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Ship comparison

Independence of the Seas vs Liberty 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
Independence of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Size
154,407 GT
154,407 GT
Passengers
4,370
4,960
Year built
2008
2007
Crew ratio
3.2 guests per crew
3.6 guests per crew
Space ratio
35.3 GT per guest
31.1 GT per guest
Decks
No data
No data
Length
339 m
339 m
From price
$415.57 pp
$460.78 pp

The verdict

Comparison Verdict

Independence of the Seas offers more personal space with a space ratio of 35.3 GT per passenger versus 31.1. Independence of the Seas edges ahead in service at 3.2 guests per crew, meaning more crew per guest. Liberty of the Seas accommodates 590 more guests (4,960 vs 4,370), making it the larger resort-at-sea. Independence of the Seas trades capacity for a more intimate atmosphere.

CategoryWinner
SizeTie
CapacityLiberty of the Seas
ModernityIndependence of the Seas
ServiceIndependence of the Seas
SpaciousnessIndependence of the Seas
DecksNo data
LengthTie
Fleet PowerLiberty 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 Liberty of the Seas if its strengths matter more to you.

Decide

Which Ship Is Right for You?

Choose Independence of the Seas if

  • You want the newer ship (built 2008, 1 year newer)
  • More crew per guest (3.2 guests per crew)
  • More space per guest (35.3 GT per guest)
  • Lower fares per night (from $59 per person per night)
Book Independence of the Seas

Choose Liberty of the Seas if

  • More onboard variety (4,960 guests)
Book Liberty of the Seas

Prices

See Current Prices

You have compared the ships. Now see what they cost.

Independence of the Seas

from $415.57 per person

Book Independence of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas

from $460.78 per person

Book Liberty of the Seas
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Fares

Sailing Prices

DetailIndependence of the SeasLiberty of the Seas
Cheapest$415.57 pp$460.78 pp
Per night$59 pp$92 pp
DepartingNov 15Nov 9
Duration7 nights5 nights
View sailingView sailing

Prices from Cruisebound, per person, for the sailing shown.

Go deeper

Deep Dive

Sailings

Upcoming Sailings

Upcoming Sailings on Independence of the Seas

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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.