MS Independence of the Seas is a Freedom class cruise ship operated by the Royal Caribbean cruise line that entered service in April 2008. The 15-deck ship can accommodate 4,370 passengers served by 1,360 crew. She was built in the Aker Finnyards drydock in Turku, Finland, builder of Freedom of the Seasand Liberty of the Seas, her sister ships of the Freedom Class. At 154,407 gross tons, she joined Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas as the largest cruise ships and passenger vessels ever built (at the time of construction). She is 1,112 feet (339m) long, and typically cruises at 21.6 knots (40 km/h). The vessel operates from Southampton, England during the summer season, on European itineraries, and transfers to the Caribbean in the winter months.