A JEPIC time on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

We cruised aboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas in June 2025, visiting Belgium. It was a short sailing, with entertainment clearly tailored to a British audience - meaning we made plenty of new friends and laughed every day. We chose this cruise because it was marketed as a Eurovision cruise, and we couldn’t resist finding out what that entailed being Eurovision fans.

The standout design feature was the Royal Promenade. It truly felt like the heart of the ship, with useful spots like Starbucks, Sorrento’s Pizza, shops and the British pub. On the very first night, we joined a lively street party complete with a balloon drop - an unforgettable start to the trip.

🛏️ Cabin Comfort ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The room looked a bit dated at first but it was exactly what we needed for the trip. The beds were comfy and perfect for when we needed a lie-in after a night in the club. We stayed in a balcony room and it was nice to have space to sit and have a read or have a drink before going out.

The configuration of the room worked well, with the beds closer to the balcony. It was really nice having the central space to get ready before all the wonderful activities of the ship.

We had a connecting room door in our cabin, which we were worried about at first, but noise from the other side did not spil into our room. Since the walls were magnetic, we hung our hats and lanyards on this door on hooks we had taken, making it a really useful place to store them.

If you're sailing from Southampton, you will get a kettle in your room. This was a first for us, but by far my favourite thing that I wish more cruise lines would do, or at least offer it for us Brits regardless of the embarkation port!

🍽️ Dining Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This ship is a drinker’s dream - and not just for alcohol. Everywhere you go, there are pop-up drink stations. The buffet offered grab-and-go soft drinks, and hot drink stations were conveniently placed near restaurants. Coca-Cola Freestyle machines were dotted throughout the ship, so with a drinks package cup you were never without a refreshing option. Starbucks being included in the package was a delightful surprise.

We tried the main dining room once, but preferred the buffet. It offered the same meals plus more variety, and the service felt quicker and of better quality. The buffet was easily the best we’ve had on any cruise.

It was nice to see the welcome message made out of cupcakes. This is just a nice touch which made it a little more special.

🎭 Entertainment ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Entertainment was non-stop. Since we’d booked a Eurovision cruise, we were treated to a surprise performance by Jedward - the highlight of the trip. They spent over an hour with guests, performing, dancing in the crowd, and taking photos. They joked, “We’re on a cruise ship, we don’t have anywhere else to go,” and kept singing beyond their set, making everyone feel special.

Other memorable moments included the sail-away party and the street party with a balloon drop. The Broadway production of Grease was impressive, delivering all the songs we know and love.

We also found ourselves at Perry Grant’s show every night - he’s hilarious and knows how to get a crowd laughing (and shaking maracas). He was so popular that people would form queues to watch and listen, so if you want a seat, you have to get there early! Would "return, return, return" on this ship for Perry Grant alone!

Although we didn’t try it, the surf simulator looked fun. Our favorite spot was the adults-only pool, where we could grab a drink and relax in the pool chairs.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Service & Staff ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Cabins were consistently clean, and the bar staff went above and beyond. Service had that American-style attentiveness, which made the experience feel polished and welcoming. Never waited long to be served or receive a drink.

💸 Value for Money ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The trip itself wasn't expensive, but the add-ons did seem a bit high. But we joined a Facebook group for that specific sailing date and it was incredibly useful. We got reminders about check-in and secured a great embarkation time, and learned when drinks packages were discounted. We cancelled our original drinks order and re-booked when it was a really good value.

🌟 Overall Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐

For such a large ship, we rarely felt overwhelmed by crowds. Even during the street party, the crowd dispersed quickly after the balloon drop. The ship’s many spaces kept guests spread out and comfortable.

We loved the buffet for its variety, quality, and ease of finding a seat and drink - it’s the best buffet we’ve experienced at sea. Small touches stood out too: watching the front of the ship via the live camera, grabbing a slice of pizza after a night out, and enjoying Starbucks every morning.

The only downside was the very British vibe, with plenty of hen parties onboard. But since we booked specifically for the Eurovision theme, it was exactly the lively atmosphere we wanted.

The main dining room was a little slow, but with so many other dining options, it wasn’t a problem.

✨ Verdict: A fun, energetic cruise with standout entertainment, excellent buffet dining, and great value for money.

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