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Independence of the Seas arrives in Southampton following extensive makeover

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Independence of the Seas returnng to Southampton yesterday for another summer season of ex-UK cruises
 Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas arrived Saturday at her seasonal new home of Southampton, following a multi-million pound makeover.

The cruise ship has an array of new features including Sky Pad, a virtual reality bungee trampoline experience and bigger Splashaway Bay aqua park.

The reimagined ship, the first of 10 RCI ships to undergo the company's new $900m 'Royal Amplified' program, also includes new features The Perfect Storm with racing water slides Cyclone and Typhoon, a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience and an escape room.

New lounges and Panoramic Oceanview staterooms offer wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling views of the ocean.

New dining options including fish and chips

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade enables sports fans to watch the biggest live sporting events over ice-cold beers, wings, sliders and more.

Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, the Asian-inspired dining experience gives diners fresh sushi and the chance to experience skilled chefs cooking tableside on teppanyaki grills.

Fish & Ships is a poolside eatery serving seafood inclufuing freshly battered fish and chips.

The 154,407gt Independence of the Seas’ first seasonal cruise departs on May 15 for a two-night cruise to Paris from Southampton, and the ship will call at destinations across Europe and the Mediterranean until November.

Each ship visit is worth an estimated £2m to the local economy, totalling £44m a year.

Independence will return to the UK in 2019.