5 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day
Royal Caribbean • Freedom of the Seas
Oct 31, 2026 · 5 nights
Bahamas
$793/person$159/night
View DealShip comparison
Freedom of the Seas vs Independence of the Seas
Side-by-side cruise ship comparison. Independence of the Seas wins 3 of 7 scored categories.
At a glance
Quick Compare
Category
Freedom of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Size
154,407 GT
154,407 GT
Passengers
4,515
4,370
Year built
2006
2008
Crew ratio
3.3 guests per crew
3.2 guests per crew
Space ratio
34.2 GT per guest
35.3 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
339 m
339 m
From price
$520.77 pp
$415.57 pp
The verdict
Comparison Verdict
Built in 2008, Independence of the Seas is 2 years newer, an advantage for travelers seeking modern amenities and design. Independence of the Seas edges ahead in service at 3.2 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Size | Tie |
| Capacity | Freedom of the Seas |
| Modernity | Independence of the Seas |
| Service | Independence of the Seas |
| Spaciousness | Independence of the Seas |
| Decks | No data |
| Length | Tie |
| Fleet Power | Freedom of the Seas |
Bottom line: Independence of the Seas leads 3–2 across our categories, strongest in Modernity. Choose Independence of the Seas for overall superiority; pick Freedom of the Seas if Capacity matter more to you.
Decide
Which Ship Is Right for You?
Choose Freedom of the Seas if
- More onboard variety (4,515 guests)
- Lower fares per night (from $58 per person per night)
Choose Independence of the Seas if
- You want the newer ship (built 2008, 2 years newer)
- More crew per guest (3.2 guests per crew)
- More space per guest (35.3 GT per guest)
Prices
See Current Prices
You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.
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Fares
Sailing Prices
| Detail | Freedom of the Seas | Independence of the Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest | $520.77 pp | $415.57 pp |
| Per night | $58 pp | $59 pp |
| Departing | Nov 5 | Nov 15 |
| Duration | 9 nights | 7 nights |
| View sailing | View sailing |
Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.
Go deeper
Deep Dive
Sailings
Upcoming Sailings
Upcoming Sailings on Freedom of the Seas
9 Night Southern Caribbean & Perfect Day
Royal Caribbean • Freedom of the Seas
Nov 5, 2026 · 9 nights
Caribbean
$521/person$58/night
View Deal
5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Freedom of the Seas
Nov 14, 2026 · 5 nights
Caribbean
$528/person$106/night
View DealUpcoming Sailings on Independence of the Seas
10 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise
Royal Caribbean • Independence of the Seas
Oct 29, 2026 · 10 nights
Caribbean
$999/person$100/night
View Deal
7 Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day
Royal Caribbean • Independence of the Seas
Nov 8, 2026 · 7 nights
Bahamas
$573/person$82/night
View Deal
7 Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day
Royal Caribbean • Independence of the Seas
Nov 15, 2026 · 7 nights
Bahamas
$416/person$59/night
View DealHotels & Accommodations Near Port Miami
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the comparison score calculated?
We score 8 categories from spec data: size, capacity, modernity, service, spaciousness, decks, length and fleet power. Each category awards one point to the winning ship. A category where either ship has no data is marked No data and left out of the score.
What is the space ratio and why does it matter?
Space ratio is gross tonnage divided by passenger capacity. A higher number means more space per guest. Luxury lines typically score above 40, and mass-market ships often fall between 30 and 40.
What does the passenger-to-crew ratio mean?
It is the number of guests for each crew member, shown as "3.0 guests per crew". Lower is better: more staff per guest usually means more attentive service. Luxury lines aim for fewer than 2 guests per crew, and large mainstream ships often carry 3 to 4.
Are the prices shown accurate?
Prices come from Cruisebound and are per person for the sailing shown. They change with cabin type, date and demand, so open the sailing to see the current fare.
Can I compare more than two ships?
Yes, up to four ships. Use the search tool on the compare hub page to add additional ships.
How current is the ship data?
Specifications come from our database of 380+ ships, and this page refreshes daily. An "Updated" date appears at the top when either ship's record changed in the last 30 days.
