Independence of the Seas
This is a firm “no” to FOMO. Independence of the Seas® is giving cruising an injection of new adventures. Go head to head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag clash in Battle for Planet Z℠. And score an awesome time and game-changing grub at Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade.
Roundtrip From:Cape Liberty (New York), New Jersey
Visiting:
Departs at 3:00 PM
With a front-and-center-stage view of Lower New York Harbor, Cape Liberty is only a hop, skip and a short subway ride away from New York City. This dizzying urban landscape is filled to the brim with non-stop adventure around every street corner. Tucked among the Wall Street skyscrapers and bright Broadway lights, you’ll discover ethnic enclaves, like the famed Little Italy, historic brownstones, European-style cathedrals and leafy Central Park. Take in world-renowned exhibits at MoMA or the Guggenheim. Trace America’s multicultural past at Ellis Island and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge before or after boarding your New Jersey cruise. Or snap a selfie with Lady Liberty, with the Big Apple’s skyline dazzling in the background.
Sightseeing in Manhattan excites and amazes like nowhere else— and every neighborhood presents a fascinating, unique personality. Tour Rockefeller Center and catch a show at Radio City Music Hall. Walk the High Line and soak in the urban buzz of Times Square. New York cruises allow you to experience it all— by tour bus, subway, or on foot.
Cruises from New York allow you to explore the Staten Island Zoo or cheer on the Yankees in The Bronx. International culture and cuisine await you in Queens, while wineries and beaches speckle Long Island. Or stop in Hoboken, a pedestrian-friendly town where you can stroll along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway across from Manhattan’s glimmering skyline.
This global shopping capital covers it all: from big department stores like Barney’s along glitzy Madison Avenue, to souvenir shops selling “I Love NY” T-shirts. Hit up the Historic Orchard Street Shopping District for leather goods, or SoHo for cutting-edge fashions. Greenwich Village is best for books, records and craft shops, and it is a must-see when you cruise out of New York.
Stand among skyscrapers at one of New York’s scenic observation decks. Admire Central Park from the open-air Top of the Rock. Enjoy twinkling evening views from the top of the Empire State Building. Or venture 104 floors up to the One World Observatory in the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
With some 20,000 sit-down restaurants, this is a foodie’s paradise. Many iconic dishes have been rubber-stamped by New York— pizza, bagels, hot dogs and cheesecake included. Savor steamy dumplings in Chinatown. Slurp down Blue Point oysters in Chelsea Market. Or munch on the legendary cronut. Then sip a Manhattan cocktail to cap off the night in NYC.
Grab your bravest friend and challenge them to a test of speed. The ride of your life awaits on twin racers Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠ — part of The Perfect Storm℠, the boldest waterslides at sea. As you speed through, long, translucent stretches offer sea views as exhilarating as the ride itself.
Grab your board and get ready for 30,000 gallons of rushing awesome headed your way. The surf’s always up on the 40-foot-long FlowRider® surf simulator.
Two forces clash in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag faceoff for control of the last planet for light years around. Will your team claim it? Take aim and find out in Battle for Planet Z℠.
Rise to the occasion and take on the signature Rock Climbing Wall. From beginners to speed climbers, everyone can enjoy an unparalleled view from 40 feet above deck. Included in your fare, no reservation required.
From Day 4, 9:00 AM - Day 5, 5:00 PM
From its pastel-painted estates to its pink sand beaches and turquoise shores, Bermuda is a land bursting with color. It’s also one of the world’s top diving and golf destinations. Set out beyond the historic Royal Naval Dockyard and you’ll discover 1700s-era British colonial landmarks, pretty towns and secluded beaches— when you explore them, be prepared to drive on the left side of the road. Come with an appetite and enjoy superb delicacies like fish chowder made with sherry peppers and the favorite local dessert, Horton’s award-winning black rum cake.
Your adventure begins at the Royal Naval Dockyard, where you’ll find local artisans, waterfront restaurants, pubs and more nestled among stone structures dating back to the late 18th century.
St. George’s was the original capital of Bermuda, settled over four hundred years ago by the English. These days its historical forts and homes are a main attraction— plus St. Peter’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in the Western hemisphere.
Purchase a pair of original Bermuda shorts at The English Sports Shop in St. George’s. Or browse the extensive cigar collection at Chatham House in Hamilton. For Bermuda-made goods and handicrafts, head to the Clock Tower shopping mall at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
The capital of Bermuda, Hamilton was founded in 1790. Now, this colonial town is a buzzing hub of boutiques, specialty shops and galleries.
Cruise to Bermuda and tuck in to a traditional dish of codfish with potatoes, served the English way with a hard-boiled egg, or Portuguese style in a tomato-onion sauce. And be sure to pair your meal with one of the island’s signature cocktails: the Dark ‘n Stormy and the Bermuda Rum Swizzle.
With a menu of game-day favorites and icy-cold draughts on tap, anything you order at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade is a winner. And while you’re working on a signature Playmakers Burger or the five-scoop Touchdown Sundae, you can catch your home team live on dozens of screens or face off against your friends in the arcade.
Every meal at Giovanni’s Table is a family-style celebration of rustic Italian flavor. You’ll find all your favorite Old-World classics on the menu here, like house focaccia served with marinated artichokes, olives and pesto, fluffy gnocchi tossed in a thyme-scented sauce of lamb and root vegetables, traditional risotto finished with porcini and truffle mushroom tapenade, and veal osso buco paired with creamy cheese polenta, ripe tomatoes and sautéed green beans.
Savor delicious fare at Fish & Ships℠, a seaside seafood spot that’s just steps from the pool. No need to hop across the pond for a basket of freshly battered cod and hand cut fries. You can get the British classic comfort food right here, plus crispy calamari, savory battered sausage, and even a frosty pint of brew.
Welcome to Chef’s Table, the most exclusive and elevated dining experience on our fleet. Join an intimate group of fellow foodies on a private epicurean journey led by the ship’s Chef de Cuisine. You’ll sit down to a white tablecloth dinner spotlighting five exquisite courses that range from scallop carpaccio with yuzu vinaigrette, to grilled filet mignon served with truffle potato puree — each expertly paired with the perfect wine to highlight every flavor on the menu.
Arrives at 7:00 AM
With a front-and-center-stage view of Lower New York Harbor, Cape Liberty is only a hop, skip and a short subway ride away from New York City. This dizzying urban landscape is filled to the brim with non-stop adventure around every street corner. Tucked among the Wall Street skyscrapers and bright Broadway lights, you’ll discover ethnic enclaves, like the famed Little Italy, historic brownstones, European-style cathedrals and leafy Central Park. Take in world-renowned exhibits at MoMA or the Guggenheim. Trace America’s multicultural past at Ellis Island and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge before or after boarding your New Jersey cruise. Or snap a selfie with Lady Liberty, with the Big Apple’s skyline dazzling in the background.
Sightseeing in Manhattan excites and amazes like nowhere else— and every neighborhood presents a fascinating, unique personality. Tour Rockefeller Center and catch a show at Radio City Music Hall. Walk the High Line and soak in the urban buzz of Times Square. New York cruises allow you to experience it all— by tour bus, subway, or on foot.
Cruises from New York allow you to explore the Staten Island Zoo or cheer on the Yankees in The Bronx. International culture and cuisine await you in Queens, while wineries and beaches speckle Long Island. Or stop in Hoboken, a pedestrian-friendly town where you can stroll along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway across from Manhattan’s glimmering skyline.
This global shopping capital covers it all: from big department stores like Barney’s along glitzy Madison Avenue, to souvenir shops selling “I Love NY” T-shirts. Hit up the Historic Orchard Street Shopping District for leather goods, or SoHo for cutting-edge fashions. Greenwich Village is best for books, records and craft shops, and it is a must-see when you cruise out of New York.
Stand among skyscrapers at one of New York’s scenic observation decks. Admire Central Park from the open-air Top of the Rock. Enjoy twinkling evening views from the top of the Empire State Building. Or venture 104 floors up to the One World Observatory in the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
With some 20,000 sit-down restaurants, this is a foodie’s paradise. Many iconic dishes have been rubber-stamped by New York— pizza, bagels, hot dogs and cheesecake included. Savor steamy dumplings in Chinatown. Slurp down Blue Point oysters in Chelsea Market. Or munch on the legendary cronut. Then sip a Manhattan cocktail to cap off the night in NYC.