Bring your boxing gloves. Why? Because there’s a full-sized boxing ring on board. Now read on… Freedom of the Seas is the largest purpose-built cruise ship ever constructed. An extension of the highly successful Voyager-class of ships, which Royal Caribbean International introduced in 1999 with Voyager of the Seas, this latest behemoth is at the cutting edge of contemporary resort ship design. The ship’s length and beam were extended, enabling an increase in the number of cabins and passenger capacity, as well as a combined pool area 43 percent larger than the Voyager-class (but with 500 more passengers).

The extra length (at 1,112 ft/339 meters long, the ship is the length of 37 London double-decker buses; and with a beam of 185 ft/56 meters, it is wider than the Washington’s White House, at 165 ft/50 meters) has enabled more innovative designs to be incorporated. These include two 16-person hot tubs cantilevered 12 ft (3.7 meters) over the sides of the ship in an adults-only Solarium area (although the Solarium’s pool itself is small).

The ship’s “pod” propulsion is powered by electric motors (two azimuthing, and one fixed at the centerline) instead of conventional rudders and propellers, in the latest configuration of high-tech systems that virtually eliminates vibration.

Perhaps the “wow” factor aboard this ship is its connection with water (of the seas), including a 40ft x 32ft (12.2 x 9.7 meters) “Flowrider” (wave simulator) surfing zone that is the ship’s stern; a wall of water, flowing at 35,000 gallons per minute, provides the backdrop for board or body surfers – but no more than two at a time (don’t worry if you get wiped out, the landing is soft). Then there’s the H2O Zone forward of the funnel, an interactive water-themed play area for families that includes a pool fed by a waterfall, and two hot tubs. Included are water cannons and spray fountains, water jets and ground gushers; by night the “water park” turns into a colorfully-lit “Sculpture Garden.” Twin central pools consist of a main pool and a sports pool, with grandstand-style seating and competitive games including pole jousting.

Other active sports facilities include a rock-climbing wall, in-line skating area, an ice-skating rink, golf simulators, and that full-sized boxing ring (sparring partners included in the session) in the spa.

The same facilities (public rooms, bars and lounges) featured in the Voyager-class ships have been incorporated, but with the addition of substantial conference facilities, extensive wi-fi coverage and connectivity for cell phones. The four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) provide the decorative theme for the artwork aboard this ship.

Although this is the world’s largest cruise ship (take your GPS unit with you!), the cabin hallways have an extremely warm, attractive feel, with some neat whimsical interactive artwork cabinets and asymmetrical flow that leads you along and breaks up the monotony. In fact, there are plenty of colorful, whimsical, decorative touches typical of Scandinavian designers. Note that, if you meet someone somewhere, and want to meet them again, it’s best to make an appointment and location, for this really is a large, Las Vegas-style American floating resort-city.

There are 16 bars and lounges. There’s a whole promenade of shops, munching and drinking spots along an indoor mall-like environment called The Royal Promenade that is four decks high (some interior cabins have great views into the promenade-mall). The Royal Promenade is home to fashion, jewelry and perfume shops, a general store, logo shop, Promenade Cafe, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream outlet, a Book Nook, a barber shop called A Close Shave (a razor shave “experience” costs $72), a pizzeria, and an English pub called The Bull and Bear (and do watch out for the stilt walkers and inflatable elephants when the circus is in town). Look at the ceiling in this large atrium and you’ll see Vittoria Alata (“Winged Victory”) flowing down towards you – an exact replica of the sculpture in the Piazza Venetia in Rome.

The forward section of this large space leads neatly into a large nightclub called Pharaoh’s Palace (typically used for late-night adult comedy). One deck down from the Royal Promenade houses a large Casino Royale, The Crypt (discotheque), Schooner Bar (piano bar), Boleros (Latin hangout), and a photo gallery, while the forward section leads you into the three-decks high 1, 350-seat Arcadia Theatre. A whimsical piece of artwork on the forward starboard stairway includes a musical line whose tune is: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean…”

There is also a regulation-size ice-skating rink (Studio B), featuring real, not fake, ice, with “bleacher” seating, and the latest in broadcast facilities. Superb “Ice Follies” shows are also presented here (but a number of slim pillars obstruct clear-view arena stage sight lines). Almost at the top of the ship is RCI’s trademark Viking Crown Lounge, the cutely named Olive or Twist jazz lounge, and a wedding chapel.

Other facilities include a cigar smoker’s lounge, conference center, a concierge lounge (for suite occupants only), and the comfortable 3,600-book Wilhemsen Library.

Children are also well catered to, with Adventure Ocean (for kids of 6 months to 17 years of age). In fact, children will love this ship and all the fun activities and sports.

Freedom of the Seas is fresh, exciting and very comfortable, with tasteful decor and many bars and lounges. It is certainly a great ship for young, active families with children, as long as you don’t mind lines and signing up for popular activities like the “Flowrider” surf area (about a year ahead should do it), rock-climbing wall and boxing ring. Note also that there are only four banks of elevators (two forward and two aft) totaling 14, so if you have a cabin in the center of the ship, you’ll need to walk forward or aft in order to travel vertically between decks; and there are only two major stairways – one forward, one aft – for such a large ship. On disembarkation day, you’ll need to allow plenty of time to get an elevator, and, probably, for your luggage (there are no seats in the luggage hall in Maimi).

Belitz Guide © Apa Publications 2008