Freedom Is ...
Where the Ocean Comes to Play
Freedom's not just another word
Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas Takes Ship Design to the Edge and Beyond With a Family Water Park, Cantilevered Whirlpools, Dedicated Sports Pool, and Much More
MIAMI, May 2005 -- Royal Caribbean's newest ship will give "of the seas" new meaning when it makes its debut in May 2006. Currently under construction at Aker Finnyards in Turku, Finland, Freedom of the Seas will offer guests a top-deck aqua environment unparalleled in the industry, featuring three massive pool areas. Each area will introduce innovative new concepts, including an interactive water park, the most dramatic whirlpools afloat and a dedicated sports pool.
"Freedom of the Seas' combined pool area is 43 percent larger than on our Voyager-class ships, giving us the ability to create three distinctive spaces to appeal to our varied audiences," said Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO. "Guests will have the freedom to splash in the family pool area, relax in the adults-only Solarium or soak in the sun at the main pool area."
A Fantasy Afloat for the Entire Family
One of the most spectacular spaces on Freedom of the Seas will be H2O Zone, the farthest aft of the three areas. H2O Zone will be a colorful wonderland of large, brightly hued sculptures doubling as interactive fountains that spray, sprinkle and spurt water in every direction.
The oversized sculptures will depict family members of all shapes and sizes, including the family dog, and will give guests numerous ways to get soaked -- and soak each other -- by turning wheels, setting off sensors and dodging dumping buckets. The sculptures will be spread throughout a large, central wading area that also will include a number of spray cannons, water jets and ground gushers.
In one corner of the water playground, a circular pool will shoot a current of water in a river around a central island. Guests can float with the flow as they are misted by one of the fountain sculptures.
Next to the circular pool, a shallow pool, fed by a flamingo-shaped fountain, will create a secluded space for the ship's youngest cruisers. At the back of the park, a rectangular swimming pool will be flanked by wading areas and fed by a waterfall cascading from an overhanging bridge. At night, the water park will turn into a dramatically lit sculpture garden.
An Exciting Way to Unwind
Toward the front of the ship, Freedom of the Seas' adult guests will find the most remarkable relaxation areas at sea in the jungle-themed Solarium. This adults-only oasis will feature two large hot tubs cantilevered out 12 feet from the sides of the ship. Suspended 112 feet above the ocean, the hot tubs will offer breathtaking, panoramic views.
The Solarium also will feature lush tropical foliage, rainforest-inspired mosaics and murals, towering sculpted metal palm trees and hammocks. Two seven-foot-tall parrot sculptures will edge the Solarium's pool, which will hold a few surprises of its own. Guests willing to immerse themselves in the experience will find music piped in underwater and a photo collage behind glass depicting a coral reef.
A New Spot for Sports Buffs
Royal Caribbean is introducing another first for the line in the main pool area. One of the ship's two central pools will be designated as a sports pool. Guests will be invited to challenge themselves, and each other, in a variety of water sports, from pool volleyball and basketball to floating golf and pole jousting, in which competitors sit facing each other on a horizontal pole laid across the pool and attempt to knock each other off with inflatable rods.
Spectators and contestants will be equally entertained when teams try their hand at water ballet choreography in amateur synchronized swimming competitions. Outside the organized activity times, lane markers will be set up in the sports pool for lap swimming.
At night, the main pool area will transform into an open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools (illustrated above). Guests will be able to enjoy live music, themed parties and a top-class club DJ.
Freedom Is ... A Family Affair
Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas Offers Expanded Family Stateroom Options and Activities for All
Royal Caribbean is also giving families more opportunities to play together and stay together while cruising the Caribbean. The line's newest ship, Freedom of the Seas, will offer six different family-focused stateroom categories specially designed to accommodate larger families and groups of friends.
"The new stateroom categories on Freedom of the Seas give guests the ability to spend downtime together comfortably between onboard activities and shoreside adventures," said Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO. "We're introducing several new configurations, giving guests the freedom to choose from different stateroom sizes and price ranges."
The biggest addition will be the 14-person Presidential Suite, the largest stateroom the line has offered to date, with 1,215 square feet of interior space and an 810-square-foot outdoor living area. The oversized suite will have dual entryways as well as two master bedrooms, sleeping two people each, with 30-inch, flat-panel televisions and en suite bathrooms with bathtubs. Two additional bedrooms will accommodate four people each, with convertible twin/queen beds and two Pullmans. Both of these rooms will feature a 23-inch, flat-panel television, which also will be found in all staterooms shipwide.
The common area will include two additional bathrooms with showers, a spacious living room with a sectional sofa that sleeps two, a card/dining table and an extensive entertainment center, including a 42-inch, plasma TV. Suite guests will be tempted to spend all their time outdoors on the spacious balcony equipped with a whirlpool, wet bar, eight lounge chairs and a 14-person table for dining al fresco.
Freedom of the Seas will offer five additional types of extended family accommodations over and above the standard triples and quads. Each category includes twin beds, convertible to a queen bed, as well as additional bunks to accommodate the whole family. Guests can choose from:
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Four eight-person Royal Family Suites, each with two bedrooms, including a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom with bathtub, a second bathroom with shower, and a living area with a sectional sofa and an entertainment center with a 30-inch, flat-panel TV. Royal Family Suite balconies include four lounge chairs and an al fresco dining table for eight. Each of the four suites can be expanded to accommodate 10 people via a connecting door to a neighboring stateroom. (600 sq. ft. with a 270 sq. ft. balcony)
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One six-person Accessible Family Stateroom with balcony, featuring a curtained-off sleeping alcove with bunk beds, sleeper sofa, an accessible bathroom and shower, and accessible closets. (400 sq. ft. with a 120 sq. ft. balcony)
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Eight six-person Family Oceanview Staterooms, each with a curtained-off sleeping alcove with bunk beds, sleeper sofa and two or more windows. (Up to 495 sq. ft.)
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Four six-person Promenade Family Staterooms, each with a curtained-off sleeping alcove with bunk beds, sleeper sofa, walk-in closet and bathtub. These suites also have two windows, each with a window seat, overlooking the Royal Promenade. (335 sq. ft.)
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Two six-person Inside Family Staterooms, each with a curtained-off sleeping alcove, sleeper sofa and walk-in closet. (330 sq. ft.)
Family-Friendly Activities
Families on Freedom of the Seas may find there is too much to do in other areas of the ship to spend much time in their staterooms. Freedom of the Seas will take onboard adventures to new heights with the largest rock-climbing wall at sea. The 43-foot-tall by 44-foot-wide, free-standing wall will feature a central spire that will add a whole new dimension to the experience. Guests will be able to choose from 11 different routes, from easy to expert.
Freedom's younger guests will enjoy Royal Caribbean's award-winning Adventure Ocean Program. From wacky science experiments and Adventure Art by Crayola® crafts projects to sports tournaments and dance parties, guests 3 to 17 will have a full social calendar. Teens, in particular, will have plenty of space to call their own with three, exclusive areas just for them, including Fuel nightclub, The Living Room hangout and the Back Deck sundeck. In addition, Freedom of the Seas will feature the line's Aqua Babies and Aqua Tots playtime programs developed by partner Fisher-Price®, Inc. for cruisers ages 6 months to 36 months and their parents.
Freedom also will offer families plenty of ways and places to enjoy time together, including the unparalleled, top-deck aqua environment with an interactive water park; outstanding production shows in the main theater; ice skating spectaculars and free-skate parties on the ice rink; and non-stop action on the Royal Promenade, a 445-foot-long shopping, dining and entertainment boulevard that will feature nightly entertainment and festive parades.
At 158,000 GRT and holding 3,600 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in May 2006. The first in Royal Caribbean's new Freedom class, she will be the most forward-looking and innovative ship the company has built to date. 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.
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