Ships of the Year

class is developed from the 137,300 gross
tonnage Voyager-class, which totalled
five vessels delivered between 1999 and
2003. Originally Royal Caribbean Cruises
intended to order just one or two vessels of
this huge size – in those days the Voyagerships
were to be the largest in the world –
but their large success changed the plans.
It was also believed that vessels of this
size could only be employed in the Caribbean,
but this interpretation of the market
proved out to be too pessimistic. Since a
couple of years Voyager vessels are successfully
operated on several markets, including
Europe.
Beneath the bridge there are passenger cabins facing forward.
Royal Promenade is literally the centre of the ship.
With the Voyager-class Royal Caribbean
Cruises could introduce many new features.
Due to their larger size the Freedomclass
vessels offer their guests even more
possibilities and activities.
Designed for various functions
The size is not a means in itself, as Royal
Caribbean in their designing process have
started from all the functions required on
board, rather than from the size of the
vessel.
The Independence of the Seas was ordered
on April 1, 2005 and delivered on April 17,
2008. Operating under the Royal Carib-
SHIPS OF THE YEAR
A couple of years ago,
employing such a vessel in
Europe would have been
more or less impossible.
bean International brand, she is employed
on the contemporary market, which has
seen the largest additions of capacity during
the last decades.
During the summer and autumn she has
been operating with Southampton as her
SCANDINAVIAN SHIPPING GAZETTE • DECEMBER 19, 2008 45