Royal Caribbean to Deploy Megaship in Europe
Published Tuesday, February 27th 2007 - Updated Thursday, December 13th 2007
Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 160,000-ton Independence of the Seas in Southampton, England, when it debuts in May 2008. Sharing the title of the largest cruise ship with sister ships Freedom of the Seas and the soon-to-be-launched Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas will be the largest ship ever to be home-ported in Europe.
"This significant step is part of the company's strategy of international business development and expansion into emerging and high-growth cruise markets," said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
"We have already seen tremendous growth of the cruise industry in Europe. This year, 21 percent of the capacity of our three brands combined -- Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Pullmantur -- will be in this market."
Currently under construction in Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, Independence of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in May 2008 and will feature the line's signature innovations including the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall and a boxing ring. The 3,634-guest cruise ship will sail the 2008 summer season from Southampton, U.K. Following a series of preview sailings in Oslo, Norway; Hamburg, Germany; and Southampton, U.K., Independence will embark on its maiden voyage in mid-May 2008, alternating 14-night "Mediterranean Treasures" and "Italian Mediterranean" itineraries.
Ports of call for the "Mediterranean Treasures" itinerary include Gibraltar, U.K.; Barcelona, Spain; Nice, France; Florence/Pisa, Italy; Sardinia, Italy; Lisbon, Portugal; and Malaga and Vigo, Spain. The "Italian Mediterranean" cruises visit Gibraltar; Cannes/Monte Carlo, France; Florence/Pisa, Rome and Sardinia in Italy; Seville and Vigo, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal. The ship also offers two four-night cruises from Southampton to Cork, Ireland, and St. Peter Port in the Channel Islands. Three 11-night Canary Islands itineraries, also roundtrip from Southampton, will round out the fall season, calling in Madeira, Portugal; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria; Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Vigo. The Independence then heads to the U.S. for winter operating alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Bookings for the European itineraries will open on March 14. Call to book your cabin today! 800-913-7245>
"This significant step is part of the company's strategy of international business development and expansion into emerging and high-growth cruise markets," said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
"We have already seen tremendous growth of the cruise industry in Europe. This year, 21 percent of the capacity of our three brands combined -- Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Pullmantur -- will be in this market."
Currently under construction in Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, Independence of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in May 2008 and will feature the line's signature innovations including the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall and a boxing ring. The 3,634-guest cruise ship will sail the 2008 summer season from Southampton, U.K. Following a series of preview sailings in Oslo, Norway; Hamburg, Germany; and Southampton, U.K., Independence will embark on its maiden voyage in mid-May 2008, alternating 14-night "Mediterranean Treasures" and "Italian Mediterranean" itineraries.
Ports of call for the "Mediterranean Treasures" itinerary include Gibraltar, U.K.; Barcelona, Spain; Nice, France; Florence/Pisa, Italy; Sardinia, Italy; Lisbon, Portugal; and Malaga and Vigo, Spain. The "Italian Mediterranean" cruises visit Gibraltar; Cannes/Monte Carlo, France; Florence/Pisa, Rome and Sardinia in Italy; Seville and Vigo, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal. The ship also offers two four-night cruises from Southampton to Cork, Ireland, and St. Peter Port in the Channel Islands. Three 11-night Canary Islands itineraries, also roundtrip from Southampton, will round out the fall season, calling in Madeira, Portugal; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria; Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Vigo. The Independence then heads to the U.S. for winter operating alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. Bookings for the European itineraries will open on March 14. Call to book your cabin today! 800-913-7245>
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