Royal Caribbean International Names Much-Anticipated Ultra Voyager

Royal Caribbean International Names Much-Anticipated Ultra Voyager

MIAMI, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Finnish workers at Kvaerner Masa- Yards yesterday laid the first block of the massive keel destined to frame Royal Caribbean International's newest, most futuristic ship. In lowering the 443-ton block into the drydock, Royal Caribbean used the start of construction to announce the name of the new ship -- Freedom of the Seas -- and comment on the thinking behind the name. Throughout preconstruction, the ship has been called Ultra Voyager.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041109/FLTU020 )

"Freedom of the Seas will be the most head-turning, most innovative and most forward-looking ship in the cruise industry," said Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Chairman and CEO. "Its name was chosen deliberately to convey the enormity of features and amenities offered on this extraordinary ship."

"Freedom of the Seas is really all about freedom of choice. Freedom to explore. Freedom to relax. Freedom to make one's own vacation plans reflective of one's own tastes and interests," he added.

Royal Caribbean's newest ship again elevates cruise-ship design and innovation to new levels. Freedom of the Seas builds on the line's popular Voyager-class ships, so once breakthrough, now signature, elements such as the Royal Promenade, rock-climbing wall and ice-skating rink are standard on Freedom of the Seas. The company will reveal this ship's major new features as she takes shape in drydock.

One feature the company will share now, in keeping with its "freedom" theme, is the great freedom of space planned for the new ship. Freedom of the Seas will have some of the largest guest staterooms and the most spacious balconies in the industry. One reason for the roominess? Freedom of the Seas will have full-size, yet space-saving, flat screen TVs in 100 percent of the guest staterooms and public areas.

The first-in-the-industry flat screen TVs dovetail with other technologies onboard, earning Freedom of the Seas the distinction of being the most digitally advanced cruise ship at sea. The new ship will be free of wires by having extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for regular cell phones. Other functions will enhance the ship's security, navigational and environmental-management systems.

Freedom of the Seas will be the world's largest cruise ship when she enters service in April 2006 at 158,000 gross registered tons. The 3,600-guest ship (double occupancy) will sail year-round, seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami. Bookings are scheduled to open in spring 2005.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 19 ships in service and two under construction, including Freedom of the Seas. The company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe. For additional information about the cruise line, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.royalcaribbean.com or call 800-327-6700.

Fast Facts for Freedom of the Seas

-- 158,000 GRT -- 1,112 feet long

-- 184 feet wide -- 28 feet draft

-- 21.6 knots cruising speed -- 15 passenger decks

-- 3,600 guests double occupancy -- 4,370 guests total occupancy

-- 1,800 guest staterooms -- 1,360 crew

Release in original context:

http://www.corporate-ir.net/ireye/ir_site.zhtml?ticker=rcl&script=410&layout=9&item_id=642212

Hmmmm - I believe that name was discussed on this board a few times. :D

Great name!

Not sure I like the name. Personally I am getting tired of them using the "of the seas" on each ship. I would like to have seen them name this after the old "Song of America" or "Song of Norway". She does sound interesting though.

of the seas is the one way that people can tell the different between all the ships out there. You know how many cruiseline have the same names for there ships

Did a little search and LouChamp was the poster that came up with the name Freedom. I think they deserve a "free" cruise! :)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=77298&page=1&pp=25&highlight=Freedom+Seas

I still like my suggestion of Luxury of the Seas.

What this did point out is some very poor crew to guest ratios:

1 crew to every 2.65 guests at the 3,600 guests double occupancy

1 crew to every 3.21 guests at the 4,370 guests total occupancy

with only 1,360 crew.

What is this going to do to the service levels that is already declining?

Name is okay.....I guess. They moved the ready date one month earlier. Now another dilemna......I will be tempted to change my Radiance cruise in April 2006 to Freedom of the Seas.:)

Thanks for the info and the link....

I remember before the first Voyager Class ship was named then known as Eagle Class...they had a contest or asked for suggestions on what to name the ship and at that time I remember suggesting/submitting 'Freedom of the Seas' so I like the name. :)

So bring on the bookings for her now!!!!

Emmy

of the seas is the one way that people can tell the different between all the ships out there. You know how many cruiseline have the same names for there ships

I know that RCI uses the "Of the Seas" as their marketing tool but most people are smart enough to know one ship from another.

Did a little search and LouChamp was the poster that came up with the name Freedom. I think they deserve a "free" cruise! :)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=77298&page=1&pp=25&highlight=Freedom+Seas

I still like my suggestion of Luxury of the Seas.

OK - Now for the next question. How much have the odds shortened on the second Ultra-Voyager (which has now been ordered) being named Liberty of the Seas?

I like Liberty!!! :)

Thanks for giving that link.

When will bookings begin for this ship. It would be good to book the inaugural cruise, because I don't think it will be ready in time...free cruise, :D

I like Liberty!!! :)

I can't say that the name really does much for me or that it even makes sense. Think about it. You can be a Voyager, an Explorer, a Navigator, a Mariner, Jewel, even a Vision and an Empress. How do you be a Freedom? I just don't think it fits.

I don't care what you call it, Freedom, Ultra, Liberty or all three. My only question is when can we board :D I look forward to seeing what new technologies RCL will put on this ship. RCL truly leads in innovation

Thanks for giving that link.

 

When will bookings begin for this ship. It would be good to book the inaugural cruise, because I don't think it will be ready in time...free cruise, :D

 

Is this true Sealady? Do they really give you a free cruise if the ship isn't ready?

Is this true Sealady? Do they really give you a free cruise if the ship isn't ready?

I think this happened with NCL last year. I heard they gave a free cruise for booked PAX when one of their ships wasn't ready on time. If I remember correctly it was one of their Hawaii ships, Pride of Aloha or America (?).

OK - Now for the next question. How much have the odds shortened on the second Ultra-Voyager (which has now been ordered) being named Liberty of the Seas?

I like Liberty of the Seas, it would definetly go with "Freedom"

The only problem with "Liberty" is that the Carnival Liberty debuts in July of 2005. While I know there are a lot of ships out there with the same name and "of the Seas" is the RCCL tag, I am not sure they would want to be marketing a new ship that is the same name as another new ship (could get confusing for the passengers that are not as cruise suavy as we are ;) )

The only problem with "Liberty" is that the Carnival Liberty debuts in July of 2005. While I know there are a lot of ships out there with the same name and "of the Seas" is the RCCL tag, I am not sure they would want to be marketing a new ship that is the same name as another new ship (could get confusing for the passengers that are not as cruise suavy as we are ;) )

The main problem with "Freedom" and "Liberty" is that they are both perilously close to being political statements, which is unfortunate. It may be good marketing for the largest part of their market, but it would still be unfortunate.

I can't say that the name really does much for me or that it even makes sense. Think about it. You can be a Voyager, an Explorer, a Navigator, a Mariner, Jewel, even a Vision and an Empress. How do you be a Freedom? I just don't think it fits.

I don't care what you call it, Freedom, Ultra, Liberty or all three. My only question is when can we board :D I look forward to seeing what new technologies RCL will put on this ship. RCL truly leads in innovation/QUOTE]

 

LOL!:D Looks like April 2006.

I can't say that the name really does much for me or that it even makes sense. Think about it. You can be a Voyager, an Explorer, a Navigator, a Mariner, Jewel, even a Vision and an Empress. How do you be a Freedom? I just don't think it fits.

I have to think that there is a subtle political statement involved, and one that which you perhaps consider unfortunate, but I think many, myself include, would consider otherwise.

Well "Freedom of the Seas" reminds me of the Freedomship project (Another biggest in the world).

Some statements are political even when the words aren't. Freedom and Liberty are things all people are entitled to regardless of your political views. And by the sound of things, Freedom and Liberty are going to be ships that all people just may want to sail on.

Glad we finally received some more information on the ship! Can't wait to sail her, finally had a chance to update my signature!

Any reason why the tonnage went down? Would like to see the new plans compared to the original plans assuming they changed them (or all these CRT TVs account for the extra 6,000 tons which now is lost with the flatscreens ).