Sunday, March 31, 2024

Royal Caribbean Debuts Revitalized Freedom of the Seas Cruise Ship

royal caribbean cruise freedom of the seas

An in-casino bar keeps your whistle wet, and the casino is a smoking-allowed zone. Keep your eyes peeled for the themed casino nights, which can be pretty fun. Sorrento’s is your on-board pizza parlor, while Cafe Promenade is just that — a cafe. If you’ve yet to make use of the handy Royal Caribbean International mobile app during one of your cruises, you’re seriously missing out. This app is just the thing to make your trip that much more convenient — and now it’s available on Freedom of the Seas cruises, after a long wait. Teens will also like their new area, Social033, which offers tons of media, movies, gaming and a private, outdoor deck for teens only.

Inside Cabin

The Presidential Family Suite (1,209 square feet, balcony 805 square feet) is the granddaddy of family-friendly accommodations onboard. The suite can accommodate up to 14 people and consists of two master bedrooms with full baths and two additional bedrooms, each with two Pullman beds and two twin beds that convert to queens. The huge private balcony is outfitted with a hot tub, teak dining set (table and chairs) and padded teak loungers.

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Oceanview (FP)

Sailing from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Freedom of the Seas is your key to the ultimate getaway. Each one goes long on thrills with stops at top-rated destinations — including  The Bahamas  and Perfect Day at CocoCay. While the cabin was dated (as expected), it was comfortable and had everything that I needed, from a mini-fridge to keep my bottled water cool, safe in the closet, and plenty of hangers for my clothes. Afterwards, you go through security and head up another set of escalators to get your embarkation picture taken and officially board the ship. Planned shipboard interactive events (artists and tourists meetings) include Q&A sessions, Gong Show Karaoke, Cooking and Painting With Rock Stars, Rock Stars vs Average Joe Basketball, Beach Volleyball, themed nights. During drydock 2020 (January-March), on Freedom OTS was installed The Perfect Storm (dual-racing waterslide complex) which is positioned aft on Deck 13 (between the FlowRider and the Sports Court).

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It can be a harrowing experience to reach the Deck 3 Studio B from the front of the ship, as there's no direct access straight through. Passengers have to either walk up one flight to Deck 4 (and through the casino) to the aft, then head down or go up two decks to the often-crowded Royal Promenade to walk aft before heading down. Freedom of the Seas launched in May 2006 as the world's biggest cruise ship, measuring 155,000 tons, carrying 4,500 passengers and introducing Royal Caribbean's now-widespread FlowRider surf simulator to the cruise industry. In between exploring Southern Caribbean shores, Freedom of the Seas delivers all new amped up thrills — like the twisting turning waterslide duo, The Perfect Storm℠. And bars that keep the party going — and the cocktails flowing — long after the sun sets.

royal caribbean cruise freedom of the seas

The toddler spaces, AO Juniors and AO Babies, also have new, revamped spaces, for ages three to five and six to 36 months, respectively. For those with smaller kids who can’t quite stand all those thrills and chills yet, they can check out the new kids water park, Splashaway Bay. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school.

From decked-out ways to dial up date night, to totally reimagined spaces for kids and teens, this ship offers something bold for everybody. Yet in many ways, Freedom OTS was an evolution of the Voyager class, which made its own headlines when it debuted with biggest-at-sea status back in 1999. The design is nearly the same and the promenade is back, as is the rock-climbing wall, the ice-skating rink, Johnny Rockets, the Promenade Cafe, Ben and Jerry's, etc. It is as if Voyager OTS was simply super-sized, and beefed up with innovative spaces and concepts. Enjoy Royal Caribbean's onboard entertainment, including Broadway at Sea, hi-tech Two70 shows, ice skating shows, AquaTheater Diving Shows, DJs, live music, dancing, parades, pool parties, karaoke and more. Guest bathroom with shower, entertainment center, dining room with dry bar, piano.

Wow-Worthy ADVENTURE

The Sports Court, also on Deck 14, is a fun spot to throw around a ball with the kids. A mini golf course is also on Deck 13, as is a place to play ping-pong. Just like you don’t have to look long or far for fun and live music aboard Freedom of the Seas, you won’t have to look long or far for a drink, either. There are tons of places to get an alcoholic concoction of your favorite variety. When you have such high-quality, complimentary dining as what you’ll find aboard Freedom of the Seas, then you really ought to take advantage of it and try all of the complimentary dining options available to you. A totally new layout of the children’s spaces is sure to please.

Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. The Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas cruise ship is the namesake for the cruise line’s Freedom-class. Other Freedom-class ships include Liberty of the Seas, debuting in 2007 and Independence of the Seas, debuting in 2008. Liberty of the Seas was originally named Endeavor of the Seas before construction began.

Night Eastern Caribbean CruiseDetails

Other restaurant additions include the complimentary poolside El Loco Fresh, as well as specialty Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Today, she is surpassed by Oasis and (in 2024) Icon Class ships. While you will not find all the bells and whistles on Freedom that you do onboard newer ships, there is still a lot to appreciate about this beloved vessel.

The only other times I have cruised out of Miami have been onboard Symphony of the Seas. Both times were hectic due to the amount of people trying to leave the terminal (and port) at once. When sail away rolled around, I was able to easily find a spot on Deck 12, despite showing up a few minutes into the party. I had a great view of both the passing scenery and lively atmosphere on the deck below, which was pretty crowded. To date, I think this was one of the quickest check-ins that I have ever had. Usually, I select the earliest possible time and am often seated before being able to board.

Outside of the main pools is a full-sized Splashaway Bay aqua park for kids, which features slides, dump buckets, water sprayers, a baby splash pad, and a shallow pool. The cruise ship has a length of 1,111 feet and a height of 209 feet. While typical double occupancy is 3,782, maximum occupancy is 4,515 persons.

And 13 to 17-year-olds get an exclusive new lounge to call their own with music, movies, gaming — and even an outdoor patio hangout. With the two waterslides, a redesigned Caribbean-themed pool deck, FlowRider, H2O Zone and age-specific children's facilities, Freedom of the Seas is an obvious choice for families. The number of children under 17 can range from a few hundred to as many as 1,200 on holiday and summertime sailings. The food on Freedom of the Seas is decent, with options for even the pickiest eater.

Freedom of the Seas Cruise Ships

royal caribbean cruise freedom of the seas

Sofa converts to double, two Pullman beds, private bathroom and sitting area. Two twin beds that convert to Royal King, Boardwalk view, sitting area and private bathroom. A view of the Royal Promenade with bowed windows, two twin beds that convert to Royal King and private bathroom.

Take time to familiarize yourself with the deck plans ahead of time, especially for shorter sailings

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Follows the complete list of Freedom of the Seas restaurants and food bars. Relax at Royal Caribbean's spa, onboard gym, fitness courses, boxing ring and jogging track. Royal Caribbean's spa has plenty of relaxing treatments like massages, facials and more. Learn about accessibility-friendly accommodations made by Royal Caribbean for guests with special needs, dietary restrictions and more.

Freedom Of The Seas Departure Ports

Unlike a regular interior stateroom that offers no window, promenade view rooms have a window looking down into the Royal Promenade. Oceanview cabins are a step up from an interior cabin as they come with a small porthole that looks out to the ocean. Oceanview cabins on Freedom of the Seas can be found in a variety of locations, from those on the side of the ship to cabins overlooking the helicopter pad.

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She has a capacity of nearly 4000 guests at double capacity, 14 guest-accessible decks, and 1,963 staterooms. If you’re looking for a fun-filled weekend cruise getaway, look no further than Freedom of the Seas, which was recently amplified to add the latest and greatest of Royal Caribbean’s activities and amenities onboard. Sailing 3 and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas, Freedom of the Seas makes for a perfect mini-vacation. R Bar was added during the ship’s 2015 dry dock and is centrally located and a good spot for people-watching. Plaza Bar is attached to the Windjammer buffet, for easy drinks during your buffet peel. While the Royal Caribbean cruise ship is well into its teenage years, it has undergone several dry-docking periods.

royal caribbean cruise freedom of the seas

The on-board Vitality Spa offers a great spot for you to further relax and maybe indulge in a treatment or two during the duration of your cruise. The spa makes use of name-brand spa products and offers a full menu of treatments, including massages, wraps, facials and even pedi-spa treatments like acupuncture and age-defying facials. Other salon services include teeth whitening, manicures, pedicures, hair cuts and hair styling. Chops Grille is a nice spot to go for an upscale, steakhouse-style dinner.

WOW-WORTHY ADVENTURE

Dial up delicious in-room dining day or night to enjoy paired with comfort and privacy. This is the ultimate specialty dining experience for culinary connoisseurs. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. After a short walk from the cruise berths, you enter a peaceful port area filled with local vendors selling anything from t-shirts to straw hats, alcohol beverages, jewelry, and more. You no longer have to exit the cruise port to do your souvenir shopping. Freedom of the Seas does not have a Broadway-style production like some other Royal Caribbean ships do.

A full 168 cabins have promenade views, meaning they overlook the inside "mall" like area that serves as the main corridor of the ship. The FlowRider, rock climbing wall, and basketball court are also found on the sports deck, and mini golf is located at the forward section of the pool deck. Inside the ship guests can enjoy ice skating and Battle for Planet Z Laser Tag. All of these signature activities are complimentary for passengers.

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Balcony (3B)

Sure, the noise from the sports deck was noticeable, but it was not much different than that found at the pool deck. Like most older cruise ships, Freedom of the Seas' staterooms are not equipped with endless outlets. You will only find two American plugs in standard staterooms located near the desk, meaning that there are no charging options if you want to use your device in bed. Although Royal Caribbean has done a great job of maintaining Freedom of the Seas, the cabins are where the vessel's age is most apparent. Chipped paint and a color scheme of peach and teal make staterooms look dated. And while they serve their purpose well, they're average in terms of decor and amenities.

There's nothing particularly noteworthy or innovative about them. One exception to this is a group of new oversized ocean-view cabins and suites, added during a 2015 dry dock. Located on decks 3 and 12, they boast a more modern palette of white, tan and blue. Two twin beds (can convert into Royal King), private balcony, sitting area (some with sofa bed) and private bathroom. Because Freedom of the Seas tends to only sail short cruises, it’s unlikely you’ll be spending much time in your stateroom. Between visiting ports and trying out all the fun activities onboard, your cabin might end up being a place you visit only when you need to sleep or shower.

Fitness classes, dance classes, table tennis, scrapbooking, karaoke, outdoor movies, trivia, and the casino are sure to make for a fun day at sea. Deciding whether to eat at complimentary or specialty dining venues ultimately depends on your preferences and budget. Many passengers opt to only eat at complimentary venues, having most meals at either El Loco Fresh, the Windjammer, or Main Dining Room. Both venues will offer a wide range of cuisines and rotating menus, so it’s unlikely you’ll get bored with the complimentary options on Freedom of the Seas. Freedom of the Seas’ pool deck was upgraded to a Caribbean resort-style design during her amplification in 2020.

Royal has ships stationed across the U.S. and in several international ports to give their passengers lots of opportunity to get to a cruise quickly and easily. You can cruise from Miami to Seattle or Perth to Rotterdam, there’s a departure port for you. Find out more about Royal Caribbean’s itineraries and ships when you contact a qualified consultant at The Cruise Web. If you’re looking to treat yourself during your Freedom of the Seas cruise, consider booking a suite. A variety of suites are available, from Owner’s Suites to 1 or 2-bedroom Grand Suites.

Sometimes, especially if you’re on a family cruise, you just need a little quiet time to yourself. If you can’t find it at the adults-only Solarium or in your stateroom, you may want to pay a visit to the ship’s library. The Wilhelmsen Library is situated on Deck 7 and gives you great views of the ship’s Promenade through large windows. It offers a decent selection of books, places to read and games and more. You can rent books and games and enjoy them throughout the duration of your stay.

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