RCI Freedom of the Seas will homeport in Pt. Canaveral

sailingrose · March 21, 2008

Royal Caribbean International's vessels largest afloat

PORT CANAVERAL, FLâ€” March 19, 2008 â€“ An agreement between the Canaveral Port Authority and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is expected to be finalized in the next few months to homeport Freedom of the Seas at Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean today submitted a letter of intent to deploy the 160,000 gross-registered ton vessel to Canaveral in May 2009.

"The Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise vessel homeported here," says Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne. "And the agreement represents the longest commitment of Royal Caribbean to Port Canaveral."

"Bringing a Freedom-class ship to Port Canaveral will give vacationers another homeport choice to experience the most innovative cruise ship at sea," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "Based on the popularity of Mariner of the Seas at Port Canaveral, we look forward to and anticipate similar success for Freedom of the Seas."

The 3,634 guest capacity, double-occupancy, Freedom-class ships revolutionized the cruise industry when Freedom of the Seas first was launched in 2006. With Liberty of the Seas, launched in 2007, and the soon-to-be launched Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's Freedom-class ships feature exclusive onboard amenities, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, a boxing ring for Power-Box conditioning classes, an ice-skating rink, 10-route rock-climbing wall, a full-size basketball court, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of restaurants, bars, lounge and shops that runs nearly the length of the ship.

"We are delighted that Royal Caribbean continues to offer those traveling from Port Canaveral with the best the cruise line has to offer," says Joe Matheny, Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners.

lashl · March 22, 2008

That's great news. Port Canaveral is our favorite port and now we can try Royal Caribbean.

becktours · March 23, 2008

I am so happy the Freedom is replacing the Mariner. I live just 40 minutes from Port Canaveral.

My kids will love the Freedom.

TheSkipper · March 23, 2008

Hey Steve: Just curious, what make PC your favorite port??

sailingrose · March 23, 2008

Ed I love it because it's really easy to park, get your luggage after disembarking, and most of all because I live an hour from it. It's close to the airport too!

lashl · March 26, 2008

Ed....It is just so easy to get in and out. Doesn't hurt that we have relatives living in Orlando so we can visit and cruise on the same trip. The drop off area is great and also the parking. No shuttle is needed to get to your car if you drove.

TheSkipper · March 26, 2008

Ed....It is just so easy to get in and out. Doesn't hurt that we have relatives living in Orlando so we can visit and cruise on the same trip. The drop off area is great and also the parking. No shuttle is needed to get to your car if you drove.

Steve and Rose: OK, now I understand. We sailed from there this time last year and agree it is an easy port except it is so far from the Orlando airport, which meant we had to rent a car (there were four of us) to get both to and from the ship, drop the car off in town and take the car rental shuttle to the ship and that made it a pain in the butt. :sad2:

For us I prefer Lauderdale and the short cab ride from the airport to the ship. Heading to Miami in two weeks, but over nighting in the Airport Wyndam and then have ship transfers, but still not wild about the Port of Miami. :rolleyes2: