Independence of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas

The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas was built in 2008. It was renovated in 2018. It's 2 years newer than the Freedom of the Seas, which was built in 2006 and renovated in 2020.

Comparison Overview

• Ship Size
• Number of Passengers
• Food and Restaurants
• Bars and Drinks
• Pools and Hot Tubs
• Ship Features and Activities
• Cruise Costs
• Onboard Costs

Ship Size

The Independence of the Seas is considered a large size ship. Coming in at 1,112 feet long and 185 feet wide, it's roughly the length of 3.1 football fields, as wide as 3.5 tractor-trailers and the same height as a 14-story building. The Independence of the Seas and the Freedom of the Seas are in the same class, which means they're sister ships. For the most part, they're similar in terms of size and layout; although they may have different features and attractions on board.

Number of Passengers

Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas holds about the same number of passengers as the Freedom of the Seas based on double occupancy (two people per room). When you look at the "Space Ratio," or tons of ship compared to number of passengers, the Independence of the Seas has the same amount of space per person as the Freedom of the Seas.

Food and Restaurants

Food is a big part of any cruise, and the ship you choose can make a huge difference in your food experience.

The Independence of the Seas has 18 different dining options like Johnny Rockets, Giovanni's Table, and Chef's Table. Of those options, 9 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 9 options have an additional fee.

The Freedom of the Seas has 1 more dining venues. Some of its popular venues are Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, Playmakers, and El Loco Fresh. 10 of these restaurants are complementary and the other 9 have an additional fee.

The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas has about the same number of dining options as the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas.

Both ships have a similar number of paid versus included dining options.

Restaurants on Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas & Freedom of the Seas

Bars and Drinks

The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas has 1 more bar than the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas.

In terms of drinks and cocktails, you have a variety of choices. Both ships serve the Coca-cola family of products. That means Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship. Most Royal Caribbean ships also have Coke Freestyle machines where you can make 100 different flavor combinations.

You can check out recent the bar menus for the Independence of the Seas and the Freedom of the Seas below.

Pools and Hot Tubs

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day for 7 days in a pool, a cruise isn't for you. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas has a total of 3 pools and 7 hot tubs. Tired of loud kids and splashing? 1 of the pools and 2 of the hot tubs are adults only.

The Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas has the same number of pools as the Independence of the Seas and fewer hot tubs.

Cruise Coloring and Activity Books for Kids
Get your kids ready for their cruise or keep them entertained while on board with our custom made coloring and activity books. These are the Royal Caribbean editions with places like Studio B and Sorrento's featured.

Cruise Ship Coloring Book for Kids 3-5 - Royal Caribbean Edition

Let's Get Cruising Activity Book for Kids 6-8 - Royal Caribbean Edition

Ship Features and Activities

Both ships have lots of activities to keep you busy throughout your cruise. Below you'll see a list of some of the major features on these ships. You might up paying more while on board the Independence of the Seas. Only 72% of the activities below are included in your cruise fare. On the Freedom of the Seas, 80% of the activities are included at no additional cost.

Cruise Costs

Royal Caribbean is a mainstream cruise line. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year. To get a good idea of how the pricing compares, visit Royal Caribbean's website to price out the separate cruises or consult a travel professional.

Onboard Costs

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you understand what you might spend onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, which means the pricing for many things will vary per sailing. The daily gratuities and tip are consistent across the fleet, but the pricing for the drink package, internet, and excursions will change. The only way to know your price is to consult the Royal Caribbean cruise planner once you're booked.

Want to Stay Up-To-Date on All Things Cruising?

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Articles Related the These Ships

Broadway at Sea: Redefining Cruise Ship Entertainment

Royal Caribbean Saying Goodbye to Ben and Jerry’s

Go Ice Skating on a Cruise Ship

What is Perfect Day at CocoCay and Should You Visit?

Surfing on the High Seas – FlowRider on a Cruise Ship

About Cruise Spotlight
Founded in 2020, Cruise Spotlight's goal is to help people understand every aspect of cruising. Plenty of sites focus on the perfect Instagram pictures and marketing fluff. We focus on what really matters: onboard expenses, tips for cruise ships, detailed cruise reviews, and more. Our goal is to provide helpful, unbiased information to new and established cruisers. Over the years, we've helped millions of people get the most from their cruise vacation.
Learn more about Cruise Spotlight.