Photo: kees torn — Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Independence of the Seas is the third and final ship of Royal Caribbean International's Freedom class, built by Aker Finnyards at Turku, Finland, and entering service in 2008 at a cost of around US$830 million. Completing the trio that began with Freedom of the Seas, she is a roughly 155,000-gross-ton, 339-metre vessel carrying well over 3,600 guests, inheriting the class's enlarged Voyager architecture and its full roster of active attractions.
Like her sisters, Independence features the FlowRider surf simulator, a full ice-skating rink, the rock-climbing wall, and the four-deck Royal Promenade running through her heart. A comprehensive 2018 refurbishment expanded her appeal further, adding a trampoline park, a laser-tag arena, additional water slides, an escape room, and refreshed dining and entertainment venues, reinforcing her role as a family-focused resort ship.
The ship was christened by Elizabeth Hill, and she is registered at Nassau in the Bahamas with the call sign C6WW4.
Independence spent a substantial early portion of her career based in the United Kingdom, sailing from Southampton and becoming a familiar sight in European waters before returning to North American service. In recent seasons she has homeported at Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey, serving the New York metropolitan market with Bermuda, Bahamas, and Caribbean itineraries, as well as sailing from Miami. Still in active service, Independence of the Seas rounds out the Freedom class as a heavily modernized, attraction-rich ship that continues to carry the legacy of Royal Caribbean's record-setting mid-2000s vessels into its third decade.
Onboard Highlights
Signature attractions, dining, bars and entertainment aboard Independence of the Seas.
Top attractions
- FlowRider®
40-foot-long surf simulator with 30,000 gallons of water and stadium seating. - The Perfect Storm℠
Dual racer waterslides Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠ descending three stories. - Battle for Planet Z℠
Glow-in-the-dark laser tag faceoff experience. - Splashaway Bay℠
Kids aqua park featuring slides, water cannons, waterfalls and a drench bucket. - Rock Climbing Wall
Full-scale rock climbing adventure at sea.
Specialty dining
- Chops Grille℠
Classic American steakhouse serving quality, hand-cut prime steaks. - Izumi
Made-to-order sushi, sashimi and Asian-inspired dishes with tableside preparation.
Bars and lounges
- Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade
Sports bar with 50 screens, arcade games, and game-day food favorites. - Schooner Bar
Lively late-night spot featuring piano sing-alongs nightly.
Entertainment
- Invitation to Dance
Interactive world-class dance production with live orchestra accompaniment.
Specifications
| Status | In service |
|---|---|
| Entered service | 2008 |
| Cruise line | Royal Caribbean International |
| Class | Freedom class |
| Gross tonnage | 154,407 GT |
| Guests (double occupancy) | 3,634 |
| Guests (maximum) | 4,603 |
| Crew | 1,360 |
| Est. annual guests | ≈ 190,000 / year (estimated) |
| Length | 338.77 m (1,111 ft) |
| Beam | 38.6 m (127 ft) moulded |
| Draught | 8.5 m (28 ft) |
| Decks | 15 |
| Staterooms | 1,918 |
| Shipyard | Aker Yards (Turku, Finland) |
| Build cost | ≈ US$830 million |
| Christened by | Elizabeth Hill |
| Flag | Bahamas |
| Port of registry | Nassau, Bahamas |
| IMO number | 9349681 |
| Call sign | C6WW4 |
| Home port | Cape Liberty (Bayonne, New Jersey) |
| Region | Bermuda / Caribbean |
About the Freedom class class
Enlarged Voyager successors adding the FlowRider surf simulator and the H2O Zone.
Ownership & loyalty
Part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL).
Sister brands: Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Loyalty status match - members keep an equivalent tier across the group's brands:
- Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean International) ↔ Captain's Club (Celebrity Cruises)
One-for-one tier status match across Royal Caribbean Group brands: Gold <-> Classic, Platinum/Emerald <-> Select, Diamond <-> Elite, Diamond Plus <-> Elite Plus, Pinnacle Club <-> Zenith. - Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean International) ↔ Venetian Society (Silversea Cruises)
One-for-one status match with Silversea Venetian Society: Gold <-> 1 day, Platinum/Emerald <-> 100 days, Diamond <-> 250 days, Diamond Plus <-> 350 days, Pinnacle Club <-> 500 days.
References
Descriptions on Cruise Ship Wiki are original write-ups paraphrased from public sources; facts are compiled from the references below and cross-checked. How we source our information.
- Photograph by kees torn (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons - Primary ship photograph