Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas review

At a look

• A big family-friendly ship geared towards first-timers
• Plenty of attention-grabbing cabin classes for each price range
• No scarcity of locations to eat, bars and leisure venues

It’s exhausting to consider, however when Freedom of the Seas first set sail in 2006, the 3,926-passenger ship was the largest ship ever constructed (by gross tonnage) — till the debut of its sister ship Liberty of the Seas in 2007, that’s. That stated, Freedom of the Seas continues to be loads large by at present’s requirements — the ship stretches 1,111 ft in size and rises 15 decks in top — however it’s markedly extra human-sized than Royal Caribbean’s latest megaliths, Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean deploys Freedom of the Seas on alternating four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean’s very personal high-octane non-public island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In some ways, this makes Freedom of the Seas a really perfect selection for first-time cruisers seeking to get their ft moist, in addition to those that are staunchly “Loyal to Royal” and in search of a fast cruise getaway at an inexpensive value.

Because of that, you are prone to encounter an eclectic combine of passengers on board: multi-generational households, {couples} younger and previous, spring breakers seeking to celebration exhausting, and extra.

That may be each a professional and a con. Shorter mainstream cruises at all times have extra of a celebration vibe than their weeklong counterparts, and Royal Caribbean has, for higher or for worse, leaned into that on these quick voyages. Expect loads of nonstop leisure, thudding bass by the pool deck, late-night disco events and every day efficiency spectacles alongside the Royal Promenade, the ship’s inside atrium that runs half the size of the vessel.

While Freedom of the Seas usually handles the crowds properly (even at full occupancy, as our spring break cruise was), this isn’t the ship for calm and quiet. But the options aboard Freedom of the Seas are assured to win over even the most skeptical vacationer, with enjoyable diversions like the Studio B area and ice rink, the Flowrider browsing simulator, and swimming pools and waterslides galore.

While Royal Caribbean’s 2020 overhaul of Freedom of the Seas was substantial and revitalized almost all public areas onboard, it did not prolong so far as it may have into the cabins, which nonetheless mirror a mode pioneered by Royal Caribbean in the mid-Nineties. Don’t anticipate a lot in the means of whiz-bang expertise right here; energy retailers are a scarce commodity, and closet area may be tight in entry-level cabins.

Still, Freedom of the Seas gives a snug home-away-from-home on its quick Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries, and its abundance of open deck area will certainly be appreciated by sun-seekers and seafarers alike.

Freedom of the Seas cabins and suites

Passengers are spoiled for selection in relation to cabins aboard Freedom of the Seas. Though the ship presents 4 fundamental selections (inside cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites), nestled inside these classes are some actually attention-grabbing potentialities.

Our favorites, for these on a price range, are the Interior Promenade View cabins overlooking the Royal Promenade. Essentially a barely bigger inside cabin, these provide a big bay window with a small love seat, excellent for watching the reveals beneath. However, gentle sleepers could wish to skip these. The performances — which go previous 10 p.m. on some nights — can positively be heard inside.

Balcony cabins are plentiful onboard, with full step-out balconies of various styles and sizes, together with some positioned on “the hump,” a piece of the superstructure jutting out from the principal vessel that’s prized by some cruisers for its unobstructed views.

The ocean-view cabins on Freedom of the Seas deserve some recognition, too. Most provide outsized, round home windows that flood these rooms with pure gentle, and particular Family Oceanview staterooms located at the entrance of the ship overlooking the bow can sleep between 4 and 6 friends with extra space and privateness than some entry-level suites.

All cabins, regardless of class, provide an in-room protected, an interactive tv set, temperature management and a personal rest room with a walk-in bathe, sink, self-importance and bathroom. Royal Caribbean has its personal model of toiletries onboard and gives a shampoo-soap combo with a satisfying perfume that dispenses from a wall-mounted unit.

Royal Caribbean earns reward for its beds and bedding, and most rooms may be configured to be both one queen mattress or two twins.

Being a ship on quick turnarounds, although, has put these rooms via their paces. Evidence of put on and tear is seen on exhausting furnishings, although smooth furnishings like carpets, linens and fabric are usually in higher form. Those bringing loads of electronics onboard will wish to economize: there are however two North American retailers and one two-pronged European-style outlet in most rooms, although you possibly can entry a second European-style outlet when you’re prepared to succeed in round and unplug the TV.

Still, on condition that Freedom of the Seas primarily sails shorter cruises, these rooms are comfy sufficient for the goal. You’re prone to sleep properly, too: most rooms have little or no structural or mechanical noise, even in heavy seas.

Connecting and accessible cabins are provided aboard Freedom of the Seas. However, the ship lacks solo cabins designed for one individual — and Royal Caribbean expenses a hefty 100% single complement on most of its voyages for the privilege of crusing alone.

Freedom of the Seas eating places

The previous joke is that you will by no means go hungry aboard a cruise ship — and that is notably true of Freedom of the Seas.

Even when you by no means set foot in the ship’s extra-charge specialty eating places (of which there are lots of), you will be so spoiled for selection that you simply definitely will not really feel pressured to spend the extra cash.

Freedom of the Seas boasts a good looking, three-story principal eating room lined with banks of wall-to-wall home windows. It is definitely the most placing public area onboard and recreates the grandeur of the golden age of ocean journey, even when maybe the high quality of the delicacies doesn’t.

Food on Royal Caribbean, as a rule of thumb, is nice. Not nice, however good.

The identical may be stated of the service, which is real and pleasant, however generally missing in polish, notably when you elect to not have a set eating time (we strongly suggest going with the early or late fixed-seating dinner so your wait employees can get to know you and your meals preferences).

Outside of the principal eating room, the Windjammer Buffet is a sprawling informal eatery located aft on Deck 11 serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-evening snacks. It additionally has its personal bar, which means libations are shut at hand. Food high quality on our voyage was a lot improved over previous sailings, with extra various choices that enchantment to a greater variety of tastes.

On the Royal Promenade, Sorrento’s serves up Royal Caribbean’s free, seemingly limitless pizza. It’s not the greatest pizza you’ve got ever had, however it’s practical and will get the job carried out, notably when the bars empty out at the wee hours of the morning and you are feeling peckish.

On the specialty eating entrance, Freedom of the Seas presents two Royal Caribbean staples: Chop’s Grille and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.

These venues aren’t low-cost (surcharges seemingly enhance yearly or so), and the worth proposition in the previous few years is questionable. Chop’s is the most constant in our expertise, recreating a comfortable, American-style steakhouse expertise with excellent views. Giovanni’s is devoted to every thing Italian however may need extra in widespread with Olive Garden than, say, genuine Italian delicacies. Whether that is a professional or a con is as much as your preferences.

Up on Deck 12, a Johnny Rockets location (keep in mind these?) serves up the American chain’s signature burgers in a recreated Fifties-style diner. The burgers are good, and you too can take pleasure in a listing of milkshakes, floats and sundaes which can be price the value of admission. Royal Caribbean hiked the value of eating right here from $6.95 to $14.99 per individual a couple of years again, and you may seemingly hear a lot grumbling about that onboard.

Room service aboard Freedom of the Seas is obtainable round-the-clock and carries a surcharge plus an 18% gratuity. Only continental breakfast is supplied complimentary; a full American breakfast will carry a surcharge of $7.95.

Freedom of the Seas bars and lounges

Freedom of the Seas has a bar or lounge to go well with each style, from a British pub (with all the requisite imported drafts) to the elegant R Bar and even a panoramic lounge (the Viking Crown Lounge) perched excessive atop the ship.

On the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, passengers can take pleasure in the Bull and Bear Pub, serving up pints of frothy goodness and a few very inventive “beer cocktails,” together with nightly tunes. Sadly, the former Vintages Wine Bar that was straight throughout from the Pub has been transformed right into a nonsmoking on line casino.

A bit of additional aft is the R Bar, a quiet (comparatively talking) martini joint subsequent to the aft atrium and its spiral staircase. Down on Deck 4, the Latin-themed Boleros positively rocks each night with loads of energetic music and dancing. Forward of that’s the newly-added Playmakers’ Sports Bar and Arcade, which presents pool tables, loads of dwell sporting occasions and a menu of pub favorites and drinks.

For these in search of a extra subdued second, the Viking Crown Lounge up on Deck 14 serves up basic cocktails made to order, accompanied by dwell music and sumptuous views of the pool deck and ocean past. It’s the place onboard to be for sundowners and sailaways.

Our hands-down favourite bar and lounge is the Schooner Bar on Deck 4. This is the place for every day trivia periods and nightly jams with the onboard pianist. With its pitch-soaked traces giving it a decidedly nautical perfume and enormous round home windows, it is a cozy and alluring area, if far too small for the crowd that tends to collect right here. Get right here early for a seat, notably at trivia.

Royal Caribbean additionally presents a wide selection of drink packages that embrace every thing from smooth drinks to fundamental alcoholic drinks and even premium choices. Prices are dynamically listed in response to voyage, and all passengers on the identical reservation should buy a bundle.

Freedom of the Seas actions

You will not be at a loss for issues to do on Freedom of the Seas. From full-scale productions in the three-story theatre to sport reveals, viewers participation actions and silent discos in the Star Lounge — and lots of dwell music all through the ship — Freedom of the Seas is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise.

Full-blown manufacturing spectaculars roam the Royal Promenade, the coronary heart of the ship, by day and night time. Royal Caribbean is known in the cruise world for its Quest sport present, which isn’t for the simply offended or faint of coronary heart. And, to high all of it off, Freedom of the Seas even has its personal onboard ice rink — Studio B — which hosts spectacular ice skating performances and even lets passengers lace up for a spin round the ice themselves at occasions.

For those that lean on Lady Luck, Freedom of the Seas has a sprawling on line casino on Deck 4 (and its personal related bar), and a current refit added a decently sized nonsmoking on line casino up on Deck 5, in the area previously occupied by Vintages Wine Bar.

The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center are positioned on Decks 11 and 12 and provide the customary spa therapies and a very good assortment of health gear. Staterooms added a couple of years again have lowered the measurement of the Spa on Deck 11, however Royal Caribbean nonetheless manages to ship a strong spa product.

Top-deck enjoyable consists of loads of swimming pools and whirlpools, together with two extraordinarily fashionable whirlpools that cantilever out over the facet of the ship. The views are unbelievable — however the sheer quantity of flesh-pressing-upon-flesh could deter all however the heartiest passengers.

A current refit in 2020 added new waterslides and a refreshed splash park for the little ones, along with the already-popular Flowrider browsing simulator.

Freedom of the Seas itineraries and pricing

As talked about, Freedom of the Seas primarily sails a combination of four- and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Miami. These largely name on ports like Nassau, Bahamas; Labadee, Haiti; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Royal Caribbean’s personal non-public island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Itineraries sometimes begin at round $400 per individual in an inside cabin, however holidays and fashionable occasions like spring break can push entry-level costs properly above the $1,000-per-person mark. While there could also be close-to-sailing offers, the greatest costs will seemingly be accessible by reserving properly upfront.

Freedom of the Seas for households

Freedom of the Seas is a good selection for households. The ship’s early-2020 refit spruced up its Adventure Ocean youngsters membership choices that present providers and actions for infants, youngsters and everybody in between.

The ship’s pool deck areas additionally obtained a significant sprucing-up, including waterslides for grown-ups and youngsters and a brand-new splash park for the little ones. Throw in Royal Caribbean’s signature diversions like the Flowrider surf simulator, onboard rock-climbing wall, and pickleball and sports activities courts, and tedium merely turns into an impossibility.

There’s additionally a decently sized Library and Card Room that, on our crusing, was well-populated with households enjoying card and board video games.

Royal Caribbean additionally makes it simple for households to ebook connecting staterooms in any cabin class proper on its web site, whereas most different cruise traces will make you telephone in or undergo a journey agent. That, plus the addition of devoted staterooms designed for only for households, makes Freedom of the Seas a straightforward win for households in search of an easy cruise trip.

Freedom of the Seas accessibility

Royal Caribbean takes accessibility considerations critically throughout its total fleet. To that finish, passengers will discover a quantity of accessible cabins throughout a number of classes aboard Freedom of the Seas that embrace wider doorways, areas to show a chair, roll-in showers and seize bars.

Chair lifts are supplied at the ship’s principal pool and whirlpool space, whereas lowered counters can be found at Guest Relations and Shore Excursions, and lowered enjoying tables in the ship’s Casino. Assistive listening techniques are supplied in Studio B and the principal theatre onboard, and Braille signage is supplied onboard.

All decks have elevator entry aside from Deck 15, which might solely be ascended through stairs or electrical chair elevate.

Bottom line

Freedom of the Seas is a snug, feature-laden ship that is certain to please first-time cruisers and people in search of a fast ocean getaway to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Its 2020 refit has left it trying sharp, and whereas cabins aren’t something to put in writing house about, passengers can be gained over by the sheer quantity of issues to do onboard. It’s the very large ship that, sarcastically, feels smaller and extra intimate than many of the newer vessels on the market.

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