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Docks welcomes largest liner - Independence of the Seas
3:42pm Friday 25th April 2008
Comments (28)
The world's largest cruise ship, Independence of the Seas, arrived in Southampton this morning, bringing a huge economic boost to her first home port.
Over the course of the vessel's inaugural six-month season, Independence of the Seas, the largest ever cruise ship to operate from the UK, is expected to generate an extra £22.8m for the city's economy.
Many suppliers and local services will benefit from her arrival, as will the city's hotels, transport operators, bars and restaurants as thousands of passengers arrive in Southampton to board the ship.
Measuring 1,112ft long and weighing in at 160,000 tons, the latest addition to Royal Caribbean International's fleet of megaships will be at the centre of seven days of celebrations, including an exclusive performance by chart favourites Scouting for Girls.
Click here to watch the Independence of the Seas coming in to port.
There will be firework displays and a charity auction hosted by five-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave, who will be joined by former athlete Steve Cram, television presenter Steve Rider and comedians Nick Hancock, Norman Pace and Jimmy Tarbuck.
The spectacular new ship - longer than three-and-a-half football pitches - is unlike any other to have operated in UK waters in both size and on-board facilities. If standing up on her bow she would dwarf Britain's tallest building, the 771ft One Canada Square at London's Canary Wharf.
Click here to see a behind the scenes gallery of the vessel.
Featuring an ice rink, climbing wall and surfing simulator, the ship's Main Street - complete with bars, cafes, shops and restaurants - is longer than the pitch at the new Wembley Stadium.
Independence of the Seas can accommodate more than 4,300 guests and will undertake a summer-long programme of voyages to the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and Ireland before leaving for the Caribbean in the winter.
Industry body the Passenger Shipping Association forecasts that 1.55million British passengers will take a cruise holiday in 2008, an increase of 14 per cent compared with last year.
Your Say YourDaily Echo
Fred, says...
6:49am Fri 25 Apr 08
Since the length of a football pitch can vary can we have this measured in London Routemasters please?
Michael Taylor, Chester says...
7:16am Fri 25 Apr 08
Chris Dean, says...
9:02am Fri 25 Apr 08
stat boy, kitchen says...
9:43am Fri 25 Apr 08
Fred wrote:i prefer Nelson's column
"longer than three-and-a-half football pitches" Since the length of a football pitch can vary can we have this measured in London Routemasters please?
Anon, says...
9:54am Fri 25 Apr 08
Sammy, SOTON says...
10:21am Fri 25 Apr 08
WHEN IS THIS TAKING PLACE?
rocket, says...
10:44am Fri 25 Apr 08
Sammy wrote:Special occasion in Southampton....i know, lets put on some fireworks - that will make a change.
IT STATES THE FOLLOWING There will be firework displays and a charity auction hosted by five-time Olympic gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave, who will be joined by former athlete Steve Cram, television presenter Steve Rider and comedians Nick Hancock, Norman Pace and Jimmy Tarbuck. WHEN IS THIS TAKING PLACE?
I can see it now....couple of years time to celebrate the Titanic centenary, councillors deciding what to do.
'Lets build a museum to celebrate the fact that the great ship departed from the city'
'Nah, I know lets put on some fireworks - that will capture the publics imagination'
'Great idea, motion carried'
hulla, baloo says...
11:08am Fri 25 Apr 08
A problem here under the trade descriptions act.
Winnie Mandela, says...
11:15am Fri 25 Apr 08
stat boy wrote:So did I.
Fred wrote: "longer than three-and-a-half football pitches" Since the length of a football pitch can vary can we have this measured in London Routemasters please?i prefer Nelson's column
Ben Ayling, Brighton says...
11:37am Fri 25 Apr 08
waiting2see wrote:I'll be on that ship tomorrow!! Won a prize on St Marys pitch before the Bristol City game for an afternoon and overnight stay
Ship was due in at 7am today but its website has a ship-follower feature. This suggests its still over near dover (at 6:45am). Anyone know for sure when it is going to sail in to Southampon?
Morris, West Sussex says...
12:10pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Theydon Bois, North of here says...
1:47pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Nahh - think again. Rider is doing his proper job of hosting ITV's F1 coverage in Barcelona whilst they still have the rights, rather than sucking on the RCI shilling doing a corporate appearance.
Jess, Southampton says...
2:49pm Fri 25 Apr 08
marlene, berkshire says...
2:51pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Ken, Southampton Water says...
4:10pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Ben, says...
4:19pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Ken wrote:46.5
1,112 ft ? Does anyone know how many London double decker buses that equates to?
Happy?
Charlie Davis, Ryde says...
5:01pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Colin, Southampton says...
6:03pm Fri 25 Apr 08
waiting2see wrote:SHe arrived at 7-00am,I know I saw her go past my bedroom window.
Ship was due in at 7am today but its website has a ship-follower feature. This suggests its still over near dover (at 6:45am). Anyone know for sure when it is going to sail in to Southampon?
kayleigh, soton says...
10:14pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Natalie H, Chertsey says...
11:25pm Fri 25 Apr 08
sean sparks, Woolston, Southampton says...
11:43pm Fri 25 Apr 08
Robin wrote:For your information, the QM2 wil be undertaking her first round Britain cruise in October 2009 to mark her her first full five years in service.
It seems to me that the liverpool person is obviously jealous that their pathetic excuse for a docks cannot hold the superliners, ok ok so it can hold QE2 but thats what 80,000 tonnes?? I fail to believe Independance, Ventura, QM2 or any of the bigger liners could fit in at Liverpool.
She will be docking in Liverpool during this cruise, along with various other ports including Greenock so your comments are negligable.
I am not sure if you are aware, Liverpool now has a new deep water landing stage, otherwise known as the Liverpool Cruise Terminal capable of handling the largest liners in service. Although this terminal hasn't got a passenger handling facility as such it is to be used primarily for cruise calls rather than turn arounds like Southampton.
I am Southampton born, I live here, I was at sea for 15 years and I love Southampton ( Liverpool is a fantastic city as well with lots to offer including the beautifull waterfront buildings, Albert dock, etc ) but I feel our city has so much more to offer than it currently does. It could make more of its rich heritage in so many ways. It seems the council are really out of touch in my opinion.
In fours years time it will be the centenary of the Titanic diaster, if the city pushed forward plans for a heritage centre or a much bigger maritime museum the city could really benefit from the influx of extra visitors.
I was in Valencia in March and there is even a permanent Titanic expedition there with a cover charge of 35 Euros, and guess what there was a queue, and that was in March, imagine that here eh, but then the council dont have a clue!
BTW I will be on the Independance of the Seas during her time here so will be thinking of you all :-)
quote
boxerbrown, australia says...
12:37am Sat 26 Apr 08
Adam, Southampton says...
8:00am Sat 26 Apr 08
Wills, Soton says...
12:33pm Sat 26 Apr 08
sotonian, Soton says...
5:33pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Soton population 220,000
Development of Royal Pier - say £20m (possibly self financing thereafter) Av cost per resident £91
New Ice Rink. Cheopo Crinkle Tin plus machinery etc £3-£5m (Av cost per resident £14-£23) Drain on Rates thereafter.
Note you can probably at least quadruple the per head contribution as real cost will be borne by those of us who pay rates.
Deal or No Deal?
Fred, says...
11:17am Sun 27 Apr 08
Ben wrote:Not really - according to the Saturday Echo magazine the length of 1,112ft is shown as being the same as:-
Ken wrote: 1,112 ft ? Does anyone know how many London double decker buses that equates to?46.5 Happy?
37 double decker buses (image of RouteMaster used).
3.5 football pitches (based upon an average length of 100m)
5 Boeing 747's.
You will note that Routemasters are the correct measurement - being neither imperial or metric but traditional.
Dave, Southampton says...
2:35pm Sun 27 Apr 08
ARRIVAL: Independence of the Seas arrives in Southampton
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waiting2see, local says...
6:48am Fri 25 Apr 08