Independence of Jamaica Independence of Jamaica The Colony of Jamaica gained independence from the United Kingdom on 6 August 1962. In Jamaica, this date is celebrated as Independence Day, a national holiday. The Caribbean island now known as Jamaica was first settled by the Arawak and Taíno peoples, who originated in neighboring South America. Genoan explorer Christopher Columbus discovered Jamaica in 1494 during his second voyage to the New World, and claimed it for Crown of Castile. At this time, over two hundred villages existed in Jamaica, largely located on the south coast and ruled by "caciques," or "chiefs of villages". The Spanish
MS Independence of the Seas Fall and Winter months and Southampton, England during the Spring and Summer months. "Independence of the Seas" is the third of the "Freedom"-class vessels. In October 2009, , the first ship in the , displaced the "Freedom" class as the world's largest passenger ship. "Independence of the Seas" generally sails from Port Everglades, Florida during the winter and Southampton, England during the summer. Between 2010 and 2012, "Independence of the Seas" sailed from Southampton year-round. From fall 2014 to spring 2016, "Independence of the Seas" sailed from Port Everglades, Florida year-round offering Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. Since 2016, "Independence