "Piano man" since he gets asked to play it every night :-) Our family enjoyed our time onboard so much we booked another cruise on board for March 2023 in a suite! Matt do you have a video on the advantages of a grand suite? ( 2 bedroom)
I went back in November I didn’t know that all of this nostalgia will come back just from a few months ago
Thank you for this full ship tour. Going on Independence of the Seas in a few months and been searching for videos of her, but most seem to be old. So exited to be going on our 1st Royal Caribbean soon.
Glad it was helpful!
Fish & Ships for the win!
I was on the March 7-11, 2022 cruise on independence and it was awesome. Probably going back on independence next year. If anyone was on the same cruise as me, feel free to say hi.
We went on her while she was still sailing out of Galveston. She was so much fun to be on.
We were on February 7-11 and it was a great time.
This was very helpful! I’m sailing away on Monday for my very first cruise to the Bahamas ! So excited but kinda scared too lol
How was it?
Yea how was it
I think the library is a great place to relax when you board and before your room is open. Only problem is sometimes they are blasting music in there for some reason.
Thanks for this! My wife and I will be cruising to the Bahamas on this ship in April.
Thank you so much for this awesome video!!! Cruising in May and learned so much watching this!!!!!
Thank you so much for this very informative video! 😊
You are so welcome!
Love the guys voiceover! So knowledgeable and inspiring.. my kids life the vids
My nephew will be one of the bakers on this ship by May 2023!!! Awesome ship!
Going on this cool ship in November for my 18th birthday, I’m so excited!
Perfect timing, I'll be on this ship on March 7th.
Hi, This will be the ship I will be cruising on for cruise #2. I just did Freedom Of the Seas...On Freedom of the Seas I love the taco bar that is by the pool area....all free...I turned my nose up at the ship and chips and the added prices...hummm It seems like I like this ships pool area better from what I see...there are alot of similarities for both ships...
Thank you this is the most informative video I’ve seen of the ship
Glad you enjoyed it!
Yea not alot on this ship lot yt travel channel skipped it.
Great video, must’ve taken a while to film, edit, and voiceover! Well done. Makes me super excited to go!
Thanks!
Had a Great Time with my Wife and Family on my ❤️Mom's Side a little afraid of the Water but It was a smooth Ride 3days 4nights was just Right 😎👌
I can’t wait for August to cruise on this ship!!
Booked a cruise on her in August. So excited..:). We got a suite too.
On her solo Memorial day weekend. Was supposed to go on her in February but the rona struck.
Our family just booked a cruise with Independence for July 8th so so so excited!!! Gonna be our first cruise and we’re going to Nassau and Cococay but seeing all the amenities on this ship is mind-blowing to me and makes me wonder if we’re going to fit everything in. It’s only a 3 night cruise so I’m trying to figure how we’re going to be able to do everything we want to do on this ship along with the islands 😅
Coming from someone who has taken 10+ cruise between Disney and RC, Nassau is kind of a bust. If you want to do the activities, you should def stay on board. I remember my first cruise I regretted getting off. Cococay is a blast tho
We are also booked for July 8th!!! WhoooHooo can’t wait 😛
Spring break March 7 , who’s with me ?!?!🤪🤪🤪
March 7th!!!
Thanks Matt! Comped for in side room thanks to my better half, slots😏 on 3/28/22. Thanks for the new info. 2nd time on IOS but before the upgrades. TY !!!!
I was on this ship back in 2013 in Europe lovely experience
are we not going to discuss this problem we got with the pronunciation of windjammer?
Just got off from boat loved everything about it
We're about to book this ship for our first RC cruise having been on the DCL Fantasy and Dream a bunch. While we'll always feel like DCL is "home base", I think the Independence is going to be a blast, and a totally different experience!
My favourite ship enjoyed cruising on her out of UK 🇬🇧
Cheryl and I will be on Independence this Friday! Looking forward to a weekend cruise.
Excellent video. Super helpful. Going in May
Boarding 5/24 this year! Can’t wait!!
Can't wait to embark this ship next week! may 6th can't come quick enough!
It was amazing
I am so excited to see this! We are taking our first ever cruise on the Independence in 31 days! Thanks for the video!
Hope you had a great cruise!
We are currently on the Independence. They have a lot of new crew members on our cruise
We will be on there in a little over 2 weeks!
So thorough and helpful! Thank you!
I just cruised on Mariner and it was my worst experience on RC. As a Diamond member I was disappointed at the perks that went away, the lack of service in the Diamond lounge, and the cancellation of happy hour. There were no drinks in the Diamond lounge. Ice shoes were canceled. Next cruise required an appointment which I didn’t realize until the last day when I went to book. I’ve been on freedom a few times before so I’m hoping my December cruise experience on independence will be better. For the first time ever I booked a carnival cruise. I never even got contacted about my concerns on RC. My family books several cabins when I cruise. Hope this ship will be better. Will never do Mariner again
I’ll be sailing very soon and I can’t wait.
Glad to see this. I'm booked for next year.
I’m going here tomorrow 😮😮😮
Thanks. Cococay is the best place. Labadee is not bad, guys they need to update labadee, they don’t put anything there, it’s just naturally beautiful in labadee. Labadee need a pool with a bar on it… But , yeah, the best place is cococay
We are doing a back to back on the Independence in April. You mentioned the Windjammer is open for B, L and D, but I was told it is not open for dinner. Is it open for dinner now? Please say yes, please say yes, haha. We much prefer the Windjammer for dinner over the MDR Thank-you for your great review.
I'm going in December can't wait!
I really enjoy your videos! I am going on the independence of the seas in sept!!
Right on time. We’ll be on there next week!
I need to go on a cruise edit: especially on Royal Caribbean
Thanks, really great vid, we are sailing out on March 4
Love coming out of Jamaica 🇯🇲
Perfect timing cruising 3/28.
Just got off Independence on Friday!
Thanks for the walk around definitely not lot of them on yt of this ship kind of the forgotten rk ship . But on budget think hard overlook right know from some sailing im see in prices
We are going on this ship in a few months. We have a 14-year-old going with us who is a musician and enjoys live music as much as we do. Can she go into the pub and other areas where there are live musicians?
Great tour 👌 👏 thanks 😊
that's a nice Cruise ship just like a word in the movie independence day 1996
IS Fish and chips part of the unllimited Dining Plan?
Awesome tour. Are there some healthy options in the Windjammer, besides salad?
My dream work on this sheap, next year, and now under proces
Can't wait 1 month exactly 🙌