The 154,407-ton, 3,634-passenger Independence of the Seas underwent a US$7 million upgrade in April 2013 as part of Royal Caribbean's bigger USD 300 million investment in the fleet. The new features included an Italian trattoria named Giovanni's Table, a cupcake shop and Royal Babies and Tots Nursery. The ship also got new digital signage, Wi-Fi throughout and a large poolside movie screen. An excellent addition are the digital way finding systems, especially for first-time-cruisers who get lost on enormous ships like this one. They offer directions and maps to everywhere on the Independence using a board with a keypad on which passengers can enter their room numbers and find their way to the stateroom. There are also features displaying the menus for the restaurants, entertainment options and other facilities. The large quick responsive touch screen helps in navigation around the ship.
Independence of the Seas itinerary program is based on Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Feature port destinations include Belize, Jamaica, Haiti and Cozumel Mexico.
Independence Of The Seas has a total of 1815 cabins (of which 120 Suites, 724 Balcony rooms, 515 adjoining) in 28 grades. Most Independence of the Seas staterooms are 185-200-sq.foot balcony rooms and 160-sq.foot insides (557). 32 are the wheelchair accessible rooms. The largest aboard Independence of the Seas are the Royal Suites (1360 ft2).
The three tiers of Independence's main dining room (Romeo and Juliet, Anthony and Cleopatra and Macbeth) offer assigned-seating dining with two sittings at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.), as well as My Time Dining, in which guests pick a preferred mealtime between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., but are able to change reservations on a daily basis. Those who opt for My Time Dining have to pre-pay gratuities. The Windjammer Cafe, ship's lido buffet, offers flexibility and variety - best for families with kids. The Windjammer has one very long self-service line of cold and hot items, plus stations for salads, fresh sandwiches, pizza, carved meats and petite desserts. An omelet station features made-to-order eggs in the mornings; in the afternoons, guests can try the area that specializes in Asian food and goes off the beaten path with changing fare including Vietnamese and Indonesian specialties.
Follows the complete list of Independence of the Seas restaurants and food bars.
Romeo and Juliet Restaurant (652-seat aft Dining Room, level 1; features DreamWorks characters theme breakfast)
Fish and Ships (fish and chips restaurant)
Izumi (Asian/Japanese restaurant)
Anthony and Cleopatra Restaurant; Othello Restaurant (aft Dining Rooms, part of Romeo and Juliet)
Macbeth Restaurant (500-seat aft Dining Room, level 2)
King Lear Restaurant (883-seat aft Dining Room, level 3)
Windjammer Cafe lido buffet restaurant (774-seat, offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 a.m., Breakfast between 7:00-11:30 a.m., Lunch 11.30-3:30 p.m. and Dinner 6.30-9:00 p.m.)
Chops Grille (104-seat specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
Giovanni’s Table (Italian specialty restaurant, reservations recommended)
Johnny Rockets Restaurant (84-seat burger bar)
Sorrento’s Pizzeria (79-seat complimentary restaurant)
WipeOut Bar (20-seat complimentary burger bar)
Sugar Beach Candy and Ice Cream Store.
Independence of the Seas has much to offer for children and youngsters - from kid-oriented amusement and enrichment to recreational options which range from surfing and body boarding to ice skating - which is a great choice for family cruisers. However, travelers are still going to find lots of zones for more mature pursuits. The fitness, boasing even a boxing ring, is great and always busy. Adults-only spots beyond bars and the casino range from the Solarium pool and boutique dining venues (that have a set age limit of fifteen) to a rather racy late-night comedy show. Independence of the Seas features the DreamWorks Experience - a themed programming in partnership with the Walt Disney Company. This new entertainment program is aimed at families and offers movies-themed DreamWorks activities on select RCI ships within the fleet. The list of special activities includes characters meet and greets (of course, plus photo ops).
Additional amenities include: Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, Supervised Youth program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.
Follows the complete list of Independence of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.
| Build Year : 2008 |
| Width : 56.00 |
| Length : 339.00 |
| Speed : 21.00 |
| Capacity : 3634 |
| Deck Quantity : 15 |
| Cabin Quantity : 1817 |
| Restaurant Quantity : 2 |
| Lift Quantity : 14 |
| Balancer : Yes |
