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Independence of the Seas
Independence of the Seas is a Freedom Class ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet that entered service in 2008. According to Royal Caribbean, it measures 154,407 gross tons, carries 3,858 guests (double occupancy) and has 1,440 crew. #17 in Biggest Royal Caribbean ships · ranked by public data. It has the same published gross tonnage as 1 other Royal Caribbean ship.
Independence of the Seas key facts
- Cruise line
- Royal Caribbean
- Ship class
- Freedom Class
- Status
- In service
- Entered service
- May 2, 2008 (maiden voyage)
- Last refurbishment
- Not published
- Gross tonnage
- 154,407
- Guests
- 3,858 (double occupancy)
- Crew
- 1,440
- Guests per crew member
- 2.68 (calculated from the two official figures above)
- Decks
- 15 total, 14 guest decks
- Staterooms
- 1,929
- Length
- 1,112 ft (339 m)
- Beam (width)
- 185 ft
- Shipyard
- Aker Yards, Turku, Finland
Source: Independence of the Seas fact sheet (PDF), Royal Caribbean Press Center (document dated 12.22.25), accessed Oct 26, 2026. 7 of 8 core figures are published by Royal Caribbean; the rest show "Not published".
Features listed on the official fact sheet
From the same Royal Caribbean fact sheet. A feature missing here is not listed on the sheet; it may still exist.
Freedom Class sister ships
Compare Independence of the Seas
Where Independence of the Seas ranks
- 17 #17 in Biggest Royal Caribbean ships · ranked by public data
- 16 #16 in Newest Royal Caribbean ships · ranked by public data
- 10 #10 in Best Royal Caribbean ships for families · ranked by public data
- 16 #16 in Best Royal Caribbean ships for thrill seekers · ranked by public data
- 15 #15 in Royal Caribbean ships with a FlowRider · ranked by public data
- 7 #7 in Royal Caribbean ships with an ice rink · ranked by public data
- 9 #9 in Royal Caribbean ships with waterslides · ranked by public data
- 8 #8 in Royal Caribbean ships with an escape room · ranked by public data
- 10 #10 in Royal Caribbean ships with mini golf · ranked by public data
Ships of similar size on other lines
Ships like Independence of the Seas: similar ships compared →
FAQ
How big is Independence of the Seas?
Independence of the Seas measures 154,407 gross tons and is 1,112 ft (339 m) long, according to Royal Caribbean (checked Oct 26, 2026).
How many passengers does Independence of the Seas hold?
Royal Caribbean lists 3,858 guests (double occupancy). It sails with 1,440 crew.
How old is Independence of the Seas?
Independence of the Seas's maiden voyage was on May 2, 2008, according to Royal Caribbean.
How many decks does Independence of the Seas have?
15 decks in total, of which 14 are guest decks, per Royal Caribbean's fact sheet.
What are Independence of the Seas's sister ships?
Other Freedom Class ships: Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas.
How many crew does Independence of the Seas have?
Royal Caribbean lists 1,440 crew alongside 3,858 guests (double occupancy), or 2.68 guests per crew member.
Where was Independence of the Seas built?
Independence of the Seas was built at Aker Yards, Turku, Finland, according to Royal Caribbean.
Sources
- Independence of the Seas fact sheet (PDF), Royal Caribbean Press Center, Royal Caribbean Group. Accessed Oct 26, 2026. Used for: ship class, maiden voyage, gross tonnage, guests, crew, decks total, guest decks, staterooms, length ft, length m, beam ft, shipyard.
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