From this view the ship looks very similar to the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The new ships will obviously fit in well with the rest of the fleet.
When we first posted the announcement of the new ships, we had a thumbnail view of the four ships. We now have a larger version of that rendering. From this view you can clearly see many of the differences between the two new ships and the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic-
Earlier today in a traditional maritime handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Carnival Cruise Lines took delivery of the new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom – the 22nd vessel in the “Fun Ship†fleet. Following its official naming ceremony in Venice March 4, presided over by godmother Kathy Ireland, Carnival Freedom will sail on its inaugural voyage – a nine-day Mediterranean cruise from Venice departing March 5.
Carnival Freedom will then launch a program of 12-day Grand Mediterranean and Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises March 14, operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia).
One of the most technically advanced cruise ships at sea, Carnival Freedom features Carnival’s Seaside Theater, a poolside 270-square-foot LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming, along with “100 percent bow-to-stern†Internet wireless access and cellular phone service.
Also featured are 22 lounges and bars with dramatic interiors inspired by prominent design themes of the past decades and centuries, as well as a 13,300-square-foot health club, one eighth-mile jogging track, and extensive facilities for children and teens, part of Carnival’s popular “Camp Carnival†and “Club O2†programs, respectively.
Sixty percent of its 1,487 staterooms offer either an ocean view or balcony – perfect for scenic European cruising. All staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.
Following its European program, Carnival Freedom will sail on a 14-day transatlantic voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Miami, positioning the vessel for a winter schedule of seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Nov. 17, 2007.
Reservations are being accepted on all of Carnival Freedom’s European and Caribbean itineraries. Call us at 888-286-9827 to book onboard Carnival's newest Fun Ship. - The stories we discussed this week included Carnival's decision not to move the Triumph to New Orleans later this year.
- Crystal and MSC offering special golf cruises.
- Queen Mary 2's New York sailings to the Caribbean
- Norwegian Dawn's July 7 sailing canceled- and boy did we have a mouthful about this one!
- Damage to the Regal Princess
- Crystal launches Windows Vista and Office 2007 training
- Disney orders two new ships
- Windstar is sold and Swan Helenic will be shutting down
- Silver Whisper attends America's Cup
- Seattle OKs cruise ship terminal move
Royal Caribbean International today announced plans to deploy Independence of the Seas - the third in its new Freedom class of ships - in the United Kingdom, when she debuts in May 2008. Sharing the title of the largest, most innovative cruise ship in the world with sister ships, Freedom of the Seas and the soon-to-be-launched Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas will be the largest ship ever to be home-ported in Europe.
Currently under construction in Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, Independence of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in May 2008 and will feature the line's signature innovations including the FlowRider(R) surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall and a boxing ring. The 3,634-guest cruise ship will sail the 2008 summer season from Southampton, United Kingdom.
We have the details on Independence of The Seas European itineraries when you click on "more" or call us at 888-286-9827 to book one of these new itineraries when they go on sale March 14.
Following a series of preview sailings in Oslo, Norway; Hamburg, Germany; and Southampton, U.K., Independence will embark on her maiden voyage in mid- May 2008, alternating 14-night 'Mediterranean Treasures' and 'Italian Mediterranean' itineraries. Ports of call for the 'Mediterranean Treasures' itinerary include Gibraltar, UK; Barcelona, Spain; Nice, France; Florence/Pisa, Italy; Sardinia, Italy; Lisbon, Portugal; and Malaga and Vigo, Spain. Guests on the 'Italian Mediterranean' cruises will experience the destinations of Gibraltar; Cannes/Monte Carlo, France; Florence/Pisa, Rome and Sardinia in Italy; Seville and Vigo, Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal.
Guests can also enjoy two four-night getaways from Southhampton to Cork, Ireland and St. Peter Port in the Channel Islands. Three 11-night Canary Islands itineraries, also roundtrip from Southampton, will round out the fall season, calling in Madeira, Portugal; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Las Palmas, Gran Canaria; Lanzarote, Canary Islands; and Vigo, Spain.
Independence then heads to the Americas for a series of warm weather Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Bookings for the European itineraries will be open for sale on March 14.
Independence of the Seas will join a long list of Royal Caribbean ships in Europe. In the summer of 2007, six ships - the highest number ever for the cruise line - will sail European itineraries stopping in 63 ports of call in Europe alone. Navigator of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas will sail from Southampton and Harwich, England, respectively. In Spain, Voyager of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas will be Barcelona-based. Legend of the Seas will homeport in Rome and Splendour of the Seas will sail from Venice, Italy. Older Articles »
