By KBC Associate 
At a glance
- A large family-friendly ship geared toward first-timers
- Plenty of interesting cabin categories for every budget
- No shortage of places to eat, bars and entertainment venues
It’s hard to believe, but when Freedom of the Seas first set sail in 2006, the 3,926-passenger ship was the largest ship ever built (by gross tonnage) — until the debut of its sister ship Liberty of the Seas in 2007, that is. That said, Freedom of the Seas is still plenty big by today’s standards — the ship stretches 1,111 feet in length and rises 15 decks in height — but it is markedly more human-sized than Royal Caribbean’s newest megaliths, Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean deploys Freedom of the Seas on alternating four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas and Royal Caribbean’s very own high-octane private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In many ways, this makes Freedom of the Seas an ideal choice for first-time cruisers looking to get their feet wet, as well as those who are staunchly “Loyal to Royal” and looking for a quick cruise getaway at a reasonable price.
Because of that, you’re likely to encounter an eclectic mix of passengers on board: multi-generational families, couples young and old, spring breakers looking to party hard, and more.
That can be both a pro and a con. Shorter mainstream cruises always have more of a party vibe than their weeklong counterparts, and Royal Caribbean has, for better or for worse, leaned into that on these short voyages. Expect plenty of nonstop entertainment, thudding bass by the pool deck, late-night disco parties and daily performance spectacles along the Royal Promenade, the ship’s interior atrium that runs half the length of the vessel.
While Freedom of the Seas generally handles the crowds well (even at full occupancy, as our spring break cruise was), this is not the ship for calm and quiet. But the features aboard Freedom of the Seas are guaranteed to win over even the most skeptical vacationer, with fun diversions like the Studio B arena and ice rink, the Flowrider surfing simulator, and pools and waterslides galore.
While Royal Caribbean’s 2020 overhaul of Freedom of the Seas was substantial and revitalized nearly all public spaces onboard, it didn’t extend as far as it could have into the cabins, which still reflect a style pioneered by Royal Caribbean in the mid-1990s. Don’t expect much in the way of whiz-bang technology here; power outlets are a scarce commodity, and closet space can be tight in entry-level cabins.
Still, Freedom of the Seas provides a comfortable home-away-from-home on its short Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries, and its abundance of open deck space will definitely be appreciated by sun-seekers and seafarers alike.
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Freedom of the Seas cabins and suites
Passengers are spoiled for choice when it comes to cabins aboard Freedom of the Seas. Though the ship offers four basic choices (inside cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites), nestled within those categories are some truly interesting possibilities.
Our favorites, for those on a budget, are the Interior Promenade View cabins overlooking the Royal Promenade. Essentially a slightly larger interior cabin, these offer a large bay window with a small love seat, perfect for watching the shows below. However, light sleepers may want to skip these. The performances — which go past 10 p.m. on some nights — can definitely be heard inside.
Balcony cabins are plentiful onboard, with full step-out balconies of varying shapes and sizes, including some placed on “the hump,” a section of the superstructure jutting out from the main vessel that is prized by some cruisers for its unobstructed views.
The ocean-view cabins on Freedom of the Seas deserve some recognition, too. Most offer oversized, circular windows that flood these rooms with natural light, and special Family Oceanview staterooms situated at the front of the ship overlooking the bow can sleep between four and six guests with more space and privacy than some entry-level suites.
All cabins, regardless of category, offer an in-room safe, an interactive television set, temperature control and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower, sink, vanity and toilet. Royal Caribbean has its own brand of toiletries onboard and provides a shampoo-soap combo with a pleasing fragrance that dispenses from a wall-mounted unit.
Royal Caribbean earns praise for its beds and bedding, and most rooms can be configured to be either one queen bed or two twins.
Being a ship on short turnarounds, though, has put these rooms through their paces. Evidence of wear and tear is visible on hard furnishings, though soft furnishings like carpets, linens and upholstery are generally in better shape. Those bringing plenty of electronics onboard will want to economize: there are but two North American outlets and one two-pronged European-style outlet in most rooms, though you can access a second European-style outlet if you’re willing to reach around and unplug the TV.
Still, given that Freedom of the Seas primarily sails shorter cruises, these rooms are comfortable enough for the purpose. You’re likely to sleep well, too: most rooms have very little structural or mechanical noise, even in heavy seas.
Connecting and accessible cabins are offered aboard Freedom of the Seas. However, the ship lacks solo cabins designed for one person — and Royal Caribbean charges a hefty 100% single supplement on most of its voyages for the privilege of sailing alone.
Freedom of the Seas restaurants
The old joke is that you’ll never go hungry aboard a cruise ship — and that’s particularly true of Freedom of the Seas.
Even if you never set foot in the ship’s extra-charge specialty restaurants (of which there are many), you’ll be so spoiled for choice that you certainly won’t feel pressured to spend the extra money.
Freedom of the Seas boasts a beautiful, three-story main dining room lined with banks of wall-to-wall windows. It is easily the most striking public space onboard and recreates the grandeur of the golden age of ocean travel, even if perhaps the quality of the cuisine does not.
Food on Royal Caribbean, as a rule of thumb, is good. Not great, but good.
The same can be said of the service, which is genuine and friendly, but sometimes lacking in polish, particularly if you elect not to have a set dining time (we strongly recommend going with the early or late fixed-seating dinner so your wait staff can get to know you and your food preferences).
Outside of the main dining room, the Windjammer Buffet is a sprawling casual eatery situated aft on Deck 11 serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-evening snacks. It also has its own bar, meaning libations are close at hand. Food quality on our voyage was much improved over past sailings, with more diverse offerings that appeal to a wider variety of tastes.
On the Royal Promenade, Sorrento’s serves up Royal Caribbean’s free, seemingly endless pizza. It’s not the best pizza you’ve ever had, but it is functional and gets the job done, particularly when the bars empty out at the wee hours of the morning and you’re feeling peckish.
On the specialty dining front, Freedom of the Seas offers two Royal Caribbean staples: Chop’s Grille and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.
These venues are not cheap (surcharges seemingly increase every year or so), and the value proposition in the last few years is questionable. Chop’s is the most consistent in our experience, recreating a cozy, American-style steakhouse experience with superb views. Giovanni’s is dedicated to everything Italian but might have more in common with Olive Garden than, say, authentic Italian cuisine. Whether that’s a pro or a con is up to your personal tastes.
Up on Deck 12, a Johnny Rockets location (remember those?) serves up the American chain’s signature burgers in a recreated 1950s-style diner. The burgers are good, and you can also indulge in a list of milkshakes, floats and sundaes that are worth the price of admission. Royal Caribbean hiked the price of dining here from $6.95 to $14.99 per person a few years back, and you’ll likely hear much grumbling about that onboard.
Room service aboard Freedom of the Seas is available round-the-clock and carries a surcharge plus an 18% gratuity. Only continental breakfast is provided complimentary; a full American breakfast will carry a surcharge of $7.95.
Freedom of the Seas bars and lounges
Freedom of the Seas has a bar or lounge to suit every taste, from a British pub (with all the requisite imported drafts) to the classy R Bar and even a panoramic lounge (the Viking Crown Lounge) perched high atop the ship.
On the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, passengers can indulge in the Bull and Bear Pub, serving up pints of frothy goodness and some very creative “beer cocktails,” along with nightly tunes. Sadly, the former Vintages Wine Bar that was directly across from the Pub has been converted into a nonsmoking casino.
A little further aft is the R Bar, a quiet (relatively speaking) martini joint next to the aft atrium and its spiral staircase. Down on Deck 4, the Latin-themed Boleros positively rocks each and every evening with plenty of lively music and dancing. Forward of that is the newly-added Playmakers’ Sports Bar and Arcade, which offers pool tables, plenty of live sporting events and a menu of pub favorites and beverages.
For those looking for a more subdued moment, the Viking Crown Lounge up on Deck 14 serves up classic cocktails made to order, accompanied by live music and magnificent views of the pool deck and ocean beyond. It’s the place onboard to be for sundowners and sailaways.
Our hands-down favorite bar and lounge is the Schooner Bar on Deck 4. This is the place for daily trivia sessions and nightly jams with the onboard pianist. With its pitch-soaked lines giving it a decidedly nautical fragrance and large circular windows, it’s a cozy and inviting space, if far too small for the crowd that tends to gather here. Get here early for a seat, particularly at trivia.
Royal Caribbean also offers a wide array of drink packages that include everything from soft drinks to basic alcoholic drinks and even premium offerings. Prices are dynamically listed according to voyage, and all passengers on the same reservation must purchase a package.
Freedom of the Seas activities
You won’t be at a loss for things to do on Freedom of the Seas. From full-scale productions in the three-story theatre to game shows, audience participation activities and silent discos in the Star Lounge — and plenty of live music throughout the ship — Freedom of the Seas is an adrenaline junkie’s paradise.
Full-blown production spectaculars roam the Royal Promenade, the heart of the ship, by day and night. Royal Caribbean is famous in the cruise world for its Quest game show, which is not for the easily offended or faint of heart. And, to top it all off, Freedom of the Seas even has its own onboard ice rink — Studio B — which hosts spectacular ice skating performances and even lets passengers lace up for a spin around the ice themselves at times.
For those who lean on Lady Luck, Freedom of the Seas has a sprawling casino on Deck 4 (and its own associated bar), and a recent refit added a decently sized nonsmoking casino up on Deck 5, in the space formerly occupied by Vintages Wine Bar.
The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center are located on Decks 11 and 12 and offer the standard spa treatments and a good assortment of fitness equipment. Staterooms added a few years back have reduced the size of the Spa on Deck 11, but Royal Caribbean still manages to deliver a solid spa product.
Top-deck fun includes plenty of pools and whirlpools, including two extremely popular whirlpools that cantilever out over the side of the ship. The views are incredible — but the sheer amount of flesh-pressing-upon-flesh may deter all but the heartiest passengers.
A recent refit in 2020 added new waterslides and a refreshed splash park for the little ones, in addition to the already-popular Flowrider surfing simulator.
Freedom of the Seas itineraries and pricing
As mentioned, Freedom of the Seas primarily sails a mix of four- and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Miami. These mostly call on ports like Nassau, Bahamas; Labadee, Haiti; Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Royal Caribbean’s own private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Itineraries typically start at around $400 per person in an inside cabin, but holidays and popular events like spring break can push entry-level prices well above the $1,000-per-person mark. While there may be close-to-sailing deals, the best prices will likely be available by booking well in advance.
Freedom of the Seas for families
Freedom of the Seas is a great choice for families. The ship’s early-2020 refit spruced up its Adventure Ocean kids club offerings that provide services and activities for infants, teenagers and everyone in between.
The ship’s pool deck areas also received a major sprucing-up, adding waterslides for grown-ups and teenagers and a brand-new splash park for the little ones. Throw in Royal Caribbean’s signature diversions like the Flowrider surf simulator, onboard rock-climbing wall, and pickleball and sports courts, and boredom simply becomes an impossibility.
There’s also a decently sized Library and Card Room that, on our sailing, was well-populated with families playing card and board games.
Royal Caribbean also makes it easy for families to book connecting staterooms in any cabin category right on its website, whereas most other cruise lines will make you phone in or go through a travel agent. That, plus the addition of dedicated staterooms designed for just for families, makes Freedom of the Seas an easy win for families looking for an effortless cruise vacation.
Freedom of the Seas accessibility
Royal Caribbean takes accessibility concerns seriously across its entire fleet. To that end, passengers will find a number of accessible cabins across multiple categories aboard Freedom of the Seas that include wider doorways, spaces to turn a chair, roll-in showers and grab bars.
Chair lifts are provided at the ship’s main pool and whirlpool area, while lowered counters are available at Guest Relations and Shore Excursions, and lowered playing tables in the ship’s Casino. Assistive listening systems are provided in Studio B and the main theatre onboard, and Braille signage is provided onboard.
All decks have elevator access except for Deck 15, which can only be ascended via stairs or electric chair lift.
Bottom line
Freedom of the Seas is a comfortable, feature-laden ship that’s sure to please first-time cruisers and those looking for a quick ocean getaway to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Its 2020 refit has left it looking sharp, and while cabins aren’t anything to write home about, passengers will be won over by the sheer number of things to do onboard. It’s the very big ship that, ironically, feels smaller and more intimate than many of the newer vessels out there.
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