Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Freedom

Joanandjoe · April 24, 2006

April 24, 2006

This morning, while most North American cruise passengers were sound asleep, Royal Caribbean took ownership of the 158,000-ton, 3,600-passenger Freedom of the Seas.

A spokeswoman for the line stated that "everything went smoothly," but that the real focus will be on exciting upcoming events: Freedom of the Seas will head next to Oslo, and then to the United States, to showcase the ship to travel agents and journalists.

The handover by Aker Finnyards took place at 10:43 a.m. German time (4:43 a.m. EST). Though the ship was constructed in Turku, Finland, Freedom had to make a quick detour to Hamburg for repairs before the handover (see above photo of the ship leaving Turku); a bearing in the ship's propulsion system needed to be replaced, and Hamburg's Blohm+Voss was the only shipyard available -- and appropriate -- for the work.

With all systems up and running, Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of the cruise line, proffered up a hefty check -- which means the largest cruise ship in the world is now an official member of Royal Caribbean's fleet. The ship will sail its first revenue cruise on June 4, as originally scheduled.

ruag8tr2 · April 24, 2006

Thanks- Cant wait to see the first reviews on this monster.

Dennis

frostyboy64 · April 25, 2006

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS WILL BE IN MIAMI (HOME PORT) EARLY ON MAY 26. THAT WEEKEND THERE WILL BE TRAVEL COMPANYS TAKING TOURS ON HER. I AM TRYING TO GET ON ONE FROM MY AREA. I WELL LET YOU KNOW AND IF I DO I WILL TAKE PICS AND LET EVERYBODY KNOW HOW SHE LOOKS.

FROSTYBOY

JohnG · April 25, 2006

My wife and I'll be aboard her for a two day mini-conference sailing from Boston om May 19. Looking forward to it.

njnana11 · May 1, 2006

Looking forward to seeing your pictures of the Freedom when it arrives in Miami. It's also supposed to make a stop in NY (Bayonne) and we are planning to drive over just to see how big this thing actually is.

We're also booked on 11/5/06 - I put together a group of 54 family members & friends, so if you see a bunch of people with t-shirts that have "K3 the Sequel" on the front, you'll know it is my group!

Sally