Royal Caribbean Names Third Ship in Freedom Class

Royal Caribbean International announced that the line's third and final Freedom-class ship will be named Independence of the Seas. The ship, currently under construction at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, is set to make her debut in May 2008. She will follow Liberty of the Seas, which makes her entrance into New York City harbor May 3, 2007.

At 160,000 GRT and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Independence of the Seas will share the title of the world's largest cruise ship with Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. Beginning May 19, 2007, Liberty of the Seas will sail alternating seven- night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries year-round from Miami.