November 20, 2008 - Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Freedom-class ship, has arrived at her home in Port Everglades, Florida.

Independence of the Seas, weighing in at 160,000 tons with a capacity of 3,634 guests, features all of the amenities which are trademarks of the Freedom-class ships:

• A FlowRider surf simulator
• H20 Zone water park with its interactive sculpture garden for families and toddler pool,
• Cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112ft above the ocean in the adults-only Solarium
• A full-size boxing ring
• 14-person family suite.

She also features an ice-skating rink, 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.

Independence will sail from Ft Lauderdale and alternate between eight-night Eastern Caribbean and six-night Western Caribbean itineraries. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary will call at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas; Phillipsburg, St Maarten and Labadee. The Western Caribbean itinerary will call at Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico and Cozumel, Mexico.