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All about the Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas
The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas was built in 2008. It was renovated in 2018. It's considered a large size ship. Coming in at 1,112 ft long and 185 ft 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.
Independence of the Seas Overview
- Ship and Passengers
- Food and Restaurants
- Bars and Drinks
- Pools and Hot Tubs
- Ship Features and Activities
- Cruise Costs
- Onboard Costs
Independence of the Seas Size and Passengers
The Independence of the Seas can hold 3,858 based on double occupancy (two people per room) and more when you take into account 3rd and 4th passengers. 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.
| Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas | |
|---|---|
| Class | Freedom |
| Gross Tonnage | 154,407 |
| Length | 1,112 |
| Beam/Width | 185 |
| Passenger Decks | 14 |
| Passengers (double occupancy) | 3,858 |
| Crew | 1,440 |
| Passenger to Crew Ratio | 2.7 |
| Space Ratio (tons of ship per passenger) | 40 |
Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas Space Ratio
30
40
52
The Independence of the Seas is one of three Freedom Class ships currently sailing with Royal Caribbean. The Freedom-class ships were the first to have the FlowRider surf simulator, which is now available across the entire fleet. They are known for their multiple pools and whirlpool options, some cantilevered off the side of the ship. The Independence of the Seas is very similar to its sister-ships; Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, although each ship may have some differences.
Independence of the Seas Food and Restaurants
Food is a big part of any cruise, and there will plenty on the Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas. You have thirteen different dining options to choose from. Of those options, five are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other eight options have an additional fee. Some of those options are a set price and some have a la carte menu pricing. Only 38% of the dining options are included meaning you might spend more while on the ship due to the additional fees.
| Restaurant | Restaurant Type | Type of Food | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Included | |||
| Cafe Promenade | Quick serve | Cafe | |
| Fish & Ships | Quick serve | Seafood | |
| Main Dining Room | Sit down | Main dining room | |
| Sorrento's Pizza | Quick serve | Pizza | |
| Windjammer | Quick serve | Buffet | |
| A la carte | |||
| Ice Cream Parlor | Quick serve | Dessert | |
| Playmakers | Sit down | Bar food | |
| Vintages Wine Bar | Quick serve | Bar food | |
| Flat fee | |||
| Chef's Table | Sit down | Gourmet | |
| Chops Grille | Sit down | Steakhouse | |
| Giovanni's Table | Sit down | Italian | |
| Izumi Hibachi & Sushi | Sit down | Asian | |
| Johnny Rockets | Sit down | American | |
Independence of the Seas Bars and Drinks
Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas has 13 different bars and lounges where you can enjoy a beer or cocktail. It also has 1 other bars that are available for select guests.
| Bar | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| Boleros | Deck 4 Aft | |
| Casino Bar | Deck 4 Mid | See Menu |
| Champagne Bar | Deck 5 Aft | |
| English Pub | Deck 5 Mid | See Menu |
| Olive or Twist | Deck 14 Forward | |
| Playmakers | Deck 4 Mid | See Menu |
| Pool Bar | Deck 11 Mid | See Menu |
| Schooner Bar | Deck 4 Forward | See Menu |
| Sky Lounge | Deck 12 Forward | |
| Solarium Bar | Deck 11 Forward | See Menu |
| Star Lounge | Deck 5 Forward | |
| Suite Lounge* | Deck 14 Forward | |
| The Plaza Bar | Deck 11 Aft | |
| Vintages | Deck 5 Mid |
Alcohol is not included in the base price of this cruise ship. To see if you would save money with a drink package, try our Drink Package Calculator.
Royal Caribbean also serves 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.
Pools and Hot Tubs on Independence of the Seas
Nothing beats relaxing in a pool, cooling off while enjoying the ocean breeze. The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas has a total of three pools and seven hot tubs.
Worried about lots of kids onboard? Visit The Solarium, an adult-only area for guests 18 and older only. It's located in the middle of the ship. Unlike some other Royal Caribbean ships, The Solarium on this ship is open-air and mostly exposed to the sun and elements. Here, you'll find a dedicated, adult-only, full-depth pool and two hot tubs.
| Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas | |
|---|---|
| Total Pools | 3 |
| - Pools - General Access | 2 |
| - Pools - Adults Only | 1 |
| - Pools - Exclusive | 0 |
| Total Hot Tubs | 7 |
| - Hot Tubs - General Access | 5 |
| - Hot Tubs - Adults Only | 2 |
| - Hot Tubs - Exclusive | 0 |
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
Independence of the Seas Features and Activities
There are quite a few things to do on the Independence of the Seas. These are the main amenities that are available. Some are included in the cost of the cruise, while others have an additional charge.
| Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas | |
|---|---|
| Adult Only Relaxation Area | Included |
| Arcade | A la carte |
| Basketball | Included |
| Casino | A la carte |
| Climbing Wall | Included |
| Escape Room | Flat fee |
| Fitness Center | Included |
| FlowRider | Included |
| Ice Skating | Included |
| Laser Tag | Included |
| Mini golf | Included |
| Pool-side Movies | Included |
| Shows - Broadway play | Included |
| Shows - musical review | Included |
| Spa | A la carte |
| Splash park | Included |
| Water slides | Included |
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.
Already booked a cruise? See how to check in:Independence of the Seas 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 | |
|---|---|
| Base Daily Gratuities* (Per Person Per Day) | $18.50 |
| Tip added to drinks & services | 18% |
| Soda Price | $3.50 |
| Domestic Beer Price | $8.25 See drink menus |
| Drink Package Price | $77 - $118 Learn more |
| Internet Plan | $19 to $30 per device per day |
| *Daily gratuities for a standard cabin. Suites or specialty rooms may have higher rates. | |
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.
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