Independence of the Seas Cruise Ship

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Independence of the Seas

Independence of the Seas entered service in April 2008 and is the third of the Freedom Class vessels.

Like the other Freedom-class vessels, Independence of the Seas features an interactive water park, the H2O Zone, a dedicated sports pool for volleyball and basketball, whirlpools which extend from the ship's sides, a Promenade lined with shops, pubs and wine bars, three story theatre, cabaret-style lounge, Studio B, home to a series of professional ice shows, and is also available for personal skating, a rock climbing wall, Wi-Fi and mobile phone connectivity throughout the ship, and flat screen televisions in all staterooms. Independence of the Seas is also the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature heated, freshwater pools.

Specifications

Ship Class: Freedom

Launched: 2008

Refurbished: May 2013

GRT: 160,000

Length: 1,111 ft.

Draft: 28

Speed: 22 Knots

Passengers: 3,634

Accommodations

All staterooms offer accommodations that convert to queen size bed and have private bath, vanity area, flat-panel TV and phone, electric mini-bar, hair dryers and AC. The bedding program has been updated fleet-wide, with new bed frames, mattresses, sheets, pillows, and duvets.

Stateroom sizes

Interior

Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, measuring 72.5 inches wide by 82 inches long, sitting area, vanity area, and a private bathroom.  Promenade staterooms have bowed windows with a view of the Royal Promenade. Family staterooms can accommodate up to 6 guests and have pullman beds or sofa bed with sitting area.

Outside

Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, measuring 72.5 inches wide by 82 inches long, sitting area, vanity area, and a private bathroom. The family ocean view has additional bunk beds in separate area, separate sitting area with sofa bed, and can accommodate up to 6 guests.

Balcony

Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, measuring 72.5 inches wide by 82 inches long, private balcony, sitting area and a private bathroom.  Both categories, Deluxe and Superior, have a small sitting area and private balcony.

Suite

Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, measuring 72.5 inches wide by 82 inches long, private balcony, private bathroom with bathtub and a sitting area. Grand suites include concierge service. Royal family suites have two bedrooms with two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, measuring 72.5 inches wide by 82 inches long(one room with third and fourth Pullman beds), two bathrooms (one with shower, one with bathtub), living area with double sofa bed, private balcony, and concierge service. The stateroom can accommodate up to 8 guests. The Royal Suite has a separate bedroom with king-size bed, private balcony with hot tub, whirlpool bathtub, living room with queen-size sofa bed, baby grand piano and concierge service. The Presidential family suite has four bedrooms and four bathrooms to fit up to 14 guests.

Suite Amenities

Excluding Junior suites, guests booked in other suites enjoy the following amenities :

• Priority check-in

• Personalized attention throughout the cruise with complimentary

• Concierge Club service on select ships

• Reserved prime seating in the main theater for entertainment shows, where available

• Priority tender tickets on select cruises. (Tender service is provided when smaller vessels are necessary to reach shore in locations without docking ports large enough for cruise ships.)

• VIP pool deck seating, where available

• Full breakfast, lunch and dinner dining room menus available for in-room dining

• Private breakfast and lunch seating in specialty restaurants on our Voyager and Freedom Class ships

• Mattel® board games available to order for in-room entertainment for the kids

• Complimentary luggage valet service

• Luxury spa bathrobes for use onboard

• Complimentary pressing service on formal night

• Priority departure with exclusive suite departure lounge featuring continental breakfast

Dining Venues

($) = Specialty restaurant, surcharges apply

Main Dining Rooms

Macbeth Dining Room, Romeo and Juliet Dining Room, Anthony & Cleopatra Alcoves off the Romeo and Juliet Dining Room, and the King Lear Dining Room. The main dining room serves exceptional, multi-course meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy a new dinner menu each evening in an elegant setting, with two seatings nightly, or choose "My Time" Dining.

Cafe Promenade

Pick a table with a view at Café Promenade, serving Seattle's Best Coffee, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, snacks, pastries and sandwiches throughout the day and into the night – so you can enjoy the action when you please.

Jade

Chopsticks, ready! A seemingly endless buffet of delicious sushi creations, Jade features innovative Asian-fusion dishes along with classic favorites like sushi, fried rice and more.

Portofino ($)

Sample the chef's latest Italian creation, or have one of your favorites prepared the classic way. $20 surcharge per person.

Windjammer Cafe

A culinary destination loaded with an array of delicious food for every meal and snack time – all with spectacular views and a comfortable, casual atmosphere. Browse multiple buffets and serving stations featuring pastas, omelets made-to-order, global cuisine, salads, soups, sandwiches, meat-carving, and tons of tantalizing desserts.

Chops Grill ($)

Royal Caribbean's popular signature steakhouse, featuring grade-A premium cuts of steak cooked to your specifications, plus fresh seafood, hearty side dishes and signature desserts in an upscale, contemporary setting. $30.00 per person surcharge.

Johnny Rockets ($)

Get the family together for good old-fashioned hamburgers and fries at Johnny Rockets—complete with authentic 1950s décor, a menu filled with all-American favorites and a jukebox at every table. Lunch and dinner have a $4.95 surcharge per person.

Cupcake Cupboard ($)

Featuring freshly-baked gourmet cupcakes and bespoke culinary parties and design classes.

Room Service

Breakfast, lunch and dinner, 24 hours a day (late night service charge applies).

* Prices subject to change.

Notable Rooms

Alhambra Theater

Royal Caribbean brings together world-class performers to star in awe-inspiring original shows from contemporary dance to headline musical acts, high diving, aerial acrobatics and more in the main show theater.

Viking Crown Lounge

Featuring four distinct areas including the Jazz Club, Cloud Nine, The Diamond Club, Seven Hearts room.

Connoisseur Club

Cigar bar.

Raven Nightclub

Two-story disco. Dance nightly into the wee hours.

Royal Promenade

Variety of name-brand, duty-free shopping are on the Royal Promenade including jewelry, perfumes, apparel and shopping for teens and kids. This mall, a naturally lighted four-story area lined with bars and shops, is the heartbeat of the ship.

Boleros Lounge

Follow the Latin beat and find yourself in Boleros, a nighttime hot spot where you can keep up with live music and cool down with a mojito or caipirinha.

Pyramid

Music, dancing and entertainment.

Vintages ($)

Reds, whites, ports and more await at Vintages, a first-rate wine bar offering an extensive selection of popular sips from regions worldwide. Enjoy a favorite bottle or find a new one from the sampling menu.

Dog and Badger

Pop across the pond and lift a pint of ale in this authentic English pub.

Schooner Bar

The Schooner Bar is a nautical haven inspired by the sea – a guest-favorite bar, thanks to nightly piano entertainers that will have you joining a chorus of classics.

Studio B

A multipurpose studio complex filled with activity all day long, from ice-skating to cooking demonstrations. Royal Caribbean is the first and only cruise line with ice skating rinks and complimentary ice spectaculars featuring professional skaters that amaze with jumps, lifts, and spins.

Screening Room

Movie Theater where you'll enjoy larger-than-life presentations of DreamWorks Animation films plus other first-run hit movies.

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Outdoor Features

Adventure Ocean

A play area with specially designed activities for kids from 3-17. Run by exceptional, energetic and college-educated staff on deck 12.

H2O Zone

Waterpark featuring interactive sculpture fountains, ground geysers and a cascading waterfall located on deck 11.

Sports Court

Deck 13 features a Sports Court, Flo-Rider, Rock Climbing Wall, and Freedom Fairways 9-hole small scale golf course.

Pool Areas Deck 11

Main pool with three whirlpools, swim shop, pool bar, H2O Zone with pool and whirlpool, sports pool, solarium pool with two cantilevered whirlpools overlooking the ocean swimming pools.

Kids Only

Royal Babies & Royal Tots

Interactive classes filled with enriching activities developed by early childhood experts at Fisher-Price® for kids 6-18 months. The Royal Tots Program offers 45-minute interactive playground sessions filled with age-appropriate activities and toys for kids ages 18-36 months. Both programs are hosted by trained youth staff. A parent or caregiver must accompany child during all activity sessions. Nursery program also available.

Adventure Ocean for Kids Ages 3-11

Aquanauts for kids ages 3-5 years old; Explorers for kids ages 6-8 years old; Voyagers for kids ages 9-11 years old. Royal Caribbean offers age appropriate parties, crafts, scavenger hunts, science experiments, theater games, excursions and more.

Teen Program

Non-structured, participate when you want program for teens, ages 12-17 years old. Featuring Theme Nights, Improve Games, DJ Academy, Mocktail Competition, Dodgeball, Open Mic and Talent Show, BBQ, Movie and Pool Party, Teen Casino, Snowball Fight, Climbing Competition and more. Teens also have their own lounge (The Living Room) and disco (Fuel).