return to home port

The Much-Anticipated Ultra Voyager - Freedom of the Seas has arrived. This magnificent ship made her U.S. debut in New York on May 10. On May 12, 2006,  the ship was featured on NBC's "TODAY" show when the morning show set sail onboard the Freedom of the Seas, where she was christened in front of the Statue of Liberty. After a short stay in New York she sailed for Miami.

“Freedom of the Seas is the most head-turning, most innovative and most forward-looking ship in the cruise industry,” said Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO. “Its name was chosen deliberately to convey the enormity of features and amenities offered on this extraordinary ship.”

Freedom of the Seas is really all about freedom of choice. Freedom to explore. Freedom to relax. Freedom to make one’s own vacation plans reflective of one’s own tastes and interests,” he added.

So, let's find out......

Our Cruise Review

by Raye & Marty Trencher

Aboard Freedom of The Seas

May 31 - June 2, 2006

The 160,000-ton Freedom of the Seas is a bigger version of Royal Caribbean's  Voyager-class ships ( Voyager, Adventure, Explorer, Mariner and Navigator of the Seas) but with more innovative features. If you've sailed on any of the ships I mentioned, this 4,375-passenger cruise ship  will seem almost the same. Almost. Royal Caribbean’s newest ship has elevated cruise-ship design and innovation to new levels.

Freedom of the Seas builds on the line’s other popular ships, so once breakthrough, now signature, elements such as the 445-foot-long and several-decks-high Royal Promenade, rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink are standard on Freedom of the Seas. Only bigger. For example, the combined pool area 43% larger than Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class ships, and the rock climbing wall is higher and wider. Freedom's rock-climbing wall is 43 feet high by 44 feet wide with a central spire and 11 climbing zones.

Freedom of the Seas has a main pool area, family pool area, and adults-only Solarium. One of the most talked about activities is the Flowrider®. This exciting new surfing ride gives the feeling of hanging ten on a Maui wave, all right from onboard Freedom.  Similar to swimming against a current in a stationary lap pool, riders surf or body board against the flow of 30.000 gallons  of water per minute.. The Flowrider®. design features a tensioned-fabric surface that provides a cushion to absorb the impact of falls. Even if you don't want try it yourself,  you will find that watching everyone is just as much fun. There is stadium seating all around for spectators.  You can cheer and applaud for the brave ones who manage to tame the waves, or roll over and wipeout in dramatic fashion..

Unlike others who review cruise ships, we feel it's necessary to experience the new innovations ourselves, so we can pass on our impressions and say with confidence to you... " we've been there done that"!  So the pictures you see here about The Flowrider®. and the rest of the ship are not the cruise lines PR photos , they are our own, the real thing. Note: There is no charge for you to surf or rock climb all day long.

Moments before my turn this guy proved you really can surf at sea. Great Fun!       Photo credit: Raye Trencher

Right after the guy above, it was my turn to flop onto a boogie board headfirst into a “wave” of 34,000 gallons of water per minute. I tried, but could not stand up on the surf board more than a few  seconds and moments later "wiped out".

After a one hour professional boxing lesson, we decide to   settle who's best, once and for all,,,,in the ring.     I thought Raye got the best of me.  But wait the judge declared it a draw!

And to add to the unique and unusual attractions onboard Freedom of the Seas you will find a full-size boxing ring where passengers can experience one-on-one training sessions with an experienced instructor and sparring sessions with freestanding body master bags and workouts. We did that too... What a knockout!   You can have a personal session for one hour that will cost you $83 or a group session -- which offers training , tips and techniques as well a vigorous workout on the punching bags and other boxing equipment -- for $10.

You'll also find the tallest rock-climbing walls at sea ( we did that too! ) an ice-skating rink for skating as well as for ice shows and Freedom also offers a nine-hole miniature golf course, golf simulator, full-court basketball, table tennis court and three pools. <<This photo illustration shows how high you can go, With a little help from our pc,  we were able to magically "climb" about twice as high than we really did.

While the rock wall may seem too intimidating for some, it's really easy. The helpful staff guides you. They hold you up by harness so you can climb as far as your leg power will take you,  without fear of falling.

Now, not everyone will want to climb rocks , surf or speed around an in-line skating track, but there are many unique Freedom of the Seas features that have the wow factor. On Freedom of the Seas, the hardest part is deciding what to do first.

Let's explore....

The Royal Promenade has been described as Main Street, USA at 445-foot long, it is located in the heart of the ship. It is a boulevard of shops and cafés, measuring two football fields long and four decks high.  At the Royal Promenade you will find the first full-fledged Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor at sea ($2.50 per cone), a full service barber shop, a Sorrento's pizzeria open until 3:00AM and Seattle's Best Coffee ($2.50 per cappuccino).   There is also the Book Nook, with best sellers and guidebooks for sale.. Then, there is the English-style Bull and Bear Pub  modeled after a 17th-century British pub, and Vintages, a Napa Valley wine bar that takes passengers back to the California of the 1930s.

There are plenty of chairs for watching the crowd go by, sipping a coffee or savoring a good wine  There is also an assortment of gift shops and boutiques to spend more money. You will also see lavish parades that pass through the Royal Promenade.  On several nights, the Royal Promenade is the place for "Circus of the Seas," a parade featuring costumed stilt walkers, jugglers, clowns and aerial performers.

DINING

In addition to the main restaurants Leonardo's, Issac's and Galileo's, guests can enjoy an intimate and romantic setting at Portofino. Chop's Grille offers fabulous steaks and seafood dishes. Or....get together for good old-fashioned burgers and fries, at Johnny Rockets, with its retro décor and classic all-American menu, it's like the 1950s all over again.  Cuisine is at best above average but not on the same level as Crystal, Seabourn , Regent or Silversea.  In the Windjammer Cafe, where breakfast and luncheon buffets are served,  the food was bountiful and quite good, even the desserts.

The main restaurants for dinner are Leonardo's, Issac's and Galileo.  Actually all three are the same restaurant , but at different levels. The  Room is  enormous and adorned with towering columns and a huge crystal chandelier. Service was good and the food was served on time and the presentation well done.  Open - dine anytime seating is not available in the main restaurants, so you have two nightly seatings, and assigned tables.  However, you'll find your best choices are the ship's two alternative restaurants, Chops and Portofino, each with a $20 per person surcharge.  If you have dined in these restaurants on board another ship, you will find there are new menu items in both.

For lunch try the  Windjammer cafe. This restaurant  offers a wide selection of -- fish, beef, salads, vegetarian dishes, fruits, and delicious desserts -- it's all served buffet style, so get ready to serve yourself. It's next door  to Jade, where specialties that offer a blend of Asian dishes, from Indian to Chinese are available.

ENTERTAINMENT
For entertainment there is a huge casino that you can't miss, as you have to pass through it to get to the laid-back Schooner's lounge and the Arcadia Theatre for the main show.  From ice-skating and ice shows to cooking demonstrations and more , it all happens on Freedom of the Seas. From Top 40 to classical and everything in between. Music is featured by the pool, in the main dining rooms and in some of the lounges and bars. There are theme nights: " 50s and '60s Night, Masquerade Ball, Toga Party and Pirate Theme Night are just a few. Here's a few more... There is the Welcome Parade, Captain's Welcome Reception, Bon Voyage Pool Party, Surf's Up Beach Party, Honeymooners' Party, Singles' Party, Mix-and-Mingles for kids, plus some parties that may be specific to your itinerary, like Caribbean Night.  ( all parties are subject to change, but who cares as long as you can party! )

If you are into audience participation visit the On Air karaoke bar.  The room features two semi-private booths with green-screen technology that allows guests to make their own music videos and souvenir DVDs. And then there is Bolero’s, the Latin-themed nightclub,  as seen on other Royal Caribbean vessels. Or  join in a singalong led by entertainer Matt Yee. Caution; if you don't sing and dance with tremendous enthusiasm, he will let you know.

Arcadia Theatre Family rated - broadway-style shows are scheduled in this enormous multi-level theatre with excellent sight lines and comfortable seating.  We took in "Once Upon A Time" a grand musical about fairly tales sung to modern musical favorites.

You'll see some great dancing, broadway caliber sets and costumes, and recognize some well-known songs like "Hungry Like the Wolf" for the Little Red Riding Hood  segment and "Hair" for Rapunzel.

 

TIP:  Get to the ice skating and Arcadia Theatre shows early if you want the best seats.  And,  for the parade down the  Promenade get there way ahead of time, or head for the balconies at each end for a birds eye view. There isn't enough space for everyone who wants to watch it from the floor of the Promenade.

Visit The Crypt, a goth-themed two-tiered disco, if you are into it. Bolero’s is the place to go for mojitos and Latin music. The Olive or Twist bar in the Viking Crown Lounge ( deck 14 ) is the place listen to jazz and enjoy excellent mixed cocktails. There you will also find a private club for Crown & Anchor members. On the opposite side of the entertainment spectrum , there is the the well-stocked, two-deck library with its cushy burgundy leather sofas and chairs, perfect for some quiet time. Or visit the Seven Hearts card room located on the port side of the Viking Crown Lounge.  A great place to relax with friends playing cards.

The Living Room is the place for teenagers to hang out. In the evening they can get together at Fuel, a teens dancing Club.

If you must keep in touch, use Royal Caribbean Online,  the internet center. But be warned, it doesn't function very well. It has one of the slowest online connections we have ever used. Slower than dial up and then some. At 50 cents per minute, time is money.  The first-in-the-industry flat screen TVs dovetail with other technologies onboard, earning Freedom of the Seas the distinction of being the most digitally-advanced cruise ship at sea. The new ship is free of wires by having extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for regular cell phones.( but not all brands) 

Ride one of the glass elevators on up to the the Viking Crown Lounge, perched 14 decks above the ocean. Planning a wedding?  Why not get married in port in the ship's Wedding Chapel, and bring dozens of your friends and families.

If you're into fitness, you will be happy.  Freedom's enormous fitness center, at 9,700-square-foot is the largest at sea. It has a boxing ring ( we tried that too) for practice/training only, no contact is allowed) and state of the art workout machines. There is a large room for pilates, yoga and stretching. In the ship's spa , get a massage ($120/50 minutes), acupuncture ($150/hour) a floatation bed ($179 per couple for 50 minutes) or take in the beauty salon.

FAMILY FUN

• 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
• shows in the main theater
• ice skating spectaculars and free-skate parties on the ice rink
• entertainment and parades at night on the Royal Promenade shopping and dining boulevard

ADVENTURE OCEAN

For kids, this ship has gone over the top!  Children can play in the outdoor H2O Zone pool area , and teens have a cool private lounge and disco.  The "Adventure Ocean" youth program has age-specific facilities and programs supervised by youth counselors for Aquanauts (age 3-5, must be toilet trained), Explorers (age 6-8), Voyagers (age 9-11), Navigators (age 12-14) and Teens (age 15-17).

Organized activities are offered from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with group babysitting from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for a fee. Teen centers are now open to 2 am. A program for infants and toddlers six months to three years offers 45-minute playgroups for children accompanied by an adult, involving storytelling, creative arts, music and a variety of Fisher-Price learning toys and games. Aqua Babies are six months to 18 months old while Aqua Tots are 18 months to three years old.

Private babysitting is offered from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sitters are available, ( first come, first serve. limited number ) for children one year old and up. Cost  $8 - $10 per hour.

TIP:  You can leave your children at Adventure Ocean while you take a shore excursion.

Solarium Jungle-themed and adults-only, the Solarium has two large hot tubs cantilevered out 12 feet from the sides of the ship, suspended 112 feet above the ocean. They're pretty big,  each one holds 16.  You will also find a series of free-standing hammocks scattered about the solarium.   Main Pool, Sports Pool   One of the ship’s two central pools is a sports pool, for games such as water volleyball and basketball, floating golf and pole jousting, amateur synchronized swimming competitions.   Free Ice Cream! But Not For Everyone... It turns out that the occupants of cabin 6305 onboard Freedom of the Seas, will get free ice cream.. This promenade view inside cabin is nicknamed the "Ben & Jerry's 'Sweet'" because of its obstructed view -- the window is blocked by two cows that stand atop the Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor directly below the cabin.   So, if you happen to have that cabin, we are told by the cruise line, you will receive complimentary ice cream from Ben & Jerry's every day of your cruise.   More Notes: Freedom of the Seas’ combined pool area is 43% larger than on Voyager-class ships. At night, the main pool area is transformed into an open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools. Like to sing?  Take in the On Air Karaoke Nightclub. Are you a "diamond" level member of Royal Caribbean's past guest program, then they have a lounge just for you.  Freedom of the Seas has taken the biggest-ship-ever title from Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. The QM2 was the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most expensive ocean vessel ever built until the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas launched in June 2006. In The Future... Royal Caribbean’s second Freedom-class ship, Liberty of the Seas, is scheduled to make its debut in May 2007 with cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. A third Freedom-class ship, as yet unnamed, is scheduled to follow in early 2008. Beyond that, Royal Caribbean has commissioned the world's largest cruise ship, agreeing to pay Europe's biggest shipbuilder a record 900 million euros ($1.1 billion) for a vessel that will carry 5,400 passengers. Oslo-based Aker Yards ASA will deliver the Project Genesis ship in late 2009. At 222,000 gross register tons, the Royal Caribbean International vessel, codenamed Project Genesis, will be nearly half as big again as the Queen Mary 2, and 43 percent bigger than the largest cruise liner, Freedom of the Seas. WHAT DOES IT COST FOR THIS MUCH FUN? The least expensive inside cabins without a window on the water begin at $859 per person, double occupancy. Outside cabins with windows but no balcony start at $1,049; balcony cabins start at $1,299. Junior suites, with 287 square feet inside — including a small sitting area in addition to the bed and a 101-square foot balcony — start at $1,649 per person. The ultimate in luxury, the sprawling, 1,406-square-foot Royal Suite with a huge living area, private deck with whirlpool tub and more starts at $3,699 per person. Inside   Oceanview   Balcony   Deluxe & Suite   Freedom Of The Seas Caribbean Cruise from $849. 7-Nights sailing r/t Miami Brochure Price: $1360 Your Discount: Save 38%!! -$511  Priced from: $849 To check on prices and availability click on Details SAMPLE PRICES Some categories, including many of the biggest suites, already are sold out for most of the year.

________________________________ Best Bets for Families presented by Cruise Reviews Online Click on a link to read the reviews.   Carnival’s Conquest Class Carnival Liberty has shown that the Fun Ships can provide upscale perks for parents, while the kiddies can enjoy Camp Carnival, Club02 and the array of features that bring more kids to Carnival than any other cruise line. Crystal Cruises This upscale line is a multi-generational favorite with families that appreciate luxury, fine dining and onboard lectures. Grandparent-grandchild bookings in Alaska are especially popular. Disney Cruise Line Kudos for not resting solely on the draw of the Disney name. The line has kicked up onboard programming for kids and relaxation options for adults. (And, the first-run Disney and Miramax films in the movie theaters are a huge bonus.) Holland America Line My, what a difference the Signature of Excellence makes. Forget the once-stodgy image — HAL is happenin’ when it comes to family fun. Teens love the new Oasis sun deck areas. Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Dawn Though she’s not the newest kid on the block at NCL, her whimsical decor, T-Rex kids’ pool area and the tiny buffet table and chairs in the dining room make everyone wish they were a kid again. Princess Cruises The Love Boats have become Family Boats, with the first (and quickly copied) poolside LED jumbo screens, consistently high-ranked kids programs and a new ship featuring an atrium “street cafe.” Regent Seven Seas ( aka Radisson ) “Luxury Goes Exploring” adds up to adventure for younger cruisers. The line’s Club Mariner program, on selected sailings, offers behind-the-scenes diversions while parents enjoy the pampering. Royal Caribbean International Voyager and Ultra-Voyager Class The pulsating beat on the line’s television ads encourages cruisers to “get out there,” and families are doing just that. Ice rinks, rock-climbing walls, Johnny Rockets and some of the largest dedicated kids’ spaces at sea are already kid-magnets. Freedom of the Seas’ new surfing attraction promises to become a must-do for family cruising. Windstar Cruises The popular choice for honeymooners is just as likely to carry active families that love the ships’ watersports, casual elegance and upgraded amenities in the cabins.