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{{short description|Cruise ship; first of her class}}
{{dablink|This article is about the ship. For the concept in [[international law]] and [[admiralty law]], see [[Freedom of the seas]].}}
{{about|the ship||Freedom of the Seas (disambiguation)}}
{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin:0 0 0.5em 1em;" width="300"
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
|colspan="2" style="background: #efefef; text-align:center;"| '''''M/S Freedom of the Seas'''''
{{Infobox ship image
|-
| Ship image = MS Freedom of the Seas, Port Canaveral, Florida.jpg
|style="text-align: center" colspan="2"|
| Ship caption = ''Freedom of the Seas'' in [[Port Canaveral, Florida]] in 2016, after her 2015 refurbishment
|-
}}
|colspan="2"|[[Image:Freedom.JPG|300px|Freedom of the Seas off the coast of [[Cozumel]], Mexico in its Maiden Voyage.]]
{{Infobox ship career
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Hide header =
|'''Built:'''
| Ship name = ''Freedom of the Seas''
|[[Aker Yards]] ([[Turku]], [[Finland]])
| Ship country = [[Bahamas]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|Bahamas|civil}}
|'''Ordered:'''
| 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>
|September 2003
| Ship operator = [[File:House Flag of Royal Caribbean International.svg|border|20px]] [[Royal Caribbean International]]
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship registry = [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}
|'''Laid down:'''
| Ship route = San Juan, Puerto Rico & Caribbean
|[[November 9]], [[2004]]
| Ship ordered = September 18, 2003<ref name="dnv" />
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship builder = [[Aker Yards]] [[Perno shipyard|Turku Shipyard]], [[Finland]]
|'''Float out:'''
| Ship original cost = US$800 million
|[[August 19]], [[2005]]
| Ship yard number = 52
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship way number =
|'''Christened:'''
| Ship laid down = November 9, 2004
|[[May 12]], [[2006]] <small>at [[Bayonne, New Jersey|Bayonne, NJ]] <br>on [[New York Harbor]]</small>
| Ship launched = August 19, 2005<ref name="dnv" />
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship completed = April 24, 2006<ref name="dnv" />
|'''Maiden Voyage:'''
| Ship christened = May 12, 2006
|[[4 June]] [[2006]] (Caribbean)
| Ship acquired =
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship maiden voyage = 4 June 2006 (Caribbean)
|'''Status:'''
|in service
| Ship in service = 2006–present
| Ship identification = *{{Call sign|C6UZ7}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
*{{IMO Number|9304033}}
!colspan="2" style="color: white; background: navy;"|General Characteristics
*{{Ship register|DNV|25177}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
*{{MMSI|309906000}}
|'''Tonnage:'''
| Ship fate =
|154,407 Gross Tons
| Ship status = In service
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship notes =
|'''Draft:'''
}}
|28 feet or 8.5 meters
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Hide header =
|'''Length:'''
| Header caption =
|338.77 m (1,111.5 ft) overall, 303.21 m (994.82 ft) between perpendiculars.
| Ship class = {{Sclass|Freedom|cruise ship}}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship tonnage = *{{GT|156,271}} <small>(2015–present)</small><ref name="dnv" />
|'''Beam:'''
*{{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=2011-02-20}}</ref>
|38.6 m (126.65 ft) waterline, 56.0 m (183.7 ft) extreme (bridge wings)
| Ship length = {{convert|338.774|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}<ref name="dnv" />
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship beam = {{convert|126.64|ft|m|2|abbr=on|disp=flip}} waterline {{convert|184|ft|m|2|abbr=on|disp=flip}} extreme (bridge wings)
|'''Height:'''
| Ship height = {{convert|209|ft|m|2|abbr=on|disp=flip}}
|63.7 m (15 Decks High)
| Ship draught = {{convert|9.026|m|ft|2|abbr=on}}<ref name="dnv" />
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship depth =
|'''Power:'''
| Ship decks = 19 total decks, 15 passenger decks
|Six [[Wärtsilä]] 46 V12 diesels each rated at 12.6 MW (~17,000hp) driving electric generators at 514 rpms.
| Ship deck clearance =
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship ramps =
|'''Propulsion:'''
| Ship ice class =
|Three [[Asea Brown Boveri|ABB]] [[Azipod]] podded [[diesel-electric|electric propulsion units]], two of them [[Azimuth thruster|azimuthing]], one fixed. 4 additional bow thrusters.
| Ship power = 6 × [[Wärtsilä]] 12V46 (6 × 12,600&nbsp;kW)
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship propulsion = *[[Diesel-electric]]; Three [[ABB (company)|ABB]] [[Azipod]] units, two azimuthing and one fixed.
|'''Speed:'''
*Four [[bow thruster]]s
|21.6 knots (40 km/h)
| Ship speed = {{convert|21.6|kn}}<ref name="Factfile"/>
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship capacity = *3,782 (double occupancy)
|'''Complement:'''
*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>
|4,370 passengers; 1,360 crew - total 5,730 people on board
| Ship crew = 1,360
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
| Ship notes =
|'''Cost:'''
}}
|US $~800,000,000 (~750m Euro or GB£520m)
|}
|- style="vertical-align:top;"

|'''Registry:'''
'''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.
|[[Bahamas]]
|}
'''M/S ''Freedom of the Seas''''' is a [[Royal Caribbean International]] [[cruise ship]] and the name ship of her [[Freedom Class|class]]. The world's largest passenger vessel, she can accommodate over 4,300 passengers on her fifteen passenger decks, served by over 1300 crew. She and her sisters will keep the title of the largest [[passenger ship]]s ever built until construction of the [[Genesis class]] ships in 2009, also owned by [[Royal Caribbean International]].


==Construction==
==Construction==
[[Image:Freedom_of_the_seas_construction.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The ship under construction at [[Aker Yards]] in [[Turku]].]]
[[File:Freedom of the seas construction.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Freedom of the Seas'' under construction at Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland on February 23, 2006]]
The ''Freedom of the Seas'' [[Ships built in Finland|was built]] at the [[Aker Yards]] drydock in [[Turku]], [[Finland]] which also is building the other ships of the [[Freedom Class]]. Upon her completion she became the largest passenger ship ever built, taking that honor from [[Cunard Line|Cunard's]] ''[[RMS Queen Mary 2|Queen Mary 2]]''.
''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'' is 2.4 meters narrower than ''QM2'' at the waterline, 6 meters shorter, and has 1.5 meters less draft. ''Freedom'' however is the larger ship in gross [[tonnage]]. While her tonnage rating was estimated to range from 154,000 gt <ref>[http://www.akeryards.com/?page=117&techinfo=1]</ref> to 160,000 gt, <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4915946.stm]</ref> her official rating by [[Det Norske Veritas]], a Norwegian marine [[classification society]], is 154,407 gt, <ref>[https://exchange.dnv.com/Exchange/Main.aspx?EXTool=Vessel&VesselID=25177]</ref> compared with ''QM2's'' 148,528 gt. ''Freedom'' has the highest gross tonnage of any [[passenger ship]] yet built.
''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=2013-05-23 }}, Retrieved 2012-03-26</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=2011-06-15 |access-date=2013-07-21}}</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>
==Features==
[[Image:Main pool freedom.jpg|thumb|left|Rendering of the Main Pool]]
The ship features three [[swimming pool|swimming areas]]; an interactive [[water park]], a dedicated adult [[swimming pool|pool]] and the main pool. There are 2 [[whirlpool]]s cantilevered out from the ship's sides. The Royal Promenade sports a [[coffee shop]], Sorrento's Pizzeria, a [[Ben and Jerry's]] ice-cream shop, Vintage's [[winery]], the Bull and Bear [[Irish pub]], and many [[Duty-free shops]]. The 13th deck features a sports area with amenities such as a [[rock climbing]] wall, the [[FlowRider]] (an onboard wave generator for surfing), a [[miniature golf]] course and a full size [[basketball court]]. Other items include an [[ice skating]] rink, a [[casino]], a [[Johnny Rockets]], [[Wi-Fi]] capabilities throughout the ship, [[Flat panel display|flat panel]] televisions in all staterooms, and cell phone connectivity.


==Career==
==Incidents==
===Fire===
''Freedom'' was docked at [[Blohm und Voss]] in [[Hamburg]], [[Germany]] on [[17 April]] [[2006]] to repair a damaged bearing in the fixipod (1 of 3 main propellers) and to put on some of the finishing touches prior to her official handover to Royal Caribbean International on [[24 April]] [[2006]]. She then departed to [[Oslo]], [[Norway]] on [[25 April]] for official festivities. She then sailed for [[Southampton]], [[England]] on [[27 April]] and arrived at 9am on [[29 April]]. She sailed on her first [[transatlantic]] crossing on [[3 May]] [[2006]].
On July 22, 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=July 22, 2015|work=The Miami Herald|access-date=May 8, 2019}}</ref>


===Death of Chloe Wiegand===
''Freedom'' arrived in [[New York Harbor]] [[USA]] for her official naming ceremony on [[12 May]] [[2006]] which was broadcast live on NBC's [[The Today Show]] from [[Cape Liberty Cruise Port]] in [[Bayonne, New Jersey]] (the ship's official New York berth), and thereafter travelled to Boston for the weekend of May 19-22. She began operations out of [[Miami, Florida|Miami]] with her first cruise and [[maiden voyage]] on [[June 4]], sailing to western [[Caribbean Sea|Caribbean]] locations in [[Mexico]], the [[Cayman Islands]] and [[Jamaica]] as well as [[Labadee]], in [[Haiti]], one of Royal Caribbean's private resorts.
On July 7, 2019, 18-month-old Chloe Wiegand died after falling through an open window on the 11th deck while the ship was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her 51-year-old grandfather, Salvatore Anello, 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> Anello claimed that he was colorblind and didn't 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 Anello 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 December 11, 2019, Chloe'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=2019-12-12|access-date=2019-12-19}}</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. --> Anello pled guilty to a charge of negligent homicide on February 25, and will be 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>
The added width of the ship is utilized by the interior ''[[Promenade deck|promenade]]'' extending through the upper decks of the ships. This gives all upper level cabins a window, either to the port or starboard side or inwards to the promenade. This design was first used in the [[cruiseferry]] [[M/S Silja Serenade|M/S ''Silja Serenade'']] in 1990 and her sister ship, [[M/S Silja Symphony|M/S ''Silja Symphony'']] in 1991.


==Facilities==
==Facts and figures==

[[Image:Skyscrapercompare.svg|thumb|right|300px|The ''Freedom of the Seas '' is 338.77 meters long. For comparison, the [[Empire State Building]], without its spire, is 381 meters.]]
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|author=Karen 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=November 10, 2009}}</ref>
* She has 30 lifeboats.

* She is about 229 ft. longer, about 108,000 gross tons larger, and can accommodate 2,147 more passengers than [[RMS Titanic|RMS ''Titanic]]''.
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=2017-12-08 }} Retrieved January 2012</ref>
* Her operating costs are $1 million per day.

* She has 75,000 lightbulbs and 4,700 works of art, and uses 35,000 kg of ice daily.
==Service history==
* The largest suite is 113 square meters, sleeps 14 people and has five flat panel TVs, a private whirlpool, and a wet bar.

* Rooms for the maiden voyage were priced from $1,900 to $22,000 for the week. As routine service continues, starting room rates are expected to descend as low as $700 for cruises scheduled in the [[autumn]] of [[2007]].
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.
* The ship consumes approximately 28,000 pounds of fuel per hour.

''Freedom of the Seas'' arrived in [[New York Harbor]], [[United States]], for her official naming ceremony on May 12, 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 May 19–22. 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, Florida|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=2008-04-12 }}</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>

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.

''Freedom of the Seas'' underwent a $116 million dry dock in early 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|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|website=www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-23}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|IMO 9304033}}
{{commonscat|Freedom of the Seas|MS ''Freedom of the Seas''}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090215061814/http://freedomoftheseas.com/ Freedom of the Seas Official Website]
* [http://www.akerfinnyards.com/ Aker Yards, Finland]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4915946.stm BBC News "Final polish at Germany's Blohm + Voss shipyard"]
* [http://www.ayrshirescotland.com/ships/251freedom.html Freedom of the Seas information]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060429215206/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1294794.ece Aftenposten Norway "World's largest cruise ship in Oslo"]
* [http://www.freedomoftheseas.com Freedom of the Seas Official Website]
* [http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/innovation Freedom of the Seas UK Official Website]
* [http://www.RCCL.com Royal Caribbean's Official Website]
* [http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk Royal Caribbean's Official UK Website]
* [http://cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=358 Cruise Critic information]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4915946.stm BBC News "Final polish at Germany's Blohm and Voss shipyard"]
* [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/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"]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/4967876.stm BBC News "Huge cruise ship leaves UK shores"]
* [http://www.nedcruise.info Technical details and images on fleetlist-R]
{{start box}}
{{succession box|before=[[RMS Queen Mary 2|''Queen Mary 2'']]|title=World's Largest [[Passenger Ship]]|years=2006&ndash;2007|after=[[Liberty of the Seas]]}}
{{end box}}


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


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

[[cs:Freedom of the Seas]]
[[da:Freedom of the Seas]]
[[de:Freedom of the Seas]]
[[es:Freedom of the Seas]]
[[fr:Freedom of the Seas]]
[[ko:프리덤 어브 더 시]]
[[id:MS Freedom of the Seas]]
[[lt:MS Freedom of the Seas]]
[[mk:Слобода на морињата]]
[[nl:Freedom of the Seas]]
[[no:Freedom of the Seas]]
[[pl:MS Freedom of the Seas]]
[[pt:MS Freedom of the Seas]]
[[ru:Свобода морей]]
[[fi:M/S Freedom of the Seas]]
[[sv:M/S Freedom of the Seas]]
[[yi:MS Freedom of the Seas]]
[[zh:海洋自由號]]

Latest revision as of 14:18, 20 November 2024

This article is about the ship. For other uses, see Freedom of the Seas (disambiguation).
Freedom of the Seas in Port Canaveral, Florida in 2016, after her 2015 refurbishment
History
Bahamas
NameFreedom of the Seas
OwnerRoyal Caribbean Group[1]
Operator Royal Caribbean International
Port of registryNassau,  Bahamas
RouteSan Juan, Puerto Rico & Caribbean
OrderedSeptember 18, 2003[1]
BuilderAker Yards Turku Shipyard, Finland
CostUS$800 million
Yard number52
Laid downNovember 9, 2004
LaunchedAugust 19, 2005[1]
ChristenedMay 12, 2006
CompletedApril 24, 2006[1]
Maiden voyage4 June 2006 (Caribbean)
In service2006–present
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class and typeFreedom-class cruise ship
Tonnage
  • 156,271 GT (2015–present)[1]
  • 154,407 GT (2006–2015)[2]
Length338.774 m (1,111.46 ft)[1]
Beam38.60 m (126.64 ft) waterline 56.08 m (184 ft) extreme (bridge wings)
Height63.70 m (209 ft)
Draught9.026 m (29.61 ft)[1]
Decks19 total decks, 15 passenger decks
Installed power6 × Wärtsilä 12V46 (6 × 12,600 kW)
Propulsion
Speed21.6 knots (40.0 km/h; 24.9 mph)[2]
Capacity
  • 3,782 (double occupancy)
  • 4,515 (maximum occupancy)[3]
Crew1,360

MS Freedom of the Seas is a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International. She is the namesake of Royal Caribbean's Freedom class, and can accommodate 3,634 passengers and 1,300 crew[3] 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, Liberty of the Seas in 2007.

Construction

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Freedom of the Seas under construction at Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland on February 23, 2006

Freedom of the Seas was built at the Aker Yards Turku Shipyard, Finland, which built the ships of the Voyager class as well as the other ships of the Freedom class. Upon her completion in 2006, she became the largest passenger ship ever built, taking the record from Queen Mary 2 (QM2), an ocean liner.

Freedom of the Seas is 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) narrower than QM2 at the waterline, 6 metres (19 ft 8 in) shorter, has 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) less draft, is 8.3 metres (27 ft 3 in) less tall and 8 knots (15 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 154,407 GT,[4] compared with QM2's 148,528 GT.[5][6] Freedom of the Seas had the highest gross tonnage of any passenger ship yet built until the 2007 completion of Liberty of the Seas.

The ship has four bow thrusters.[7] When at sea Freedom of the Seas consumes approximately 12,800 kg (28,200 lb) of fuel per hour.[8]

Incidents

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Fire

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On July 22, 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 stations, 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.[9]

Death of Chloe Wiegand

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On July 7, 2019, 18-month-old Chloe Wiegand died after falling through an open window on the 11th deck while the ship was docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her 51-year-old grandfather, Salvatore Anello, had placed her on a railing and lost his grip while holding her.[10] Anello claimed that he was colorblind and didn't notice that the window was open,[11] but the cruise line released security camera footage that they claim shows Anello leaning out the window shortly before lifting the toddler up to it.[12] On December 11, 2019, Chloe'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.[13][needs update] Anello pled guilty to a charge of negligent homicide on February 25, and will be placed on probation.[14]

Facilities

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The ship has an interior promenade 136 m (445 ft) long called the "Royal Promenade".[15]

The ship has three swimming areas: an interactive water park, a dedicated adult 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.[16]

Service history

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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.

Freedom of the Seas arrived in New York Harbor, United States, for her official naming ceremony on May 12, 2006 which was broadcast live on NBC's 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 May 19–22. The ship's godmother was selected as Katherine Louise Calder, a Portland, Oregon foster care provider.[17] She began operations out of Miami with her first cruise and maiden voyage on 4 June, sailing to western 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.[18] In January 2015, the ship underwent another 24-day dry dock. During the dry dock some new interior passenger cabins were added.[19]

In winter 2016, Freedom of the Seas repositioned to Port Everglades, from where she undertook cruises in the Caribbean.[20] 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.

Freedom of the Seas underwent a $116 million dry dock in early 2020.[21]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Freedom of the Seas (25177)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Freedom of the Seas". Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
  3. ^ a b "Freedom of the Seas Fast Facts". Royal Caribbean Press Center. Royal Caribbean International. Retrieved 4 March 2016.
  4. ^ "Freedom of the Seas (25177)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  5. ^ United States Coast Guard Maritime Information Exchange, Queen Mary 2 Archived 2013-05-23 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved 2012-03-26
  6. ^ Queen Mary 2, inquiry for IMO 924106, Ships in Class (registration required). Lloyd's Register. Retrieved 19 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Freedom of the Seas". Ship Technology. 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
  8. ^ "Wärtsilä 46F". wartsila.com.
  9. ^ Sampson, Hannah (July 22, 2015). "Cruise to continue after Freedom of the Seas fire in Jamaica". The Miami Herald. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  10. ^ Baynes, Chris. "Young girl falls to death from cruise ship 'after being accidentally dropped by grandfather'". The Independent. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
  11. ^ "Grandfather charged in girl's cruise ship death says colorblindness may have been a factor". CBS News. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  12. ^ "Cruise line: Grandpa leaned out window before girl's fall". AP NEWS. Associated Press. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  13. ^ Scott Stump (2019-12-12). "Parents of toddler Chloe Wiegand speak out on suing Royal Caribbean". Today. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  14. ^ Huges, Clyde. "Grandfather to plead guilty in death of girl who fell from cruise ship". UPI. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  15. ^ Karen Rubin. "RCL'S DAZZLING FREEDOM OF THE SEAS: Biggest, Most Innovative Cruise Ship Afloat Offers Everything & More". Travel Writers Magazine. Archived from the original on November 10, 2009.
  16. ^ www.clarissaparish.com Archived 2017-12-08 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved January 2012
  17. ^ https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=1526 Calder
  18. ^ "Port Canaveral". portcanaveral.org. Archived from the original on 2008-04-12.
  19. ^ "Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Completes Dry Dock, Features New Cabins and Restaurants". Cruise Critic. 26 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Royal Caribbean announces 2016-2017 Caribbean cruise ship deployments". Cruise Critic. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  21. ^ "ISLAND HOPPING MEETS CHART-TOPPING THRILLS ON AMPLIFIED FREEDOM OF THE SEAS". www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com. Retrieved 2019-08-23.
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