Freedom class cruise ship
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| AlternateTextHere Freedom of the Seas | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Aker Finnyards, Turku, Finland |
| Operators: | Royal Caribbean International |
| Preceded by: | Radiance 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: | gross tonnage (GT) of 154,407 tons |
| 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) |
The 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 were then shared by all three ships until the construction of the MS Oasis of the seas was completed in November of 2009.
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 H2O 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]
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
- A possible fourth ship announced 3 March 2008, to be delivered 2011 if realized[1]
Destinations
Independence of the Seas is going to be based in Southampton all year round starting April 2010 the itineraries include 14 night Med cruises and short break cruises in Summer and Canary Island cruises in Winter.
Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas are based in the Caribbean year round alternating between Eastern & Western Caribbean. Liberty of the seas will finish this itinerary Summer 2011.
In Summer 2011 Liberty of the Seas will be based in Barcelona sailing the Mediterranean for the Summer and will be based in Miami sailing the Caribbean in the Winter.
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
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Possible Fourth Freedom Vessel To Be Built By Aker Yards". Aker Yards press release. 2008-03-03. http://www.akeryards.fi/?page=580&xml=A/134984/PR/200803/1197215. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
External links
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