Royal Caribbean

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, based in Miami, is the main rival to the Carnival Corporation and run many smaller cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises. They are the proud owners of the largest cruise ships in the world, the 158,000 ton Freedom class ships. These monsters are small in comparison to their next project, which is currently in production. This is the whopping 220,000 ton Oasis class of ship. Amazingly they will carry over 5,000 passengers, the size of a small town!

In spring 2008, Independence of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean Cruise from the Akar shipyard, she is the third and last in the Freedom class range and at 158,000 tons is the largest cruise ship to be home ported in the UK. To accommodate her, Royal Caribbean Cruise has signed a multi million pound contract with the port of Southampton to extend one of the piers to accommodate her.

Now known as Royal Caribbean International, the former Royal Caribbean Cruise Line offers an American style cruise that caters for almost anybody. Their ships have more facilities for children than any other cruise line and are just as great for family cruises as they are for discerning couples wanting a more adventurous cruise.