Freedom Class
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 Freedom of the Seas |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Aker Finnyards, Turku, Finland |
| Operators: | Royal Caribbean International |
| Preceded by: | Voyager Class |
| Succeeded by: | Oasis Class |
| Built: | 2004-2008 (planned) |
| In service: | 2006-present |
| Building: | 0 Ship |
| Planned: | 4 Ships |
| Completed: | 3 Ships |
| Active: | 3 Ships |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Cruise ship |
| Tonnage: | 154,407 gross |
| 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: | Six Wärtsilä 46 V12 diesels each rated at 12.6 MW (~17,000hp) driving electric generators at 514 rpm |
| Propulsion: | Three ABB Azipod podded electric propulsion units, two of them azimuthing, one fixed. 4 additional bow thrusters. |
| Speed: | 21.6 kn (40.0 km/h/24.9 mph) |
| Capacity: | 4,370 passengers (double occupancy) |
| Crew: | 1,300 (average) |
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 she was built. These two records are now shared by all three ships.
Freedom of the Seas left Aker Finnyards shipyard in Turku, Finland on April 24, 2006 and started regular sailings out of Miami the next month. The second ship of the class, Liberty of the Seas sailed on her maiden voyage on May 19, 2007. The third ship of the class, Independence of the Seas, was delivered and started work out of Southampton in April 2008.
New features of the Freedom Class include the FlowRider surf park, cantilevered whirlpools, an ice-skating rink, a full-size boxing ring, and the H20 Zone waterpark.
On 3 March 2008 Aker 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.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Ships
- Freedom of the Seas - entered service June 2006
- Liberty of the Seas - entered service May 2007
- Independence of the Seas - entered service May 2008
- Unknown - A possible fourth ship announced 3 March 2008, to be delivered 2011 if realized
[edit] Destinations
Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from their departure port of Miami, Florida while Independence of the Seas will sail European and Mediterranean itineraries while alternating with the Caribbean itineraries during the winter.
[edit] Features
- Restaurants: Sorrentos Pizzeria, Buffett, 3-Story Traditional Dining, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Portofino Italian Restaurant, Chops Grille Steak House
- Sports: Rock Climbing, Full Boxing Ring, Ice Skating Rink, Surfing, 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
