|
Wondering what kind of entertainment and activities will be available to you on Independence of the Seas? Free Things To Do on Independence of the SeasFor The Sporty One...Okay so due to weather the Flowrider surf simulator is unavailable, bummer. The mini golf would be a bit wet. Now you're looking for an indoor activity on a cruise when it's raining - how about ice skating!? Ice Skating, you say? On a cruise?! Which Cruise Line Has an Ice Rink OnBoard?Of course it's Royal Caribbean! ;) Did you know that Studio B is not only for shows, but also offers free ice skating sessions?! How much does ice skating cost on Independence of the Seas?Nothing. It's free! You will need to reserve a space for a freestyle ice skating session on the Royal Caribbean App. They will provide you with helmets and ice skates for free. Do note that there is no instruction and skaters are at all levels, so be careful and have fun! Pro Tip: We did notice that the team added additional skate sessions during our cruise, so if they are booked up on the app, definitely check back for openings! For The Book Worm...Is there a Library on Independence of the Seas?Yes! There is a quiet library space for the bookworms on board. You can borrow books, complete puzzles, or use one of a couple computers in here. For The Art BuFF...Cruises are known for having a lot of art, and I don't mean the art auctions. I mean all over the ship from framed pieces in the stairwells to sculptures in the public spaces and on the pool decks to incredible mosaics like this one: |
Cocktail Prices |
Beer prices |
|
|
An additional service charge will be added to these prices unless you have a Royal Caribbean Beverage Package.
You can also order items not on the menu, of course. Like the Labadoozie - basically a frozen rum punch or even a whisky to sip on the beach.
Beach Time on LAbadee
Even on an overcast day, the views are beautiful with calm waters nestled between lush mountains, it's exactly what you're hoping for on a Caribbean Cruise.
If you have cash to splash you can rent one of these private cabanas for the day or do an excursion like kayaking in these tropical waters.
Free Food On Labadee
When you're hungry on Labadee you can enjoy a beach picnic including things like hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken, rice, corn on the cob, fruit, salads, cookies, cakes and the like. The food is included in your cruise fare.
A Taste of UK Royal Caribbean Menu
Goat Cheese Tart
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Mozzarella cheese coated with crispy garlic-seasoned panko breading and fried until golden brown, paired with a zesty marinara dipping sauce.
Due to a supply chain issue, the culinary crew had to make a cheese swap out. So it was surprising when you're expecting mozzarella, but hey - when you're talking about breaded and deep fried cheese it's hard to go wrong. :)
Traditional English Fish and CHips
Chicken Tikka Masala
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Hairspray Broadway Production
After dinner we squeezed in a production show. On Symphony of the Seas you can watch the Broadway production Hairspray. It's one of the longer shows you will see on a cruise.
Labadee, Haiti Royal Caribbean Review
I love Royal Caribbean's offerings of Labadee and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Some argue that these cruise line owned resorts or islands are not an authentic experience of the island, and sure I get that. But I view them as a high value "freebie" day where I don't have to plan or spend any extra cash if I don't want to or don't have it.
Labadee offers a low pressure day where everything is taken care of for you and close by. You have beach chairs and umbrellas included for free at the various beach locations. You have food included without having to go back to the ship or spend extra cash. You have tram service if you're unable or don't want to walk as much. And the scenery is absolutely beautiful.
While I do love exploring cruise ports and trying local food and having that "more authentic" experience, I am always happy to see either Labadee or Perfect Day on a Caribbean Itinerary.
More from this Royal Caribbean Cruise Review:
- Lobster Night On a Cruise
- Aruba: DIY Walking Tour Aruba Cruise Port
- Aruba: A Taste of the Caribbean Dinner
- Embarkation Day: Symphony of the Seas Embarkation Day
- Sea Day: Exploring the Ship on a Sea Day
- Sea Day: A Taste of Italy Dinner
- Curacao: Missing Curação Cruise Port
- Breakfast at Johnny Rockets - Free on Oasis Class Ships
- Symphony of the Seas: Water Slides & Flow Rider
- El Loco Fresh Review - Mexican Inspired Food
- The Royal Night - Royal Caribbean Dinner Menu
I'm looking at you, pork chop. -.-
I opted to sleep it off and we decided not to get off on Curacao during this cruise. Fortunately, we had been here before in the past, but it was still really disappointing, needless-to-say.
Eventually we made it up to the Windjammer buffet for lunch and I snapped this pic of Willemstad through the glass.
Shockingly, the only food item we took a picture of was this tasty little mini pastry filled with chocolate!
We then took the opportunity to enjoy some of the features of the ship we hadn't yet. We rode the carousel together in the Boardwalk Neighborhood.
And I screamed more than I needed to going down the Ultimate Abyss slide.
I came out the other end laughing and I would do it again, for sure. Do it people!
Never in my life have I tried rock climbing and I'm not sure how I would do, but I really wanted to try climbing this rock wall on a cruise ship!
That's still on my to-do list. I wasn't quite up for it yet. :)
But I was up for exploring the staircase art before dinner!
A Taste of Mexico Menu | Royal Caribbean
Tbh, I spend way too much time every day on the app checking the menus and plotting out my orders. lol
Here's what we got!
Roasted Poblano Pepper Soup
"Rich and silky, topped with roasted corn, red peppers, fresh cilantro, and sautéed chorizo."
Tortilla Soup
"Tomato broth with hearty black beans and sweet corn, topped with cilantro, crunchy corn tortillas, and fresh lime"
Grilled Sweet Corn Cakes
"Served golden brown with grilled vegetables, tomato-avocado salsa, and fresh cilantro."
Carne Asada
"Marinated grilled flank steak served with rice, pinto beans, sautéed vegetables and a bright salsa verde"
Chili-Lime Crusted Salmon
"Baked and served over a sweet potato, mushroom, and kale hash topped with tangy mango and bell pepper salsa"
Caramel Flan
"rich, sweet dulce de leche custard soaked in caramel with fresh strawberries"
Sorrentos Pizza Menu
So we headed over to Sorrento's Pizza in the Royal Promenade.
The menu can vary from day to day and I do believe you can always request a gluten free pizza at Sorrento's on Royal Caribbean. 8)
Primavera Pizza froM Sorrento's
"Extra virgin olive oil, garlic, mozzarella, spinach, tomatoes, grilled banana peppers, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese"
Not bad, Royal Caribbean, not bad.
With that it was time for a little in-room laundry session and to bed to rest up for a fun filled sea day onboard Symphony of the Seas!
More From This Southern Caribbean Cruise:
A Taste of the Caribbean Dinner Menu
Although it's the Caribbean menu, as you can see there is still a mix of offerings that are not Caribbean-inspired at all and our choices reflect that.
Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp
"Breaded coconut shrimp paired with a tangy pineapple-celeriac slaw and a sweet chili dipping sauce"
Coconut shrimp is always a win, and I will always order it on a cruise!
Asian-Style Pork Bao Tacos
I'm always enticed by Bao, but at the end of the day I think I'm just not crazy about the texture of the steamed buns - on or off a cruise ship.
Garlic-Herb Buttered Tiger Shrimp
"Broiled until golden brown, served with jasmine rice, sautéed seasonal vegetables, and a garlicky herb butter"
Shrimp appetizer, Shrimp main ... as long as you're not allergic this is a win!
Jerk-Seasoned Pork Chop
"Tender marinated pork chop with rice and beans, sweet plantains and Jamaican fried dumplings"
Being Cuban-American, my eyes light up when I see plantains on a menu and of course I love rice and beans. We honeymooned in Jamaica where I had my first bites of jerk seasoned foods so how could I not order this dish?
Despite all that connection, in retrospect I liked the garlic herb buttered tiger shrimp better - who knew?!
Pineapple Sunshine Cake
"Light and fluffy pineapple cake with a sweet whipped cream frosting"
More Symphony of the Seas Cruise Food Pics and Reviews:
| Day 4 of our Southern Caribbean Cruise was a port day in lovely Aruba. We did not plan an excursion in advance and decided to DIY a low key day on the island and revisited a yummy foodie spot. |
Free Shuttle from Aruba Cruise Port
Conveniently, after exiting the ship's gangway there were shuttle buses waiting to take cruise ship passengers to the main gate.
They were clearly marked with the name of our ship, Symphony of the Seas.
Aruba Cruise Port
For those with limited mobility, there is plenty of shopping to do in the main port area.
If you're able to walk a bit more you can check out the "local market".
At the main intersection walk left, and you'll see the sign for the local market right across from the I ❤︎ Aruba sign.
Souvenirs in Aruba Cruise Port
The colorful boho sandals were calling my name, but I restrained because I was afraid they were too flat for my feet. :(
Knock Off Ray Ban Sunglasses in Aruba Cruise Port
But hey if you want some D&G, Chanel, or Ray Bans ....
Cute paintings and decorative signs for your home.
Cost of Souvenir Hats in Aruba
Loads of souvenir hats and visors were available. As seen below the prices at this shop ranged from $5-8.
The Paddock
A popular spot due to it's convenient location and vibe, a bucket of 5 local beers would set you back just $20 and a meal consisting of French bread, chicken salad, and fries ran $10.
I do believe this was also a spot where you could catch wifi in Aruba cruise port.
Walking Around Oranjestad
This was just at the edge of the Renaissance Marketplace in the Aruba cruise port where we found a really cool store.
Mopa Mopa Aruba
This store was filled with unique and intricately decorated home decor.
Have you heard of the Mopa Mopa Tree?
Much to my surprise, these items are not painted. Rather they are decorated using a centuries old technique of extracting resin from the Mopa Mopa Tree.
I think this is a very cool store to walk around and learn about this unique craft even if you're not in the market for a piece.
Murals by Armando Goedgedrag
Absolutely incredible art murals can be seen on the sides of buildings in the Renaissance Marketplace which have been painted by the very talented Armando Goedgedrag.
It's very cool to see support for local artists like this and it really adds to the vibrance of Oranjestad, don't you agree?!
Wilhelmina Park, Oranjestad
Wilhelmina Park in Oranjestad is a well-manicured park with a nice walkway stroll through.
Here in this park you will see a statue of Anne Frank.
As well as Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands whom the park is named after. She reigned from 1890 until her abdication in 1948.
Queen Wilhelmina was the longest raining monarch in Dutch history. Apparently she was also the world's first female billionaire.
Her park is also full of iguanas!! It's hard to tell from the photo, but they are quite large!
Mangroves and Beaches
These cool trees have aerial roots that grow into accessory trunks. Over time a Banyan tree can cover several acres - isn't that insane?!
It was hard to pass up an opportunity to walk down through this banyan tree and onto a beach via this sort of secret path.
The beach area here was quite narrow, but felt private. There was no one in sight although it was not that far from the main Governor's Beach area.
When traveling, very often you are rewarded when you're willing to take just a few extra steps.
Continuing on toward Surfside Beach, we passed some more incredible trees like this Acacia tree.
And I found it fascinating how this tree looked like it was currently caught in a violent windstorm although the weather was calm. :)
There were just a few families there. With plenty of trees to catch some shade from or sit on, I really enjoyed this beach!
By the way, all beaches in Aruba are free. :)
The Pastechi House
There was one last stop we wanted to make before heading back to our cruise ship after this day in Oranjestad.
That stop was The Pastechi House.
We visited The Pastechi House on an ABC islands cruise back in 2017 or around there and were thrilled to see it survived through the pandemic, though it was a struggle the owner shared.
Pastechi House Menu with Prices
Pastechi is an ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) version of an empanada and they are tasty!!
We also nabbed ourselves a fresh orange juice which was a tad bit more expensive than in Portugal.
Just outside The Pastechi House was this spectacular rooster ...
Even more exciting was the exotic black, white, and orange bird in this palm tree! It appears to be a Venezuelan Troupial!
Downtown Oranjestad
It was time to make our way back through downtown Oranjestad and to the cruise ship terminal, past the blue horse ...
Beyond all the cute buildings ...
Probably should have gotten a Where's my Pastechi at!? mug.
It was a cool honor system sort of set up where when the artist wasn't there in person (like the day we were there), you could snap a picture of what you wanted to by, message her on whatsapp and then send the payment to her!
I Heart Aruba Sign
Don't forget, you can't leave the island without snapping a pic of the I ❤︎ Aruba sign, can you?
We returned to a cute little towel animal welcoming us back and I put on the closest thing to a "Caribbean" themed outfit as I had for dinner in the main dining room.
A Taste of the Caribbean Menu
Utopia of the Seas "The World's Biggest Weekend" Review in Photos
Please enjoy the photos she has graciously shared!
From elaborate displays as seen above and monkey scavenger hunts to unique art displays throughout the ship, Utopia of the Seas is a fun-filled short cruise vacation for anyone who wants to get away but doesn't have loads of time off.
Boardwalk Neighborhood on Utopia of the Seas
If you spend some time in the Boardwalk neighborhood, you may find one of the jewel eyed monkeys!
Central Park NEIGHBORHOOD ON UTOPIA OF THE SEAS
You are welcomed to the neighborhood with a map to orient yourself.
Nestled between over 20,000 tropical plants (on a cruise ship!!) you will find unique art pieces like this elephant ...
or this glorious metallic bonsai tree statue!
All the plants you see, including this multi-story green wall, are live plants which is pretty neat when you think about the fact that you're in the middle of the ocean surrounded by a mini botanical garden!
In Central Park you can visit some specialty dining restaurants, do some shopping, enjoy live music with a cocktail, or take a romantic stroll through the park!
Royal Promenade ON UTOPIA OF THE SEAS
The Royal Promenade is a lively hub on Utopia of the Seas. Live music, parades, balloon drops, and late night pizza slices await you!
Large and unique art installations like these giant seashells are placed all around the ship for you to discover, admire, or shrug at.
Utopia of the Seas Art
There is no one singular style, but something different for every taste - surprise waiting around every corner!
Utopia of the Seas Pool Deck
If you want a quieter pool experience, try the adults-only solarium.
Ultimate Abyss Dry Slide
The Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas is 259 feet long, 43 feet longer than previous versions, making this the biggest thrill yet!
Manta Rays on Utopia of the Seas
Crown & Anchor Society
Can you find the wine window?
Pesky Parrot Bar Utopia of the Seas
The Pesky Parrot actually replaced the Bionic Bar found on other Oasis Class ships.
Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Bahamas
Utopia of the Seas sailings are visiting the awesome Perfect Day at Coco Cay private island on Bahamas.
There's a lot to discover on this private island for Royal Caribbean (and Celebrity) guests, so plan to come back on a future cruise.
Liberty of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas side by side at Perfect Day at Coco Cay cruise port in Bahamas.
Utopia of the Seas Review
Enough said.. :) The AquaTheater is pretty cool!
Until Next Time, Utopia!
Utopia of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's newest ships and is geared toward awesome short getaways out of Port Canaveral, Florida aka Orlando cruise port.
Legend of the Seas Itinerary
Detailed itineraries are coming soon!
Legend of the Seas Deck Plan
Icon Class Ships
The Icon Class consists of:
- Icon of the Seas - 2024
- Star of the Seas - 2025
- Legend of the Seas - 2026
- Icon 4 - To Be Announced - 2027
Legend of the Seas Reviews
Let us know what questions you have about Legend of the Seas.
More Royal Caribbean Cruise News
- 2025
- Launch of Star of the Seas, Icon Class 2
- Royal Beach Club in Nassau opens
- Celebrity Xcel Launches
- 2026
- Launch of Legend of the Seas, Icon Class 3
- Royal Beach Club Cozumel Opens
- 2027
- Launch of Icon Class 4
- Celebrity River Cruises launch from sister brand
- 2028
- Launch of Oasis Class Ship VII - The 7th Oasis Class Ship!
Oh, Hey!
We're Justin and Marissa
We love to travel and eat!
❤︎
Traveling Through Food is a place to share adventures in travel + food so you can find inspiration for your next big trip whether it's across the globe or down the freezer aisle ;)
❤︎
Thanks for visiting!
Check out this recent cruise post:
Check out this recent Restaurant Review:
Categories
All
4 Night Cruise
Air Fryer Cooking
Ajuda
Alaska Cruise
Albufeira Restaurant Reviews
Aldi
Algarve
Algarve Foodie Blog
Algarve Happy Hour
Algarve Restaurant Reviews
All Inclusive Resort Deals
Americans In Portugal
Anthem Of The Seas
Anthem Of The Seas Cruise Deals
Appetizers
Apples
Aqua Theater Suite
Are Travel Agents Worth It?
Armacao De Pera
Aruba
Bacon
Bahamas
Balcony Stateroom Cabin
Barcelona
Beans
Beef
Belbake
Belem
Bermuda
Bifana
Bitoque
Boardwalk Balcony Stateroom Cabin
Book Travel
Breakfast
Bubble Tea
Cafe Al Bacio
Cafe Reviews
California
Canary Islands
Captains Club
Carrot Cake
Cayman
Celebrity Apex
Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Ascent Review
Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Compass
Celebrity Cruise Blog
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises Drinks Packages
Celebrity Cruises Travel Agent
Celebrity Dream Makers
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity River Balcony
Celebrity River Cruises
Celebrity River Infinite Balcony
Celebrity River View Stateroom
Celebrity Seeker
Celebrity Xcel
Central America
Chase Credit Cards
Cheese
Chefs Studio
Chefs Table
Chicken Wings
Chili
Chips
Client Services
Cocktails
Colombia
Compal Reviews
Connecting Ocean View Balcony
Continente Reviews
Cook Along
Cookies
Cost Of Living In Portugal
Couples Travel Blog
Crepes
Crete Chania
Cruise Drink Packages
Cruise Food
Cruise News Today
Cruise Ports
Cruise Restaurant Menus
Cruise Reviews
Cruises
Cruise Travel Blog
Cuban Food
Curacao
Cyprus
Danube River
Deck Plans
Desserts
Dinner
Disney Deals
Dominican Republic
Donuts
Door Dash Review
Drinks
Dumplings
Eastern Caribbean Cruise
Eden
Eden Cafe
Egg
El Loco Fresh
El Salvador
Embarkation Day
Enchantment Of The Seas
Europe
European Cruises
Expats In Portugal
Experiences
Explorer Of The Seas
Family Recipes
Family Travel
Ferreiras
Fish And Chips
Fish & Ships
Flight Reviews
Florida
Flow Rider
Food Blog
Foodie Blog
Foodie Bloggers
Fort Lauderdale
Francesinha
Freedom Of The Seas
Fukuoka
Gelatelli Reviews
Get Sailor Loot
Grandeur Of The Seas
Greece
Greek Isles Cruise
Grocery Reviews
Gyoza
Haiti
Happy Hour
Hawaii
Hello Fresh
Hilton
Hilton Honors Credit Card
Hoagies
Hotel Reviews
Hyatt
Ice Cream
Icon Of The Seas
Imperfect Foods
Independence Of The Seas
Indian Food In Portugal
Indian Restaurants
Infinite Veranda
Inspired By Travel
Italy
Italy Travel Blog
Jamaica
Japan
Japanese Food
Johnny Rockets
Juice
JW Guides
JW Travel Agent
Kebab
Korean Barbecue
Korean Food
Labadee
Labadee Beach Bar
Labadee Cayman Cruise
Last Minute Travel Deals
Las Vegas
Learn Portuguese
Legend Of The Seas
Le Grand Bistro
Leitao
Liberty Of The Seas
Lidl Reviews
Lisbon
Lisbon Hotels
Lisbon Restaurant Reviews
Lisbon Restaurants
Lisbon Travel Blog
Lobster
Los Angeles
Lunch
Luxury Cruise Vacation
Marissa Books Travel
Martini Bar
Mcennedy Reviews
Meal Kits
Meal Prep
Mediterranean Cruise
Miami
Migraine
Milbona
Miles And Points
Milkshakes
Misfits Market
Morocco
Mosaic Restaurant
Moving Abroad
Moving To Portugal
Mushrooms
Naples
Nepalese Restaurants
NISS
North America
Norwegian Cruises NCL
Norwegian Fjords Cruise
Noteworthy Burgers
Oceanview Stateroom Cabin
Ohlos De Agua
Orlando
Ovation Of The Seas
Pasta
Pastries In Portugal
Pastry
Perfect Day CocoCay
Photo Diary
Piri Piri Chicken
Pittsburgh
Pizza
Pizza In Italy
Pizza In Portugal
Pizza On A Cruise
Plate Of The Day
Pork Secretos
Port Canaveral
Port Everglades
Portimao
Portugal
Portugal Travel Blogs
Potato
Presidents Cruise
Primantis
Princess Cruises
Protein
Quarteira
Ramen
Raw On 5
Recipe Reviews
Recipes
Recipes Cooking Tips Grocery Reviews
Restaurant Review
Reviews
Rhine River
Rice
River Cruises
Rome
Royal Beach Club Cozumel
Royal Beach Club Nassau
Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean Cruise Deals
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean Review
Royal Caribbean Travel Agent
Royal Theater
Salad
Sandwiches
Sangria
Saving Money
Scarlet Lady
Sea Days
Seafood
Should I Use A Travel Agent?
Should I Use A Travel Agent To Book A Cruise?
Skylight Infinite Balcony Suite
Skyr
Snack Day
Snacks
Solevita Reviews
Sorrentos Royal Caribbean
Soup
Southern Caribbean Cruise
Souvenirs
Spain
Specialty Dining Reviews
Spice
Star Of The Seas
Stateroom Tours
St Thomas
Studio B
Sun Princess
Sun Princess Reviews
Sunset Lounge
Sunset Park
Sushi
Sweet + Salty
Symphony Of The Seas
Symphony Of The Seas Review
Tacos
Take Out Delivery Review
Taste
Taste Test
Technical Writing
Tenerife
Thai Food
The Bazaar
The Market
The Pesky Parrot
Too Good To Go Restaurants
Too Good To Go Reviews
Tools & Gadgets
Top Deck Bar And Grille
Train Travel
Transatlantic Cruise
Travel Blog
Travel Blogs
Travel Credit Cards
Travel Days
Travel Deals
Travel News
Travel Tips Travel Hacks Packing Tips
Travel Tutorial
Travel UGC
Travel With Kids
Turkey
Uber Eats Reviews
Ugc
UGC Blogger
UGC Creator
United Airline Miles
Utopia Of The Seas
Valiant Lady
Vegetarian And/or Vegan
Vici Reviews
Viking Cruises
Vilamoura
Vilamoura Restaurant Reviews
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages Blog
Virgin Voyages Cruise Deals
Virgin Voyages Travel Agent
Vision Of The Seas
Vista Balcony Suite
Vitasia Reviews
Voyager Of The Seas
Weekend Cruise
Western Caribbean Cruise
What Do Travel Agents Do
Wine
Wonder Of The Seas
Wonder Of The Seas Reviews
Xcel Tunnel
Yogurt































































































































RSS Feed