Royal Caribbean's Newest Cruise Ship Offers Family Waterpark
Royal Caribbean's newest ship will give "of the seas" new meaning when it makes its debut in May 2006. Currently under construction, the 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 some of the most innovative new water concepts in cruising, including an interactive water park, the most dramatic whirlpools afloat and a dedicated sports pool.
"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 Waterpark 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.
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 Freedom of the Seas, parents and other 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 Lovers
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.
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.
For more information, visit the Royal Caribbean International website at www.royalcaribbean.com.
