View source for MS Freedom of the Seas

{{short description|Cruise ship; first of her class}}
{{about|the ship||Freedom of the Seas (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:Freedom of the Seas at Port Miami (March 15, 2024).jpg
| Ship caption = ''Freedom of the Seas'' sailing out of Terminal A at [[Miami]], Florida on 15 March 2024
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship name = ''Freedom of the Seas''
| Ship country = Bahamas
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Bahamas|civil}}
| Ship owner = [[Royal Caribbean Group]]<ref name="dnv">{{cite ship register |register=DNV |id=25177 |shipname=Freedom of the Seas |access-date=30 December 2018 }}</ref>
| Ship operator = [[File:House Flag of Royal Caribbean International.svg|border|20px]] [[Royal Caribbean International]]
| Ship registry = [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flagicon|Bahamas|civil}}
| Ship route = San Juan, Puerto Rico & Caribbean
| Ship ordered = 18 September 2003<ref name="dnv" />
| Ship builder = [[Aker Yards]] [[Perno shipyard|Turku Shipyard]], [[Finland]]
| Ship original cost = US$800 million
| Ship yard number = 52
| Ship way number = 
| Ship laid down = 9 November 2004
| Ship launched = 19 August 2005<ref name="dnv" />
| Ship completed = 24 April 2006<ref name="dnv" />
| Ship christened = 12 May 2006
| Ship acquired = 
| Ship maiden voyage = 4 June 2006 (Caribbean)
| Ship in service = 2006–present
| Ship identification = *{{Call sign|C6UZ7}}
*{{IMO Number|9304033}}
*{{Ship register|DNV|25177}}
*{{MMSI|309906000}}
| Ship fate = 
| Ship status = In service
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = {{Sclass|Freedom|cruise ship}}
| Ship tonnage = *{{GT|156,271}} <small>(2015–present)</small><ref name="dnv" />
*{{GT|154,407}} <small>(2006–2015)</small><ref name="Factfile">{{cite web | title=Freedom of the Seas | publisher=Royal Caribbean International | url=http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/our-ships/freedom-class/freedom-of-the-seas/ships-decks-and-facts/#tab-16-4357 | access-date=20 February 2011}}</ref>
| Ship length = {{cvt|338.774|m|ftin}}<ref name="dnv" />
| Ship beam = {{cvt|126.64|ft|m|2|abbr=on|disp=flip}} waterline {{convert|184|ft|m|2|abbr=on|disp=flip}} extreme (bridge wings)
| Ship height = {{convert|209|ft|m|2|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
| Ship draught = {{convert|9.026|m|ftin}}<ref name="dnv" />
| Ship depth = 
| Ship decks = 19 total decks, 15 passenger decks
| Ship deck clearance = 
| Ship ramps = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship power = 6 × [[Wärtsilä]] 12V46 (6 × {{cvt|12600|kW}})
| Ship propulsion = *[[Diesel-electric]]; Three [[ABB (company)|ABB]] [[Azipod]] units, two azimuthing and one fixed.
*Four [[bow thruster]]s
| Ship speed = {{convert|21.6|kn}}<ref name="Factfile"/>
| Ship capacity = *3,782 (double occupancy)
*4,515 (maximum occupancy)<ref name=FreedomFacts>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/fact-sheet/5/freedom-of-the-seas/|title=Freedom of the Seas Fast Facts|publisher=Royal Caribbean International|work=Royal Caribbean Press Center|access-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>
| Ship crew = 1,360
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

'''MS ''Freedom of the Seas''''' is a [[cruise ship]] operated by [[Royal Caribbean International]]. She is the namesake of Royal Caribbean's {{sclass|Freedom|cruise ship|4}}, and can accommodate 3,634 passengers and 1,300 crew<ref name=FreedomFacts /> on fifteen passenger decks. The vessel also has 4 crew decks below the waterline. ''Freedom of the Seas'' was the largest [[passenger ship]] ever built (by [[gross tonnage]]) from 2006 until construction of her sister ship, {{ship||Liberty of the Seas}} in 2007.

==Construction and design==
[[File:Freedom of the seas construction.jpg|thumb|left|upright|''Freedom of the Seas'' under construction at Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland on 23 February 2006]]
''Freedom of the Seas'' [[Ships built in Finland|was built]] at the [[Aker Yards]] [[Perno shipyard|Turku Shipyard]], [[Finland]], which built the ships of the {{sclass|Voyager|cruise ship|4}} as well as the other ships of the ''Freedom'' class.  Upon her completion in 2006, she became the [[List of largest cruise ships|largest passenger ship]] ever built, taking the record from {{RMS|Queen Mary 2|3=2}} (''QM2''), an [[ocean liner]].

''Freedom of the Seas'' is {{convert|2.4|m|ftin}} narrower than ''QM2'' at the waterline, {{convert|6|m|ftin}} shorter, has {{convert|1.5|m|ftin}} less draft, is {{convert|8.3|m|ftin}} less tall and {{convert|8|kn|km/h}} slower. ''Freedom of the Seas'' however is the larger ship in terms of [[gross tonnage]]. Its gross tonnage as verified by [[Det Norske Veritas]], a Norwegian marine [[classification society]], was {{GT|154,407}},<ref name="dnv-old">{{cite ship register |register=DNV |id=25177 |shipname=Freedom of the Seas |access-date=8 June 2018 }}</ref> compared with ''QM2''{{'}}s {{GT|148,528}}.<ref name = CGMIX>United States Coast Guard Maritime Information Exchange, [http://psix.uscg.mil/PSIX/PSIXDetails.aspx?VesselID=639884 Queen Mary 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523002150/http://psix.uscg.mil/PSIX/PSIXDetails.aspx?VesselID=639884 |date=23 May 2013 }}, Retrieved 26 March 2012</ref><ref name=Lloyds>[https://web.archive.org/web/20181230181048/http://www.lrshipsinclass.lrfairplay.com/authenticated/result.aspx?Page=0&LR%2FIMO=9241061 Queen Mary 2], inquiry for IMO 924106, ''Ships in Class'' (registration required).  Lloyd's Register.  Retrieved 19 July 2012.</ref> ''Freedom of the Seas'' had the highest gross tonnage of any [[passenger ship]] yet built until the 2007 completion of {{ship||Liberty of the Seas}}.

The ship has four [[bow thruster]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/freedomofthesea |title=Freedom of the Seas |publisher=Ship Technology |date=15 June 2011 |access-date=21 July 2013}}</ref>  When at sea ''Freedom of the Seas'' consumes approximately {{cvt|12,800|kg}} of fuel per hour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wartsila.com/en/engines/medium-speed-engines/wartsila46|title=Wärtsilä 46F|work=wartsila.com}}</ref>

===Facilities===

The ship has an interior promenade {{convert|445|ft|m|abbr=on|order=flip}} long called the "Royal Promenade".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/Freedom_of_the_seas.html|title=RCL'S Dazzling Freedom of the Seas: Biggest, Most Innovative Cruise Ship Afloat Offers Everything & More|first=Karen |last=Rubin|work=Travel Writers Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110055821/http://www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/Freedom_of_the_seas.html|archive-date=10 November 2009}}</ref>

The ship has three [[swimming pool|swimming areas]]: an interactive [[water park]], a dedicated adult [[swimming pool|pool]], and the main pool.  Deck 13 has a sports area with a [[rock climbing]] wall, the [[FlowRider]] surf simulator, a [[miniature golf]] course and a full size [[basketball court]]. Other items include an [[ice skating]] rink, a [[casino]] and a three-deck-high broadway-style theater. Many of the ship's interiors were extensively decorated by muralist Clarissa Parish.<ref>[http://www.clarissaparish.com/cruise.php www.clarissaparish.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208004403/http://www.clarissaparish.com/cruise.php |date=8 December 2017 }} Retrieved January 2012</ref>

==Service history==
The ship docked at [[Blohm und Voss]] in [[Hamburg]], Germany, on 17 April 2006 to repair a damaged bearing in one of the three [[Azipod]] propulsion units and some minor modifications prior to her official handover to Royal Caribbean International on 24 April 2006. She then visited [[Oslo]], Norway, before sailing for [[Southampton]], England. The ship sailed on its first [[transatlantic crossing]] on 3 May 2006.

[[File:Freedom of the Seas Oslo 26 april 2006.jpg|right|thumb| ''Freedom of the Seas'' at [[Oslo]], Norway, on 26 April 2006]]

''Freedom of the Seas'' arrived in [[New York Harbor]], United States, for her official naming ceremony on 12 May 2006 which was broadcast live on NBC's ''[[Today (NBC program)|The Today Show]]'' from [[Cape Liberty Cruise Port]] in [[Bayonne, New Jersey]] (the ship's official New York berth), and thereafter traveled to Boston for the weekend of 19–22 May. The ship's godmother was selected as Katherine Louise Calder, a [[Portland, Oregon]] [[foster care]] provider.<ref>https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=1526 Calder</ref> She began operations out of [[Miami]] with her first cruise and maiden voyage on 4 June, sailing to western [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] locations.

On 4 May 2009, ''Freedom of the Seas'' moved her home port from the [[Port of Miami-Dade]] to [[Port Canaveral]]. The ship underwent her first [[dry dock]] refurbishment in March 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portcanaveral.org/general/news/031908a.php |title=Port Canaveral |work=portcanaveral.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412001147/http://www.portcanaveral.org/general/news/031908a.php |archive-date=12 April 2008 }}</ref>
In January 2015, the ship underwent another 24-day dry dock. During the dry dock some new interior passenger cabins were added.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6178|title=Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Completes Dry Dock, Features New Cabins and Restaurants|work=Cruise Critic|date=26 May 2023 }}</ref> On 22 July 2015, a fire started in a mechanical area of the ship around 9:15 AM when the ship was en route from Cape Canaveral, Florida to Falmouth, Jamaica. All passengers were sent to their [[muster station]]s, and one crew member sustained first degree burns. The fire was extinguished after an hour and a half, and the ship was able to continue on its planned itinerary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/tourism-cruises/article28293175.html|title=Cruise to continue after Freedom of the Seas fire in Jamaica|last=Sampson|first=Hannah|date=22 July 2015|work=The Miami Herald|access-date=8 May 2019}}</ref>

[[File: MS Freedom of the Seas, Port Canaveral, Florida.jpg|right|thumb| ''Freedom of the Seas'' in [[Port Canaveral, Florida]] in 2016, after her 2015 refurbishment]]

In winter 2016, ''Freedom of the Seas'' repositioned to [[Port Everglades]], from where she undertook cruises in the Caribbean.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/03/05/royal-caribbean-announces-2016-2017-caribbean-cruise-ship-deployments|title=Royal Caribbean announces 2016-2017 Caribbean cruise ship deployments|access-date=24 November 2016|work=Cruise Critic|date=5 March 2015 }}</ref> After homeporting in [[Barcelona]] in the spring and summer of 2017, ''Freedom of the Seas'' returned to Port Everglades. In May 2018, she commenced sailing Southern Caribbean sailings out of [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]] until April 2021. On 7 July 2019, an 18-month old child died after falling through an open window on the 11th deck while the ship was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her grandfather had placed her on a railing and lost his grip while holding her.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baynes |first1=Chris |title=Young girl falls to death from cruise ship 'after being accidentally dropped by grandfather' |url=https://news.yahoo.com/young-girl-falls-death-cruise-104046057.html |access-date=22 July 2019 |work=The Independent}}</ref> The grandfather claimed that he was [[colourblind]] and did not notice that the window was open,<ref name="colorblind">{{cite news |title=Grandfather charged in girl's cruise ship death says colorblindness may have been a factor |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cruise-ship-death-salvatore-anello-grandfather-charged-death-of-chloe-wiegand-says-hes-colorblind/ |access-date=18 February 2020 |work=CBS News |language=en}}</ref> but the cruise line released security camera footage that they claim shows him leaning out the window shortly before lifting the toddler up to it.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cruise line: Grandpa leaned out window before girl's fall |url=https://apnews.com/0af54c810533a8e51b5f18bdcf548495 |access-date=18 February 2020 |work=AP NEWS |agency=Associated Press |date=17 January 2020}}</ref> On 11 December 2019, the child's parents sued [[Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.]] over the death of their daughter, alleging that the company was negligent for not properly securing the windows.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.today.com/news/parents-toddler-chloe-wiegand-speak-out-suing-royal-caribbean-t169892|title=Parents of toddler Chloe Wiegand speak out on suing Royal Caribbean|publisher=Today|author=Scott Stump|date=12 December 2019|access-date=19 December 2019}}</ref>{{update after|2022|8|31}}<!-- and then what? Common for such suits to be filed, 'cause if decision goes the way of plaintiffs, payoffs are substantial. --> The grandfather pled guilty to a charge of negligent homicide on 25 February, and was placed on probation.<ref name="guilty">{{cite news |last1=Huges |first1=Clyde |title=Grandfather to plead guilty in death of girl who fell from cruise ship |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2020/02/26/Grandfather-to-plead-guilty-in-death-of-girl-who-fell-from-cruise-ship/2421582736187/ |access-date=27 February 2020 |work=UPI |language=en}}</ref>

''Freedom of the Seas'' underwent a $116 million dry dock in early 2020.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1407/island-hopping-meets-chart-topping-thrills-on-amplified-freedom-of-the-seas/|title=Island hopping meets chart-topping thrills on amplified Freedom of the Seas |publisher=Royal Caribbean |access-date=23 August 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Carnival Venezia (ship, 2019) & Freedom of the Seas (ship, 2006) (3).jpg|thumb|upright|''Freedom of the Seas'' docked next to {{ship||Carnival Venezia}} at [[George Town, Cayman Islands|George Town]], [[Grand Cayman]] on 24 April 2025]]
[[File:Freedom of the Seas (ship, 2006) and Adventure of the Seas (ship, 2001) in Grand Cayman (2).jpg|thumb|upright|''Freedom of the Seas'' with {{ship||Adventure of the Seas}} anchored together at George Town on 28 April 2025]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|IMO 9304033}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090215061814/http://freedomoftheseas.com/ Freedom of the Seas Official Website]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4915946.stm BBC News "Final polish at Germany's Blohm + Voss shipyard"]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060429215206/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1294794.ece Aftenposten Norway "World's largest cruise ship in Oslo"]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4957076.stm BBC News "Massive cruise ship arrives in UK"]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/4967876.stm BBC News "Huge cruise ship leaves UK shores"]

{{Largest passenger ships}}
{{Royal Caribbean Cruise International Ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freedom Of The Seas}}
[[Category:Ships of Royal Caribbean International]]
[[Category:Ships built in Turku]]
[[Category:2005 ships]]