Freedom of the Seas gets Oasis-Class Upgrades

Freedom of the Seas will return to service this week after completing a week-long drydock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard. As part of the Royal Advantage revitalization and enhancement program, the ship received new dining concepts, entertainment options, children’s programming and technology advancements that were introduced aboard Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis-class ships.

The Royal Advantage program comprises approximately $70 million of enhancements aboard five of the world’s most innovative cruise ships in 2011 to expand unparalleled onboard experiences across the cruise line’s fleet. Freedom of the Seas alternates an Eastern and a Western Caribbean seven-night, roundtrip itinerary from Port Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast.

“Royal Caribbean is rooted in providing our guests with incredible vacation experiences across the fleet and around the world,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of hotel operations, for Royal Caribbean International. “The outdoor video screen installed aboard Liberty of the Seas in January has already been so well received that we have decided to deploy it aboard all the ships scheduled to undergo the Royal Advantage revitalization in 2011. Making the investment on these ships as a way of extending the reach of the Oasis-class innovations to more of our guests is a natural progression for the fleet as a whole and how we are delivering the Royal Advantage to vacationers.”

In drydock, Freedom of the Seas received new technology enhancements, such as enhanced Wi-Fi, interactive televisions, electronic waivers for sports activities, and electronic mustering (as well as ticketing for shows later in the year) that offer greater convenience to Royal Caribbean guests on their cruise vacation. The ship also offers a new Britto Gallery, featuring a variety of merchandise designed by pop-art icon Romero Britto.

Other Oasis-class signatures aboard Freedom of the Seas include the DreamWorks Experience, the next generation of family programming with activities and shows including the DreamWorks parade down the Royal Promenade and interactive Character Breakfasts in the Rembrandt (Liberty of the Seas) and Leonardo (Freedom of the Seas) Dining Rooms with the animation movie studio’s “celebrity” characters; 3-D movie screens in the Platinum and Arcadia Theaters, respectively, where guests can screen newly released and long-time favorite movies in 3-D, available starting next week; and outdoor LED video walls, measuring approximately 18.5 feet, overlooking the main pool area, featuring movies and entertainment programs throughout the cruise for families, friends and couples to enjoy during the day and for an evening under the stars.