A Sail-Away for Cruise Lovers
June 1, 2024
Miami, FL
Morning
It was not the best night's sleep as I was sick a lot of the evening with severe dehydration. But I was up early to get ready for my favorite day... CRUISE DAY! Unfortunately, there was not any hot water at 6AM and I was forced to wake up real fast with a stone cold shower. We got ready and then went to breakfast as soon as they opened at 7:30AM and there was quite a long line. But Embassy Suites handled the crowd well, as they did the previous morning, and we were in and out of the breakfast area before 8AM. We then went back to the room to finishing packing and fight the elevators to get back to the lobby for our 9:30AM shuttle to Port Miami.
TIP- Embassy Suites offers a shuttle for $12.50/person to the Port Miami. This is scheduled for 3 separate runs staring at 9:30AM. It seemed like EVERYONE in that hotel was headed to the shuttle and Port Miami and it was nothing short of a HOT MESS. In fact, we waited for a while and wondered if we should just call an Uber and we finally got loaded into one of the 7 shuttles. If I had to do this again, I would just pay for the Uber as the cost would be very similar. Also, you will need to pay for this upon check-in at the hotel OR pay the shuttle driver. I was under the assumption that it was added to the room total but it was not. Luckily, Chris had cash and we were able to pay and tip the driver.
This was a HOT MESS express... But, we made it!
We arrived at Port Miami around 10AM and we were the 4th group to be dropped off as we were at Terminal G (the northern most terminal). Once we were dropped off we walked to the semi-long line to get into the terminal and as soon as we arrived in the line, it started moving into the terminal. We then got checked in within 7 minutes and were waiting in the terminal waiting room at 10:20AM. TIP- The terminal workers had us sit lined up in the order we arrived and this meant less chaos when it was time to board this ship. I really liked this as it was very organized- but I am glad we were early rather than late!
A view of Port Miami before entering the tunnel...
A very brief view of Terminal G at Port Miami!
We got on board the Independence of the Seas at 10:43 and done with our Muster Station meeting before 11AM. It may not have been as smooth and carefree as our Allure Embarkation Day but it was very easy to say the least! We were sitting in Playmakers and enjoying our first cocktail by 11:15AM.
It's SATURDAY.. I love this!
Playmakers Bar on Deck 4 on Independence of the Seas.
This was a new addition when the Indy got amped up in 2018. We really liked the countless TVs showing all kinds of sports and the arcade games as well. Playmakers offers food to order (think nachos, wings and etc.) but we never order any of these.
Afternoon
After we explored Playmakers on Deck 4 and then the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, we made our way to the Windjammer Marketplace Buffet for lunch before the crowds arrived. The Windjammer was not at all packed and the food was on par for Royal Caribbean buffet food. I am not a fan of the Windjammer but this first day was not awful.
The Royal Promenade on Independence of the Seas!
I'll be honest... I MISS THE TEXAS FLAG!
The Royal Promenade as seen from the Deck 8 AFT elevators!
Chris's Windjammer plate... He loved the BBQ.
After lunch we walked all over the upper decks to get a feel for the Independence of the Seas. We really enjoyed the aft area of the ship where the Sports Deck, Flowrider and Waterslides were housed. While we did not spend much of our 5 days in this area of the ship, I know our kids would have LOVED this area. TIP- I really appreciated the covered seating area for watching the Flowrider.
This was a picture perfect moment!
My traditional buoy picture... PRICELESS!
I absolutely loved sailing from Miami!
Independence of the Seas- Deck 12-13 AFT
(Sports Deck)
Independence of the Seas Sports Deck
As we arrived on the front of Deck 13, we noticed very few people at the Golf Course so we opted to play our traditional game of mini-golf. For the first 5 holes, I was actually in the lead and then Chris got a HOLE IN ONE and it was all over. I never came back to tie or beat him and once again, Chris won our match. That is 6 cruises in a row.
I was all smiles at this time because I was in the lead...
But, once again I AM THE LOSER!
By this time it was after 12PM and it was HOT and HUMID on the open decks and we opted to go inside for a few afternoon drinks. We landed at the small Champagne Bar at the start of the Royal Promenade. We stayed here for nearly 2 hours before grabbing some Sorrento's and then going to our stateroom to try and get settled for cruise.
Royal Caribbean really does this well and the service was AMAZING all week!
Stateroom #8323
We booked this cruise in a traditional Interior stateroom on Deck 7 but put in a bid for several different categories on the Royal Up program. We were hoping to get the large interior or large forward-facing Oceanview stateroom with our bids but we landed with a Promenade View Interior Room. We bid $125/person ($250 total) for this upgrade and while the cabin was decent, I would not book or even bid on this cabin in the future. It was oddly shaped and laid out and there was a lot of wasted space. We did not use the Promenade View window as we were almost ALWAYS actually IN the promenade enjoying the dances and parties. It is a cool option to have had ONCE but I would not book it again!
Promenade View Interior Stateroom #8323
Once in our stateroom, we unloaded the carry on bags with our toiletries and Chris's medicine but unfortunately, our large checked suitcases were not delivered as of 2:30PM. Chris took a nap and we were woke up to a knock on the door from our steward delivering my suitcase around 3:45PM. I tried to start unpacking but we wanted to ensure we had a good view of the sail away from Miami as this would be the first time we have ever sailed from Miami and our 23 previous cruises.
We grabbed a drink from the Skybar and then went to the front of the ship on Deck 13 near the mini-golf to watch the sail away. We assumed we would push off real quick but it took nearly an hour before any ship pulled out. The Carnival Sunshine took off before we did but we were the 2nd ship to leave Miami and that meant we would be able to see the impressive Icon of the Seas at Terminal A as we passed through the channel to get to the Atlantic. This may have been the best part of the entire sail away. This ship is MASSIVE and it is really hard to truly understand her size until you have seen her live! I am not sure if I would want to sail on this MASSIVE ship carrying 8-10K people but she was a sight to see! We also passed the Carnival Magic and the MSC Seascape on our way out to the Atlantic.
The MSC Seascape- She is coming to Galveston in November 2025 and after passing by her on our way out of Miami... I would sail on her!
The NCL Terminal at Port Miami!
Our first view of the Icon of the Seas... Good grief, she is massive and GORGEOUS!
Just look at that aft...
Sail away selfie!
Goodbye Miami... We'll see you in 5 days!
After sail away we walked around Deck 11 to view the sail away party before going back to the Royal Promenade to get some light snacks at Café Promenade before our late seating dinner.
Café Promenade is loaded with light snacks/ sandwiches and cookies all day long! Plus- free and specialty coffee and teas!
Evening
I made a pit-stop at the stateroom hoping the other suitcase was delivered but it was not so we went to Vintages for predinner drinks and wine. This was our favorite part of our Allure- July 2023 cruise and we were excited to continue this pre-dinner trend on the Independence.
My favorite place on a Royal Caribbean ship!
(Although, I learned I do like the more isolated placement of Vintages on the Oasis class ships. It is a little nicer and less noisy.)
Once 7:15PM rolled around we made our way to dinner in the Main Dining Room. Our waiters, Cris and Mario, were literally the best team we have EVER had in 24 cruises across 4 cruise lines. We were in and out of the MDR in less than an hour on EVERY SINGLE night of the cruise... Even Formal night! The new Royal Caribbean menu options were on point and we enjoyed the MDR in every aspect.
Night #1- Welcome Aboard Menu
Royal Crab Cake- 4.5 (Chris 3.0)
This was light and very flavorful
Royal Shrimp Cocktail- Chris 3.5
Royal does soups VERY WELL and this was spot on!
Prime Rib- 3.5 (Chris 4.5)
The taste was EXCELLENT but I was just not feeling it.
Boston Cream Pie- 3.5 (Chris 4.5)
This was VERY RICH- but oh so good!
After dinner we walked around the outside Deck 4 hoping to get a good sunset at 8:15PM but clouds did not allow that. We took some pictures before going back to the room to find all of our luggage. I was able to ask our Steward for a mattress topper since the Royal beds are notorious for being hard as a rock and he was accommodating. TIP- Be sure to ask for this as soon as you see your steward as most ships only have less than 100 of these.
A view from the Helicopter Pad on Deck 5 forward.
TIP- This is such a cool offering on most Royal Caribbean ships. Be sure to check this part of the ship out, especially at sunsets and sail away!
Even with the clouds, God sure does paint a pretty picture!
Sunset selfie!
I unpacked all of our bags and got settled before we made our way to Studio B for the Freeze Frame Ice show. TIP- This is one of the BEST things Royal Caribbean does. This show is offered on Voyager, Freedom and Oasis class ships and is one of the coolest shows on the high seas. Be sure to locate the show times EARLY and if possible go to the 1st showing as it is not as crowded since nobody knows about it!
This show was awesome and we enjoy it on every ship. We then went back to Playmakers to watch a little of the LSU Super Regional baseball game before heading off to the Welcome Aboard and Comedy Show. This was a good show with the live jazz band but the comedian was lacking, to say the least. TIP- This is an area where Carnival completely outweighs Royal Caribbean. They really know how to do comedy well and Royal... DOES NOT! We ended the evening at Vintages where we met the cork-master and learned all about some of the specialty wines onboard. We stayed at Vintages until it closed and then grabbed some pizza at Sorrento's before calling it a night shortly after midnight.
It was a great day onboard the Independence of the Seas and we absolutely LOVED sailing from Miami!
That's a wrap for Day 1- Stay tuned for DAY 2!
Up Next... Our return to Coco Cay but this time for PERFECT DAY @ Coco Cay!
Be sure to following along for EVERYTHING you need to know about Royal Caribbean's private island!
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
