The world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship, Freedom
of the Seas, left Southampton on May 3, 2006 to make her transatlantic voyage
to New York.
At 160,000 tons and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy,
Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts
in May 2006, according to chairman and CEO Richard Fain. He noted that in
choosing the name “Freedom” for the ship, the line was emphasizing how
all-inclusive the vessel will be.
“Whatever you want to do, you have the freedom to choose” he said.
In addition to the Voyager-class signature features – such
as an enhanced rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and Royal Promenade – the
3,600 passenger ship, will feature a number of innovations: oversized
sculptures spraying water in all directions, a circular current pool and a
swimming pool fed by a waterfall; a full-size boxing ring and a 14-person
family suite to an eager American audience.
Freedom of the Seas’ combined pool area is 43% larger than
on Voyager-class ships.
At night, the main pool area will be transformed into an
open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools.
Passengers will have access to a water park, a promenade and a casino. She will
generate 1,800,000 litres of fresh water and require 35 tonnes of ice cubes
every day.
Freedom of the Seas will arrive at the Port of Miami on May
25, where she will make a series of short sailings until June 4, when she will
begin her regular sailing schedule of 7-night Western Caribbean tour calling at
Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica and Royal
Caribbean’s private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.
Freedom of the Seas wrest the biggest-ship-ever title from
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.
The QM2 was the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most
expensive ocean vessel ever built until the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas
launches on June 2006. While QM2's passenger capacity is 2,620 passengers,
Freedom of the Seas can carry 6,000 passengers.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. commissioned the world's
largest cruise ship, agreeing to pay Europe's biggest shipbuilder a record 900
million euros ($1.1 billion) for a vessel that will carry 5,400 passengers.
Oslo-based Aker Yards ASA will deliver the Project Genesis ship in late 2009.
At 222,000 gross register tons, the Royal Caribbean International vessel,
codenamed Project Genesis, will be nearly half as big again as the Queen Mary
2, and 43 per cent bigger than the largest cruise liner, Freedom of the Seas.
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