Independence of the Seas cruise ship review: What to expect on board a Freedom-class megaship
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It's a kiddie water play area complete with junior slides, water sprayers and a dump bucket that soaks everyone nearby, a shallow swimming pool and a separate play area for tots in swim diapers. Two hot tubs here are perfect vantage points for parents — if the kids haven't taken them over. Not surprisingly, the soft-serve ice cream station and a counter serving fried fish and chicken flank this deck area. A short cruise is all about fun in the sun, making the Deck 11 pool deck a popular spot on Independence of the Seas.
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Upcoming Cruises
In 2008, Independence OTS was the world's biggest passenger liner. The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) was a 4-day itinerary from Southampton to Cork Ireland (departure May 2, 2008). On May 6, the ship started an 11-day Canary Islands cruise from Southampton.
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Overview of Independence of the Seas
Follows the complete list of Independence of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults. Follows the complete list of Independence of the Seas restaurants and food bars. There is one accessible cabin, number 213, which is large enough to accommodate a wheelchair and is conveniently situated next to the elevator on Deck 2 and on the same level as the main lounge. All of the cabins are well equipped with plenty of storage space and bathrooms are stocked with premium toiletries.
Photos of American Independence
Members of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society cruise loyalty program may also be eligible for discounts on Wi-Fi packages. Royal Caribbean's ice shows are always a good time and Independence of the Seas' trip through the decades, called "Freeze Frame," is no exception. You'll be impressed as much by the numerous costume changes as what the skaters manage to accomplish on a tiny ice rink. The Deck 4 Casino Royale has a special subway-style entrance from the Promenade. The casino is a popular evening spot, so you'll have plenty of company to cheer your wins and console your losses.
Cruises on the Independence
American Independence attracts mature and well-traveled couples and solo cruisers -- the majority over 65 and many quite a bit older (we heard of one 102-year-old passenger). There are also a large number of repeaters who are big fans of American Cruise Lines (one on our cruise was on his 29th sailing and many booked future cruises while onboard). You might find a sprinkling of other English-speaking nationalities such as passengers from the U.K. The passenger makeup varies, depending on the time of year and where the ship is based. For most of its year-round Caribbean season, Independence of the Seas' American passengers are in the majority, with a strong showing of travelers from the U.K., Mexico and Spain, in particular. With similar itineraries and offerings, many passengers struggle to decide between Independence of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.
Independence of the Seas activities
Onboard events will be packed with guests all-in on the fun, whether that's cheering on contestants in a game show or singing along with a musician in a bar. People screamed for their favorites at the "Finish the Lyric" game like it was a college football game, and I watched three, if not four, generations of families dancing the merengue together at the Latin bar Boleros. The 154,407-ton Independence of the Seas is 15 decks high and carries 3,864 passengers at double occupancy (or 4,627 at maximum occupancy) in 1,932 cabins. It was built in 2008, and its last major refurbishment was in 2018.
Independence of the Seas restaurants and bars
The ship is one of the few major cruise ships built in the United States, having been constructed at the Bethlehem Steel Company in Quincy, Massachusetts for American Export Lines of New York. It was intended for use as a trans-Atlantic passenger liner, yet it adhered to post-World War II U.S. Navy specifications to permit rapid conversion into a troop ship, with a capacity for 5,000 men and their equipment. Those men would have really been packed into the ship since she was designed to carry about 1,100 cruise ship passengers. The ship still makes the top 40 hit list of biggest ships in the world, beating out much more recently built vessels such as Disney Wish, Discovery Princess and Norwegian Prima. However, travelers are still going to find lots of zones for more mature pursuits.
Where does Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas sail from?
In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips. I also saw plenty of guests in floor-length gowns, sparkly dresses and suits. However, in late October 2023, the ship will reposition to Miami, where it will sail a mix of four-night Eastern and five-night Western Caribbean cruises, as well as three- and four-night Bahamas sailings. If your idea of a bar is a soda machine, you can find Coke machines by Sorrento's on the Promenade and on either side of the buffet.
There are endless ways to satisfy kids' curiosity in the Adventure Ocean® Aquanauts group. Soak up the thrills on all The Perfect Storm℠, the boldest waterslides at sea. Score prime waves all day every day on the FlowRider® surf simulator. To get to happily ever after, we must start at the beginning with Once Upon a Time. Put on your dancing shoes for Invitation to Dance, an interactive world-class production. Say “Konnichiwa” to a reimagined favorite at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi.
They're often emptiest on the first night, but I didn't see any discount offers for booking on night one. Deck 3 is also where breakfast and lunch are served (not offered every day so check the app for times). Breakfast is a similar selection to the buffet, but made to order and waiter-served. More out of the ordinary options include a breakfast power wrap, breakfast burrito and a market vegetable breakfast bowl. Lunch is a three-course affair with appetizers, entrees and dessert.
You'll also encounter a ton of groups — birthday celebrations, bachelor and bachelorette parties, family reunions, anniversaries, even onboard weddings. The upshot is that the whole sailing takes on a celebratory vibe, even when you're not part of a group. The sense of fun is contagious, and you find yourself wanting to join in wherever the people are because you know you'll have a good time. In a dramatic turn-around, the Ministry of Environment and Forests intervened and gave their approval, granting Platinum II permission to be beached at Alang's shipbreaking yard.
A Voom help desk on the Promenade (outside The Collection store) is staffed daily. The name on your reservation must be the same as what's printed on your passport or other official proof of nationality. Double-check if you've recently gotten married or go by a different version of your name. If serenity is what you seek, the spa is located on Deck 12 forward, directly above the fitness center. Get your hair and nails done in the salon or melt away your work-life stress with a massage or facial.
You can also read the Latest Cruise News, Download Ship Itinerary, or take peak at the Crew Galleries. NCL planned to add the Independence to its U.S.-flagged fleet and hoped to have the ship carrying passengers by 2004. However, the ship continued to degrade and was renamed the Oceanic in 2006 without ever sailing for NCL. In its July 2007 interim report to shareholders, Star Cruises Limited (the parent company of NCL) disclosed it had sold the Oceanic, but did not name the buyer.
Some trips are for seeing the sights or experiencing a new culture. A quick cruise on Independence of the Seas is all about letting the good times roll with some fun in the sun. In 2009 Oceanic was illegally renamed Platinum II and departed Dubai for Alang, being towed by a tug Barakhoda. The tug apparently lost all power and setting the two vessels adrift some 25 km off Alang.
The ship has won multiple accolades from cruisers over the years. A lot of thought went into the last refurbishment, and it really shows, giving Indy a fresh, contemporary feel, as well as cutting-edge (Sky Pad) and on-trend (puzzle break, laser tag arena), new features. Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas has 13 different bars and lounges where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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