Royal Caribbean will soon have the largest cruise ship in the world, when the Freedom of the Seas debuts in June 2006. The ship will hold up to 3600 guests.
The Freedom of the Seas will sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.
Freedom of the Seas has several "bigger and better" features: for example, the combined pool area 43% larger than Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class ships, and the rock climbing wall is higher and wider.
Of special interest to families is the H2O waterpark zone, and family-sized cabins that can sleep six or eight.
Family Pool Area: H20 Zone
Jungle-themed and adults-only, the Solarium will have two large hot tubs cantilevered out 12 feet from the sides of the ship, suspended 112 feet above the ocean.
Main Pool, sports pool
One of the ship’s two central pools will be a sports pool, for games such as water volleyball and basketball, floating golf and pole jousting, amateur synchronized swimming competitions.
- largest rock-climbing wall at sea: 43-foot-tall by 44-foot-wide, with central spire
- kids' program: Adventure Ocean Program, with wacky science experiments, and Adventure Art by Crayola®, crafts projects, sports tournaments, dance parties; for ages 3 to 17
- Teens have three exclusive areas: Fuel nightclub, The Living Room hangout, and the Back Deck sundeck
- Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots playtime programs, developed by partner Fisher-Price®, Inc. for ages 6 months to 36 months and their parents
In addition to large suites -- such as the 14-person Presidential-- The Freedom of the Seas has family categories over and above standard triples and quads, each with twin beds, convertible to a queen; bunks, typically in a curtained-off alcove; maybe a sleeper sofa, too.
- read about Freedom of the Seas at the Royal Caribbean site, where you can also make bookings.
- Cruises at About.com has news about cruise ships
- once sailings begin, you can check TripAdvisor.com for guest comments
This brief profile is meant to introduce this cruise ship to family vacationers; please note that the writer has not visited in person. Always check web sites for updates.
