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Independence of the Seas will make six stops in Alicante, Spain in 2012

In:
16 Mar 2011

The Alicante Port Authority announced today that Royal Caribbean has agreed to have Independence of the Seas make six stops at Alicante, Spain in 2012 after an agreement was reached between the two entities.

This agreement has been announced in the course of the exhibition "Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention, which since yesterday and tomorrow is held in Miami, and where the APA participated as part of the Spanish delegation.

Through this collaboration, the Independence of the Sea will arrive at the port of Alicante on six occasions between the months of June, July and August 2012.

Independence of the Seas was considered the world's largest until the construction of "Oasis of the Seas" in November 2009.

Royal Caribbean to roll out All-You-Can-Drink Packages

In:
15 Mar 2011

Cruise Critic reports Royal Caribbean is planning on rolling out All-You-Can-Drink Packages to its customers in the near future onboard some of its ships.

There are three packages that will be offered

  • $29 per day per person: the beer and wine package includes all brews, house wine by the glass and a 25 percent discount on other liquors and wines
  • $39 per day per person: includes the above package and includes ll cocktails and premium and specialty liquor.
  • $49 per day per person: Premium Package builds on the second tier, but also offers wines by the glass up to $10 and more premium liquors

Currently the packages will start with UK based cruises with it available from March 13 on Grandeur of the Seas and from March 14 on Independence of the Seas and Legend of the Seas

 

Royal Caribbean confirms its commitment to Livorno, Italy

In:
03 Feb 2011

Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, the sister ship of the third and final Freedom class ship, is calling the port of Livorno, Italy home for the second time during the 2011 cruise season.  Independence will alternate eastern and western Mediterranean cruises, sailing from Southampton in the UK.

In the 2011 season, there are 12 ships calling at Livorno. After Independence of the Seas, will support in the Tuscan port the other ships of the fleet, the first stop will be to Liberty of the Seas April 27, will then be the turn of Brilliance of the Seas May 9, Voyager of the Seas 17 May, Adventure of the Seas May 18, Grandeur of the Seas July 27, and Navigator of the Seas November 7 and Navigator of the Seas November 7. 

"Always the port of Livorno, the company has for a role of primary importance - says Lina Mazzucco, general manager of Royal Caribbean Italy. "We were able to significantly increase the scale of the fleet which become 91 against 79 last year. Similarly, increases the flow of passengers, who went from 227,000 in 2010 to over 323,000 in 2011. "

Royal Caribbean kicks off the Mediterranean cruise season

In:
19 Jan 2011

The 2011 Mediterranean cruise season in Naples is underway with Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, the third and final ship in the Freedom-class (160,000 tons) and Royal Caribbean International's flagship for the Mediterranean.  The ship arrived yesterday in the port of Naples.

Following Independence of the Seas,  other Royal Caribbean ships will call on the capital of Campania including Mariner of the Seas on April 4, Celebrity Solstice May 18, Celebrity Equinox May 26, Liberty of the Seas June 2, Silhouette Celebrity, Celebrity Cruises' new flagship recently opened, August 8, Voyager of the Seas October 25, Splendour of the Seas November 21.

Campania is, however, the primary destination for the Royal Caribbean group with other strategic ports depending on itinerary.

Royal Caribbean is sending 11 vessels to Italian ports for the 2011 season, for a total of 104 calls and a handle over 335,000 passengers. Independence of the Seas will call 6 times a year in Naples, for a total of approximately 26,220 passenger movements.

Royal Caribbean's Director General for cruises in Italy is happy about Royal Caribbean's role in Italy, "For years, Naples has a strategic role in the planning of Royal Caribbean, and increasingly consolidated his lead role.  Choosing the Campanian capital as the primary port is aligned perfectly with the European development project and especially the Italian company. As further proof of our happy synergy with the port of Naples also boast a partnership established in the management of Terminal Napoli, a sign of a common desire to work constructively with local institutions and key stakeholders. It 'just been to Naples to start this great policy terminals management and we are honored to have first shared this philosophy that we think of great success. "

Independence of the Seas becomes largest ship to visit Port of Palma

In:
14 Jan 2011

Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas has become the largest ship to have ever visited the Port of Palma in Spain.

The president of the Balearic Islands Port Authority (APB), Francesc Triay, gave the ship's Captain a traditional commemorative plaque to celebrate the visit.

Independence of the Seas has a displacement of 154,407 tonnes, which is more than 148,528 tonnes larger than the legendary Queen Mary 2, which held the mark at the port since 2004, although this last vessel is seven meters in length longer.  Independence of the Seas Freedom has a length of 338 meters, a width of 38 meters and a maximum capacity of 4,370 passengers in 1,817 cabins with a crew of about 2,360 people.

The ship has 15 decks, has a covered mall 150 meters long and an ice rink, among many other attractions for passengers, and an impressive theater with a capacity of 1,350 spectators, a climbing wall for climbing, miniature golf, a basketball court and even a wave pool for surfing.

Website reviews Independence of the Seas

In:
15 Sep 2010

Helium.com has recently reviewed Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas on a recent Mediterranean cruise and by the sound of the review, it appears that it was a success.

One aspect of the review focused on the entertainment on the ship, which was a little hit or miss.

The main theatre is the Alhambra which has a balcony and seats about 1200 so early arrival is recommended for popular shows. The ships singers and dancers put on two shows a week (each one is shown twice a night); these are passable but not particularly polished. The other performers depend on the schedule and who is around so the quality is very variable.

Some other aspects of the review touches on drinks...

Drinks prices are high but probably not much worse than any cruise line. The soda passes are certainly worth their money if anyone in the family likes soft drinks.

...the gym...

The onboard Gym is huge with up-to-date fitness machines and the best view you could ever hope for whilst working out, there are also a huge range of classes but some carry a fee.

...and the Promenade

The real wow factor for this ship can probably be found inside. Deck 5 consists of a four story atrium promenade with shops, bars and cafes. This is the location of the Captains party and the various street parties that occur through the cruise.

I found this comment about the crowd level interesting.  With these larger ships, one of the most common questions is "does it feel crowded" and the reviewer had an interesting take on the situation.

Independence of the Seas is a huge ship that can have over 4000 passengers in the height of the season. This does lead to a crowded feeling on deck but it is usually possible to find a vacant sun bed somewhere. There are three separate pool areas on the deck and also two large cantilevered whirlpools that stick out from the side of the ship. The large number of guests also seems to result in a certain rowdy element and the pool areas in particular can become almost no-go areas for a lot of the passengers as they are taken over by groups of teens. The RCI staff do not seem to be very keen on sorting out disruptive behaviour which is unfortunate for many of their guest.

Royal Caribbean offers new luggage service in UK

In:
14 Sep 2010

Cruisers in the United Kingdom have a new way to get their luggage to the cruise ship a little bit easier now.  Royal Caribbean is offering Brits a home luggage collection service, for a fee of course.

Those going on a cruise can have their luggage picked up from their home and delivered to their cabin and then dropped back off at their home after their cruise.

This new service costs £35 per item each way and is available for cruises on Royal Caribbean ships Independence of the Seas from Southampton, Jewel of the Seas from Harwich and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse from Southampton.

Luggage is picked up by Royal Caribbean between 24 and 96 hours prior to the cruise departure depending on the address in the United Kingdom.

Royal Caribbean Cruises UK and Ireland managing director Dominic Paul was optimistic about the new option, “We see this service as particularly useful to our guests with mobility issues, large families or those who need to travel some distance to the port.”

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