Independence of the Seas Short Break

We were so looking forward to our first Royal Caribbean cruise and prayed for good weather for our weekend away - it wasn't to be! Yet it really didn't matter in the end. Embarkation was the fastest I've known, from parking the car to sitting down for lunch took less than half an hour - I was already impressed. Our daughter Ruby, now aged 7, brought along her friend Anna, and between them they had an amazing time. After quickly unpacking we headed straight up to the H2O Zone so the girls could have some splashing fun! They spent a couple of hours wearing themselves out in the jacuzzis, pool, under the water jets and in the swirling pool that they dubbed the washing machine. It is a really safe area and we were happy to sit and watch, wrapped up in several towels! After dinner we wandered around the shops and stopped for an ice-cream at Ben & Jerry's - with so many flavours to choose from, we knew this would be a daily treat! There was no chance of a Sunday morning lie-in! Two excited girls were desperate to get back in the water, but first stop after too much breakfast was the ice-skating rink for an hour. After one nervous lap, I decided to be chief photographer but Chris and the girls were soon whizzing round without too much falling over. Oh, to have the energy of a seven year old again! When Chris was younger, he was a keen surfer, so was eager to try out the Flowrider. We watched a couple of the passengers who made it look really easy and a few beginners who showed great courage, not minding the laughing onlookers! It took Chris a few goes to find his balance - soon he was up on his feet reliving his youth. We were really proud of him! Before arriving in Cobh at 3pm, Chris had time to scale the rock-climbing wall, making it all the way to the top on his first attempt and the girls played a round of crazy golf - Ruby impressed everyone getting a hole-in-one! After docking at Cobh, we just wandered around for a few hours and came upon a pebbly beach. A playful dog befriended the girls and they whiled away an hour throwing stones into the sea which the dog happily ran after and retrieved - we had trouble shaking him off on the way back to the ship! On Monday we caught the train into Cork and then a taxi up to Blarney Castle. The gardens are really beautiful and would be a lovely place (in the sunshine!) for a picnic. We climbed the narrow spiral staircase to the top and enjoyed the wonderful views before doing the obligatory thing - kissing the famous Blarney Stone. Sadly the girls were too small to be able to do this but they are already a pair of chatterboxes, so no matter for now anyway! The lure of the H2O Zone was too much for the girls - like a giant magnet, so we rejoined the ship and they went straight back into the water and Chris went to test his balancing skills at the Flowrider again. On Tuesday we were blessed with a mainly sunny day as we sailed back to Southampton, so no guesses as to what Anna and Ruby wanted to do! It was the H2O Zone again! We enjoyed the evening shows on board after dinner most nights, but the highlight of the entertainment for all of us was the Ice Show on Tuesday afternoon. It was astoundingly magnificent from start to finish - we sat mesmerised throughout, the costumes, the ice dancing, the music, a perfect finale for our last afternoon. I hope you've enjoyed reading my journal on our short break aboard Independence of Seas. If you'd like to know more about this amazing ship, please feel free to give me a call or drop me an email.