Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas assessment

At a look

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

It is arduous to imagine, however when Freedom of the Seas first set sail in 2006, the three,926-passenger ship was the most important ship ever constructed (by gross tonnage) — till the debut of its sister ship Liberty of the Seas in 2007, that’s. That mentioned, Freedom of the Seas continues to be a lot huge by at present’s requirements — the ship stretches 1,111 ft in size and rises 15 decks in peak — 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, Good Day at CocoCay. In some ways, this makes Freedom of the Seas a great selection for first-time cruisers trying to get their ft moist, in addition to those that are staunchly “Loyal to Royal” and on the lookout for a fast cruise getaway at an inexpensive worth.

Due to that, you are more likely to encounter an eclectic mixture of passengers on board: multi-generational households, {couples} younger and outdated, spring breakers trying to social gathering arduous, and extra.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. Anticipate loads of nonstop leisure, thudding bass by the pool deck, late-night disco events and each day efficiency spectacles alongside the Royal Promenade, the ship’s inside atrium that runs half the size of the vessel.

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

Whereas 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 within the mid-Nineties. Do not anticipate a lot in the best way of whiz-bang expertise right here; energy retailers are a scarce commodity, and closet area may be tight in entry-level cabins.

Nonetheless, Freedom of the Seas offers 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 with regards to cabins aboard Freedom of the Seas. Although the ship presents 4 fundamental decisions (inside cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites), nestled inside these classes are some actually fascinating prospects.

Our favorites, for these on a price range, are the Inside Promenade View cabins overlooking the Royal Promenade. Basically a barely bigger inside cabin, these supply a big bay window with a small love seat, good for watching the reveals under. Nonetheless, gentle sleepers might need to skip these. The performances — which go previous 10 p.m. on some nights — can undoubtedly be heard inside.

Balcony cabins are plentiful onboard, with full step-out balconies of various sizes and shapes, together with some positioned on “the hump,” a bit of the superstructure jutting out from the primary 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 supply outsized, round home windows that flood these rooms with pure gentle, and particular Household Oceanview staterooms located on the entrance of the ship overlooking the bow can sleep between 4 and 6 company with more room and privateness than some entry-level suites.

All cabins, no matter class, supply an in-room secure, an interactive tv set, temperature management and a non-public toilet with a walk-in bathe, sink, self-importance and bathroom. Royal Caribbean has its personal model of toiletries onboard and offers a shampoo-soap combo with a delightful 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 by way of their paces. Proof of wear and tear and tear is seen on arduous furnishings, although mushy furnishings like carpets, linens and fabric are typically in higher form. These bringing loads of electronics onboard will need to economize: there are however two North American retailers and one two-pronged European-style outlet in most rooms, although you may entry a second European-style outlet for those who’re prepared to achieve round and unplug the TV.

Nonetheless, provided that Freedom of the Seas primarily sails shorter cruises, these rooms are snug sufficient for the aim. You are more likely to sleep properly, too: most rooms have little or no structural or mechanical noise, even in heavy seas.

Connecting and accessible cabins are supplied aboard Freedom of the Seas. Nonetheless, the ship lacks solo cabins designed for one particular person — and Royal Caribbean costs a hefty 100% single complement on most of its voyages for the privilege of crusing alone.

Freedom of the Seas eating places

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

Even for those who by no means set foot within the ship’s extra-charge specialty eating places (of which there are lots of), you may be so spoiled for selection that you just actually will not really feel pressured to spend the additional cash.

Freedom of the Seas boasts a ravishing, three-story important eating room lined with banks of wall-to-wall home windows. It’s simply probably the most hanging public area onboard and recreates the grandeur of the golden age of ocean journey, even when maybe the standard of the delicacies doesn’t.

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

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

Exterior of the primary 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, that means libations are shut at hand. Meals high quality on our voyage was a lot improved over previous sailings, with extra various choices that attraction to a greater diversity of tastes.

On the Royal Promenade, Sorrento’s serves up Royal Caribbean’s free, seemingly infinite pizza. It is not the most effective pizza you have ever had, however it’s practical and will get the job achieved, significantly when the bars empty out on the wee hours of the morning and you feel 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 usually are not low-cost (surcharges seemingly enhance yearly or so), and the worth proposition in the previous few years is questionable. Chop’s is probably the most constant in our expertise, recreating a comfortable, American-style steakhouse expertise with excellent views. Giovanni’s is devoted to every little thing Italian however may need extra in widespread with Olive Backyard than, say, genuine Italian delicacies. Whether or not that is a professional or a con is as much as your preferences.

Up on Deck 12, a Johnny Rockets location (bear 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 bask in an inventory of milkshakes, floats and sundaes which might be well worth the worth of admission. Royal Caribbean hiked the value of eating right here from $6.95 to $14.99 per particular person just a few years again, and you will doubtless hear a lot grumbling about that onboard.

Room service aboard Freedom of the Seas is on the market round the clock and carries a surcharge plus an 18% gratuity. Solely 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 of the requisite imported drafts) to the stylish 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 indulge within the Bull and Bear Pub, serving up pints of frothy goodness and a few very artistic “beer cocktails,” together with nightly tunes. Sadly, the previous Vintages Wine Bar that was immediately throughout from the Pub has been transformed right into a nonsmoking on line casino.

Just a little 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 every night with loads of vigorous music and dancing. Ahead of that’s the newly-added Playmakers’ Sports activities Bar and Arcade, which presents pool tables, loads of stay sporting occasions and a menu of pub favorites and drinks.

For these on the lookout for a extra subdued second, the Viking Crown Lounge up on Deck 14 serves up basic cocktails made to order, accompanied by stay music and luxurious views of the pool deck and ocean past. It is the place onboard to be for sundowners and sailaways.

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

Royal Caribbean additionally presents a big selection of drink packages that embody every little thing from mushy drinks to fundamental alcoholic drinks and even premium choices. Costs are dynamically listed in line with voyage, and all passengers on the identical reservation should buy a package deal.

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 within the three-story theatre to recreation reveals, viewers participation actions and silent discos within the Star Lounge — and loads of stay music all through the ship — Freedom of the Seas is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise.

Full-blown manufacturing spectaculars roam the Royal Promenade, the center of the ship, by day and night time. Royal Caribbean is known within the cruise world for its Quest recreation present, which isn’t for the simply offended or faint of coronary heart. And, to prime 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 across the ice themselves at occasions.

For many who lean on Woman Luck, Freedom of the Seas has a sprawling on line casino on Deck 4 (and its personal related bar), and a latest refit added a decently sized nonsmoking on line casino up on Deck 5, within the area previously occupied by Vintages Wine Bar.

The Vitality at Sea Spa and Health Middle are positioned on Decks 11 and 12 and supply the usual spa therapies and an excellent assortment of health tools. Staterooms added just a few years again have lowered the scale of the Spa on Deck 11, however Royal Caribbean nonetheless manages to ship a strong spa product.

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

A latest 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 mixture of four- and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Miami. These principally name on ports like Nassau, Bahamas; Labadee, Haiti; Cozumel, Mexico; George City, Grand Cayman; and Royal Caribbean’s personal non-public island, Good Day at CocoCay.

Itineraries sometimes begin at round $400 per particular person in an inside cabin, however holidays and common occasions like spring break can push entry-level costs properly above the $1,000-per-person mark. Whereas there could also be close-to-sailing offers, the most effective costs will doubtless be obtainable by reserving properly prematurely.

Freedom of the Seas for households

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

The ship’s pool deck areas additionally obtained a serious 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 just 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 strains will make you cellphone 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 on the lookout for an easy cruise trip.

Freedom of the Seas accessibility

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

Chair lifts are supplied on the ship’s important pool and whirlpool space, whereas lowered counters can be found at Visitor Relations and Shore Excursions, and lowered enjoying tables within the ship’s On line casino. Assistive listening techniques are supplied in Studio B and the primary theatre onboard, and Braille signage is supplied onboard.

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

Backside line

Freedom of the Seas is a snug, feature-laden ship that is positive to please first-time cruisers and people on the lookout for a fast ocean getaway to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Its 2020 refit has left it wanting sharp, and whereas cabins aren’t something to put in writing house about, passengers will likely be gained over by the sheer variety of issues to do onboard. It is the very huge ship that, mockingly, feels smaller and extra intimate than most of the newer vessels on the market.

Planning a cruise? Begin with these tales: