Sunday, March 31, 2024

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas Ship Details

independence cruise ship

Settle in at the desk and chair, perfect for catching up on work or planning your day's adventures. Indulge in a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea with the in-room single-serve coffee brewer and provided pods. Maintain your ideal environment with the individual climate control system, ensuring personalized comfort throughout your stay. And when you step onto your private balcony, you are greeted with scenic views that enhance every moment of your voyage. With a harmonious blend of luxury and convenience, our AAL Private Balcony staterooms redefine the cruise experience for the discerning traveler. Discover comfort in our Single Private Balcony staterooms, crafted as a serene haven for solo travelers.

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Independence is a small cruise ship owned and operated by American Cruise Lines (ACL). She was built in 2010 by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland for overnight coastal, river, and inland waterway cruising within the continental United States. Crew Center is website run by ex-crew members sharing their experience and Insights about life and work on cruise ships.

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The aft stations are different from the side stations, so do a loop before choosing. In 1974, American Export Lines sold the SS Independence to Atlantic Far East Line, and she was renamed the Oceanic Independence. American Hawaii Cruises bought the ship in 1980 and her passenger count was decreased to 750. By 1999, the SS Constitution had "lived" long enough to sail 1000 voyages. Until its bankruptcy in late 2001, American Hawaii Cruises' classic U.S.-flag ocean liner, the S.S. Independence, sailed exclusively around the Hawaiian Islands 12 months of the year on week-long cruises.

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Watch the river go by on your private balcony for unparalleled views of your surroundings. Essential toiletries, including a hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and plush towels, cater to your needs. Embrace relaxation and convenience in our Veranda Suite, where every detail is designed to enhance your stay. The 4000-passenger ship Independence OTS underwent a US$7 million drydock upgrade in April 2013 as part of RCI's bigger USD 300 million fleet renovation program. The new features included the Italian Trattoria "Giovanni's Table", a cupcake shop, Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, new digital signage boards, shipwide Wi-Fi, large poolside movie screen. During vacation periods, kids make up more than one-third of the passengers, and a significant number are teens.

independence cruise ship

The Deck 11 smoking area is adjacent to the seating for Fish & Ships. The casino does offer nonsmoking tables, but the cigarette smoke from the smoking section tends to waft throughout the entire space, and even into the Playmakers Sports Bar next door. The room stewards and dining staff on Independence of the Seas are friendly and helpful and deserve an extra thank-you. Royal Caribbean makes that easy by charging you an automatic gratuity of $16 to $18.50 per person per day, depending on your cabin category, added to your onboard account and final bill. You are allowed to adjust this amount at the Guest Services desk before disembarking, but please don't — even if you are disappointed by the service.

Sorrento's is the late-night pizza parlor, open until 2 or 3 a.m. Cheese and pepperoni are always available, with a third flavor that changes daily. You can always request vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free pizzas to be made special for you. Independence of the Seas has three marquee, extra-fee specialty restaurants and a host of fee-free and a la carte casual options.

If you're looking for a quiet space away from all the hubbub, sneak away to the library on Deck 5 aft. It's hidden within the Star Lounge lobby, but once inside, you can borrow a book, check email on the computer stations or hide out from the crowds (or your kids, you never know). By day, Studio B offers both open ice skating sessions and glow-in-the-dark laser tag (both require advance signups). Sign up for the Escape Room, which has a scientific observatory theme. It's pricy at $35 per person (minimum age 12), and there weren't as many puzzles to solve as in commercial escape rooms on land. It is a fun way to meet and interact with other guests, but I wouldn't prioritize it.

American Independence current position

When you compare the total tonnage of the ship to the number of passengers, the Independence of the Seas has a space ratio of 40. Depending on the ship, this number can range from 30 to 52 (with a bigger number meaning more space per person) so this ship's space-to-person ratio is about average. T-shirts, shorts, athletic wear, casual sundresses and bathing suits are commonly worn on board and ashore.

Entrees might be a lamb pita, BBQ pulled pork sandwich, butternut squash risotto or roasted Atlantic cod. Royal Caribbean excels at passenger flow on its ships, which makes its megaships feel manageable. Independence of the Seas is easy to navigate, and I rarely had the "you can't get there from here" experience I've had on other cruise lines. They all had one thing in common — a desire to have the most fun possible on a quick three-day trip. The ship and its smiling crew were happy to accommodate, serving up drinks, leading wild competitions and doling out cone after cone of soft-serve ice cream on hot Bahamian afternoons. Indulge in a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea with the in-room single-serve coffee brewer, complete with provided pods.

As I've written about before, I'm not a huge fan of the cruise ship buffet. But for a mass-market cruise ship, Independence of the Seas has a pretty great buffet. "They're party cruises," people sneer, as if the megaship is one humongous den of debauchery with thousands of wasted weekend warriors on board. That's not at all what a short sailing on Independence of the Seas is like. With so much to do on board, you won't feel like you're on an old ship.

Pricing ranges from $54.99 to $59.99 per person ($14.99 for kids) depending on your protein selection. What did bother me was the connecting door to the cabin next door. It was not open but sound carried — and this included my neighbor hacking and coughing loudly whenever I was trying to go to sleep. To compare, I couldn't hear anything from the cabin on the other side without a connecting door. The breakfast options had everything you'd expect to find, as well as an unexpected international station with Indian breakfast dishes.

Acupuncture, medispa treatments (such as Restylane fillers), men's shaves, waxing and teeth whitening are also on offer. For free stress relief, you'll find saunas and steam rooms in the men's and women's locker rooms. Independence Dunes, the mini-golf course on Deck 13 forward, has a fun seaside theme with a lighthouse, whale's tail and VW bus selfie spot. Lounge chairs cover nearly every available surface on decks 11, 12 and 13, with many in the direct sunlight. The round shower has two sliding doors, and I didn't hurt myself when I dropped my conditioner bottle and had to retrieve it off the floor mid-shower. Opposite is a large desk/vanity with a lighted mirror, six medium and three shallow drawers (one for the hair dryer) and an empty mini-fridge.

I ate at Chops Grille on dress-to-impress night, and I can say that Royal Caribbean cruisers have varied notions of how to impress with their fashion. In Chops, I saw men wearing both shorts and jeans though most were wearing collared polo or button-down tropical-style shirts. Independence of the Seas does not offer self-service launderettes.

Independence of the Seas Wikipedia

independence cruise ship

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.

SCORE AN AWESOME TIME

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.

Independence Of The Seas

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.

CRUISE SHIPINDEPENDENCE OF THE SEASREVIEWS

The room has two twin beds that can be pushed together into a queen-sized bed. Bedside lamps with focused reading lights and one-drawer, one-shelf nightstands flank the beds. The living area features a long sofa that could seat three or four (and transform into a bed) and a glass coffee table. My room on Independence of the Seas was just down the hall but facing the sea. I had a balcony cabin, the most popular room type on most ships. It offered plenty of room for two people, and I don't think it would be a problem with an extra person sleeping on the pullout sofa.

bars & lounges

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.

Pools and Hot Tubs on Independence of the Seas

Because of their smaller sizes, ACL ships can visit smaller ports to offer their guests exceptional tours to little-known scenic sites and most charming places in the USA. All ACL cruise ships are US-flagged and built by the company-owned Chesapeake Shipbuilding Yard in Salisbury (Maryland USA). On my cruise, the themes were resort casual, dress-to-impress and tropical. Specialty restaurants state their dress codes are smart casual (Giovanni's and Izumi) or formal (Chops), but on a three-night cruise, the only dress code is nearly anything goes. If you're over 18, don't miss the late-night Quest game show, which is decidedly not PG and is absolutely hilarious.

Single Private Balcony

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.

independence cruise ship

I'm not a big drinker, but I love a craft cocktail — partly because they're interesting and partly because I can never think of what drink to order and I prefer to select from a preset menu. I've been loving going to bars on ships like Carnival Celebration and Oceania's Vista and checking out all the creative drink options. You can get a good preview of the cruise ahead of you by lingering at the pool deck buffet on embarkation day.

The majority of the ship's five-night Western Caribbean cruises visit CocoCay and Cozumel, Mexico, while a handful go to Nassau, Grand Cayman Island or Falmouth, Jamaica instead. The four-night Eastern Caribbean sailings call on Royal Caribbean's private beach in Labadee, Haiti, with two days at sea. On such a short cruise, I did not spend much time on my balcony, other than to dry wet bathing suits. It has two upright chairs (with one level of recline) and a round table that could easily accommodate a room service breakfast order.

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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.

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.

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.

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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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