Flagship of the Norwegian-American firm Royal Caribbean International, the “Freedom of the Seas” will leave Hamburg on April 25 for a stop over in Oslo before crossing the Atlantic for the first time. It will thereafter be based in Miami, in the Southeastern United States, from where it will take up to 4 375 passengers at a time on week-long cruises in the Caribbean.
The Finnish-built ship 339 metres long, is actually six metres shorter than the ‘Queen Mary 2’, but it makes up in height (72 metres) and breadth (56 metres) what it lacks in length. On-board facilities for holidaymakers include a rock-climbing wall, an ice-rink, and even a pool with artificial waves for surfing, as well as the usual range of cinemas and theatrical entertainment.
The “Freedom of the Seas” is part of a trend for ever larger vessels. Indeed, it is set to be dethroned in 2009 by an even bigger ship from Royal Caribbean: the “Genesis”, with a passenger capacity of more than 5 400.
The Nassau Guardian
