IMO: 9349681
Independence of the Seas
Technical specifications, historical timeline, and comprehensive venue inventory.
The Blueprint
- Ship Class
- Freedom-class
- Gross Tonnage (GT)
- 155,889
- Length (FT / M)
- 1,111 / 338.72
- Beam (FT / M)
- 127 / 38.6
- Decks (Passenger / Total)
- 15 / 19
- Shipyard
- Aker Yards, Turku, Finland
- Registry
- Bahamas
- Godparent(s)
- Elizabeth Hill
- LNG Powered
- No
- Build Cost
- $828,000,000
Timeline & Evolution
Inaugural Sail Year
2008
Major Refurbishments
2013
2018
2023
Significant Changes
- 2013: Dry dock adding Giovanni's Table Italian restaurant on Deck 11, the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery, a Cupcake Cupboard bakery on the Royal Promenade, and an outdoor poolside movie screen.
- 2018: Royal Amplified dry dock (April 2018, Freeport): renovated and renamed the main theater as Royal Theater, added Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, replaced the H2O Zone with the Splashaway Bay kids aqua park, added the Fish & Ships eatery, The Perfect Storm racing waterslides and the Sky Pad bungee-trampoline, created an exclusive Suite Lounge, added a Battle for Planet Z laser-tag arena, a Sugar Beach candy shop, the Puzzle Break escape room, and additional staterooms.
- 2023: January 2023 dry docking.
Registry & Build Record
- IMO Number
- 9349681
- MMSI
- 309374000
- Call Sign
- C6WW4
- Classification Society
- ABS
- Maiden Voyage
- 2 May 2008
- Maximum Draft
- 9.0 m (29.5 ft)
- Maximum Beam
- 56.0 m (183.7 ft)
Capacity & Space
- Double Occupancy
- 3,836
- Maximum Capacity
- 4,635
- Total Crew
- 1,365
- Passenger-to-Crew Ratio
- 2.81:1
- Space Ratio
- 40.64
Onboard Inventory
- Swimming Pools
- 4
- Hot Tubs / Whirlpools
- 6
- Waterslides
- 2
- Bars & Lounges
- 15
- Complimentary Dining Venues
- 5
- Specialty Dining Venues
- 4
- À la Carte Dining
- 1
- Elevators
- 14*
* Unofficial count — the cruise line publishes no official total for this figure.
Power & Propulsion
- Propulsion
- Diesel-electric
- Fuel Type
- Marine diesel
- Azipod Units
- 3
- Installed Power
- 75.6 MW (101,381 hp)
- Propulsion Power
- 42 MW (56,323 hp)
- Maximum Speed
- 23 Knots
- Engine Configuration
- 6x Wartsila 12V46
Logistics
- Cruising Speed
- 21.6 Knots
- Medical Center
- Deck 4
Elevator Banks
Forward
Decks 2-14
Aft
Decks 2-14
Designated Smoking Zones
-
Casino RoyalecasinoLocation: Deck 4Smoking permitted in a designated section of the casino during open hours.
-
Outdoor open decks (designated)outdoorLocation: Designated port-side outdoor areasSmoking permitted only in designated outdoor areas on the port side.
Cabin Summary
Total: 1,918
ADA Compliant: 31
- Suites
- 127
- Balcony
- 724
- Oceanview
- 279
- Inside
- 788
The Apex Suite
Royal Suite
1,360 SQ FT
The ship's flagship suite: a one-bedroom Royal Suite with a 315-square-foot private balcony, a media center with surround sound, and a baby grand piano.
Stateroom Taxonomy
Suites
- Four-Bedroom Vista Suite1
- Royal Suite1
- Owner's Suite8
- Two-Bedroom Grand Suite6
- Grand Suite22
- Junior Suite87
- Panoramic Oceanview Suite2
Balcony
- Balcony Stateroom724
Oceanview
- Ultra-Spacious Oceanview (2-Bedroom Family)10
- Panoramic Oceanview Stateroom39
- Oceanview Stateroom230
Inside
- Promenade View Interior168
- Interior Family Stateroom6
- Interior Stateroom614
Features & Amenities
Family & Youth
- Kids Club
- Teen Club
- Nursery
- Waterpark
- Sports Court
Adults & Wellness
- Adults Only Area
- Spa
- Thermal Suite
- Casino
Entertainment & Culture
- Production Theater
- Art Gallery
- Library
- Observation Lounge
- Escape Room
- Laser Tag
Thrills & Active
- Climbing Wall
- Surf Simulator
- Ice Skating Rink
Expedition & Marine
- Tender-Port Capable
Signature Experiences
World's largest cruise ship at launch
largest
First trampoline park at sea
fleet first
The Perfect Storm racing waterslides
unique
Royal Promenade boulevard
unique
The Perfect Storm waterslides
top-deck attraction
FlowRider surf simulator
top-deck attraction
Sky Pad bungee trampoline
top-deck attraction
Rock climbing wall
top-deck attraction
Splashaway Bay kids aqua park
top-deck attraction
Laser tag
top-deck attraction
Ship-Specific Highlights
- The Perfect Storm — dueling racing waterslides added in the 2018 Royal Amplified refit.
- Sky Pad — bungee-trampoline park with optional virtual-reality headsets, billed as the first trampoline park at sea.
- Battle for Planet Z — glow-in-the-dark laser tag arena.
- Splashaway Bay — kids' aqua park with waterslides, water cannons, geysers and a drench bucket.
- Royal Escape Room — 'The Observatorium' puzzle room designed with Puzzle Break.
- FlowRider — the line's signature surf simulator on the sports deck.
Venues
Complimentary Dining
-
Main Dining Roommain_dining_roomLocation: Decks 3-5, AftThree-level main dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner
-
Windjammer Cafemarketplace_buffetLocation: Deck 11Casual buffet with global cuisines and American favorites
-
Cafe Promenadecoffee_pastryLocation: Deck 5, Royal Promenade$ extrasComplimentary 24-hour cafe - coffee, pastries, mini-sandwiches and desserts
-
Sorrento's PizzapizzeriaLocation: Deck 5, Royal PromenadeComplimentary New York-style pizzeria on the Royal Promenade
-
Fish & Shipsseafood_quick_serveLocation: Deck 11, Pool deck$ extrasComplimentary poolside walk-up counter - batter-fried fish and chips
Specialty Dining
-
Chops GrillesteakhouseLocation: Deck 5Signature steakhouse
-
Giovanni's TableitalianLocation: Deck 11Family-style Italian trattoria added in the 2013 dry dock
-
Izumi Hibachi & Sushiasian_teppanyakiLocation: Deck 4Sushi, sashimi and tableside teppanyaki added in the 2018 amplification; seats ~110
-
Chef's Tablechefs_tableIntimate multi-course wine-paired dinner
À la Carte Dining
-
Johnny RocketsrestaurantLocation: Deck 121950s-style diner - burgers, shakes and fries (extra-fee)
Bars & Nightlife
-
BolerosloungeLocation: Deck 4Latin-themed lounge with cocktails, live music and dancing
-
Casino BarbarLocation: Deck 4Bar within Casino Royale; gaming-area age and access rules apply
-
Playmakers Sports Bar & ArcadebarLocation: Deck 4Sports bar and arcade with big screens, pub fare and draught beer
-
Schooner Barpiano_barLocation: Deck 4Nautical-themed piano bar
-
R BarbarLocation: Deck 5Retro-themed cocktail and martini bar; formerly the Champagne Bar
-
Ale & Anchor PubpubLocation: Deck 5English-style pub serving ales, beers and whiskies
-
Star LoungeloungeLocation: Deck 5Entertainment lounge hosting live music, karaoke and events
-
Vintageswine_barLocation: Deck 5Wine bar with self-serve dispensers and extra-fee tastings
-
Pool BarbarLocation: Deck 11Main pool-deck bar
-
Solarium BarbarLocation: Deck 11Bar serving the adults-only Solarium
-
The Plaza BarbarLocation: Deck 11Bar near the Windjammer serving cocktails, beer and wine
-
Sky BarbarLocation: Deck 12Elevated outdoor bar on the upper pool deck
-
Viking Crown LoungeloungeLocation: Deck 14Panoramic lounge and bar set high on the ship
-
Crown LoungeloungeLocation: Deck 14Lounge with a bar reserved for Diamond and higher Crown & Anchor Society members
-
Suite LoungeloungeLocation: Deck 14Lounge with a bar for guests staying in suites
Pools & Aquatics
-
Solariumadults_poolLocation: Deck 11Adults-only indoor/outdoor solarium pool area; reception capacity ~300
-
Splashaway Baykids_aqua_parkLocation: Deck 11Kids aqua park with slides, water cannons, geysers, pools and a drench bucket (replaced the H2O Zone in 2018)
Active Recreation
-
FlowRiderflowriderLocation: Deck 13, AftSignature stationary-wave surf simulator
-
Sky Padbungee_trampolineLocation: Deck 13, AftBungee-trampoline attraction with an optional virtual-reality headset, added in the 2018 amplification
-
Rock Climbing Wallrock_wallLocation: Deck 13, AftSignature rock-climbing wall
-
Battle for Planet Zlaser_tagLocation: Studio B, Deck 3Glow-in-the-dark laser-tag arena added in the 2018 amplification
Thrill & Marquee Attractions
-
The Perfect Stormwaterslide_complexLocation: Deck 13, AftDueling racing waterslides added in the 2018 amplification
Entertainment Venues
-
Royal Theatermain_theaterLocation: Decks 3-419,622 SQ FTTwo/three-deck main theater for production shows (former Alhambra Theatre); 19,622 sq ft; seats ~1,281
-
Studio B Ice Rinkice_skatingLocation: Deck 312,636 SQ FTIce-skating rink and ice-show venue; 12,636 sq ft; 832 seated / 900 reception
-
Royal Escape Roomescape_roomLocation: Deck 15Puzzle Break escape-room experience added in the 2018 amplification (replaced the Skylight Chapel)
Casino
-
Casino RoyalecasinoLocation: Deck 4Full casino with slots and table games
Spa & Fitness
-
Vitality at Sea Spa & Fitness Centerspa_and_gymLocation: Decks 11-12Full-service spa plus a fitness center
Youth & Teen
-
Adventure Oceanyouth_programLocation: Deck 12Kids' club with age-grouped programming
-
Royal Babies & Tots NurserynurseryLocation: Deck 12Childcare nursery for infants and toddlers, added in the 2013 dry dock
Retail & Shopping
-
Sugar Beachcandy_storeLocation: Deck 5, Royal PromenadeCandy and sweets shop on the Royal Promenade
Leisure & Public Spaces
-
Royal Promenadeinterior_promenadeLocation: Deck 5Interior promenade boulevard lined with shops, bars and cafes, with promenade-view staterooms overlooking the parades
Guest Services
-
Conference Centermeeting_roomsLocation: Deck 24,088 SQ FTConference center with four named meeting rooms (Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, St. Thomas); 4,088 sq ft when fully combined
Data Provenance
Last Verified: 2026-06-12