Independence OTS — the basics, and what to ask
3,836 passengers over 15 decks puts her in the big-ship bracket without being one of the giants.
She dates from 2008, so expect a refit or two in her history. Ask about cabin condition rather than assuming — refurbished and un-refurbished cabins on the same ship can be years apart.
Big enough that a sea day never runs dry, small enough that you are not queueing for lifts all week.
Passenger-to-crew is around 2.8 to 1, which is on the lean side. Expect queues at the pinch points.
From her deck plan: an ice rink, an indoor promenade, a waterpark, a casino, a spa, a theatre, a dedicated kids area, a sports deck and a central atrium. That is what the layout shows — if something has been changed in a refit, correct us.
Cabins run from deck 2 to deck 12 across 9 decks. The usual advice applies and applies harder on a ship this shape: mid-ship and low is the steadiest ride, and what sits directly above your cabin matters more than the view out of it.
If you have been aboard, the useful answer here is which deck you were on and whether you would book it again.
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