Independence Of The Seas deck plans

Independence of the Seas (2008-built, last refurbished in 2018 under the “Royal Amplified” program, last drydocking in January 2023) is the third and final Freedom-class Royal Caribbean cruise ship, together with Freedom OTS and Liberty OTS.

Note: CruiseMapper's Independence OTS deck plans are valid for 2025-2026-2027.

The Independence of the Seas deck plan includes 1918 staterooms for 3836 passengers (maximum capacity 4603), served by 1360 crew. The ship has 15 decks (14 accessible to passengers, 9 with cabins), 22 lounges and bars, 3 swimming pools, 7 outdoor Jacuzzis (2 cantilevered), and 14 elevators.

Independence OTS deck plan changes – 2018 refurbishment review

The 2018 drydock (April 4 - May 4, at Freeport, Bahamas) resulted in the following deck plan modifications (deck by deck):

• (Decks 3 and 4) Alhambra Theatre was fully renovated and renamed “Royal Theater.”
• (Deck 3) “The Raven” nightclub’s lower level was replaced with staterooms; the upper level (Deck 4) became Izumi (specialty Japanese restaurant with Teppanyaki grills).
• Photo Gallery was relocated from Deck 4 to Deck 3. Its former space on Deck 4 now houses Playmakers Sports Bar and an Arcade Room.
• (Deck 3) “On Air Club” was replaced with staterooms.
• (Deck 3) Art Gallery was reduced in size to add new staterooms.
• The “Romeo and Juliet” (Deck 3 aft), “Macbeth” (Deck 4 aft), and “King Lear” (Deck 5 aft) restaurants were all renamed “Dining Room.”
• (Deck 5) Pyramid Lounge was renamed “Star Lounge” and reduced in size.
• (Deck 5) “Connoisseur Club” was transformed into “Library – RC Online” (Internet room) and enlarged.
• (Deck 5) “God and Badger Pub” was renamed “Ale and Anchor Pub” and reduced in size.
• (Deck 5) “Cupcake Cupboard” was replaced with “Sugar Beach” (candy store).
• (Deck 6) Added 1 Inside Cabin (#6137 forward), 4 Inside Cabins aft (replacing “Business Center” and “Loyalty Desk”), and 2 Villa Suites (replacing the aft 4-Bedroom Family Suite).
• (Deck 7) Added 1 Inside Cabin (#7139 forward) and 4 Inside Cabins aft (replacing the Library, moved to Deck 5).
• (Deck 8) Added 6 Inside Cabins forward (8127, 8129, 8131, 8133, 8315, 8237) and 4 Inside Cabins aft (replacing RC Online, moved to Deck 5).
• (Deck 9) Added 1 Inside Cabin (#9237 forward).
• (Deck 10) Concierge Lounge was replaced by 4 Inside Cabins.
• (Deck 11 forward-starboard) Added 6 Spa Staterooms (space taken from the Vitality Center). The H2O Zone aqua park was replaced with Splashaway Bay (kids water park). “Squeeze Bar” became “Fish and Ships” eatery, and “Seatrek Dive Shop” was renamed “PADI.” Splashaway Bay features waterslides (Cyclone, Typhoon, Boomerang), water cannons, geysers, pools, and a drench bucket.
• (Deck 12 forward) Added 44 Spa Staterooms (including “Panoramic Ocean View”), taking additional space from the Vitality Center.
• (Deck 13 aft-portside) “Independence Dunes” mini-golf was replaced with “The Perfect Storm” waterslides, “Sky Pad” (bungee trampoline with optional VR headset), and FlowRider (surf simulator).
• (Deck 14 forward-portside) Multi-purpose rooms “Cloud Nine” and “Seven Hearts” were replaced by the exclusive “Suite Lounge.”
• (Deck 15) “Skylight Chapel” (wedding room) was replaced with an Escape Room offering adventure games and puzzle-solving experiences with time limits for teams.

Independence OTS deck plan changes – 2013 refurbishment review

The 2013 drydock added the following features:

• “Giovanni’s Table” (Italian restaurant) on Lido Deck 11. Also added were RCI’s signature “Royal Babies & Tots Nursery” (childcare facility) and an outdoor poolside Jumbotron movie screen.
• “Cupcake Cupboard” (bakery shop) on Promenade Deck 5.