James
Cox
Mediterranean Treasures
Sail Date: June 1, 2008
Age: 66
Occupation: N/A
Number of Cruises: 11
INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS
Med Treasures 14 night cruise
31 MAY – 14 JUNE 2008
Captain Teo
Ship Facts
Passenger Capacity: 3,634 double occupancy
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Length: 1,112'
Max Beam: 184'
Draft: 28'
Cruising Speed: 21.6 knots
2610
My wife and I have just returned from
two weeks on independence of the Seas and this was our 11th
cruise and out 2nd cruise with RCCI and we enjoyed the
experience. We stayed in Southampton, DeVere Hotel on the
way out and this made a nice start to our cruise as the
outlook was to see other ships in that day and when we got
up next morning we could see our ship. Our check in was very
quick as we ate breakfast in hotel then a ride around docks
to see other ships in and then about 10:30 am we headed in
to gate 10 and as we had free car park a tag put on the car
and up to unload cases and the across road to the car park
and only a short walk back and we were on the ship by 11 am.
The rooms had lots of space and were very well designed.
The staff were all very helpful and friendly and the
shopping mall was just spectacular. The size of the whole
ship was for us a bit awesome. The main dining areas was
split oner 3 floors and a more stunning setting we have
never seen. On the down side, we were a bit disappoint with
the standard and the presentation of the food. The plates
were hot. The service in the dining areas was first class
but the food did not live up to expectations.
Ports of Call:
FRI 30 MAY, HOTEL FOR OVERNIGHT
SHIPS IN PORT 30 MAY ARTEMIS, NORWEGIAN JADE, VENTURA
SAT 31 MAY, Southampton Casual
Attire
SHIP IN PORT ORIANA, SEA PRINCESS
Day one entertainment was John Evans (comedian) and
featuring the Balancing act of Fulcrum in the Alhambra
Theatre on deck 3 & 4. After show their was the Showband
called “Rock the Boat” in the Pyramid Lounge on Deck 5. Very
good band.
SUN 01 JUNE, CRUISING Formal
Attire -- --
Day Two entertainment was The American Drifters and the
are as good as ever even only 2 of the original group.
We
also had the Captain's Welcome Reception at 7:30 – 8:05 in
the Pyramid Lounge.
You
could also have your photo taken with Captain Teo
Also
their was a time change at 3:00 am
MON 02 JUNE, CRUISING Casual Attire or '70s Attire
-- --
Day Three entertainment was the ships group called Centre
Stage as all their show were as god as you going to get.
We
also went to the first ICE SPECTACULAR which was a
International Ice Cast and it was so good we booked another
night for same show.
At
10:40 they did Dancin' in the Street – '70s style. And the
was down the Royal Promenade on deck 5.
TUE 03 JUNE, Gibraltar Smart Casual Attire
Day Four entertainment was the ships crew and called Once
upon a Time.
Also was the start of the dance competition with Greg Carger
and Orchestra and Professional Ballroom couple Ashley and
Ryan Di Lello.
On
our cruise on the Jewel last year a couple on our table were
from Gibraltar and we said we were doing this cruise so the
said they would meet us and give us the grant tour of
Gibraltar. They meet us off ship about 9:30 and we got back
to ship about 3.20 as we were due back by 3:30. We seen on
much that we would not have seen on a ship tour.
WED 04 JUNE, Barcelona, Spain Smart Casual
SHIPS IN PORT NORWEGINA JADE, CELEBRITY SUMMIT
Day Five entertainment was Andy Leach, Comedy, Mayhem,
Magic and Madness.
We
did not get off ship when we arrived.
THUR 05 JUNE, Barcelona, Spain
Formal Attire
SHIPS IN PORT SEA PRINCESS, VENTURA
We made our way off ship and got the shuttle bus as we
docked futher away than last time in Barcelona. Then we got
the open top bus and spent 2 hours on it and the to the
Rambles for a bit of lunch and a drink.
Day Six entertainment was Jonathan Kane, The only tribute
act endorsed by Elton John. The repeat Ice show was very
good.
FRI 06 JUNE, Villefranche , France
Casual/Tropical Attire
At 9am we went on the ships tour to Nice, Eze for lunch and
then to Monaco and Lunch
This
was a lot of walking but we enjoyed it.
Day Seven They showed a Movie in the Theatre, as we were in
port till 8 pm.
SAT 07 JUNE, Livorno (for Florence/Pisa), Italy Smart
Casual
SHIPS IN PORT MSC MELODY, SUMMIT
Again a early start on the ships tour at 7:35 to Florence
and Pisa. Again it was a lot of walking but the wife loved
it as I had been before I still liked it.
Day Eight entertainment was Hilary O'Neil a Comedy Vocal
Impressionist.
SUN 08 JUNE, Cagliari, Sardinia Casual Attire
We got off the ship a found a taxi who gave us a good ride
with another couple around the area, this was RCCI first
time in port. It a very nice place to go again.
Day Nine entertainment Crew Show Under the Big Top, This was
a very good show.
MON 09 JUNE, CRUISING Formal Attire --
--
Day Ten entertainment Gary Lovini who I have seen twice but
he does a very good show.
We
also went to a new Ice Show, some say it was better than the
other one but I think both were very good.
TUE 10 JUNE, Malaga, Spain Casual Attire
We were going to do a walk about as we have been a few times
but we booked a ship tour to go to the Caves at Nerja. It
was a very hot day but the caves keep the same temperature
all the time. Day Eleven entertainment The Mr. & Mrs Game
Show staring Cruise Director Graham Seymour also Mad
Hatter's Ball Parade down Promenade Deck 5
WED 11 JUNE, Lisbon, Portugal Casual Attire
SHIPS IN PORT ROYAL PRINCESS
The ships tour was 12:30 Panoramic Lisbon , we think this
was the best ship tour we had and we got back to the ship at
4:30..
Day twelve entertainment Starring Blackbeat Beatles which
was very good show for my age as I can remember the start of
the Beatles. Graham the Cruise Director did a 12:15 Adult
show.
THUR 12 JUNE Vigo, Spain Smart Casual Attire
We walked around the town and up a lot of hills and steps.
Then we stopped for a drink the the square.
Day Thirteen entertainment by the cruise people called
Invitation to Dance. Also another street party but not as
good as the other ones.
FRI 13 JUNE, CRUISING Casual Attire
Day Fourteen entertainment Farewell Variety Show staring
The Magic of Jamie Allen and guest stars Fulcrum.
SAT 14 JUNE, Southampton
SHIPS IN PORT ORIANA, SEA PRINCESS
We got up early and had breakfast and went to the bar and
waited for our call, we were called at 7:15 then off ship
and found our cases and out to the car by 7:30. We arrived
home just after noon.
The cruise and the stops were very
good. The food could have been better and the layout of the
menu could have been better but you can choose what you like
from it in any order as it not laid out as 1,23,+ courses.
Walking from dinner to the show you walked or tried to
through the casino. All rooms of the ship were very nice and
the cabins were great and found very quite and room for
everything.
Yes we would go on her again and I think most would say
that.
james/sheila
June 2008
