This will be my last blog post but keep an eye on the blog as once back to work I will be uploading some videos of the cruise.

Had breakfast in bed this morning due to the lateness of our retiral. As long as you have the card out before 3am you can order breakfast in bed and its free.

Just before our breakfast arrived we received a phone call checking we were awake before one of the staff arrived with our breakfast laid out on a tray  . The standard was excellent.

This morning there was so much going on we did not know what to do. Friends of ours took their children ice skating which is free but you have to turn up early in order to be allocated a 45 minute slot on the ice. Skates and helmets are provided.

After this I am almost ashamed to admit we all went to play bingo in the Alhambra theatre. The cost for 4 games on 3 cards is $22 per person or $32 per person for 6 cards. Jackpot was $2000 however no one won so this has been carried over till this afternoon with a jackpot of $3500 so Diane if I win this see you next week as I am staying on a bit longer………..

I hope you have all enjoyed the blogand if you have any comments or need any information about the ship or prices of things onboard please e-mail me from Monday 7th June onwards at julie.mcintyre@cruiseoffers.com.

Live blog over and out.

I can’t believe we only have a few hours left on this wonderful ship and this will be my last blog live from Independence of the Seas. Time is now 1 pm and this is the first chance I have had to fill you in on the activities of last night.

Never managed an afternoon nap yesterday as too busy watching people fall off the flowrider and climb the climbing wall. You cannot pre book either of these you just have to turn up and hope that there is space for you.

After getting ready for dinner I had a wander down the Royal Promenade and bought a couple of gifts fora friend and also some Clinique face cream for myself. Costs me about £40 at home only $35 onboard.

The show for second sitting tonight was pre dinner at 7pm as opposed to afte dner at 11pm. If you sail on this wonderful ship please go and see the Beatlemania show. The four guys from Liverpool were fantastic and even if you do not like the beatles I defy you not to be up dancing in the aisles.

After he show there was just enough time for a pre dinner drink before heading to dinner at 8.30pm. My only disappointment is that the ship has definately been rejigged for the British market and the food certainly reflected this with Roast Beef, Lamb and Hot Pots on the menus most nights. Although nothing wrong with this as I cruise a lot I like to try different things which were just not available.

Another good tip is to buy a wine package which come in three prices. We opted for the middle one which was $165 for 5 bottles from the Platinum List. If you do not drink the bottle that night the waiter will save it for the following night.

After dinner  we headed up to the Royal Promenade for Rock Britannia. It was absolutely packed with people stood everywhere. Best place to be is in front of vintages wine bar. The atmosphere was electric and it was like being at a concert. Almost 1500 people were singing songs like Roll out the barrel before going on to sing Bohemian Rhapsody.

Later at 11.15pm we managed to get a seat in the Dog & Badger pub on the Royal Promenade where I enjoyed the best nights entertainment ever. There was an Irish American singing folk songs with an acoustic guitar called Ian Miller – do not miss out. He has the most amazing voice and encourages people to join in with things like Irish Rover, American Pie etc. Bruce and I enjoyed it so much we did not get to bed till 2am!!!!

Just about to sail away into the Irish Mist – literally. Weater closed in and very foggy.

Just come back to cabin after watching several brave people on the flow rider and climbng wall. Had a jacuzzi in the rain it was lovely until we had to get out then it was freezing.

Picked up a slice of pizza from Sorrentos and a fruit salad beore heading back to cabin for quick shower.

Off the ship by 9am and managed to visit the resting place of several of the victims of the Lusitania.

The walk is not for the faint hearted as it is almost 1 mile away with frequent steep hills.

After visiting the graveyard we decided in the interests of letting you know what it was like we should try the local produce. Therefore I had an Irish Coffee and Bruce had a pint of Guinness. Both were excellent.

Just before we got back on the ship we visited “The Queenstown Story” which is the story of the marime history of Cobh including its most famous ship visit-The Titanic. The museum costs 7 Euros.

Back on the ship we had lunch and planned our afternoon:-

3pm Pub Quiz

4pm Flowrider

5pm Rockclimbing

6pm Jacuzzi

7pm Quick nap before dinner!!!!!

Tonight was formal night and captains cocktail party. Dinner was 8.30am as we were on second sitting. My starter tonght was Prawn Cocktail whilst my hubby had Escargots, main course I had duck whilst Bruce had steak and dessert I had chocolate souffle with espresso custard and Bruce had a cheese board.

Wine is very expensive on here however we took advantage of the Platinum wine package whic was $165 for five bottles of wine.
After dinner we headed to the Pyramid Lounge to watch a bad called Rock the Boat who were excellent.
Tomorrow we are going ashore to Cobh so I will fil you in on what there is to do.

Having problems uploading so have started loading them onto www.facebook.com/cruiseconnections.

* Coffee is free in Sorrentos.
* Cabins have tea/coffee making facilities.