Skip to main content

RCCL Independence of the Seas: Day 1


Welcome aboard!  It's been many moons since we were last able to sail and I was so excited to be invited to be a part of the Independence of the Seas Simulation Cruise from Galveston, TX this week.  These simulation cruises are a way for Royal Caribbean to test out their new health and safety protocols for return to sailings.  Each day I will try to give you a little recap of all we have been able to experience and how things are going on board as the ships return to operation.

We arrived in Houston last night and drove the remaining 45 minutes to Galveston this morning.  After a little confusion with where to park (much of the Port is still closed) we were walking into Terminal 2 at the Port of Galveston at 11:02am for our 11am boarding time.  Boarding times are extra important to ensure crowds are managed through the health screening and security process.  It was a breeze for us and within 15 minutes we were walking onto the ship.

We have a Spacious Oceanview Balcony stateroom on Deck 7 Forward and found the accommodations to be quite lovely. After dropping off our bags we were ready to explore the ship! We started off by completing our safety drill, which includes watching a safety video in the Royal Caribbean App and then finding your Muster Station on the ship. 

One thing we noticed immediately was how excited all the crew members were to have guests back on board, and of course we were excited to be here! 

We made a reservation and headed to lunch at the Windjammer Café.  The selection was plentiful and included vegetable lasagna and roast chicken in addition to the Americana, Latina and numerous other stations which had everything from cheeseburgers, to lobster, to butter chicken.  In spaces where everyone was welcome, such as Windjammer Cafe, tables were marked for use or for social distancing but we had no trouble finding a table even with so many used for social distancing. We enjoyed a leisurely meal before making our way to the pool deck to soak up some sun for the afternoon.

Beef Pho, Butter Chicken, Scallops, Lobster Tail and Carved Roast

We found some loungers in the Solarium, which is open to vaccinated guests only, and grabbed some Mai Tais from the bar.  Because the space was for vaccinated guests only, the loungers were set up as normal.  In the main pool area, loungers were separated so there was ample social distancing. After some sunshine, we headed to Schooner Bar (vaccinated guests only) for some Name That Tune.


We had My Time Dining and made a dinner reservation for 7:30pm earlier in the day and headed that way after freshening up.  The service was wonderful and we tried vegan, vegetarian and carnivore options with our favorites being the wild mushroom soup, the fennel and quinoa salad (vegan) and the prime rib. There was plenty of food and we left feeling quite stuffed.

Antipasti: cured Italian prosciutto, salami, Parmigiano-Reggiano, olive tapenade and crostini

Butternut squash soup (vegan)

Slow-Roasted Prime Rib- tender beef with potato croquette, broccoli and horseradish au jus

Wild Mushroom Soup- a rich blend of wild mushrooms with cream finished with chives and white truffle oil

Warm Fennel & Quinoa Salad (vegan)

Caribbean Jerk Pork Chop- grilled marinated pork chop paired with rice and beans, plantains and Jamaican fried dumplings

Baked Polenta and Feta Cheese - creamy corn polenta, feta cheese, crisp grilled vegetables, olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette

No Sugar Added Pear & Blueberry Cobbler
Warm Hazelnut Chocolate Cake

Tonight's entertainment included an ice skating show and a comedian, but after our full day we opted to save them for another night and called it a day.  Looking forward to a fun-filled sea day tomorrow!


Maci Schau
Maci is an avid foodie and loves trying out new restaurants and seasonal food offerings in the parks.  You can email Maci at maci@kingdomkonsultant.com.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Cruising with a Baby: A Complete Guide

You took a baby on a cruise!? Yep, and I'd do it again knowing what I know now. So, say goodbye to months of research - Everything you need to know is here!! One of the biggest challenges of traveling with a baby is planning what you need to bring. I wanted to share what worked for us, and hopefully help others who are planning their cruise! Remember, babies can only cruise after their 6-month birthday on sailings from the U.S. If you are going transatlantic, or have more than three days out at sea, they must be 12 months old by the first day of your cruise. Pre-Cruise   We flew to the cruise port, and I couldn’t bring all the food and snacks I needed, so I placed an Instacart order for pick up near the port. I chose Publix in Cocoa Beach which is a few miles from Port Canaveral. I placed the order a few days before we left home, and set the pickup time to 11:00 a.m. I ordered formula, a box of diapers, swim diapers, bottle brush, dish soap, baby food, and baby snacks. I also broug...

Complete Guide to Disney's Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Disney's new Bahamian island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a pristine, secluded paradise reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests. The cruise port is located on the island of Eleuthera (pronounced uh-loo-tr-uh) at it's southern tip, amidst a nature preserve called Lighthouse Point. Far from any towns, Lookout Cay feels like a tropical oasis that is separated from the outside world by mangrove forests. The landscaping is gorgeous with flowers like plumerias, and tall swaying palm trees. Whether you want to just kick back and relax or go for a thrilling banana boat ride, this port has something for everyone. There are family friendly areas as well as those reserved specifically for adults. Expert Tip: If you want a view of the island from your stateroom, be sure to book a starboard (right) side stateroom. Disney Magic docked at Lookout Cay After disembarking your Disney Cruise ship, you'll cross the pier to the island on foot. (It looks longer in ...

Walt Disney World While Pregnant

Walt Disney World Resort is accommodating to guests of all ages, abilities, and stages of life. So it’s no surprise it’s a great destination to visit while expecting! While you can’t ride every ride, there is still plenty to do to keep you busy and entertained throughout your trip. From delicious meals and snacks to enchanting shows and entertainment, and just a few places to take a break and cool down, this blog post has you covered. Dining Delights One of the best parts of visiting Disney World while pregnant is indulging in the incredible food options. Whether you’re craving a savory meal or a sweet treat, there’s something for everyone: Table-Service Restaurants : Enjoy a leisurely meal at one of Disney’s many table-service restaurants. Some favorites include Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom, Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Le Cellier in EPCOT. Quick-Service Options : For a quicker bite, try places like Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom or Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdo...