Freedom Of The Seas

Freedom Of The Seas current position

Freedom Of The Seas current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 25.82993 N / -77.93958 W) cruising en route to COCOCAY. The AIS position was reported 2 minutes ago.

All Itineraries Current Position

Current itinerary of Freedom Of The Seas

Freedom Of The Seas current cruise is 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise. The itinerary starts on 18 Mar, 2024 and ends on 22 Mar, 2024.

Date / TimePort
18 Mar 16:30    Departing from Miami, Florida hotels
19 Mar 07:00 - 17:00    Coco Cay, Bahamas, Royal Caribbean
20 Mar 08:00 - 17:00    Nassau, Bahamas, New Providence Island
22 Mar 06:00    Arriving in Miami, Florida hotels

Specifications of Freedom Of The Seas

Year of build2006  /  Age: 18
Flag state Bahamas
BuilderAker Yards (Turku, STX Finland)
ClassRCI FREEDOM
Building costUSD 800 million (2020 Royal Amplified USD 116 million)
Speed22 kn / 41 km/h / 25 mph
Length (LOA)338 m / 1109 ft
Beam (width)56 m / 184 ft
Gross Tonnage154407 gt
Passengers4024 - 4829
Crew1360
Passengers-to-space ratio34
Decks15
Cabins2012
Decks with cabins9
Last Refurbishment2020-2024
Sister-shipsIndependence OTS, Liberty OTS
Christened byKatherine L. Calder
OwnerRCG-Royal Caribbean Group (via RCCL-Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd)
OperatorRCI-Royal Caribbean International

Freedom Of The Seas Itineraries

DateItineraryDeparture PortPrice from
2024 Feb 26 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $588
2024 Mar 01 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $549
2024 Mar 04 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $2026
2024 Mar 08 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $409
2024 Mar 11 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $841
2024 Mar 15 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami
2024 Mar 18 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami
2024 Mar 22 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $561
2024 Mar 25 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $678
2024 Mar 29 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $409
2024 Apr 01 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $561
2024 Apr 05 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $456
2024 Apr 08 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $546
2024 Apr 12 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $445
2024 Apr 15 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $418
2024 Apr 19 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $471
2024 Apr 22 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $451
2024 Apr 26 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami
2024 Apr 29 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $411
2024 May 03 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $505
2024 May 06 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $478
2024 May 10 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $421
2024 May 13 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $498
2024 May 17 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $538
2024 May 20 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $391
2024 May 24 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $655
2024 May 27 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $451
2024 May 31 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $625
2024 Jun 03 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $441
2024 Jun 07 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $441
2024 Jun 10 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $502
2024 Jun 14 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $486
2024 Jun 17 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $475
2024 Jun 21 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $475
2024 Jun 24 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $581
2024 Jun 28 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $435
2024 Jul 01 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $595
2024 Jul 05 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $511
2024 Jul 08 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $615
2024 Jul 12 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $446
2024 Jul 15 6 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $1016
2024 Jul 21 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $1231
2024 Jul 28 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $1354
2024 Aug 04 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $974
2024 Aug 11 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $1044
2024 Aug 18 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $846
2024 Aug 25 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $826
2024 Sep 01 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $667
2024 Sep 08 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $736
2024 Sep 15 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $656
2024 Sep 22 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $716
2024 Sep 29 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $626
2024 Oct 06 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $756
2024 Oct 13 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $826
2024 Oct 20 7 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $776
2024 Oct 27 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $756
2024 Nov 03 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $706
2024 Nov 09 8 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $707
2024 Nov 17 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $547
2024 Nov 23 8 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $1016
2024 Dec 01 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $536
2024 Dec 07 8 days, round-trip Southern Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $776
2024 Dec 15 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $666
2024 Dec 21 8 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Holiday Fort Lauderdale $1266
2024 Dec 29 8 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Holiday Fort Lauderdale $1187
2025 Feb 16 7 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $973
2025 Feb 23 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $493
2025 Mar 01 8 days, round-trip Southern Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $756
2025 Mar 09 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $594
2025 Mar 15 8 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $787
2025 Mar 23 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $587
2025 Mar 29 8 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $786
2025 Apr 06 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $546
2025 Apr 12 8 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $942
2025 Apr 20 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Fort Lauderdale $646
2025 Apr 26 6 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Fort Lauderdale $496
2025 May 02 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $331
2025 May 05 4 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Miami $371
2025 May 09 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $351
2025 May 12 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $411
2025 May 16 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $411
2025 May 19 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $411
2025 May 23 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $531
2025 May 26 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $591
2025 May 30 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $441
2025 Jun 02 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $511
2025 Jun 06 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $471
2025 Jun 09 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $531
2025 Jun 13 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $502
2025 Jun 16 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $531
2025 Jun 20 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $502
2025 Jun 23 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $551
2025 Jun 27 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $521
2025 Jun 30 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $561
2025 Jul 04 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $581
2025 Jul 07 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $561
2025 Jul 11 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $541
2025 Jul 14 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $591
2025 Jul 18 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $541
2025 Jul 21 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $591
2025 Jul 25 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $541
2025 Jul 28 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $621
2025 Aug 01 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $521
2025 Aug 04 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $572
2025 Aug 08 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $481
2025 Aug 11 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $541
2025 Aug 15 3 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $441
2025 Aug 18 4 days, round-trip Bahamas Perfect Day Cruise Miami $441
2025 Aug 22 6 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $616
2025 Aug 28 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $371
2025 Sep 01 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $561
2025 Sep 06 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Holiday Miami $371
2025 Sep 11 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $371
2025 Sep 15 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $362
2025 Sep 20 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Holiday Miami $371
2025 Sep 25 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $292
2025 Sep 29 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $362
2025 Oct 04 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Holiday Miami $371
2025 Oct 09 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $292
2025 Oct 13 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $391
2025 Oct 18 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Holiday Miami $391
2025 Oct 23 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $292
2025 Oct 27 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $362
2025 Nov 01 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $351
2025 Nov 06 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $292
2025 Nov 10 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $371
2025 Nov 15 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $351
2025 Nov 20 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $241
2025 Nov 24 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Miami $661
2025 Nov 29 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $331
2025 Dec 04 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $241
2025 Dec 08 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Miami $331
2025 Dec 13 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $331
2025 Dec 18 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $311
2025 Dec 22 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Holiday Miami $861
2025 Dec 27 9 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Perfect Holiday Miami $1146
2026 Jan 05 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Cruise Miami $351
2026 Jan 10 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $321
2026 Jan 15 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $261
2026 Jan 19 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $561
2026 Jan 24 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $292
2026 Jan 29 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $261
2026 Feb 02 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $362
2026 Feb 07 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $292
2026 Feb 12 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $261
2026 Feb 16 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $561
2026 Feb 21 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $341
2026 Feb 26 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $261
2026 Mar 02 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $441
2026 Mar 07 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $441
2026 Mar 12 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $311
2026 Mar 16 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $601
2026 Mar 21 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $441
2026 Mar 26 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $311
2026 Mar 30 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $471
2026 Apr 04 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $432
2026 Apr 09 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $362
2026 Apr 13 5 days, round-trip Western Caribbean Perfect Day Miami $441
2026 Apr 18 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $381
2026 Apr 23 4 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean Cruise Miami $362

Freedom Of The Seas Review

Review of Freedom Of The Seas

The 2006-built Freedom of the Seas cruise ship is the first Freedom-class Royal Caribbean liner, with sisterships Liberty OTS and Independence OTS.

The vessel (IMO number 9304033) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 309906000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is a US passenger shipping company, trademarked travel brand, and subsidiary owned by Royal Caribbean Group (RCG/shipowner). RCI was established in 1968 and currently has over 1/5 of the worldwide cruise market. RCI also has RCG's largest fleet by both vessel number and GT tonnage (ship sizes and capacities).

All RCI liners have names ending with "of the Seas".

The 4000-passenger ship Freedom OTS debuted in May 2006 as the world's biggest cruise liner. The ship introduced a new class of ships for Royal Caribbean, surpassing Cunard's Queen Mary 2 by 7000 GT-tons and carrying 1014 more passengers. Besides her size, Freedom of the Seas also made waves in other ways. She was the first to feature a surf simulator, a regulation-sized boxing ring, an interactive water park for children and even a barbershop.

Freedom Of The Seas cruise ship (Royal Caribbean)

Yet in many ways, Freedom OTS was an evolution of the Voyager class, which made its own headlines when it debuted with biggest-at-sea status back in 1999. The design is nearly the same and the promenade is back, as is the rock-climbing wall, the ice-skating rink, Johnny Rockets, the Promenade Cafe, Ben and Jerry's, etc. It is as if Voyager OTS was simply super-sized, and beefed up with innovative spaces and concepts.

Decks and Cabins

Freedom Of The Seas staterooms (2012 total) include 127 Suites, 768 Balcony, 711 Oceanviews, 168 Promenade View, 642 Inside. Most cabins are sized 150-190 ft2 (14-18 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 65 ft2 (6 m2). The largest is Royal Suite (1360 ft2 / 126 m2 plus 315 ft2 / 29 m2 terrace). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 33.

The boat has 15 decks, of which 14 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The 3-deck Main Dining Room (the restaurants Leonardo-Isaac-Galileo) offer assigned-seating dining with two sittings at 5:30 pm and 8 pm), as well as My Time Dining, in which guests pick a preferred mealtime between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., but are able to change reservations on a daily basis. Those who opt for My Time Dining have to pre-pay gratuities.

The Windjammer Cafe/lido buffet offers flexibility and variety - best for families with kids. The Windjammer has one very long self-service line of cold and hot items, plus stations for salads, fresh sandwiches, pizza, carved meats and petite desserts. An omelet station features made-to-order eggs in the mornings; in the afternoons, guests can try Jade area that specializes in Asian food and goes off the beaten path with changing fare including Vietnamese and Indonesian specialties.

Follows the complete list of Freedom of the Seas restaurants and food bars.

  • Leonardo Restaurant (883-seat aft Dining Room)
  • Isaac Restaurant (500-seat aft Dining Room)
  • Galileo Restaurant (652-seat aft Dining Room)
  • Windjammer Cafe Lido buffet restaurant (744-seat, offers Early Breakfast at 6:30 a.m., Breakfast between 7-11:30 am, Lunch 11.30-3:30 pm and Dinner 6.30-9 pm)
  • Chops Grille (104-seat specialty restaurant; reservations recommended)
  • Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen (specialty restaurant and Wine Bar, reservations recommended) is popular for the hand-tossed, electric oven-baked pizzas, as well as specialties like Holy Cheesus (7-cheese pizza), Muffuletta-Style Grilled Stuffed Flank Steak, Chocolate Ravioli.
  • Izumi (Asian/Japanese specialty restaurant)
  • Johnny Rockets Restaurant (84-seat burger bar)
  • El Loco Fresh (fast food Mexican bar for made-to-order tacos, burritos, quesadillas, salads, salsas)
  • Sorrento's Pizzeria (79-seat complimentary restaurant)
  • WipeOut Bar (20-seat complimentary burger bar).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The tone aboard Freedom of the Seas is set by the Centrum, which serves as a central spot for activities in the heart of the ship. During the evenings, its Lobby Bar is the hottest spot on Freedom for after-dinner dancing. The lavish Arcadia Theater hosts the production shows and games. The ship has a real modern feel and does a fine job in incorporating some of the best facilities that have become Royal Caribbean trademarks. Onboard cruisers will find classics like Schooner Bar and Windjammer Cafe, as well as a climbing wall up to the smokestack, tiny golf and a surf simulator.

Additional amenities include Complimentary 24-hour Room-Service, supervised Youth program, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of Freedom of the Seas lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

  • Arcadia Theatre (1320-seat, features grand production shows with dance, acrobatics, comedy and games)
  • Studio B Lounge (indoor ice-skating rink; also serves as a spot for ice shows, cooking demos, game parties)
  • Focus Photo Gallery and Shop; Art Gallery
  • On Air Club (140-seat karaoke and sports bar); The Centrum (7-deck social hub, offers aerial acrobatics entertainment); Observation Lounge; Star Lounge; Next Cruise Lounge; Concierge Club (suite and past guests only); Seven Hearts (33-seat card room); Crown Lounge (fka Diamond Club Lounge & Bar for past guests only); Viking Crown Lounge and Bar
  • Schooner Bar (112-seat piano bar); Boleros Lounge and Bar (77-seat Latin bar); Connoisseur Cigar Club and Bar; Bull and Bear English Pub; Vintages Bar (wine bar); Ben and Jerry's Bar (ice cream parlor); Cupcake Cupboard Shop (bakery); Cafe Promenade (24-hour; serves snacks and drinks, as well as Starbucks specialty coffee); R Bar; Squeeze Bar; Sky Bar; The Plaza Bar; Olive or Twist Lounge and Martini Bar; Cloud 9 (24-seat sports bar)
  • Casino Royale (447-seat)
  • Royal Caribbean Online Center (Internet computers room; 24-hour)
  • Royal Promenade Boutiques (perfumes, jewelry, duty-free alcohol, general store, logo/souvenirs); SeaTrek (shop for diving equipment)
  • Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center; 7 jacuzzis (2 cantilevered); 3 swimming pools
  • Solarium lounge (includes Cafe Bar, pool bar and adults-only pool area)
  • Outdoor movie screen
  • Challengers Video Games Arcade; Fuel Teen Disco club; The Living Room; Royal Babies and Tots Nursery
  • H2O Zone Water Park; Adventure Beach; Adventure Ocean kids lounge area
  • Sports Court (golf simulator, table tennis, basketball court); Jogging Track; Rock-climbing Wall; Freedom Fairways Mini Golf Course; FlowRider (surf simulator, complimentary)
  • Skylight Wedding Chapel (40-seat, used for religious services).

During drydock 2020 (January-March), on Freedom OTS was installed The Perfect Storm (dual-racing waterslide complex) which is positioned aft on Deck 13 (between the FlowRider and the Sports Court).

Freedom Of The Seas waterslides (Perfect Storm)

The Perfect Storm is complimentary and includes 2 racer slides (“Cyclone” and “Typhoon”). Both spiraling slides are positioned portside and accessed via a 3-floor-high, glass-enclosed swirling staircase. There are no age restrictions, but there are passenger height and weight requirements - min 48 inches (122 cm) and max 300 lbs (136 kg).

Itineraries

Freedom of the Seas itinerary program is based on mini-cruises (3-night and 4-night itineraries) from homeport Miami Florida to Bahamas (Nassau and CocoCay). In May 2018, the ship was repositioned from Florida (Fort Lauderdale) to Puerto Rico, with homeporting in San Juan (between May 2018 and March 2019).

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2021 (July through October) Freedom OTS had scheduled cruises to Bermuda (overnight in Kings Wharf) leaving roundtrip from NYC New York (Port Cape Liberty NJ).

Freedom Of The Seas - user reviews and comments

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Freedom Of The Seas Wiki

Freedom is Royal Caribbean's first Freedom-class liner, with sisterships Independence and Liberty. The vessel was built in 2006 at Aker Finnyards Shipyard (Turku, Finland). Aker Finnyards was later acquired by STX Europe (a subsidiary of the multinational STX Holding, South Korea). Freedom OTS was the world's biggest passenger liner in 2006, taking first place away from Cunard Line's RMS Queen Mary 2.

Ship's godmother was Katherine Louise Calder. She won a contest among 171,000 viewers of "Today" (USA TV show focused on charity and social responsibility). Katherine is a foster mother to over 400 children. The naming ceremony was held in New York Harbour on May 12, 2006. The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on May 19, with a weekend mini-cruise from NYC to Boston MA.

In 2022, RCI scheduled Freedom OTS to host the 10th "Monsters of Rock Cruise 2022" (MORC 2022). The 5-night Caribbean itinerary (February 9 to 14) is a PortMiami roundtrip visiting Bahamas (Coco Cay) and Haiti (Labadee Haiti).

  • The music-themed voyage had planned live onboard performances by Alice Cooper (1948-born American singer, songwriter, actor) and 35+ other artists.
  • MORC 2022's rock and metal bands include the American bands Queensryche, Cinderella (Tom Keifer), Skid Row, Lit, LA Guns, HEAT, Kix, Winger, Great White, Loudness, Y&T (Yesterday & Today), Vixen, Rose Tattoo, Black 'N Blue, Lillian Axe, Faster Pussycat, Dangerous Toys, Beasto Blanco, Little Caesar, XYZ, Roxanne, Signal 13, also KiLLeR DWaRfS (Canada), Pink Cream 69 (Germany), Eclipse (Sweden), Electric Boys (Sweden), Crazy Lixx (Sweden), Firewind (Greece).
  • The list of solo performers includes Mike Monroe (Finland), Patrick Henry Travers, Christopher John Holmes, Joel Hoekstra (guitarist), John Corabi (MORC's Mayor).

Planned shipboard interactive events (artists and tourists meetings) include Q&A sessions, Gong Show Karaoke, Cooking and Painting With Rock Stars, Rock Stars vs Average Joe Basketball, Beach Volleyball, themed nights.

Freedom OTS refurbishment 2020 review

Ship's 2020 drydock refurbishment (January 12 - March 7) was a USD 116 million project (Royal Amplified) that resulted in the following deckplan changes:

  • (deck 2) Conference Center replaced with 25 Inside cabins
  • (deck 3) Arcadia Theatre renamed to "Royal Theater"
  • (deck 3) Leonardo Dining Room renamed to "Main Dining Room"
  • (deck 3) On Air Club replaced with 12 Inside cabins
  • (deck 4) SABOR (Mexican restaurant) replaced by "Izumi Hibachi and Sushi" (Japanese restaurant)
  • (deck 4) Focus (photo gallery area) redesigned into "Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade"
  • (deck 4) Isaak Dining Room renamed to "Main Dining Room"
  • (deck 6) Loyalty Desk replaced with 4 Inside cabins. The aft VS-Suite (4-Bedroom Presidential Family Suite, cabin 6714) replaced with 4 Balcony cabins
  • On Sports Deck 13, RCI's waterslides "Cyclone" and "Typhoon" (Perfect Storm aqua park) were installed next to the FlowRider (surfing simulator, also new facility).
  • On Spa Deck 12 (aft), the "Splashaway Bay" kids aqua park was added. This is an interactive water play area (with cannons and geysers), replacing the old Outdoor Youth Area (aka "back deck").
  • On Pool Deck 11, swimming pools' sunbathing areas received more shaded seating, including daybeds, hammocks, swing seats, casitas (small wooden cabins). The fore-located Solarium (adults-only complex) was renewed.
  • All staterooms were renovated. Many existing venues were redesigned and renovated.

Following the refit, the liner now features as new facilities:

  • In addition to "Perfect Storm", a new water coaster (trademarked as "The Blaster") and a new headfirst mat racing slide (trademarked as "Riptide") were installed. Both names were trademarked by RCI in September 2018. The Blaster aqua coaster has length 244 m (800 ft) - ranking it the longest at sea 2-person raft slide. The Riptide mat racing waterslide features a transparent tube.
  • "To Dry For" is a new blow-dry bar (specializing in quick beauty fixes/hairstyling) and also serving champagnes and wines by the glass.

The list of other new venues and activities includes:

  • Lime and Coconut (2-level bar lounge with live music)
  • Bamboo Room (bar lounge)
  • Johnny Rockets Express
  • Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade (with "Owner's Box" VIP room)
  • Starbucks Bar (specialty drinks and pastries)
  • new restaurants (El Loco Fresh, Giovanni’s Italian, Izumi)
  • The Observatorium (Royal Escape Room)
  • Battle for Planet Z (laser tag course at Studio B) for the "Clash for the Crystal City" gaming experience
  • redesigned Mini-Golf Course and Chops Grille (steakhouse)
  • redesigned and upgraded Adventure Ocean (youth complex) and Social033 Hangout (fka Living Room, teen club lounge)

Freedom OTS refurbishment 2015 review

The list of deckplan changes after drydock 2015 (January) refurbishment includes:

  • All cruise accommodations were renovated.
  • Cupcake Cupboard (bakery) was added on Promenade deck 5.
  • "DreamWorks Experience" (Walt Disney-themed entertainment program) was implemented.
  • The RCI's Nursery was added on deck 12.
  • 3D Cinema was added on deck 2.
  • On decks 3 and 4, "The Crypt" (disco nightclub) was replaced by new inside cabins (deck 3) and by the Sabor (Mexican restaurant on deck 4 / upper level).
  • On Lido Deck 11 (in the main pool area) a huge movie screen (outdoor theatre) was installed.
  • Vintages (wine bar) was upgraded.
  • BRITTO (Art Gallery) was added on Promenade deck 5.
  • R-Bar (1960s-themed lounge bar) was added on Promenade deck 5.
  • Two new restaurants were added - "Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen" (Italian trattoria on Lido deck 11) and "Sabor Modern Mexican" (deck 4).

A cluster of 44x new Spa cabins was added on Deck 12 forward, in categories Q-Interior, Spa Oceanview (PF-Family Panoramic, P1-Larger, P2-Panoramic) and E3-Spa Balcony.