Independence of the Seas' Pools, Waterslides, and Sunbathing

The Independence of the Seas has three heated, freshwater pools on Deck 11. The Solarium pool, designed for grownups, is flanked by two cantilevered whirlpools that extend twelve feet from either side of the ship. Each whirlpool holds sixteen people. The main pool area consists of the Resort Pool and the Sports Pool. The latter is dedicated to games such as pole jousting, synchronized swimming, scheduled laps swimming, and pool volleyball.

There is also a Flow Rider, which is a wave machine that you body board or surf on a wave of water (traveling at the rate of 30,000 gallons a minute) for the ultimate in water sports on a ship. The Flow Rider is located aft on Deck 13. Port side and aft on Deck 13, The Perfect Storm, comprised of the Typhoon and the Cyclone waterslides, lives up to its name.

Splashaway Bay, interactive water park for kids and families, is filled with geysers, sculpted fountains, and waterfalls. This area includes contraptions such as spray cannons and umbrella jets. There are also two splash pools in this area. At night with the help of an intricate lighting system, this region is transformed into a sculpture garden.

Typically, the pool hours for the H2O Zone are from 8 AM to 8 PM. The Flow rider operates at 9:00 to 11:00 AM and from 4PM to 6 PM. A waiver needs to be signed once to participate. The Sports pool area is available for lap swimming from 6 AM to 9 AM, and water aerobics classes at various times from 9 AM until noon. It is then open for the remainder of the day from 12 PM- 6 PM.

Independence of the Seas' Pool & Sunbathing Tips:

• Babies & Infants in Pools: Royal Caribbean's official policy is "no swim diapers, children must be potty trained." The Adventure Ocean Program stresses this point to all the families that bring their kids. We have not heard reports on whether the policy is strictly enforced.
• Adult is defined for pool purposes as anybody 16 and over.
• You must be at least 48" tall to ride The Perfect Storm.
• The weight maximum for The Perfect Storm is 300 lbs.