Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas, pictured here, and her sister Liberty of the Seas will soon feature a number of amenities presently found on the line’s newest ship - Oasis of the Seas. Photo by Matt Roseboom
By Michael Coleman
A series of new onboard amenities and experiences, having successfully been launched aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas last fall, will soon debut on Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas.
Rolling out in early 2011, passengers will soon enjoy new dining opportunities, entertainment, children’s programming and other enhancements.
The line is set to introduce an-as-yet named Broadway production on Liberty. Announcement of the show’s title will soon be made. A family musical geared for children, such as the one playing in the Adventure Ocean Theater aboard Oasis will debut in the main theaters of both Freedom and Liberty.
A big hit aboard Oasis — the world’s largest cruise ship – Royal Babies and Tots Nursery will now be available for Freedom and Liberty passengers. The nursery care program for babies and tots ages six through 36 months old offers parents a safe, fun and interactive vacation environment for their toddler too. Look for various playgroups and activities developed exclusively for Royal Caribbean with partners Fisher Price and Crayola.
Oversized outdoor video screens similar to those wowing guests on Oasis will make their debut aboard Freedom and Liberty. The large 18.5-foot video screen aboard each ship will overlook the main family pool area and will feature movies and entertainment programs throughout the cruise for families, friends and couples to enjoy, morning, noon or night.
Navigating the two ships will also be easier, thanks to the line’s groundbreaking “wayfinding system’’ which was launched on Oasis. Onboard activities, real time updates, customized directions and routing, as well as ship factoids will be at passengers’ fingertips with new plasma and LCD touch screen signs that will be prominently placed throughout each of the ships.
Need a sugar fix? Oasis’s specialty bakery boutique, Cupcake Cupboard, will soon charm passengers aboard Freedom and Liberty. The new locale will feature an array of fresh gourmet cupcakes á la carte, and will also offer hands-on decorating classes plus include a separate space for guests looking to celebrate special events from birthdays and anniversaries to reunions.
Wine aficionados rejoice. The Vintages lounge aboard Freedom and Liberty will soon feature a new trendier décor and offer guests a range of fine wines. Guests also can enjoy self-pour opportunities from a selection of notable wines, thanks to the line’s new Enomatic serving system.
Guests, meanwhile, aboard Oasis will have the groundbreaking opportunity, literally, to participate in a new shore excursion opportunity. As part of a new series of “voluntourism” activities, “Voluntourism: The Mexican Red Cross Landscaping Project” offers passengers the opportunity to contribute to the local community of Cozumel, thanks to a partnership with the Mexican Chapter of the Red Cross.
As part of a beautification project, passengers will be outfitted with materials and tools for this four-hour excursion that will allow them to assist with the planting of trees and shrubs at the local chapter’s new facility.
On the web — www.royalcaribbean.com
