October 10, 2019
(11:30 am GMT) -- Royal Caribbean has announced Independence of the Seas will not be based in the UK next year.
The ship had been due to offer sailings from Southampton alongside newer fleetmate Anthem of the Seas throughout 2020's cruise season.
However, Independence of the Seas will now sail from Fort Lauderdale offering Caribbean sailings including a stop in the line's newly relaunched private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay.
Ben Bouldin, AVP and Managing Director, Royal Caribbean International UK & Ireland, confirmed passengers affected by the itinerary change will be offered full refunds and a "Future Cruise Credit" for use on alternative sailings.
The Future Cruise Credit is valued at 25 percent of the cruise fare paid on their cancelled sailing. Non-refundable airline charges will also be reimbursed.
Passengers booked on Indie's transatlantic sailing will be offered an alternative sailing on Anthem of the Seas, along with onboard credit based on their cabin category and sailing length. Non-refundable airline charges will also be reimbursed and full refunds offered to those who wish to cancel.
Bouldin added: "The UK remains a cornerstone of the Royal Caribbean business and this is evident from the fact that we have our amazing Quantum Class ship Anthem of the Seas returning to Southampton in 2020.
"The decision for Independence of the Seas to remain in Florida has been made to help us satisfy the increasing demand we’re seeing in North America, particularly for our newly opened Perfect Day at CocoCay.
"Recent figures from CLIA show that the UK & Irish ocean cruise market has achieved a new milestone, exceeding two million passengers for the first time. We’re certainly seeing this demand reflected in Royal Caribbean bookings; ex-UK 2020 sailings have been selling incredibly well since November 2018 and we are also seeing strong demand from UK guests for sailings in the Caribbean and Asia-Pacific regions."
Up until today, Royal planned on deploying Independence of the Seas in the UK, and confirmed as much when the line revealed Anthem would be returning here. It means Anthem will be the only Royal Caribbean ship based in the UK in 2020.
The last time Anthem was based here, in 2015, Royal also pulled Independence of the Seas from the UK.
