Independence of the Seas: 25 April - 2 May
In April 2008 Royal Caribbean International is launching its latest ship Independence of the Seas. She 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.
ARRIVAL
The new ship is expected to arrive at the Western Docks in Southampton on Friday 25th April at 7.00am. The best vantage point to view the ship will be in Mayflower Park where limited car parking is available. For more information on the arrival times of the Independence of the Seas and details of when she will be in and out of port during her stay in Southampton, please visit ABP's Cruise Ship Schedule.
SEE THE SHIP
Although access to the ship is restricted, the best place to see the ship is from Mayflower Park in Southampton.
Here are a few statistics from the ship:-
Statistics - Scale
• Standing upright on its bow, Independence of the Seas would trump New York’s famed Chrysler building (1,046 feet), Paris’ Eiffel Tower (986 feet), the Istana in Singapore (95 feet) and Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer Statue (130 feet)
• At 160,000 the GRT of Independence of the Seas is equal to that of Royal Caribbean International’s first four ships put together
• Boasting a width of 185 feet, Independence of the Seas is actually wider than the White House is long (168 feet)
• The onboard theatre seats 1,320 guests, approximately the same amount of passengers housed on three 747 airplanes, or more people than the Piccadilly Theatre in London’s West End
• Independence of the Seas is longer than 3½ football pitches, and weighs more than 80,000 cars
• Although the Fitness Centre only has one boxing ring, it is large enough to fit 62 of them
Statistics – Consumption
• 1,400 tons of fresh water consumed each day
• 713,000 gallons of fresh water generated every day
• 78,000 pounds of ice cubes produced per day
• Guests can now “hang ten” a hundred miles out to sea on the 32-foot-wide by 40-foot-long FlowRider® surf simulator that allows riders to surf or body board against a wave-like water flow of 34,000 gallons per minute. The waves on the FlowRider travel at 20mph
• Independence of the Seas adds new dimensions to Royal Caribbean International’s signature rock-climbing wall, with a 43-foot-tall by 44-foot-wide wall with a central spire – and 11 climbing routes.
• In one week Independence of the Seas prepares 105,000 meals (for passengers and crew)
• Independence of the Seas provides around 65,000 lbs of fresh vegetables and over 64,000 lbs of fresh fruit on each sailing
• 18,000 slices of pizza are served in one week
• 10,700 bottles and 8,500 cans of beer are consumed in one week
• Guests drink over 2,900 bottles of wine per week
• There are 126 machines in the ShipShape fitness centre, including a Power Plate.
A four-night cruise onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas (www.royalcaribbean.co.uk / 0845 165 8330) costs from £644 pp (based on two sharing an inside cabin) and includes four-night cruise departing Southampton and calling at Cork, (Ireland) and St. Peter Port (Channel Islands); meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.
If you would like to contact someone about ths page, please send an email to events@southampton.gov.uk
Last updated: 29 April 2008
