Independence of the Seas Maiden Voyage, Queen Victoria & Ventura
A big day for Southampton on the 2nd May 2008.  There were three brand new ships in.  Queen Victoria, the eldest of the trio, was in QEII for the first time since her arrival in December.  She was also the third Cunarder in two weeks to be docked starboard (Lizzie on the 18th April and Mary on the 22nd).
Meanwhile in Mayflower was Ventura, having just returned from her maiden voyage.  Quite a few passengers hopped across to City to join Independence of the Seas for her maiden.  I was on Independence myself so it was left to my dad yet again to get the photos.
Independence left a few minutes early but there was no spectacular send off.  Not one firework or fire tug.  Many people turned out to see her sail.  She blasted once, then again a short while later and finally several more times as she began to move away from the dock.
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			(C) Copyright Kevin Dempsey 2nd May & Patricia Dempsey 7th May 2008 Not to be reproduced without permission