Is it disappointing to go on Royal Caribbean’s older, Freedom Class ships, after attempting their newer ships?
The cruise line’s smaller vessels, such because the Voyager and Explorer Class, are nice for exploring distinctive ports and unique itineraries.
Its mega-ships, just like the Icon and Oasis Class, famously provide an amazing quantity of onboard actions and facilities.
So the place does that go away Royal Caribbean’s medium-sized vessels, just like the Freedom Class?
Eighteen years in the past, Freedom of the Seas debuted because the very first Freedom Class ship, and the most important cruise ship on this planet.
In 2006, the 1,111-foot-long and 156,271 gross-ton vessel shocked visitors with its water slides, 15 decks, and 1,963 staterooms.
Nevertheless, almost twenty years later, Freedom of the Seas has lengthy been dwarfed by six Oasis-class ships—each bigger than the following—and now a brand new Icon Class of even larger mega-ships.
Freedom was Amplified in 2020, present process a $116 million improve that included a brand new pool deck, water slides, and eating venues.
How does a cruise on Freedom of the Seas evaluate to Royal Caribbean’s latest ships?
Coming sizzling on the heels of my cruises on Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas, I used to be keen to match this older vessel.
Freedom feels small and crowded compared to larger ships
I virtually felt disillusioned after I first walked onboard Freedom. The golden, shiny elevators and the tiled Royal Promenade felt a lot smaller compared to the Oasis and Icon Class.
When in comparison with the broad open areas of Icon of the Seas, for instance—with a two-level Royal Promenade and large Pearl staircase—Freedom of the Seas feels tiny.
The general public areas and seating areas regarded dingy and crowded. When crusing on ships like Marvel of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, I appreciated how a lot seating and strolling areas there have been.
On Freedom, nonetheless, I discovered myself stalled in large throngs of individuals and wandering the pool deck looking for a seat.
The general public areas felt tiny, particularly the center of the Royal Promenade, the elevator areas, the Windjammer’s aisles, and the pool deck.
Whereas it felt inconvenient, having to cope with extra crowds onboard Freedom made me contemplate the communal nature of cruising.
There’s something enjoyable, in spite of everything, about squeezing right into a packed elevator and exchanging quiet laughter with strangers.
Whereas the crowds had been annoying, in addition they made the cruise really feel extra united. I noticed the identical faces again and again till we started to acknowledge one another
The cabin had fewer trendy facilities
Whereas I loved my oceanview cabin on Freedom of the Seas, I observed it missed a number of the extra trendy facilities I’ve seen on newer Royal Caribbean ships.
Points like extra ports across the room (as a substitute of simply on the desk) spoiled me by enhancing my expertise on newer ships.
I felt the dearth of the trendy fixtures within the lavatory. Icon of the Seas, for instance, has a big bathe space, full with clean sliding doorways and footstands within the bathe.
Standing in Freedom’s astronaut-sized bathe, by comparability, felt cramped and boring.
The lavatory was small, with dimming lights and slamming sliding doorways.
I additionally observed much less inventive organizational designs, and fewer adjustable AC and announcement controls.
Nevertheless, every side of the cabin was nonetheless clear and practical. It wasn’t that any a part of it was missing—probably the most inconvenience I felt was the dearth of charging ports all around the stateroom.
My stateroom was nonetheless a cushty, luxurious dwelling at sea.
I wanted the complimentary eating choices on newer ships
The meals onboard Freedom of the Seas was tasty and got here with marvelous service, however I missed the complimentary eating choices on newer Royal Caribbean ships.
I spent my time eating without cost on the Windjammer buffet, the Essential Eating Room, Sorrento’s Pizza, El Loco Contemporary, and the Café Promenade, however discovered that I shortly uninterested in the breakfast choices.
Learn extra: I spent per week on the world’s largest cruise ship, the free meals was the very best of any Royal Caribbean ship
For breakfast, I might head to the Windjammer or the Café Promenade, or order room service—continental breakfast comes free.
However on a 7-day cruise, these choices acquired outdated. The 2 venues served largely the identical dishes for breakfast: waffles, hashbrowns, oatmeal, pancakes, fruit, yogurt, and muffins. After I ordered room service, the meals regarded unappealing, and the fruit was moldy.
Greater than that, I longed for some new venues to modify up my breakfast surroundings. I missed the AquaDome Market on Icon of the Seas, and the Park Cafe on Utopia of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean strove so as to add extra complimentary eating on its newer ships, and I actually missed that improve after I sailed on Freedom.
I didn’t miss the flashier exhibits and leisure
Freedom could not have the flashy, unbelievable Aquashows and lightweight performances of newer ships, however the onboard leisure didn’t lack something.
Freedom of the Seas has ice exhibits, stay music and comedians, films, nightclub occasions, and different manufacturing exhibits.
All of those performances nonetheless felt entertaining, even when in comparison with the marvelous technological wonders on newer ships.
Plus, the smaller nature of the cruise meant the leisure got here from the sport exhibits, trivia nights, and different cruisers.
As a substitute of attending a flashy robotic efficiency, the largest occasions of the night can be a stay piano participant on the Schooner Bar or the finale of the karaoke competitors.
This communal leisure struck a stability amid extra thrilling exhibits, just like the FreedomIce.com ice skating present and the As soon as Upon a Time efficiency.
The sports activities heart was fairly action-packed, with a mountain climbing wall, basketball courtroom, FlowRider surf simulator, two water slides, and an arcade. Plus, cruisers can expertise laser tag and ice skating onboard, similar to on the Oasis Class.
Freedom’s onboard actions create an excellent middle-ground for a extra itinerary-intensive cruise.
When the climate was wet and windy, there have been loads of indoor cruise actions to take pleasure in.
However on a port day, I didn’t really feel the necessity to rush again to the ship to attempt every little thing onboard.
Backside line: Freedom jogs my memory why I like to cruise
Regardless that I discovered myself lacking some trendy facilities, Freedom of the Seas jogged my memory of what I really take pleasure in about cruising.
I don’t cruise for the world information, the flashy expertise, or the over-the-top actions. As a matter of reality, crusing on a ship with a much less hyped-up popularity made for a calmer, extra relaxed cruise.
I cruise Royal Caribbean for its laid-back trip environment, cheerful service, limitless meals, and communal cruise leisure.
Freedom of the Seas is probably not the cruise line’s latest or greatest, nevertheless it was full of real crew and fun-loving cruisers.
The actions, service, and leisure held up as high quality, regardless of the ship’s age.
