Caribbean Festival: 26 - 27 April
In April, the Independence of the Seas visits Southampton for inaugural activities. To celebrate the arrival of the ship, a Caribbean Festival is being organised by Southampton City Council, Royal Caribbean International and Business Southampton.
The ship will share the Guinness Book of Records title for the ‘world’s largest cruise ship’ with sister ships Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas and will be offering cruises out of Southampton throughout the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The 15 deck ship will arrive in Southampton on 25th April and will be in and out of the port before leaving on its first revenue sailing on Friday 2nd May.
The best vantage point to view the ship while she is in port will be from Mayflower Park and so to celebrate the arrival of the ship, a free Caribbean Festival will be staged in Mayflower Park on 26th and 27th April.
The Festival will feature a host of Caribbean activities to tempt everyone, including:
Caribbean food - Get your taste buds tingling with an exciting choice of things to eat.
Caribbean Bar - Yachtie’s Bar will provide a Caribbean flavour to your liquid refreshment serving both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks with a Caribbean twist.
Arts and Crafts – There will be trade and exhibition stands with Caribbean themed items as well as arts and crafts.
Caribbean Beach - Relax and soak up the atmosphere on the Festival's beach, whilst enjoying a superb vista of the new ship.
Fun Fair - You can also enjoy fun of the fair with rides suitable for both children and adults. (Please note admission prices apply to fun fair rides)
Fun Leisure activities - The new ship offers a range of exciting activities on board and some of these will be replicated at the Festival to provide you with a small taster as well as face painting and storytelling.
Live Music - You won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing to the fantastic rhythms of the live music ranging from Samba to Steel bands.
Music Stage – Everything you would want to get you in the mood including;
*Caribbean DJ’s featuring Coco P, DJ Briggy and Tom The Uplifter.
*Top Tribute Bands
RU40 –A popular and quality tribute with all the popular UB40 classics on Saturday
Legends – The ultimate tribute to Bob Marley and the Wailers on Sunday.
Full details of the entertainment including timings are available to download using the link on the right hand side.
Fireworks - And to top it all there is a free firework display on the Sunday evening for everyone to enjoy.
WIN A CRUISE
This is your chance to win a cruise for two on board the Independence of the Seas. All you need to to is answer this simple question:
Which activities can't you do on board the ship?
a. Ice Skating
b. Surfing
c. Skiing
To enter the competition, you need to submit your winning answer to the Southern Daily Echo stand at the Caribbean Festival at Mayflower Park on either the 26 or 27 April. Terms and conditions apply.
TOUR THE DOCKS
Bluestar are arranging tours of Southampton Docks during the Caribbean Festival weekend. This is an opportunity to have a behind the scenes tour of Southampton's bustling port. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £4 for concessions. Booking is not required. The drop off and pick up point is outside of the main entrance to Mayflower Park.
Trade Opportunities
Exhibition spaces are available at the Festival including covered trade featuring arts and crafts. If you are intersected in having an arts and crafts trade stand at the Festival, you can download an application pack from the link on the right hand side of this page.
This presents an excellent occasion to promote your company, product or service to thousands of new customers.
Location
A map showing the location of Mayflower Park is below:
View Larger Map
Parking
Please use City Centre Car Parks as there is no public parking within Mayflower Park except limited disabled parking.
Public Transport
Please click on the Travel Line link on the right hand side of this page, to plan your journey to Mayflower Park.
Accessibility
There is limited free disabled parking in Mayflower Park. This is allocated on a first come, first served basis for disabled badge holders. Once this parking area is full, please use other City Centre car parks.
There are accessible toilet facilities on site.
Please note that some fair rides may not be accessible.
The event is organised through a partnership between Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines, Southampton City Council and Business Southampton with support from the Daily Echo.
If you would like to contact someone about this page, please send an email to events@southampton.gov.uk or alternatively if you would like to contact someone from the events team during the event, please call 07530 254937.
Last updated: 22 April 2008
