Introduction

Independence of the Seas, in May of 2008, became the third sister of the resoundingly successful Freedom class ship.  The Freedom class (Freedom, Liberty, and Independence of the Seas) is an evolution from the Voyager class ship.  Voyager of the Seas exceeded all expectations in 1999 by introducing on board rock climbing, ice skating, and the Royal Promenade.  The Royal Promenade has continued to be a success story through new fleet hardware until Oasis and Allure of the Seas.

 Independence of the Seas, of the three sisters, created a first time experience by being the only one to make an inaugural sailing on a revenue transatlantic crossing from Southampton to Fort Lauderdale. 

In later years, Independence of the Seas then made Southampton her home port offering the UK market year round sailings to the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.

Royal Caribbean's mission, since its inception, has been all about innovation with the launch of Song of Norway in 1970 with the first Viking Crown Lounge.  This creative innovation has continued through to the Liberty of the Seas in 2006 and crowned with Independence of the Seas in 2008.  With all that Independence has to offer, guests can hop on an surfboard, pull on a pair if ice skates, clip on a belay line, don a pair of boxing gloves, or taken in the view from one of two cantilevered whirlpools extending out from the side of the ship 112 ft. above the ocean.