In February 2007, Royal Caribbean International made the shock announcement the third ship in their Freedom class, Independence of the Seas, would be based in Southampton in the summer of 2008, replacing Navigator of the Seas which hadn't even begun what would now be her one and only season. This was quite a coup for Southampton as Barcelona is the number one cruise port in Europe, Southampton number one in northern Europe and showed the confidence RCI had in the city. It would be the largest ship ever to homeport in Europe and cross the Atlantic with fare-paying passengers once the season was over. Confusion reigned over which was the maiden voyage when the itineraries were announced. There was a four night trip to Cork on the 17th May while and eleven night to the Canaries on the 21st. The press release had been no help, stating only the maiden was mid-May so travel agents sold it as the longer trip. They went on sale on the 14th March and, imagining how fast it would sell, I was on the phone as soon as the lines opened. Due to their single supplements being so high, I could only afford the four nights on the 17th which would be calling at Cobh and then have a two hour stop at Guernsey for tax purposes. After almost twenty five minutes of plugs for the Flowrider and things, I got through to Clare who was really helpful. As I had booked an Oceanview on Navigator, I went for a balcony this time to have something different. Of course, I didn't know then I would be upgraded to a balcony on Navigator! Surprisingly the single supplement wasn't the usual double which I was pleased about. I had a budget and if it had gone over I'd have opted for Oceanview. I may have gone cruising barmy but I'm not stupid. Not yet anyway! Clare looked at the cabins available for E2 grade and selected 9242, one of only four on Deck 9 and the highest that grade went to. She also informed me I would receive a free bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Not keen on champagne but doing these cruises has given me the taste for it and white wine back, albeit limited amounts, but it was free so I wouldn't turn it down. One of the advantages of travelling alone - no sharing freebies!!!! Pity the cruise fares are a disadvantage but I digress. I absolutely loved my short cruise on Navigator and it's a shame Freedom class are just a modified version of Voyager class. There are a few differences to explore but at least I'd know my way around! Independence was floated out at Aker Yards in Turku on the 14th September 2007 so progressing nicely. Another eight months the brand new ship would have arrived and I'd have the set! That in itself is unusual as we would normally see one of a new class rather than all of them, let alone get to keep one for six months. On the 5th December a letter arrived. The ship would be early and as a result they had brought the maiden forward to the 2nd May. We all had the choice of leaving it on the original date or transferring at no extra cost. I got on the phone immediately! Also travel agents henceforth began referring to the short as the maiden, which is what I'd told people all along. Good marketing on RCI's part. Many people try out a ship on a short rather than long so it was one way of guaranteeing those who loved it would want to go back. The 17th would now be the third cruise and we missed the Elvis convention - yay!!!! When I paid the balance off on the 7th January the SetSail Pass was ready to print. They sent me an updated statement afterwards giving me a £10 credit as they had added the fuel supplement online which I'd paid. Time to relax and await the arrival on the 25th April of the latest Royal Caribbean mega ship!
The ship was named by Elizabeth Hill on the 30th April and the ship sailed for a two night charity cruise with Sir Steve Redgrave to raise money for his charity which is affiliated with Royal Caribbean for initially two years. Press, travel agents and some other lucky punters were aboard. Then on the 2nd May she came back to prepare for her maiden voyage. This would be my third Royal Caribbean cruise, having done Navigator exactly eleven months earlier (and I'm still waiting for my Crown & Anchor membership pack which was supposed to take four-six weeks) and Vision with Amy back in March. We fell in love with Vision to the extent we affectionately nicknamed her Ducky Bum. Independence is a genentically modified Ducky Bum! While doing variations on a design gets boring, I am pleased overall Royal Caribbean have stuck with rounded sterns and sleek lines rather than flat things which make ships look more like buildings. I also love their set up and the ship interiors are magnificent. The staff go out of their way to make sure you have a fabulous time. I found out shortly before sailing the company started the year I was born so there's an affinity there. No chance of a freebie for my 40th then? Hehe. As the date had changed, so had the ships in with us. Originally we would have had Oriana and come back with the QE2 and Arcadia. Now it was Ventura (having just returned from her maiden voyage) and Queen Victoria, returning with Aurora and QV. Consecutive cruises with Ventura on the sailing date and coming in with Aurora. I was so excited I went for the ferry but got an earlier one as all I could think about was boarding that gorgeous ship waiting at City Terminal AND docked the correct way round! Woo! No time wasting!!! Thank you ABP and RCI! |
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