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Munching on all the delectable fare is among my cherished aspects of sailing, so I was thrilled to step foot on Independence of the Seas to sample everything on offer.
Independence of the Seas boasts an array of swift casual and specialty eateries onboard for patrons to relish. Though the options might not be as abundant as those on the grander Oasis and Icon Class vessels, I believed this Freedom Class ship presented a commendable variety.
Following the 2018 revamp of Independence of the Seas, fresh attractions such as The Perfect Storm water slides, FlowRider, an escape room, and more were introduced. Additionally, novel dining establishments like Playmakers, Izumi, and Fish and Ships joined the lineup.
Below you will find a breakdown of the dining spots on Independence of the Seas.
Complimentary dining:
- Windjammer buffet
- Main Dining Room
- Cafe Promenade
- Sorrento’s
- Fish and Ships
- Sprinkles
Specialty restaurants and for-purchase options:
- Chops Grille
- Giovanni’s Table
- Izumi Hibachi
- Johnny Rockets
- Playmakers Sports Bar
- Sugar Beach
- Scoops by Sugar Beach
What follows is an overview of all the gastronomic delights my mother and I indulged in during our five-day voyage aboard Independence of the Seas, paired with our impressions of each dish.
Main Dining Room
First evening: Shipboard Greetings
The menu for the “Shipboard Greetings” largely showcases American culinary offerings. Chef’s recommendations encompassed the crispy crab cake, southern fried chicken, and key lime pie.
For our appetizers, I opted for the spinach and artichoke dip, while my mother selected the escargot and crispy crab cake. The crab cake happens to be her favored Royal Caribbean starter, and it certainly did not disappoint.
Mom remarked that she desired a stronger garlic presence in the escargot and wished for it to be served warmer. I, too, found the spinach and artichoke dip to be not as warm as I would have preferred.
As our mains, I savored the Southern fried chicken, while my mother relished the slow-roasted prime rib. The chicken was accompanied by mashed potatoes and corn on the cob. The chicken was juicy, and the honey dipping sauce enhanced the flavor wonderfully.
My mother enjoyed her medium-well prime rib, served with mashed potatoes and veggies.
Concluding the meal, I ordered the key lime pie, and my mother opted for the Boston cream pie.
We also split a serving of the no-sugar-added dark chocolate custard. Being diabetic, my mother felt compelled to sample the no-sugar-added treats.
I always savor the key lime pie; it was delightful on Independence. My mother found the Boston cream pie to be satisfactory but not particularly thrilling. We both found the custard to be quite pleasant, particularly considering it was a no-sugar-added dessert; however, a bit more whipped cream on top would have elevated it further.
Second evening: An Italian Experience
Italian night ranks among my preferred menus on a Royal Caribbean voyage. Recommendations from the chef for this menu included minestrone, lasagna, and tiramisu.
I started with the parmesan arancini, whereas my mother opted for the garden salad and minestrone. I relished the arancini, but I wished for more romesco (tomato) sauce.
My mother was pleasantly surprised by the rich flavor of the minestrone, and she found the salad light and crisp.
Having indulged in copious amounts of sumptuous fare at Perfect Day at CocoCay, we decided to split the chicken parmesan for our main course. We agreed that the crispy chicken parmesan was flavorsome, but the spaghetti failed to dazzle.
I had a great affinity for the dessert choices on this menu and thus ordered the tiramisu and lemon curd tartlet.
My mother also selected the lemon curd tartlet alongside the no-sugar-added coffee pot de creme.
All the desserts were exceptional, but the lemon tartlet emerged as the clear favorite for us!
Fourth evening: Mexican Tastes
The chef suggested trying the roasted poblano soup, chili-lime-crusted salmon, and tres leches from this menu.
For our starters, we opted for the grilled sweet corn cakes, tortilla soup, and escargot. The corn cakes presented a novel choice that I wouldn’t typically consider on land, so I relished the opportunity to try something different.
Mom appreciated the flavorful tomato-based soup and felt that the escargot was improved due to its robust garlic essence, though she still wished it had been hotter.
Feeling a tad unadventurous (as Mexican cuisine isn’t particularly to my taste), I selected the grilled chicken breast. This arrived with roasted potatoes and veggies. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the dish.
I couldn’t resist ordering the mac n cheese from the children’s menu as it sounded too tempting to pass up – a delectable choice!
Following our waiter’s recommendation, Mom opted for the pulled pork enchilada, which she found to be exceptionally pleasing with just the right level of spiciness.
I relished my dessert selection, the tres leches with layers of creamy sponge cake.
Mom indulged in the no-sugar-added coconut layer cake, complemented by whipped cream and raspberry sauce. Yet she found the cake slightly dry and desired more raspberry sauce to accompany it.
Each evening in the Main Dining Room, we were treated to a bread basket prior to the appetizers. I always looked forward to the cheese bun – my personal favorite!
Fifth day: Morning Repast
On our final day at sea, Mom and I opted for breakfast in the Main Dining Room. Similar to the dinners, this was a sit-down affair. While breakfast in the Main Dining Room was available every day on our cruise, it commenced later on sea days. We made it a priority to savor breakfast here as a departure from our usual Windjammer routine.
I chose the ham and cheese omelet alongside a fruit cup. The omelet paired with a hashbrown potato and white toast. Although the omelet resembled what I might have procured from the Windjammer, I found it quite satisfying.
Mom selected the market vegetable breakfast bowl, comprising two eggs atop a medley of vegetables, cheese, and potatoes.
The entirety of the meal was delightful; Mom particularly relished her breakfast bowl, reveling in the chance to try something new. Alongside the delectable breakfast, we engaged in delightful conversations with the neighboring tables.
Fifth day: Midday Meal
The final meal we savored in the Main Dining Room was lunch. During our voyage, lunch in the Main Dining Room was solely served on sea days between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
I kicked off with the mozzarella sticks as an appetizer. I found these mozzarella sticks to be superior to those at Perfect Day at CocoCay – a true delight!
As my main course, I opted for the grilled beef quesadilla, while Mom selected the seafood sandwich. Uncertain about the quesadilla, I was pleasantly surprised by its delectable taste – truly impressive!
Mom relished her seafood sandwich, which featured fried shrimp, cod, calamari, coleslaw, tartar sauce, and pickles.
For dessert, we both indulged in the white chocolate mousse, garnished with raspberry coulis and ladyfingers. This dessert was a standout and among our favorites from the entire cruise. It would be marvelous if this were also available during dinner!
I wholeheartedly recommend trying the Main Dining Room for lunch at least once during your voyage.
Windjammer
Breakfast Offerings
Our morning selections at the Windjammer remained fairly consistent each day.
I typically ordered a customized omelet, accompanied by a hashbrown round and some cranberry bread.
Mom typically enjoyed bacon, eggs (either scrambled or overhard), fruit, and cranberry bread. She always accompanied her breakfast with plenty of coffee!
One morning, she sampled the avocado toast and bran muffin. While she found the bran muffins delightful, she felt the avocado toast wasdull.
Dinner on night three
The third night was designated as formal evening. We typically dine in the Primary Dining Hall for formal nights, however, as we desired to watch Grease (which was being screened during our usual dining hour), we opted for the Windjammer instead.
The Windjammer had a theme of “Savor La France” and boasted a selection of “croque madame, coq au vin, chicken cordon bleu, and french desserts.” Most of the dishes available in the Windjammer were also being served in the Main Dining Room that night as part of the “A Taste of France” event.
As the Windjammer wasn’t overly crowded, we were able to secure a table by the window, allowing us to dine while gazing at the sunset.
See also: Outfit ideas for women on a Caribbean voyage
I was keen on trying the chicken cordon blue, so I opted for that along with some potatoes, green beans, and quiche Lorraine.
My mother also had the chicken cordon bleu, accompanied by green beans, pineapple, quiche, and a Caesar salad. We both concurred that everything was pleasant but nothing exceptional, which was to be anticipated at a buffet.
One delightful option for dessert that evening was a crepe station! I selected a crepe with chocolate and strawberries, while my mother opted for one solely with strawberries. She also noted the absence of no-sugar-added desserts in the Windjammer, a feature present in the Main Dining Room.
In addition to the crepe, I sampled the apple cobbler, which I found to be decent. In my view, it simply tastes superior in the dining area!
Giovanni’s Table
We initially intended to dine at Giovanni’s Table once, but it left such a favorable impression that we returned for a second time! Lunch was priced at $22.99 per person, whereas dinner was $54.99 per person.
Lunch on day three
We commenced the meal with a bread basket along with oil and cheese for dipping.
For the “primi,” I opted for the minestrone, while my mother selected the Caprese salad and crispy calamari. I found the minestrone to be delightful and far superior to the minestrone served in the Main Dining Room.
The Caprese salad, comprising heirloom tomatoes, creamy truffled burrata, pesto, and basil, was quite good, although we wished there was a tad more pesto.
Regarding the calamari, my mother adored it! The calamari pieces were substantial, approximately five times the size of what you’d typically find in the Main Dining Room. The large, meaty chunks were enveloped in a light and crispy coating and were complemented by tomato sauce, lemon, and garlic aioli. The calamari was exceptional, and she couldn’t stop raving about how scrumptious it was (even to this day)!
Both of us opted for the seared filet mignon for our main course. It was served with a wine sauce, creamy mashed potatoes, and broccolini. Our server challenged us to compare this filet with the one at Chops Grille, promising it would surpass it, and we wholeheartedly concurred.
The filet was impeccably cooked and incredibly tender. The mashed potatoes were elegantly presented and tasted divine. I found the broccolini to be passable, hence I focused more on the meat and potatoes.
In addition to the filet, we shared two pasta dishes: tagliatelle carbonara and gnocchi gorgonzola. We both attested that the gnocchi surpassed the carbonara in taste. While the carbonara was satisfactory, it lacked depth of flavor.
The gnocchi, bathed in a creamy sauce and embellished with spinach and parmesan cheese, stood out as the best gnocchi I had enjoyed in a considerable span of time!
Now, for the pièce de résistance. I was thrilled to indulge in the tiramisu, which featured layers of espresso, Kahlua-soaked ladyfingers, and sweet mascarpone cream. It exceeded the Main Dining Room tiramisu by a considerable margin, and the portion was substantial!
My mother, uncertain of what to select, opted for the lemon and tutti frutti ricotta cream cannoli. She found it lackluster and vowed never to order it again.
Eager to try something different, she selected the “Assorted Italian Ice Cream.” We both relished this dessert, comprising layers of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry Italian ice cream topped with delectable garnishes such as chocolate chunks, strawberries, and pistachios.
Dinner on night five
Our server persuaded us to return to Giovanni’s Table for dinner on the final evening of the cruise. He extended a BOGO offer, rendering it an irresistible proposition!
The dinner menu closely resembled the lunch menu with only minor alterations. The eggplant parmesan was categorized as an appetizer during dinner, while it served as a main course option during lunch. Additionally, the beef carpaccio made its debut as a new appetizer choice for dinner, while the Ossobucco (veal) emerged as a fresh main entree option for dinner.
I ended up replicating nearly the same meal for dinner as I had for lunch, though I tried a fresh pasta and main course.
Further reading: 7 motives to dine at specialty eateries as opposed to the Main Dining Room on your cruise
For the appetizer, I revisited the minestrone soup, whereas my mother revisited the calamari (which still retained its allure).
She also sampled the beef carpaccio. This thinly-sliced beef tenderloin was tender and flavorful, a delight that she relished.
My mother revisited the filet mignon, while I ventured into the realm of chicken piccata. The chicken was accompanied by gnocchi, spinach, and cherry tomatoes. While I recommend it, I reckon the filet mignon reigned supreme.
We were pleased to indulge in a new pasta this time – the wild mushroom risotto. We opted for the gnocchi gorgonzola once more due to its exceptional flavor! After a comparison, the gnocchi remained our preferred choice.
I revisited the tiramisu for dessert and savored every bite. My mother also revisited the tiramisu, finding it arduous to consume after our ample meal. Nevertheless, its delectable essence persisted!
Fish and Ships
This complimentary eatery is exclusive to Independence of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas. Having never dined here before, I was intrigued to experience what it had to offer!
Every item on the menu is inclusive, with the exception of the $12 “Fried Lobster Tail Basket and Chips.” The offerings include:
- Fish and chips
- Chicken tenders and chips
- Fried shrimp and chips
- Crispy fish sandwich
We opted to dine here upon boarding during embarkation day as we sought to circumvent the bustling Windjammer. There was no queue at Fish and Ships, affirming our prudent decision. I ordered the chicken tenders, while my mother selected the fish sandwich and shrimp. We concluded our meal by sharing a creme brulee dessert.
The tenders were diminutive, almost resembling chicken nuggets! They were accompanied by honey mustard and fries. Overall, I deemed it a delectable snack, yet inadequately fulfilling unless supplemented by additional portions.
Mom’s fried fish, when dipped in tartar sauce, emanated a delightful flavor owing to its breaded texture. The coating was notably robust.
I wish more Royal Caribbean vessels featured this dining locale, as the availability of additional quick casual, complimentary dining options, especially on the pool deck, is highly advantageous.
Sorrento’s
I typically favor Sorrento’s on a Royal Caribbean cruise. However, on this particular voyage, I was underwhelmed. Whenever I visited, the pizza selection was meager, and any slices obtainable appeared desiccated, hinting at prolonged exposure.
I sampled a slice of pepperoni and cheese pizza when seeking a light bite. Finding the pizza to be average, I refrained from seeking it out subsequently.
Johnny Rockets
While we didn’t partake in a full meal at Johnny Rockets, I visited twice to indulge in a milkshake.
I appreciated the fact that I could utilize my Diamond Plus drink vouchers for these milkshakes. On the initial occasion, I opted for the Oreo milkshake, followed by the strawberry variant on the subsequent visit. Both were equally delightful, though if compelled to choose, the Oreo shake would emerge as the victor in terms of preference.
Mom opted for the vanilla shake, finding it to be a refreshing offering.
Crown Lounge
Given our status as Diamond Plus cruisers, my mother and I occasionally frequented the Crown Lounge for light refreshments. This lounge witnessed minimal foot traffic, as our sailing comprised only around 125 Diamond cruisers.
Formorning, upon rising, we decided to investigate the breakfast offerings. I opted for a fruit bowl and a delectable chocolate croissant, while my mother tried the bran muffin, fruit plate, and yogurt parfait. Additionally, she indulged in a latte from the coffee machine.
For a pre-dinner snack on another evening, we made a pit stop at the Crown Lounge to sample some appetizers, such as chocolate-covered strawberries and seasoned chicken wings.
The view from the Diamond Lounge aboard the Independence of the Seas is truly stunning, enhancing the enjoyment of any meal consumed there.
Room Service
As the final day at sea approached, my mother wished to avail herself of the room service option. The continental breakfast available through room service is complimentary throughout the duration of the cruise. She designated her preferred delivery time as between 9 and 9:30 a.m. At precisely 8:50 a.m., a call was made to our stateroom to confirm her readiness to receive the meal. Within a mere five minutes, the delectable spread was at our door.
In her order, my mother requested an English muffin, a selection of fresh fruits, two servings of coffee, and a serving of chocolate milk for me. To her pleasant surprise, the English muffin arrived still warm, cleverly wrapped in a napkin. She was particularly pleased that the coffee was piping hot upon delivery.
Related: I resided in the most economical, compact cabin on the Independence of the Seas cruise liner. Venture into my 162-square-foot accommodations
Bonus: Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay
Our time spent at Perfect Day at CocoCay was accompanied by exceptional culinary experiences!
We dedicated our day to the tranquil Hideaway Beach, an adult-exclusive area of the island featuring a pizza spot known as Slice of Paradise and an eclectic Snack Shack.
For lunch, my mother and I visited the Snack Shack. I opted for the crispy chicken sandwich, while she savored the coconut shrimp. I took the liberty of adding a unique twist to my sandwich by including mozzarella sticks – a delightful surprise!
The generous portions of coconut shrimp left a lasting impression on my mother, as they were sizeable, piping hot, and tantalizingly crispy. She felt that she truly got her money’s worth with the 18 shrimp she indulged in throughout the day. The anticipation of savoring the Hideaway Beach coconut shrimp had been a highlight of her cruise.
Additionally, my mother decided to venture out of her comfort zone and try the ceviche, an exclusive offering at Hideaway Beach. The bold combination of spiciness and tanginess caught her off guard, prompting her to shy away after the first bite.
Before bidding adieu and returning to the ship, I couldn’t resist the temptation of sampling a slice of pizza. Opting for the barbeque chicken pizza, I found it to be satisfactory. It left me with the impression of being similar to the pizza available at Sorrento’s, which failed to elicit any extravagant praise.
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