Independence Of The Seas

The top of the three-tier waiter service main dining rooms is King Lear’s located aft of deck 5 with seating for 883 guests.

Open for dinner only, the menu is the same as the other two main dining rooms but King Lear also offers guests My Time Dining allowing them to decide what time they wish to dine (subject to availability) from 5.30pm to 9.30pm (reservations are recommended).

The main dining room aft of deck 4 is the 500 seat Macbeth Dining Room open for dinner only with seatings at 6.00pm and 8.30. The menu on offer is the same as the ships other two main dining rooms.

The Romeo and Juliet Dining Room makes up part of Independence of the Seas main dining rooms which are split between decks 3 and 5 with those on decks 4 and 5 overlooking the Romeo and Juliet level on deck 3 which seats 652 guests.

A la Carte Breakfast is served here from 7.30am to 9.30am with lunch from noon until 1.30pm including a special 30 minute lunch option for guests wishing to have a quick dining experience along with a more leisurely option with food such as pasta, fish, burgers and Singapore noodles on offer and an extensive buffet salad bar including food such as tuna and prawns. Desserts such as ice cream and white chocolate and orange flan are also available.

With fixed dining dinner seating at 6.00pm and 8.30pm, the dinner menu offers different daily choices with nine appetizers to choose from, three different types of soups, ten entree choices, seven desserts and classics (which are always available each night). Options also include gluten free, lactose free, vegetarian and vitality (healthy) options which are indicated by the symbols next to the dishes on the menu. The menu also lists the Chef’s Inspiration which is the Chef’s recommendations of one dish for each course.

Examples of dishes on offer are as follows:

STARTERS
Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melon
Bay Scallop Gratin
Traditional Lobster Bisque
Oakwood Smoked Chicken Breast
Double Broiled Chicken Consommé
Chilled Banana and Rum Soup
Roman Vignole Salad
Royal Shrimp Cocktail
Escargots Bourguignonne
Caesar Salad

MAIN COURSES
Grilled Salmon Vignole Salad
Shrimp Ravioli
Pan-Fried Fillet of Barramundi
Roasted Duck
Carve Filet of Beef Tenderloin
Artichoke-Filled Crepes au Gratin

DESSERTS
Bittersweet Chocolate Soufflé
Double Strawberry Cheesecake
Sky High Lemon Meringue Pie
Low-Fat Berry Bliss
Sugar-Free Chocolate Pot de Crème
Crème Brulee
Chocolate Sensation
Royal Cheese Plate

CLASSICS (Always Available)
Linguin Pomodoro
Premium Angus Beef Sliders
Broiled Filled of Atlantic Salmon
Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast
Aged Hand-Cut Manhattan Strip Steak

Independence of the Seas second select dining room is Giovanni’s Table, a casual Italian Trattoria with indoor and al fresco seating serving rustic dishes and open for lunch ($15.00 per person) and dinner ($20.00 per person). Giovanni’s is new for 2013 on Independence of the Seas replacing Portofino and is located opposite Chops Grille, the ships other select restaurant, on deck 11.

The menu comprises of appetizers and salads, soups, pasta dishes, entrees and desserts with examples as follows:

APPETIZERS & SALADS
Focaccia with potatoes, herbs, artichokes, olives and pesto
Fried shrimp, calamari, fish fillets and zucchini
Anti pasti (salami, prosciutto, anchovies, artichokes, peppers, olive and Italian cheese)
Tomato and mozzarella salad
Baked eggplant parmigiana
Caesar salad

SOUPS
Vegetarian soup
Soup of the day

PASTA
Gnocchi in light blue cheese sauce
Pappardelle pasta in radicchio cream
Mushroom risotto
Pasta with tomatoes, calamari, bay scallops and pesto

ENTREES
8 ounce grilled strip loin steak
Chicken breast filled with ricotta and mushrooms
Baked jumbo shrimp
Veal meatballs
Sole fillets in lemon butter sauce

DESSERTS
Desserts are presented on a cart with selections such as chocolate cake, tiramisu, pana cotta and miniature cannolis

Sorrentos, located along the Royal Promenade on deck 5, opens from 11.30am until 3.00am and seats 79 guests. The complimentary eatery serves authentic Italian pizza along with daily specials such as Panini of the day, anti pasto including roasted peppers, olives and pancetta, salad, breads and desserts from ameretti biscotti to pana cotta and tiramisu.

Windjammer Cafe aft of deck 11 and seating 774 guests is the ship's self service buffet eatery. With its location offering views over the ocean, buffet breakfasts, lunches, dinner and snacks are served throughout the day. Food on offer ranges from a sandwich or salad to a full hot meal with dishes from all around the world including delicate Asian flavours and hearty all-American favourites, spicy Indian curries and authentic Italian pizza and pasta.

In the evenings, the café’s casual atmosphere is complemented by a changing menu and restaurant-style service with the area also incorporating the Asian-themed Jade buffet restaurant.

An Early Bird breakfast is available from 6.30am to 7.00am in the Jade Section of the Windjammer Cafe, followed by a full breakfast self service option throughout the cafe from 7.00am to 11.00am with food ranging from made to order omelettes to hash browns, bacon, sausages, fresh fruit and cereals.

The lunchtime buffet opens from 11.30am to 3.00pm followed by the option of either a Casual Dinner in Jade (seating 224 guests and which offers a small selection of sushi along with a few sample dishes of different Asian specialities) or a buffet style dinner in Windjammer from 6.30pm to 9.00pm.

Afternoon tea is also served in Windjammers from 3.30pm to 5.00pm.

Chops Grille, situated starboard of deck 11 by the Plaza Bar and open from 5.30pm to 9.30pm, is one of Independence of the Seas' select restaurants, seating 104 guests and with a charge of $30 per person.

The reservation only restaurant serves steaks, fresh seafood, hearty side dishes and desserts in an elegant atmosphere and a typical menu example is as follows:

APPETIZERS
Shrimp Cocktail
Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake
Smoked Duck Salad
Oyster Duet
Warm Goat Cheese and Basil Soufflé
Cheese N’ Onion Soup
Forest Mushroom Soup
Caesar Salad
Beefsteak Tomato and Purple Onions
Signature Salad

ENTREES
Pan Fired Barramundi Fillet
Alaskan Halibut
Herb-crusted Jumbo Shrimp
Free-range Chicken Breast
New York Strip Steak
Petit Filet Mignon
Broiled Veal Chop
Mixed Grill
Broiled Porterhouse Steak
Boneless Beef Short Rib
Filet Mignon

DESSERTS
Chocolate Mud Pie
Passion berry Duo
Grannies Caramel Apple Slice
Uptown Cheesecake

SPECIALTY COFFEE DRINKS
Royal Delight
Irish Coffee
Kioki Coffee
Orange Coffee
Mocha Berry

Johnny Rockets® is the ships ‘50s-style all-American traditional burger joint which features red booths, formica counters, a jukebox and menu serving burgers, fries and old-fashioned malted milk shakes.

Located aft of deck 12 by the children’s clubs and with a $4.95 cover charge, the diner seats 84 guests and opens from 11.30am until midnight.

Along with burgers, fries, sandwiches such as grilled chicken breast, tuna and BLT’s are available as well as hot dogs and desserts including Oreo Fudge sandwiches and Apple Pie. Sides are also served such as onion rings, chilli bowls and chilli fries.

Milkshakes, as with the rest of the beverages on the menu, are additional charge at $4.95 per milkshake.

Entertainment is provided by the singing and dancing waiters.

Wipeout, located by FlowRider® on deck 13 with seating for 20 guests, is a snack and drinks bar serving the likes of burgers, fries, tacos and pizza (which are included in cruise fare). Guests can also book sessions on FlowRider here.

The Ice Cream Parlour located along the busy Royal Promenade on deck 5, midship, seats 9 guests features Ben & Jerry's® ice cream. Flavours on offer include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, coffee, chunky monkey, pish food and chocolate fudge brownie along with frozen yogurt flavours such as raspberry, lemonade and mango and lime.

Prices for Ice Creams are as follows:

Cups and Sugar Cones
Small $2.50
Medium $3.25
Large $4.00

Waffle Cones
Small $3.25
Medium $4.00
Large $4.75

Sundaes
Caramel Sundae $5.25
Hot Fudge Sunday $5.25
Waffle Cone Sundae $5.50

Toppings $0.50
Milkshakes $4.50

Sprinkles poolside on deck 11 is a complimentary soft swirl self serve ice cream station with cones to be filled with choice of vanilla or chocolate swirl ice cream. It opens from 11.30am to 7.00pm.

The Chef’s Table offers guests intimate exclusivity and the personal service of the Chef de Cuisine providing a special culinary treat. The private dining area seats a maximum of 14 guests who will enjoy a specially-prepared five-course menu of gourmet dishes and paired-wine chosen and prepared by the evening’s featured chef.

Before guests sit to dine, they will be presented with an aperitif with fellow guests at a chic cocktail party.

Reservations are required to eat at the Chef’s Table which opens at 7.30pm and costs $95 per person. An example menu is as follows:

Lobster and Alaskan King Crab Leg Salad
Soup Trio of Green Pea Bisque, Double Oxtail Consommé and Porcini Mushroom Soup
Chinese-Style Duck Roll
Roasted Double Lamb Cutlet
Warm Granny Smith Apple, Pecan and Pine Nut Torte

Room Service is available onboard any time of the day and night. Whilst it is complimentary, any orders between midnight and 5am will have a service charge of $3.95 per delivery.

Room Service can be ordered from the room service menu located in staterooms - either via the stateroom phone or interactive TV service.

Breakfast service is available between 7.00am and 10.00am daily (with the exception of departure morning) and orders need to be placed prior to 3.00am on the outside door handle of guests staterooms on the order forms provided. Food available for breakfast includes a selection of juices and hot beverages, cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, tomatoes, toast and a selection of pastries and preserves.

For the remainder of the day and night guests can choose from soup of the day, fruit plates, Caesar salad, Mediterranean chicken salad, smoked salmon and brie sandwiches, turkey and Swiss cheese Panini, steak sandwiches, fried chicken, beef burgers, spinach and artichoke dip, breaded fish, cheese pizza and pepperoni pizza. Desserts include a cheese plate, chocolate and pear tart, raspberry cheesecake and cookies. Hot beverages and milk are also available.

As well as choosing from the selection of meals and light snacks, guests can also order from the Main Dining Room menu (at certain hours).

My Time Dining offering allows guests to enjoy dinner in the main dining room, while reserving their preferred seating times during their cruise holiday.

To ensure prompt seating, reservations for each evening are strongly encouraged and can be made pre-cruise or once guests board. Due to demands for seating in the main dining room varying nightly, especially significantly following evening shows, it is recommended that guests reserve their preferred dinner times as early as possible, especially if done after boarding.

Daily Reservations is an online reservation system for guests enrolled in the My Time Dining program via royalcaribbean.co.uk and can be accessed from the 'Book Cruise Add-Ons' link at the foot of the page Through Daily Reservations. It allows My Time Dining guests to make their preferred reservations in the main dining room for each night of the cruise themselves, as well as including other guests at their table. Reservations are subject to availability and as guests may be served by a different wait team each evening, any guest wishing to take up My Time Dining must pre pay their service charge (gratuities) as part of their booking.

Reservations can be made anywhere from 3 months before sailing, up to 4 days prior to sailing, or once guests arrive on board at the My Time Dining Reservations Desk

Reservations are available between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm, although these times can vary depending on where the ship is sailing. Availability of times will be shown when guests book and some time slots may already be fully booked so guests will have to find the nearest suitable alternative.

Guests can choose to share their table with other guests, or just dine with their own party. Sharing preferences cannot be guaranteed although the maitre’d on the ship will make every effort to accommodate the guest’s sharing preference onboard.

Daily Reservations will be shown on the guest’s cruise calendar (once logged in to their booking on-line), along with any Shore Excursions and Specialty Dining reservations already booked.

A children’s menu is available on Independence of the seas in the main dining room for those who don’t want to eat from the main menu. Example dishes available are listed below:

Guacamole and sour cream dip with tortilla chips
Vegetable crudités with ranch dressing
Kid’s fruit platter
Toasted tomato and cheese sandwich with apple chips or fries
Chicken noodle soup
Grilled chicken breast
Grilled minute steak
Beef burger or turkey burger
Grilled catch of the day
Chicken fingers
Spaghetti with choice of sauces
Macaroni cheese
Cheese or pepperoni pizza
Jell-o
Banana split
Pudding
Cookie of the day
Ice Cream
Mini brownie madness

My Family Time Dining allows kids to enjoy a complete dinner within 45 minutes, freeing parents to enjoy coffee and dessert at their leisure. Available only during the first seating in the main dining room and for those registered in the complimentary Adventure Ocean Youth Programme and My Family Time Dining, once seated kids are served immediately and then met by Adventure Ocean counsellors at the main dining room entrances at 6:45 p.m. to be taken back to the Adventure Ocean spaces for on-going evening activities, while parents can continue to enjoy their dinner.

Diamond Club on deck 14 seats 32 guests and is for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club Crown & Anchor® Society members. It features concierge access, complimentary continental breakfast, and evening drinks. A self-service coffee and hot chocolate machine is also available in the Diamond Lounge.

The Concierge Club, located midship of deck 10, offers a continental breakfast from 8am to 10am and hors d’oeuvres and petit fours each evening before and after dinner from 5.00pm to 8.30pm to guests staying in Grand Suite-level rooms and higher, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club Crown & Anchor® Society members. A complimentary bar is also available.

The Cupcake Cupboard midship of deck 5 (replacing the Clean Shave Barbers shop in the May 2013 refit) along the Royal Promenade is a 40s-style shop where there’s a new flavour of cupcake showcased every day.

Guests can select from a range of flavours with everything from vanilla, red velvet, cappuccino and Oreo to apple pie cinnamon and strawberry shortcake.

Cupcakes cost $1.50 for mini cupcakes, $2.75 for regular ones or $14.95 for six and $30.95 for 12.

Cupcake Cupboard also invites guests to decorate their own cupcake at cupcake decorating parties and classes. Priced at $22 for adults and $15 for children, the 30 minute class shows guests how to decorate cupcakes such as a hamburger cupcake for adults to make and frosting and sprinkles for children to decorate with.

Open from 11.00am to 11.00pm the venue seats 14 guests.

Cafe Promenade, located along the Royal Promenade on deck 5 and open 24 hours, serves complimentary Seattle coffee, tea and snacks whilst Starbucks Coffee is also available at additional charge.

Food on offer includes sandwiches, filled croissants, cookies, doughnuts, granola bars and cakes such as lemon poppy seed loaf and banana cake.

Examples of charges for coffee are as follows (subject to change):
Cappuccino $3.75 (tall), $4.50 (grande)
Cafe Latte $3. 75 (tall), $4.50 (grande)
Cafe Mocha £3.85 (tall), $4.75 (grande)
White Chocolate Mocha $4.20 (tall), $5.00 (grande)
Tea $2.00 (tall), $2.55 (grande)
Hot Chocolate $3.05 (tall), $3.60 (grande)
Ice Cafe Latte $4.10
Frappuccino $4.25