Independence of the Seas, did I forget her?

Over the last few weeks I have been doing that maintenance on my blog that you keep putting off! You will see some changes on the page 'Ships I have been on' and I have added a new page 'StuPendous Cruise Deals'.

But I noticed that I have not put up any information about Royal Caribbean's  Independence of the Seas, even though I did a ship visit back in 2009!

Indie on a damp October morning

Independence of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship and entered service in April 2008, there are 15 passenger decks and she can accommodate 4,370 passengers who are looked after by 1,360 crew. She was built in the Aker Finnyards drydock in Turku, Finland, builder and at 154,407 gross tons, she joined Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas as the largest cruise ships and passenger vessels ever built at the time. She is 1,112 feet (339 m) long, and typically cruises at 21.6 knots (40.0 km/h; 24.9 mph).

Independence of the Seas is the third of the Freedom-class vessel. In October 2009, Oasis of the Seas, the first ship in the Oasis-class replaced the Freedom-class as the world's largest passenger ships.

Independence will be sailing from Southampton throughout this summer, but will cruise from Southampton on November 22, 2012, en route to its Winter home port in Fort Lauderdale, where it will offer Caribbean voyages from December 2012 through March 2013, she will return to the U.K. in April.

Independence of the Seas features an interactive water park, the H2O Zone, a dedicated sports pool for volleyball and basketball, and whirlpools which extend from the ship's sides. It houses an internal shopping 'street', the Promenade lined with shops, pubs and wine bars, with a "bridge" which can be lowered from the ceiling void to provide a performance space above the crowds. There is also the two story Alhambra theatre, seating 1,200, and a complete conference centre. The show cabaret lounge is based on an ancient Egyptian theme, known as the Pyramid Lounge.

On a lower level is an ice skating rink named Studio B, home to a series of professional ice shows, and is also available for personal skating. This facility was first featured on the Voyager-class and the rink on Independence of the Seas is the eighth to feature this on a ship.

The ship also features a range of eating outlets, a rock climbing wall, wi-Fi and mobile phone connectivity throughout, and flat screen televisions in all staterooms. Independence of the Seas is also the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature heated, fresh water pools. On the Sports Deck, there is a rock climbing wall, a basketball/hockey court, a mini golf course, and a FlowRider for surfing. 

The features are amazing and I am not surprised that most of the people who sail on her love it! For me, the Morgan car in the Royal Parade is just that little extra, it helps that I had one for a short period a few years ago!

Why not look at the photo slide show below for more views of the ship.