Amanda PhillipsLaunched in 2008, the much-loved 3,634-passenger Independence of the Seas is the third and final incarnation of Royal Caribbean’s ground-breaking Freedom-class ships – once the largest in the world before the launch of Oasis of the Seas and its sister ships. For most of her career, this leviathan has been offering a series of summer-long cruises from Southampton and as such has gained a loyal following amongst cruisers who know when they’re onto a good thing.
In 2013 the ship underwent a $7 million upgrade that added features such as a cupcake shop, an Italian trattoria called Giovanni’s Table, and a Royal Babies & Tots Nursery. The spruce-up included a massive poolside screen showing latest-releases, new digital signage and Wi-Fi was upgraded to the line’s Voom system. As she approaches her tenth birthday, Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas is having a multi-million dollar makeover. Few details have been released yet but what we know so far is that there will be a host of attractions for active cruisers and daredevils alike.
Apart from a trampoline park, an escape room, and laser tag, it’s a sure-fire certainty that the ‘Perfect Storm’ will make an appearance having proved such a phenomenal success on Harmony of the Seas. Designed for adrenalin-junkies, this ride consists of three seriously fast slides ranging from 170- to 328-ft long which, bunched together, become the ‘Perfect Storm’. The ‘Cyclone’ and ‘Typhoon’ send revellers through twists and turns at more than 20 mph while the ‘Supercell’ rockets them into a bowl-shaped basin that they circle around before dropping into a final slide. The launch platform is on Deck 18, high above Central Park more than 100 feet below.
The action continues after dark in the Alhambra Theatre where a full-scale production of ‘Grease’ keeps audiences entertained for well over an hour. Studio B, the onboard skating rink, is open for skating lessons and free skating during the day; whilst by night this venue stages a spectacular ice show. With a cast of sixteen professional skaters, it is one of the most enthralling shows at sea. On the upper decks, there’s a FlowRider for surfing and body-boarding, rock-climbing wall with 11 challenging routes, as well as two large hot tubs cantilevered out from the sides of the ship.
Kids are also in their element during the Dreamworks Parade when characters from ‘Madagascar’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ are the main attraction. One thing’s for sure, families are never bored on board Independence of the Seas and with the new enhancements, it’s going to be difficult to fit it all in. For more details of what this exciting ship has to offer, call our cruise specialists now on 0800 484 0314 or click on www.barrheadtravel.co.uk.
