Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Independence of the Seas, has taken to the seas for the first time.
The ship, currently under construction in Turku, Finland, is now 85% complete.
The construction team is currently working on the main dining room, theatre and the upper deck pool area.
The ship will be delivered to Royal Caribbean International in late April 2008, two weeks ahead of schedule.
She will arrive in Southampton in April 2008 for inaugural celebrations in the UK.
Jo Rzymowska, managing director of Royal Caribbean International, UK and Ireland, said: “The completion of Independence of the Seas is a milestone for Royal Caribbean International as she will be the first newbuild ship to homeport outside of the US.
“As part of the family of the largest cruise ships in the world, this high profile ship is set to contribute to the growth in UK cruises.
“We are hugely confident in the market potential of this ship, specifically with first time UK cruisers in particular.”
As the ship is coming into service two weeks earlier, an additional two sailings are now available.
The new sailings including a four-night Cork cruise that departs on May 2, sailing from Southampton to Cork and back to Southampton from £449 per person (based on two sharing an inside cabin), and an 11-night Canary Islands cruise that departs on May 6, from £897 per person (based on two sharing an inside cabin).
By Bev Fearis
