Freedom of the Seas was launched in May 2006 as the world’s biggest cruise. She is the namesake of Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class and can accommodate 3,634 passengers and 1,300 crew on fifteen passenger decks. The vessel also has 4 crew decks below the waterline.
Although the ship is no longer the biggest in Royal Caribbean’s fleet — that title is held by the line’s newer Oasis-class ships — its public spaces don’t feel outdated. If anything, Royal Caribbean is doing a great job of keeping Freedom of the Seas in tip-top shape.
Freedom of the Seas is known as the ship that revolutionized cruising – and now it’s home to even more exciting experiences and fantastic venues than before. The numbers speak for themselves: 10 pools and whirlpools, more than 100 luxurious spa treatments available, and 22 bars, clubs, and lounges perfect for everything from exciting nights out to casual conversations.
Meeting spaces and event venues aboard Freedom of the Seas accommodate up to 1,281 guests, and our dedicated staff will work diligently with you to arrange the perfect meeting or incentive for your group.
Combined with our high-tech features like video walls, touchscreen wayfinding signage, and VOOM, the fastest Internet available at sea, your next event will be making waves!
Overall, the traffic flow throughout the Freedom of the Seas is smooth, but there are times when it comes to a dead standstill along the Royal Promenade (the ship’s mall-like main thoroughfare) — when there’s a sale on duty-free watches, for example. Other areas just seem poorly designed.
It can be a harrowing experience to reach the Deck 3 Studio B from the front of the ship, as there’s no direct access straight through. Passengers have to either walk up one flight to Deck 4 (and through the casino) to the aft, then head down, or go up two decks to the often-crowded Royal Promenade to walk aft before heading down.
Photos
Full Specifications
| Name | Freedom of the Seas |
| Owner | Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.[1] |
| Operator | Royal Caribbean International |
| Port of registry | Nassau, Bahamas,  Bahamas |
| Route | San Juan, Puerto Rico & Caribbean |
| Ordered | September 18, 2003[1] |
| Builder | Aker Yards Turku Shipyard, Finland |
| Cost | US$800 million |
| Yard number | 52 |
| Laid down | November 9, 2004 |
| Launched | August 19, 2005[1] |
| Christened | May 12, 2006 |
| Completed | April 24, 2006[1] |
| Maiden voyage | 4 June 2006 (Caribbean) |
| In service | 4 June 2006 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In Service |
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Class and type | Freedom-class cruise ship |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 1,111.46 ft (338.774 m)[1] |
| Beam | 126.64 ft (38.60 m) waterline 184 ft (56.08 m) extreme (bridge wings) |
| Height | 209 ft (63.70 m) |
| Draught | 29.61 ft (9.026 m)[1] |
| Decks | 19 total decks, 15 passenger decks |
| Installed power | 6 × Wärtsilä 12V46 (6 × 12,600 kW) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 21.6 knots (40.0 km/h; 24.9 mph)[2] |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 1,360 |
