Independence Of The Seas Returns To The UK

Royal Caribbean has unveiled its plans for the 2025 cruise season, which includes a return to the UK for Freedom-class ship Independence of the Seas.

The ship was home-ported in Southampton for many years but was repositioned six years ago, but in 2025 she will offer sailings around Europe from the port once again.

She will replace the Quantum-class ship Anthem of the Seas, which will offer her final Southampton season (for now) in 2024.

Independence of the Seas was the biggest ship in the world when she launched in 2008, although she has since been surpassed by the Quantum Class, the Oasis Class and the upcoming Icon Class.

Many loyal Royal Caribbean fans will be happy to see her return to Southampton, having spent many years serving UK guests with her exciting itineraries, spacious pool deck, live entertainment (including the stage show Grease) and varied dining choices.

Some may feel disappointed that it’s an older ship than Anthem of the Seas, that’s a little smaller, but it should be good to freshen things up.

Whether the change to an older ship will be reflected in lower prices will become more apparent in the coming months as itineraries are released.