Freedom-class cruise ship

Freedom class
Class overview
Builders: Aker Finnyards Turku Shipyard, Finland
Operators: Royal Caribbean International
Preceded by: Radiance class
Succeeded by: Oasis class
Built: 2004-2008
In service: 2006-present
Planned: 4 ships
Completed: 3 ships
Cancelled: 1 ship
Active: 3 ships
General characteristics
Type: Cruise ship
Tonnage: 154,407 gross tonnage (GT)
Length: 1,111 ft 6 in (338.8 m)
Beam:
  • 126 ft 8 in (38.6 m) at waterline
  • 183 ft 8 in (56.0 m) bridge wings
Height: 209 ft (63.7 m) above water line
Draft: 28 ft (8.5 m)
Decks: 18 total, 15 passenger
Installed power: 6 × Wärtsilä 46 V12 diesels each rated at 12.6 MW (~17,000hp) driving electric generators at 514 rpm
Propulsion: 3 × ABB Azipod podded electric propulsion units, two of them azimuthing, one fixed. 4 additional bow thrusters.
Speed: 21.6 kn (40.0 km/h)
Capacity: 4,370 passengers (double occupancy)
Crew: 1,300 (average)

The Freedom class is a group of three cruise ships for Royal Caribbean International. The first ship of the class, Freedom of the Seas, was the largest passenger ship in the world, and the largest ever built in terms of passenger capacity and gross tonnage, when it was built in 2006. These two records were then shared by all three ships until the construction of the Oasis of the Seas was completed in November 2009.

Freedom of the Seas left Aker Finnyards Turku Shipyard, Finland on 24 April 2006 and started regular sailings out of Miami the next month. The second ship of the class, Liberty of the Seas, sailed on its maiden voyage on 19 May 2007. The third ship of the class, Independence of the Seas, was delivered and started work out of Southampton in April 2008.

The Freedom-class ships are similar in design and layout to the earlier second-generation Voyager class, including an ice skating rink and a 400-foot (120 m) mall named the Royal Promenade, featuring pubs, shops, arcades, bars, and a 24-hour Cafe Promenade. New features added to the Freedom class include the FlowRider surf park, cantilevered whirlpools, a full-size boxing ring, and the H2O Zone waterpark.

In March 2008, Aker Yards and Royal Caribbean announced a memorandum of agreement for a fourth ship in the class, subject to board approval and finalization of terms and conditions, but no actual order for the ship was ever announced.[1] In 2011, Royal Caribbean announced that it had ordered two ships from the similarly-sized Quantum class, making an order for a fourth Freedom-class ship unlikely.[2]

Ships

ShipYear BuiltEntered service
with Royal Caribbean		Gross tonnageHomeportNotesImage
Freedom of the Seas20064 June 2006154,407[3]Port Everglades, Florida, U.S. & Barcelona, SpainLargest cruise ship in the world, 2006–2009. Refurbished January 2015.
Liberty of the Seas200719 May 2007155,889[4]Galveston, Texas, U.S.Originally named Endeavor of the Seas before construction started. [5] Refurbished January 2016. Began service from Galveston, Texas in November 2015.[6]
Independence of the Seas20082 May 2008154,407[3]Southampton, United Kingdom & Port Everglades, Florida, U.S.Refurbished April 2013 and April 2018.

Destinations

As of 2012, Independence of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas sail out of European ports in the summer and out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during winter months. During the summer, Liberty of the Seas sails Mediterranean itineraries out of Barcelona, Spain, Toulon, France, and Sorrento, Italy while Independence of the Seas sails Northern Europe itineraries out of Southampton, Hampshire.

Freedom of the Seas sails out of Port Everglades, Florida, alternating between Eastern & Western Caribbean itineraries. For the 2017 summer season, Freedom of the Seas will sail in Europe for the first time, offering guests seven night Mediterranean cruises leaving from Barcelona and Rome.

Features

Freedom class size comparisons
  • Restaurants: Sorrentos Pizzeria, Windjammer Buffett, 3-Story Traditional Dining, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Portofino Italian Restaurant, Chops Grille Steak House, Cafe Promenade, Sabor
  • Sports: Rock Climbing, Full Boxing Ring, Ice Skating Rink, Flow-Rider Surfing Simulator, Mini Golf, Golf Simulator, Sports Pool, Gym, Running Track, Full Basketball Court (Converts to Full Volleyball Court)
  • Adults: Spa, Adults Only Solarium, Adults Only Whirlpools, Nightclubs and Bars
  • Children/Teens: Fuel - Teen only nightclub, The Living Room - A place for teens to hang out, Arcade

References

  1. ↑ "Possible Fourth Freedom Vessel To Be Built By Aker Yards". Aker Yards press release. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  2. ↑ http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsarticle&id=1528198
  3. 1 2 "2016-2017 Royal Caribbean Fleet Guide" (PDF). Royal Caribbean International. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  4. ↑ "Liberty of the Seas (26180)". DNV GL Vessel Register. Det Norske Veritas. Retrieved 13 May 2007.
  5. ↑ "Endeavor of the Seas Trademark Information". Trademarkia. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  6. ↑ "ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCES 2015-16 DEPLOYMENT FOR NEW YORK AND GALVESTON". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
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