All things Independence of the Seas

In a few short months the Independence of the Seas will be on her way to UK/Europe to begin her first season sailing from Southampton and I tell you we here on this side of the pond are very very excited about this.

Although she isn't finished yet I thought it was time we started to post info on her and hopefully the info will be useful in some way to other cruisers. Obviously at this time, we can't say what our experience on her was like but I am sure there are many people who have sailed on the Freedom Class who can help out.

Please if anyone has photos/links or more info can they post it here :D If you know of any crew members going to her perhaps you could let us all know.

Ok the basic info at the moment is-

Registry: Bahamas

Built at: Kvaerner Masa-Yards, Turku Finland

Maiden Voyage: May 2008

Width: 185 feet

Length: 1112 feet

Draft: 28 feet

Cruising Speed: 21.6 knots

Bow Thrusters: 4

Passenger Decks: 15

Passenger Elevators: 14

Guests (double occupancy): 3634

Crew (Norwegian/International): 1360

Total Guests: 4375

Eating Places-

Dining Rooms- King Lear, Romeo & Juliet, Othello

Windjammer Café

Jade

Chops Grille

Portofino

Johnny Rockets

Sorrento’s

Café Promenade

Ben & Jerry’s

Bars & Entertainment-

Alhambra Theatre

Studio B

On Air Club

Pyramid Lounge

Casino Royale

The Raven

Viking Crown Lounge

Olive or Twist

Seven Hearts

Diamond Club

Cloud Nine

Concierge Lounge

Schooner Bar

The Dog and Badger Pub

Boleros

Vintages

The Plaza Bar

Champagne Bar

Wipe Out! Bar

Pool Bar

Sky Bar

Connoisseur Club

Other Areas/Amenities-

2 Main Pools

Solarium

6 Whirlpools(includes 2 Cantilvered)

Day Spa & Fitness Centre

9 Hole Miniature Golf Course

Ice Skating Rink

Flow Rider

Jogging Path

Rock Climbing Wall

Sports Court

Video Games Room

Royal Promenade Boutiques/Gift shops/General Store

Art & Photo Gallery

Florist

Clean Shave

Royal Caribbean Online Centre

Conference Centre

Adventures with Royal

Screening Room

Library

Wedding Chapel

Adventure Ocean

Medical Centre

Any confirmation that the pools will be heated? :cool: :D

My wife is from Plymouth England and she has family in Pinner. We will be cruising on Independence of the Seas with her family on your side of the pond. We will be watching and chatting with you about this great ship. We have sailed on the Freedom twice now and just loved it. Can hardly wait to sail on the Independence.

Hi all

can't wait to cruise on the Independent of the Seas - we go in August.

I have checked the website just now, but can't find anything to say the pools are heated - I would hope so! :eek:

Lisa

Elizanessie thank you for starting this thread! I only know of one super nice waiter from Johnny rockets that said he is transferring to Independence! but as it gets closer I'm sure we'll find out more. Our family is traveling 11/23/08 which I think is the first sail from US and there are hardly any posts on cc for that roll call:( but we'll see what happens.

We were just on Liberty in Sept and loved it! We had previously been on Navigator and everything was the same only bigger bigger and better! We were only disappointed that the sports bar we loved (on Navigator) had been replaced by the diamond members lounge but thats a different story! and also by the end of the week I was tired of walking soo much!

I'm eyeing a post-Thanksgiving Eastern Caribbean cruise on Independence this year, so I'm looking forward to following all the news and trip reports about her as the year progresses.

The Independence of the Seas was on our local news this morning (I live near southampton). They showed the Promenade area and how 'raw' everything still is. They say the transformation will be very sudden from now on. Work is still very much in progress. The outside looked good.

We are sailing on her for New Year and have been on 3 of the Voyager class ships but not the Freedom class and I can't wait. I will be waiting in Southampton to see her come in as I did with the Freedom and the Liberty. Roll on spring.....

By the way - hi Lisa. I used to live in Fleet before I moved to Ringwood 8 years ago. Still go back regularly to visit friends etc. Small world....

:D Hi Cheryl

I can't wait for the cruise now.......

Must be great that you are so nearby - we are lucky too that we are only an hour or so away.

Went on a Far East Cruise last year and it was brilliant, this time it will be nice to have no grotty journey to Heathrow, no airport waits, no 13hr flight and no jet-lag - waheeeeeey.....

I will be watching this thread with anticipation!

The pools are heated...(she is the only one in her Class to have this) now I dont know if that is only when she is this side of the pond :confused:

Crew that I have heard will be on her are-

Ricardo (Concierge from Liberty), Capt Zini, Ken Rush, Jimmy Blakemore(pub singer) and Louise from Guest Relations on Navigator.

She had mini sea trials on Sunday 21st...in the wee hours in Finland.

She is 85% ready.

She is due to leave Turku on 18th April and head to Oslo before heading to Southampton where she is due to arrive on the 25th April and then the UK Pre-Inaugurals will take place :D :D

We are cruising the IOS 2/16/09. So far, there are only 2 on our roll call forum, so at least I can chat with people here!!

I can't wait to hear what people have to say about her, and about their experiences aboard.

Here is the report on CC about the heated pools-

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=2268

I guess that means no heated pools when she crosses the pond. It would be nice if @ least the solarium pool was heated.

Hi Liz

Enjoying reading this post.DW an I sailing on her May/June08 and inrcedibly excited about it all.I am currently soaking up all the information about her I can but it's not easy to find.

It was a few months ago and things have moved on but here is a link to her float out pictures. http://www.*****/travelpa...asp?Ad_ID=2927

Cheers Doc07

Hey liz great thread! I forgot Ricardo was going to be the concierge, Ill have to send him an email to see if he can give me any good info for you!

Hey liz great thread! I forgot Ricardo was going to be the concierge, Ill have to send him an email to see if he can give me any good info for you!

Hey roomie how you doing :D

Ricardo is such a nice guy. I met him last year on the Liberty Pre-Inaugural, he is a friend of some friends ;) we had such a laugh that night and I am looking forward to seeing him again.

I know Carlos (Concierge from the Navigator) was offered job on the Independence but I think he said no :(

Well he was the concierge on my favorite ship..the mariner...we have had a lot of fun with him indeed, I look forward to seeing him again.

I bet you guys cant wait for all the information about the ship, I had no idea they had heated pools...hmm maybe I need to book another cruise to europe to check that out lol

Well he was the concierge on my favorite ship..the mariner...we have had a lot of fun with him indeed, I look forward to seeing him again.

 

I bet you guys cant wait for all the information about the ship, I had no idea they had heated pools...hmm maybe I need to book another cruise to europe to check that out lol

Now if you didnt have the VY booked for this summer we could have done the ID instead...your buddy Ken will be on her :D

I am looking to book the IOS for New Years Eve. It will be me, GF, and two teenage daughters 16 and 18. I look forward to reading all about her this year!! Can't wait till we can afford to book!

Hey liz great thread! I forgot Ricardo was going to be the concierge, Ill have to send him an email to see if he can give me any good info for you!

This is so exciting!! We really liked him when we sailed LOTS 9/1!

The Independence of the Seas was on our local news this morning (I live near southampton). They showed the Promenade area and how 'raw' everything still is. They say the transformation will be very sudden from now on. Work is still very much in progress. The outside looked good.

 

We are sailing on her for New Year and have been on 3 of the Voyager class ships but not the Freedom class and I can't wait. I will be waiting in Southampton to see her come in as I did with the Freedom and the Liberty. Roll on spring.....

Hi...

We will be sailing on the Independence of the Seas on 6/28 and will be arriving a couple of days early. Since you live near Southampton, any ideas what we could do in Southampton for a couple of days? Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated. By the way, we are staying in the Holliday Inn in the downtown area.

We are so excited about going on the Independence, it will only be our 2nd ever cruise but we know already that it definitely won't be our last:D This thread is great, any information on the Indy is most welcome, it makes our holiday seem that little bit closer (we sail on 14th June 08).

Englishrose - It would be great if you could take some pics of her coming into Southampton and post them on here.

Happy sailing everyone

Pam

We sail on her 31st May !!

jj....

Hi what a great thread!

We are on Oct 26th cannot wait! never been RCI before but it all looks very exciting.....my kids cant wait to go to the H2O zone.............neither can i!!

Lou

Hi everyone - yes, sailing from Southampton is SO much better than travelling to the states etc. In August we took the Navigator to Cork for a 3 night mini-cruise. We just adored it. We only live 20 minutes away, so imagine leaving home and within 30 minutes, being on board. The new terminal at Southampton is amazing. Very clean, bright and efficient. So much better than any I have used in America. Saying that - yes, I am still travelling to the states to join the Independence. We travel at Christmas/New Year as it's the only 'quiet' time my husband's business has so we have to do the Caribbean and you can't do that from Southampton - well not with RCCL anyway.

For those staying in Southampton that don't know the area, there is a lot to do. It is a city and the dock area is very much a working dock. However, the hotels are right there opposite the dock (including the Holiday Inn) and are within walking distance to the lovely West Quay shopping centre which is great. There is a fabulous John Lewis store there with a lovely restaurant/cafe right at the top which has panoramic views over the harbour area. Well worth the shop and a coffee stop. There is also the Titanic museum and many other local attractions. If you are there for a few days then you must catch the ferry and go to the Isle of Wight for a visit. You can do this as a foot passenger and use the local buses the otherside. Old England preserved. Do give it a go.

If you have even more time, then travel to the New Forest where I live. There are many quaint villages with the famous wild ponies and cattle roaming the streets. It also takes in some wonderful smaller coastal resorts such as Lymington and Christchurch. All well worth a visit....