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FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
A fantasyland for
the whole family
Freedom of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest ship offers guests a top-deck aqua environment unparalleled in the industry.
Freedom features three massive pool areas, each with innovative new concepts, including an interactive water park, the most dramatic whirlpools afloat and a dedicated sports pool.
Says Richard D Fain, Royal Caribbean's chairman: "Freedom of the Seas' combined pool area is 43 per cent larger than on our Voyager-class ships, giving us the ability to create three distinctive spaces to appeal to our varied audiences. Guests 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."
One of the most spectacular spaces on Freedom of the Seas will be H2O Zone, the farthest aft of the three areas. It's a colourful wonderland of large, brightly hued sculptures doubling as interactive fountains that spray, sprinkle and spurt water in every direction.
The oversized sculptures 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 are 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 shoots 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, creates a secluded space for the shipÕs youngest cruisers. At the back of the park, a rectangular swimming pool is flanked by wading areas and fed by a waterfall cascading from an overhanging bridge. At night, the water park turns into a dramatically lit sculpture garden.
An exciting way to unwind
Toward the front of the ship, Freedom of the Seas' adult guests find the most remarkable relaxation areas at sea in the jungle-themed Solarium. This adults-only oasis features two large hot tubs cantilevered out 12 feet from the sides of the ship. Suspended 112 feet above the ocean, the hot tubs offer breathtaking, panoramic views.
The Solarium also features lush tropical foliage, rainforest-inspired mosaics and murals, towering sculpted metal palm trees and hammocks. Two seven-foot-tall parrot sculptures edge the Solarium's pool, which will hold a few surprises of its own. Guests willing to immerse themselves in the experience find music piped in underwater, a photo collage behind glass depicting a coral reef, and a glass wall that allows them to look into the atrium adjacent to the pool while submerged.
A new pool 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 is designated as a sports pool. Guests are 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 are equally entertained when teams try their hand at water ballet choreography in amateur synchronized swimming competitions. Outside the organised activity times, lane markers are set up in the sports pool for lap swimming.
At night, the main pool area is transformed into an open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools. Guests are able to enjoy live music, themed parties and a top-class club DJ.
At 158,000 GRT and holding 3,600 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. The first in Royal Caribbean's new Freedom class, she is the most forward-looking and innovative ship the company has built to date. Freedom of the Seas sails seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Royal CaribbeanÕs private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.
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