Independence of the Seas
The Independence of the Seas, is the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines third Freedom Class ship and is currently cruising her inaugural season out of Southampton. She entered service in April 2008 with her 15 decks accommodating nearly 4,370 passengers and serviced by 1,360 crew members. Independence of the Seas cruises at around 21.6 knots which is about 40 km an hour.
Freedom class ships are huge and currently hold the record of being the largest Cruise ships in the world; 1,112 feet (339m) long, and weighing in at nearly 160,000 tons, they are an impressive 10,000 tons heavier than Queen Mary 2, owned by Cunard Cruises.
Royal Caribbean prides themselves on the innovations that their cruise ships have and the Independence of the Seas will certainly be no different in this regard. As with both Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas there will be the magical Flow Rider towards the rear of the ship, some 13 decks above sea level, along with an Ice Rink. Independence’ will also boast a boxing ring, why? I don’t know either!
During the summer months Independence of the Seas will set sail from Southampton to undertake 14- night Mediterranean Treasures and Italian Mediterranean itineraries as well as completing three 4-night sailings to Cork in Ireland. There will be a brief period in the autumn when she will make three 11-night cruises to the Canaries before cruising to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, her winter month’s base.
For the 2009 season the Independence of the Seas will return to Southampton to offer further cruises of a similar itinerary as in 2008. She will no longer hold the title of the worlds largest cruise ship in 2009 when Oasis of the Seas joins the fleet; however she will still have her Independence of the Sea!
