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Freedom of the Seas (sistership)
Independence of the Seas Statistics
Tonnage:	160,000 gross tons
Length:	1,112 feet
Decks:	18 total; 15 passenger
Speed:	21.6 knots
Complement:	4,370 passengers (double occupancy), 1,300 crew (average)
Registry:	Bahamas

Independence of the Seas is a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, scheduled to enter service in 2008. The 18-deck ship will accommodate 4,370 passengers served by 1,360 crew. She is being built in the Aker Finnyards drydock in Turku, Finland, builder of her sister ships Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. On Tuesday, December 21, 2006, the official name of the ship was released by Royal Caribbean. At 160,000 gross tons, she will join Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas as the largest cruise ships and passenger vessels ever built. She will be 1,112 feet (339m) long, and will cruise at 21.6 knots (40 km/h). It was announced in February 2007 that the ship will be based in Southampton, England^[1].

Independence of the Seas is the third of the Freedom Class vessels. In 2009, the first in a new Genesis class of ships is slated to displace the Freedom class as the world's largest passenger ships.

Contents 1 Staterooms 1.1 Interior 1.2 Oceanview 1.3 Balcony 1.4 Suite 2 Amenities 3 Destinations 3.1 Mediterranean Destinations 3.2 Italian Mediterranean Destinations 3.3 Canary Islands Destinations 3.4 Caribbean Destinations 4 References 5 External links

All rooms onboard the Independence of the Seas feature a private bathroom, multiple configuration beds, closets, a flat-screen television, 250 count bedsheets, and a telephone for shipboard use.

• Superior Oceanview
  • 189 square foot room includes two twin beds that are convertible to queen size, sitting area, private balcony measuring 68 square feet, and private bathroom.
• Deluxe Oceanview
  • 177 square foot room includes two twin beds that are convertible to queen size, sitting area, private balcony measuring 74 square feet, and private bathroom.

• Royal Suite
• Presidential Family Suite
• Owner's Suite
• Royal Family Suite
• Grand Suite
• Junior Suite

Independence of the Seas is expected to feature, like her sister ships, an interactive water park (including the FlowRider onboard wave generator for surfing), a dedicated sports pool (for volleyball and basketball), and whirlpools which extend from the ship's sides. She will also feature a coffee shop and bookstore, Sorrento's Pizzeria, and a Ben and Jerry's ice cream shop. Other amenities will be a rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, Wi-Fi capabilities throughout the ship, flat screen televisions in all staterooms, and cell phone connectivity.

From May 2008 Independence of the Seas will homeport from Southampton, United Kingdom. After doing some preview sailings from Oslo, Norway, Southampton, UK and Hamburg, Germany, her itineraries will alternate between Mediterranean treasures' and Italian Mediterranean itineraries, both 14 nights in length. She will also do two 4-night sailings to Cork, Ireland and St Peter port in the Channel Islands. In the Autumn she will do three 11-night sailings to the Canary Islands. During the winter months Independence of the Seas will homeport from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.^[2]

• Gibraltar, UK
• Barcelona, Spain
• Nice, France
• Livorno, Italy
• Sardinia, Italy
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Vigo, Spain
• Malaga, Spain

• Gibralter, UK
• Cannes/Monte Carlo, France
• Livorno, Italy
• Civitavecchia, Italy
• Sardinia, Italy
• Cadiz, Spain
• Vigo, Spain
• Lisbon, Portugal

• Madeira, Portugal
• Tenerife, Spain
• Vigo, Spain
• Las Palmas, Spain
• Lanzarote, Spain

• To Be Announced

1. ^ http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=414
2. ^ http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=967269&highlight=

• RCI Site
• Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas & Liberty of the Seas Website
• Cruise Critic Review

Preceded by Liberty of the Seas

World's Largest Passenger Ship 2008–2009

Succeeded by Genesis Class

Royal Caribbean Fleet

Independence of the Seas | Liberty of the Seas | Freedom of the Seas | Voyager of the Seas | Explorer of the Seas | Adventure of the Seas | Navigator of the Seas | Mariner of the Seas | Brilliance of the Seas | Jewel of the Seas | Radiance of the Seas | Serenade of the Seas | Enchantment of the Seas | Grandeur of the Seas | Legend of the Seas | Rhapsody of the Seas | Splendour of the Seas | Vision of the Seas | Majesty of the Seas | Monarch of the Seas | Sovereign of the Seas | Empress of the Seas