Virtual reality bungee trampolining, a puzzle room set in a time machine and glow-in-the-dark laser tag are just some of the exciting new features of Independence of the Seas, one of Britain’s favourite cruise ships, after a £70million makeover.
What’s it like to sail on the world’s biggest cruise ship, Symphony of the Seas?
The Sky Pad, Observatorium and Battle For Planet Z have all been added 10 years after the ship was named in Southampton.
Every summer since the christening in 2008, ‘Indy’ – as it is affectionately known – has been sailing from the south coast port to places such as the Mediterranean, Canary Islands and Norway.
It was once the largest cruise ship in the world, a title it shared with two identical sisters, Freedom and Liberty of the Seas, but has since been overtaken by much bigger cousins in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
Now the 15-deck, 4,500-passenger giant, which boasts a shopping mall, surf machine, ice rink and rock-climbing wall among its attractions, seems the perfect size for a fun-packed family holiday, with plenty of bars and a good choice of restaurants.
What about the latest additions?
Well, grown-ups were squealing and laughing like children on the Sky Pad as they bounced on trampolines while strapped to bungee ropes and wearing virtual reality headsets that projected games that featured, for instance, bursting, brightly coloured sweets.
In the Observatorium, players have an hour to solve the fiendish clues to help a brilliant professor who has become lost in space.
I was part of a large team that explored every nook of the room, testing bookcases, staring at strange symbols and trying to work out the significance of a periodic table.
It was fascinating, fun and frustrating in equal measure, even though we ran out of time (the game costs $19.99 a person to play).
The Sky Pad is free, as is the space-themed laser tag, set up on the ice rink on deck two.
Here, teams compete as robots and aliens in a war over the last planet in the galaxy. No pressure, then.
Also new on Indy is The Perfect Storm: two, three-storey waterslides.
Splashaway Bay, the children’s aqua park, has also been extended.
Of course, there are much more relaxing things to do on board, with a selection of pools, a solarium and a spa.
Joining the wide range of eating places is Fish And Ships, a kiosk that serves battered cod, haddock, sausages… and deep-fried chocolate bars.
The chips have that authentic taste, though for $9 (£6.70) the portion of fish seemed small – just enough for a satisfying snack rather than a full meal.
There’s a side order of mushy peas, of course, though you can also go posh with calamari or lobster rolls if you prefer.
Another new restaurant is Playmakers, a sports bar with a menu of wings, prawns and mini burgers all washed down with ice-cold beers as you cheer on your team on an array of TV screens or play on the arcade games.
More exotic food is on offer at Izumi, from sushi to hot dishes prepared in front of you by teppanyaki chefs who juggle eggs and spatulas with amazing dexterity.
They can even flip bits of omelette into your open mouth. It certainly makes dinner entertaining.
The menu includes complimentary edamame soya beans, a beef and tiger prawn combo with sweet chilli, teriyaki or ginger onion dipping sauces and yaki udon noodles.
Elsewhere round the ship you can dine at the Johnny Rockets burger diner, Chops Grille steakhouse, Giovanni’s Italian and the vast Windjammer Cafe buffet.
As well as that, the two-deck Royal Promenade row of shops runs through the middle of the 1,112 ft-long ship with champagne and wine bars, the Ale & Anchor pub, a pizza parlour, cafe and shops, including new arrival Sugar Beach, a multi-coloured sweet shack full of mouth-watering flavours.
I was on Independence when it was christened in 2008 and took a 14-day cruise to the Med shortly afterwards.
It’s good to see the Viking Crown Lounge at the top of the ship overlooking the pools is still a great place to hang out in the evenings, along with other venues including the Sky Bar, Star Lounge and Schooner Bar.
If you like your music loud with a Latin pace, head for Boleros where bands tempt you to salsa and shimmy on the dance floor.
The whole ship has been given a freshen up, with 107 more cabins including panoramic staterooms offering floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall views.
Independence of the Seas may be bold and American but it has adapted to British tastes, with English bacon at breakfast and Tetley tea and Branston pickle among the familiar brands.
Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told me he expects Indy to continue to serve the UK market for another 10 years.
It does our economy good too, bringing an estimated £44million of business a year into Southampton.
For passengers, departing from a home port means no busy airports, cramped departure lounges or uncomfortable plane seats.
You turn up at the cruise terminal, park your car, check in your bags and stroll on board. Within minutes you’re in a lounge and soon relaxing in your cabin ready to sail to the sunshine.
Everything, from the restaurants and bars to the clubs and entertainment, is a few minutes walk from your cabin.
You unpack once and wake up to a different view from your balcony every morning.
If you haven’t yet tried cruising, and you want a family-friendly ship, it’s worth looking at Independence of the Seas.
Catering for all ages, it aims to offer the best of American, British and international cuisine while ferrying you in comfort to lovely parts of the world.
Is it time you got on board?
A 14-night Mediterranean holiday on Independence of the Seas leaving Southampton on June 16 and calling at ports including Barcelona, Nice, Malaga and Cadiz costs from £1,395pp (www.royalcaribbean.co.uk)
Dave also writes about cruising on shipmonk.co.uk.
MORE : Does this sound like Bliss? A race track, West End show and a 24-hour pub on NCL’s new ship
MORE : All eyes on the Horizon as Carnival’s latest party ship makes its debut
Share this with