Welcome to TBO.com. Skip directly to: our Keyword Search, Section Navigation, Content.

TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online

Royal Caribbean International

The Independence of the Seas shares the title of world's largest cruise ship with its two sister ships.

TBO.com

Published: November 21, 2008

It has an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall, a nine-hole miniature golf course, three restaurants and a Ben & Jerry's ice-cream shop.

Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas, which shares the title of world's largest cruise ship with sister ships Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, reached Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday for its first launch from the United States.

The ship, which had started sailing from Europe in April, began its trans-Atlantic journey in England.

The ship will sail out to the eastern and western Caribbean beginning Sunday.

•Weight: 160,000 gross registered tons

•Decks: 15

•Restaurants: Portofino Italian Restaurant, Chops Grille, Johnny Rockets

•Guests: can accommodate 3,634

•Recreation facilities: includes a water park and boxing ring

•Also: Wi-Fi and cell phone connectivity; conference facilities, including high-tech presentation rooms

MORE FROM THIS CHANNEL