New Royal Caribbean for European cruises

Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery in Finland of Independence of the Seas. It is to sail from Southampton during its inaugural season and will be the largest cruise ship ever to be home-ported in Europe. Two sister ships, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, have offered Caribbean cruises from Miami since May 2006 and May 2007 respectively  
'We are delighted to welcome Independence of the Seas to our fleet and to introduce her to guests throughout the UK and Europe,' commented Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. 'Positioning one of our largest and newest ships in Southampton reaffirms Royal Caribbean International's strong commitment to the region and will provide the opportunity for more European guests to experience the distinctive and award-winning cruises for which our brand has become recognised throughout the world.'  
Independence of the Seas will sail 14-night 'Mediterranean Treasures' and 'Italian Mediterranean' itineraries round-trip from Southampton throughout the summer months. Ports of call will include Gibraltar, Barcelona, Malaga, Vigo, Seville, Nice, Cannes/Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Sardinia, Italy and Lisbon.  

Guests also can enjoy two four-night getaways from Southampton to Cork, Ireland and St. Peter Port, Channel Islands. Three, 11-night Canary Islands itineraries will also be available out of Southampton at the end of the cruising season, calling at Madeira, Tenerife, Las Palmas and Lanzarote and Vigo.
Independence of the Seas will then reposition to the United States to begin a series of Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting in November 2008.  
Weighing 160,000 GRT and with a capacity of 3,634 guests, Independence of the Seas will feature amenities that are trademarks of the Freedom-class ships, such as the FlowRider surf simulator; the H20 Zone water park, cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 ft. above the ocean in the adults-only Solarium and a full-size boxing ring. Unlike her sister-ships, all pools and the water park on Independence of the Seas will be heated.  
Independence of the Seas will also feature an ice-skating rink; a rock-climbing wall; fine to casual dining venues; Broadway-style entertainment and the Royal Promenade - an entertainment boulevard stretching the length of the ship with shops, restaurants, bars and lounges.