This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
We crossed the Atlantic on the maiden Atlantic crossing of the 'Independence of the Seas' ( for less than the cost of UC flight!)
I will try and keep it brief but a lot happens on a 13 days crossing!
After a swift and efficient check in at Southampton we boarded the Independence .
Everything on board was immaculate, pristine and large. at 160,000 tonnes very large
Our balcony cabins were midships, deck 7 , ideal position for minimum motion on rough seas.The cabins were a fair size but the beds were superb and the most comfortable I have ever slept on getting 8 hours every night... unusually!
Main, formal dining, food was good, adequate, though not great.
However if you want a treat, pay an additional $25 each and try Chops Grille which I recommend. Both quality and quantity were amazing,especially for carnivores.
Food choice in the Windjammer buffet was impressive in options and variety and good in quality but became a tad boring over 13 days.
Entertainment was first class, as good as most West End shows.
Bars were good if a little pricey (:$ R/E did not help)
Cannot comment on Casino as I am not a gambler but for keep fit enthusiasts, the gym is superb.
Best I have ever seen, as are the sea views whilst you are exercising.
After a moderate / rough crossing of Biscay, every day dawned sunny and the temperature rose day by day until we arrived St Maarten, via Madeira, when it got really warm
After 13 days of superb seas and somewhat indulgent eating and drinking , we arrived Fort Lauderdale on a chilly November morning.
Overall a superb crossing and fantastic value for money, especially the food and entertainment over 13 nights are taken into consideration.
If you have the time, this really is the way to cross the pond!
One week later we arrive at Orlando airport for our flight home .
Cannot find Virgin check in. They have moved since we were last there,
Signs are non existent and after asking a few airport staff, finally
find the check in, which is painless and relatively quick.
On to the Outback bar.. my favourite airport bar.. Friendly staff and good atmosphere.
After a couple of very pleasant Sam Adams', we join a short queue for PE priority boarding and board, up and into the 'bubble'.
Aircraft looks clean and tidy, crew polite & pleasant.
'Champagne' is served . I use the term loosely. First disappointment. Definitely not champagne , in fact very inferior sparking wine which I did not drink. not nice at all!
At this point, having read many TR's about poor food,I was not looking forward to the meal.
Surprise. surprise.
It was excellent and the white wine accompanying it was also quite palatable.
After dinner drinks were declined as after my Sam adams and white wine I decided to try and sleep.. Unsuccessfully!
Two male cabin crew were efficient and polite and as with most night flights, whilst being keen to get things tidied away, were neither hasty nor too obvious.
IFE was ok. ... just ok. it worked!
Breakfast was a warm ham egg and cheese roll.. which , again to my surprise was quite edible.
Only negative here was the coffee which tasted like cheap instant coffee
Flight left and arrived more or less on time, 7 hours 20 mins plus 20 mins holding in MAN and auto landing due to low cloud base.
My overall impression was one of quiet efficiency, adequate sustenance and good value for money.
No complaints really ( except for that horrible bubbly and coffee!)
