Freedom of the Seas

Freedom of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean International's best known ships, the debut vessel of the line's Freedom class. She entered service in 2006 and sails with room for around 3,634 guests across fifteen passenger decks, making her one of the bigger ships in the fleet.

Step aboard, and the heart of the ship is the Royal Promenade, an indoor boulevard lined with shops, cafés and entertainment that guests wander through at all hours, stretching nearly the length of the ship. It opens onto the Centrum, an airy, multi-level space where people naturally gather throughout the day, whether for a coffee, a drink or just to watch the world go by. Elsewhere there is an ice skating rink, a casino and the three-deck Arcadia Theater, which hosts Broadway-style production shows most evenings.

The Main Dining Room is the classic choice for a multi-course meal, with dishes like French onion soup, lamb chops and beef stroganoff turning up on the menu. Beyond that, speciality restaurants offer something more focused for guests who want to treat themselves, the Windjammer serves casual buffet meals throughout the day, and there is a good spread of bars and lounges for a drink before or after dinner.

For anyone who wants to stay active, there are three swimming areas, an interactive water park, an adults-only pool and the main pool, plus a sports deck with a rock climbing wall, the FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf and a full size basketball court. Kids and teens have their own supervised programmes to keep them entertained, while the spa offers a quieter corner for guests who would rather unwind away from the activity.

Freedom of the Seas arrived at a time when cruise lines were racing to outdo land resorts, and several features she introduced, including the FlowRider, went on to become fixtures across modern cruising.

She suits families, first-time cruisers and anyone after a big ship with plenty to do and a wide range of places to eat, whether that is a quick bite by the pool or a proper sit-down dinner.