Ernie
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Freedom Is ... Where the Ocean Comes to Play

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas Takes Ship Design to the Edge and Beyond With Family Water Park, Cantilevered whirlpools, Dedicated Sports Pool

MIAMI, May 5, 2005
Royal Caribbean International's newest ship will give "of the seas" new meaning when it makes its debut in May 2006. Currently under construction at Aker Finnyards in Turku, Finland, Freedom of the Seas will offer guests a top-deck aqua environment unparalleled in the industry, featuring three massive pool areas. Each area will introduce innovative new concepts, including an interactive water park, the most dramatic whirlpools afloat and a dedicated sports pool.

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"Freedom of the Seas' combined pool area is 43 percent larger than on our Voyager-class ships, giving us the ability to create three distinctive spaces to appeal to our varied audiences," said Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO. "Guests will 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."

A Fantasyland for the Whole Family

One of the most spectacular spaces on Freedom of the Seas will be H2O Zone, the farthest aft of the three areas. H2O Zone will be a colorful wonderland of large, brightly hued sculptures doubling as interactive fountains that spray, sprinkle and spurt water in every direction.

The oversized sculptures will 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 will be spread throughout a large, central wading area that also will include a number of spray cannons, water jets and ground gushers.

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In one corner of the water playground, a circular pool will shoot 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, will create a secluded space for the ship's youngest cruisers. At the back of the park, a rectangular swimming pool will be flanked by wading areas and fed by a waterfall cascading from an overhanging bridge. At night, the water park will turn into a dramatically lit sculpture garden.

An Exciting Way to Unwind

Toward the front of the ship, Freedom of the Seas' adult guests will find the most remarkable relaxation areas at sea in the jungle-themed Solarium. This adults-only oasis will feature two large hot tubs cantilevered out 12 feet from the sides of the ship. Suspended 112 feet above the ocean, the hot tubs will offer breathtaking, panoramic views.

The Solarium also will feature lush tropical foliage, rainforest-inspired mosaics and murals, towering sculpted metal palm trees and hammocks. Two seven-foot-tall parrot sculptures will edge the Solarium's pool, which will hold a few surprises of its own. Guests willing to immerse themselves in the experience will find music piped in underwater and a photo collage behind glass depicting a coral reef.

A New Spot 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 will be designated as a sports pool. Guests will be 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 will be equally entertained when teams try their hand at water ballet choreography in amateur synchronized swimming competitions. Outside the organized activity times, lane markers will be set up in the sports pool for lap swimming.

At night, the main pool area will transform into an open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools. Guests will be 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 will be the largest cruise ship in the world when she debuts in May 2006. The first in Royal Caribbean's new Freedom class, she will be the most forward-looking and innovative ship the company has built to date. Freedom of the Seas will sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Royal Caribbean's private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.

[ 05-05-2005: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

Could someone explain to me what a "family dog" sculpture is? Which family is it whe are talking about? Is there a RCCL family with different shaped family members and an RCCL dog?

[ 05-05-2005: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by Stevie2020:
Looks like a very nice idea to hang a pool over the edge. The zig zag green wallpaper looks very old fashioned, and since when did people start swimming next to an indoor casual cafe with carpets.

Steve

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Who know whether this is a carpet - could also be a wooden floor - but I know what you mean, at least the "dressed" persons in the backgroud and maybe the "lounge chairs" are confusing. (but these could also be more "adequate" otudoor furniture) But more important is the nice glass enclosed promenade deck (if it "continues" further) in the background.

OR it is not a casual cafe but a night club like thing, and the "girls" in the pool are part of the entertainment.

[ 05-05-2005: Message edited by: Ernst ]

[ 05-05-2005: Message edited by: GregD ]

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An Exciting Way to Unwind

Toward the front of the ship, Freedom of the Seas' adult guests will find the most remarkable relaxation areas at sea in the jungle-themed Solarium. This adults-only oasis will feature two large hot tubs cantilevered out 12 feet from the sides of the ship. Suspended 112 feet above the ocean, the hot tubs will offer breathtaking, panoramic views.

Larger Version

The Solarium also will feature lush tropical foliage, rainforest-inspired mosaics and murals, towering sculpted metal palm trees and hammocks. Two seven-foot-tall parrot sculptures will edge the Solarium's pool, which will hold a few surprises of its own. Guests willing to immerse themselves in the experience will find music piped in underwater and a photo collage behind glass depicting a coral reef.

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I just hope the end result is not what you see in the artist's impression because:
1. it doesn’t match what is in the description, and...
2. jacuzzis/hot tubs in areas not designated as ‘wet’ will pose problems.

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Originally posted by Fairsky:
What they really need is for that hottub to have a glass bottom- how innovative would that be?

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Originally posted by Onno:
Very interesting indeed, I wonder what RCI comes up with in the future. Their new builds are probably the best looking ones out there and they make a point of selling their ships as the mean course and not a side dish.

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Originally posted by jsea:
Does anyone think that Freedom will sport some sort of mammoth outdoor display to compete with Princess' Movies Under The Stars?

It seems like that's the only 'wow' factor with which RCI cannot compete.

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RCI doesn't need an outdoor movie screen ... they are WAY beyond that in terms of innovation. Besides, RCI had outdoor movie screens well before the thought even crossed the minds of a Princess exec. Way back on the SUN VIKING there was an outdoor movie screen above the midship pool. Movies were shown at night poolside just as on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. Mind you the venue was much smaller and technology less advanced, but the same idea and this back in the 70's. Other ships had the idea even before RCI.

Errrr..when did you say that RCCL is changing their name to Six Flags Cruise Lines?

Does anyone really need more evidence that RCCL ships are Floating Shopping Malls/Theme Parks? Who is going to dispute this now?

Why don't they just get on with it and name it MALL OF AMERICA OF THE SEAS????

Just wait until they put a multiplex in one of their floating malls....I'd' bet money they do this, I'm serious.

[ 05-07-2005: Message edited by: CGT ]

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Originally posted by CGT:
Water Parks? Fantasyland? Innertube River floating? Jungle themed solarium? Plus they already intact rock climbing walls, rollerblading tracks, ice skating rinks, bungee trampolines, Johnny freaking Rockets and the cheesy Royal Promenade....

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This is the future of cruising, like it or not (I know you don't). Just wait until you see what Carnival and Princess plan for their next generation ships!

The cruising public no longer desires a "traditional" experience at sea. This is very evident based on the ships being introduced today.

Personally, I still don't find RCI ships any more "shopping mall" like than CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. At least the RCI ships were designed as such, where as Princess just sets up tables in the atrium and turns the entire venue into a cheap free-for-all shopping experience. Hate to say it, but the same thing was done on QM2.

I would rather have the shopping experience in the "mall" itself, rather than in the atrium's and lounges like Princess does. Don't even get me started on Princess "fine art" which is littered all around the ship.

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Originally posted by eroller:

This is the future of cruising, like it or not (I know you don't). Just wait until you see what Carnival and Princess plan for their next generation ships!

The cruising public no longer desires a "traditional" experience at sea. This is very evident based on the ships being introduced today.

Personally, I still don't find RCI ships any more "shopping mall" like than CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. At least the RCI ships were designed as such, where as Princess just sets up tables in the atrium and turns the entire venue into a cheap free-for-all shopping experience. Hate to say it, but the same thing was done on QM2.

I would rather have the shopping experience in the "mall" itself, rather than in the atrium's and lounges like Princess does. Don't even get me started on Princess "fine art" which is littered all around the ship.

Ernie

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Yeah but the folding tables can be packed up and taken away..the mall cannot. It's permanent. And RCCL's ships ARE more shopping mall like. They have suburban mall chain restaurants operating in them. The Royal Promenade is a long corridor with stores lining both sides with signs hanging out in front and bars and cafe's with outdoor mall seating areas. It's just gross. And then to top it off, they have freaking PARADES down the middle of it. Now that's like a theme park! It's one thing to have shops on board like all the ships do and even the QUEEN MARY did, but, another to take it to the design level of a land based mall.

This is the future of cruising? Really Pathetic. And people wonder why I hate the market who drives these things?

P.S. What RCCL is offering I no longer consider a "cruise" or "cruising".

[ 05-07-2005: Message edited by: CGT ]

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Originally posted by eroller:
RCI doesn't need an outdoor movie screen ... they are WAY beyond that in terms of innovation.

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Besides, RCI had outdoor movie screens well before the thought even crossed the minds of a Princess exec. Way back on the SUN VIKING there was an outdoor movie screen above the midship pool. Movies were shown at night poolside just as on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. Mind you the venue was much smaller and technology less advanced, but the same idea and this back in the 70's. Other ships had the idea even before RCI.

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[ 05-07-2005: Message edited by: jsea ]

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Originally posted by eroller:

Don't even get me started on Princess "fine art" which is littered all around the ship.

Ernie

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What about some of the art "littered" around Celebrity M Class ships? I've seen photos of some of it, and it's hideous. Fine for an art gallery or art museum, put it in MOMA, but leave it off the ship, please.

[ 05-07-2005: Message edited by: CGT ]