The Royal Caribbean Keychain
June 5, 2024
Sea Day #2
Our Independence is coming to an end and soon we will be back to full-time "Mom and Dad" and going 100 mph. Let's enjoy these last few moments!
Morning
After a late night we slept in a bit and didn't wake up until after 8:30AM. We got ready and then grabbed a quick and light breakfast at the Windjammer since we planned on eating in the Main Dining Room for lunch. Even at 9AM on a Sea Day, the Windjammer was not packed and the food was great. We then went to the Plaza Bar to get the specialty coffee "Haute and Steamy" from Chops the night before. Unfortunately, it was not the same but we enjoyed it. Then we got our traditional freshly squeezed orange juice with our Deluxe Beverage Package to end our morning in the WJ. TIP- Reminder, you can get the freshly squeezed OJ everyday at the Plaza Bar FREE with the drink package. Usually priced at $4.75, this is WORTH IT! Trust me!
We then went to the Schooner Bar for morning trivia. Alison was our bartender and he made several random concoctions for us that we both enjoyed. We stayed and LOST two separate trivia sessions before walking Deck 4 and getting our steps in. We walked over a mile and then ended on the very windy Helicopter Pad at the front of Deck 5. TIP- This is such a unique offering that RCCL has on Voyager, Freedom and Oasis class ships. Be sure to check it out on your next cruise!
"Shut up and Drink" made by Alison. I have no idea why I liked this so much, it was toasted marshmallow syrup and LIMES. Sounds gross- but it was good!
We love the Helicopter pad- even on a windy day!
A view of the bridge from the Helicopter pad!
It doesn't matter where on the ship- this is my HAPPY PLACE!
Check out Deck 4 on Independence of the Seas.
Afternoon
We then made our way to the Main Dining Room for the Sea Day lunch. This used to be my favorite part of Sea Days as I loved the menu options and pre-Covid, the Tutti Salad Bar. I especially loved this experience on the Liberty 2018 cruise.
We enjoyed our lunch in the MDR but the service was as we expected, very slow and inattentive. It took about 70 minutes to get in and out of the MDR for lunch, which is laughable considering our dinner times have been right at an hour (or less). I think RCCL needs to fix this!
I love the THREE DECK Main Dining Rooms on RCCL!
The Sea Day Lunch Menu
Shrimp Risotto- 4.0 (Chris 3.5)
This was not as good as the Tomato and Seafood Risotto from previous lunch menus but this was very good and full of flavor.
Mozzarella Sticks- 4.0 (Chris- 3.0)
These were very good but we both felt the cheese sticks from Coco Cay were slightly better.
Chicken Quesadilla- 3.5
There was nothing too special about this but I enjoyed it!
Spaghetti- Chris 2.5
This was lacking... A LOT!
Apple Pie Crumble- Chris 4.0
I loved the crumble on this cobbler.
White Chocolate Strawberry Mousse- 4.0
After lunch we walked around Deck 4 a few laps before finding some chairs and propping our feet up to watch the ocean sail by. Chris got up after about and hour to take a nap and I stayed and just enjoyed the peace and serenity.
This is the BEST feeling in the world. Calm seas and a calm heart at sea!
It does not matter the ship, cruise line or my overall mental health... I am the MOST HAPPY when I am right here!
Around 3PM I decided to get up and go to Deck 12 and check out the Lido Deck. I got up there just in time for the "Sexiest Man Contest" and this was a lot of fun to watch as a 88 year old man danced his heart out. We then met up at Viking Crown Lounge for a small bit before going back to Schooner Bar for afternoon trivia.
This Sexiest Man Contest and Mr. Winston was so funny!
Alison did it once again... These were so PRETTY and delicious!
We met Alison again and he continued to provide great service and unique drink options while we suffered through 2 more losses of trivia sessions. I really felt we could win the TV Show Theme Songs but they were very tricky! Then the decades trivia also proved to be more than difficult. However, during the "General Knowledge" trivia we had a come-from-behind victory! We actually WON a trivia! Well, Chris did!
WE WON... WE WON! Hey kids, want to know your souvenir?
This was a lot of FUN and I actually learned a few things!
We sat at the bar for a few more hours just talking to the crew members about their life onboard before meeting another young cruising couple, whom we talked to for a while. We then got up and decided to be responsible and pack our suitcases for tomorrow's disembarkation day. TIP- Cruisers can opt to have "luggage assistance" and place their bags outside their stateroom at 10PM the night before OR take their luggage off themselves on disembarkation morning. Since we had a late afternoon flight out of MIA, we opted to use luggage assistance.
Evening
After we got most of our items packed we ventured to Deck 4 for our last night in the MDR. Service was just as good as previous nights and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset from our table.
Night #5 Caribbean Menu in the MDR
Coconut Shrimp- 4.5/ Chris 5.0
Chris liked this so much he asked for seconds, then the waiter brought him THREE MORE!
French Onion Soup- 4.0
It really is THAT good!
Classic Caesar Salad- 3.5
New York Strip Steak- 1.5
This was the BIGGEST disappointment of the MDR. Why did I even try to order a steak after a night in Chops Grille the night before. Classic mistake!
Caribbean Pork- Chris 4.0
Chris LOVED this and all flavors that went along with it.
Caribbean Chicken Leg- 4.5
Chris opted to try both Caribbean dishes and liked the chicken more.
Pineapple Sunshine Cake- 2.0
This did not do anything for me personally but it was presented well.
Royal Chocolate Cake- Chris 3.5
Chris really enjoyed this but it was VERY RICH!
It's hard to believe it is almost over... tomorrow they kick us off the ship!
God sure does paint a pretty picture!
A sunset and the wake of cruise ship create the most PERFECT thing ever!
After dinner we finalized our luggage and placed it outside our stateroom door before making our way to Vintages for our last evening aboard the Independence of the Seas.
Near 10:30PM there was an 80s dance party in the Royal Promenade and we were able to watch it all from Vintages. We loved singing along and dancing (sorta) from Vintages. We called it a night shortly after midnight with a pit-stop at Sorrento's.
Our last day onboard was a very light day but we came home with a Royal Caribbean Keychain so that's a win!
UP NEXT- Our travel day home back to God's Country!
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- March 2019
The Norwegian Breakaway- November 2018
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- 2018
Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment