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Inside plan for world’s biggest ship 6 times larger than an aircraft carrier that could take 100k on never-ending cruise

• Georgie English
• Published : 12:06 ET, Nov 28 2023
• Updated : 12:15 ET, Nov 28 2023
• Published : Invalid Date,

THE world's biggest ever ship able to carry 100,000 people on board is due to be the most impressive mega cruise ever to set sail.

On deck the behemoth of a boat was designed to give passengers and permanent residents a never-ending life of luxury - miles more impressive than any city back on land.

Designed to be much more than a cruise liner, the Freedom Ship is a gigantic floating place where people live, work, retire or go on holiday to.

The enormous vessel would be on a nonstop voyage around the globe - touching all seven seas in three years.

Going from Britain - it would head down past France into the Mediterranean , circle round Africa and into the Indian Ocean.

It would then circle round Australia , up towards China , before then heading across the Pacific and down the coast of the Americas.

The longest ship in the world currently is the mammoth Seawise Giant but the Freedom Ship would be nearly three times bigger.

Standing at 350ft tall and 4,500ft in length the ship would look like it's going on forever as it looms over the horizon.

The superstructure would have 25 floors and make it an unmissable experience for anyone with steady sea legs.

The designers have placed a huge importance on the project looking just as beautiful as it is big with more than 200 acres of relaxation and fun on board.

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Vast parks full of ponds, greenery and waterfalls partnered with huge aquariums full of fancy fish that traverses over multiple decks.

They'll even be a full size shopping mall full of big brands and new independent shops as the makers are hoping people will set up their own businesses as 100,000 new faces walk through the city on a ship each day.

On board there would also be schools, hospitals, gyms, restaurants - anything you would expect to find a typical city back on land including a full prison.

Developers hope the ship would have 40,000 full time residents, 30,000 daily visitors, 10,000 hotel guests and 20,000 time crew.

Clearly a project as ambitious and bold as this is going to cost a pretty expensive fee.

The latest estimation has the whole cruise costing anywhere up to £9billion to finish.

This made it one of the biggest reasons as to why the cruise remains just a dream to this day as investors aren't willing to pay up the money needed to fund such a innovative project.

For anyone looking to live your dream life on on board the ship it'll set you back a whopping £9million for a luxurious water-view apartments.

Even the cheapest suits start at £150,000 and it'll cost thousands more to keep entertained on the ship 24 hours a day.

Although as the ship would constantly be travelling out at sea you wouldn't have to pay any taxes.

Freedom Ship is designed to stay on the move and treat guests to a non stop time of activities.

It would only stop to take on supplies when an aircraft could't do a simple stop and drop of the items.

The ship's entire top deck is a massive flat runway for planes to land on carrying tourists and permanent residents that come and go.

Passengers would travel up and down the incredible mile-long vessel on an onboard tramway system.

And there would be a fleet of ferries cruising back and forth from the ship to take people back to land.

The ship's decks are layered with glass and open air promenades providing the incredible views over the ocean.

Freedom Ship would one of the largest man-made structures ever built and would dwarf all other ships at sea.

She is also five times larger than the world's biggest warship USS Gerald R. Ford, and six times larger than the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth.

And she is almost seven times bigger than the infamous ocean liner Titanic.

But while lots of these incredible concepts often take few stops off the drawing board - there have been multiple attempts to build Freedom Ship even if it isn't sailing today.

Most of these attempts ended in little progress being made as a ship that big and with such exciting ideas on board doesn't sit well with the unforgiving sea waters.

Keeping the 100 ,000 passengers safe would've been hard enough with the endless dangerous wildlife you'd come across but the dodgy weather and horror conditions on certain days and in certain areas was a recipe for disaster.

The ludicrous idea was first proposed in the 1990s - and has since been moved between different firms and investors.

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The original design was in the hands of American based Freedom Cruise Line International.

Dreamed up by Florida engineer Norman Nixon - who died in 2012 - the cruise ship was rumoured to be starting back up work in Indonesia and Singapore but nothing else has been heard since 2020.

Blue Explorer

OCEAN EXPLORATION, TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE MAGAZINE

Freedom Ship, a super platform floating city

Envision the idealize place for living and running a business. Envision friendly society where you are feeling safe and secured. Envision open space and appealing entertainments. And, at last, imagine all this moving all around the world continually. All this lies in the conception of the Freedom Ship, a project not only for building the greatest vessel in the world, but for creating a unique mobile community. The Freedom ship will provide cosmopolitan, worldwide, residential, full-spectrum, resort city which will travel the world once every 3 years. There will be opportunities for daily living, traveling and even owning a business.

The initial proposal for this amazing project came in the late 90s by Norman Nixon, engineer from Arkansas and Freedom Ship International company founder. When a search of natural and manmade islands failed to turn up a suitable alternate location to East Caicos, one of Freedom city’s original backers suggested building an island that could visit different countries each month. Strange as this suggestion seemed, it was something Nixon had actually done before. During the 1980s, he was part of a team of engineers who built a $1 billion modular ethylene plant in Japan and then towed it as more than 100 modules to Saudi Arabia, where it was reassembled. Encouraged by Nixon’s hands-on experience in seagoing modular construction -and the fact that he has licenses to practice structural, electrical, sanitary, and civil engineering- his early supporters elected to follow his dream to sea. “And so,” he says, “the Freedom Ship project was born.”

The design team responsible for launching this project points out that this is not a just a city on a boat, but a “super platform.” Freedom Ship has been visualized as a self-contained vessel with ultra-luxurious amenities. The 20+ story superstructure will be nearly a mile long (4,320ft), 725ft wide and 340ft tall and be will equipped with all of the features that any modern city might have, including a $200 million hospital with a first rate medical facility practicing Western and Eastern medicine, 10,000 hotel units, a world class casino, a ferryboat transportation system (provides departures every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, to 3 or more local cities giving ship residents access to the local neighborhood and up to 30,000 land-based residents a chance to spend a day on the ship), a school system offering K-12 and college education that gives the students a chance to take a field trip into a different country each week for academic purposes or to compete with local schools in numerous sporting events, an International Trade Center that gives on-board companies and shops the opportunity to show and sell their products in a different country each week, a 3,800-foot (1,158-m) landing strip which will serve private planes and some small commercial aircraft that carry no more than 40 passengers, hangars for private aircraft, a marina for residents’ yachts, one of the world’s largest shopping malls, a golf driving range, bicycle paths and 200 open acres for recreation of outdoor park, recreation, exercise and community space for the enjoyment of residents and visitors. Just like a big city, Freedom Ship will have a security force onboard that will patrol the ship at all times and the ship’s entire crew will receive security training as well. An electronic security system will be installed to offer further protection to residents. In addition to all these benefits, Freedom Ship will also be environmentally friendly, according to its developers. There will be no sewage treatment plant and no sewage to spill. The ship will use incinerator toilets, which cost about $3,000 apiece, to burn all sewage. The ashes will be put in the flower beds. Waste oil will be burned in an exhaust steam plant to generate electricity, instead of being dumped in the ocean. All used glass, paper and metal will be recycled and sold. Freedom Ship International estimates that each resident will produce 80 percent less waste on the ship than at his or her current home on land.

It will take a tremendous amount of engine power to push the gigantic ship through the water. The vessel will be equipped with 100 diesel engines that can generate 3,700 horsepower each. Developers project the cost of each engine to be about $1 million. That may give an idea of how expensive the project is, although the total cost of Freedom Ship has not officially been released but for a vessel that promises to offer so many feasibilities, it is estimated that the construction cost of the Freedom Ship could total to over US$ 11 billion. The ship’s high construction cost will be passed on to residents. People who want to live on board can purchase their homes for prices which range from $150,000 for a small unit to $40m for something larger. There will be 20,000 residential units and in total and developers are being encouraged to pre-purchase space and sell it on in the same way as their real estate counterparts do on dry land. 

Freedom Ship will be home to more than 60,000 people, including residents and all of the personnel that will be required to maintain the ship. The floating city will continuously circle the world and will travel to most of Earth’s coastal regions, offering residents the ability to see the entire globe without leaving their home. All the ship’s employees will be given food, housing, uniforms, medical and dental care, and a continuing education program. Application forms for workers on either the construction or staff of the ship when it is finally launched have been placed on the internet and talks are under way with the Nova Southwestern University to ensure that an established academic institution will be responsible for running the degree courses on the ship.

Roger Gooch, the CEO of Freedom Cruise Line International from his Florida office stated that they already have reservations for 15% (of the units). He said that the hope was that the vessel would have a “global environment”, with a large mixture of different nationalities and ages. It was not meant to be seen as a retirement cruise ship but one where people could run their businesses and educate their children. As a sales incentive, the company’s material points out that there will be no local taxes to pay including income tax, real estate tax, sales tax, business tax and import duties. However, residents will have to abide by federal tax laws in their home country. Gooch is also pleased to announce that Freedom Ship’s Board of Directors has determined that primary construction operations will commence in Indonesia and Singapore. Design processes are currently underway and live real time construction operations are planned to be provided to the global audience via on site 24/7 webcams. In addition, Freedom Cruise Line is currently open to dialogue with all interested parties or entities relative to either stock equity investments and or joint venture relationships as well.

Average rating: 5 / 5. Evaluations: 3

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Freedom Cruise Line International

Dba freedom ship-city at sea, contact information for freedom cruise line international, inc. dba freedom ship-city at sea.

INVESTORS Phone : 727-642-9170

Corporate Mailing Address 377 Maitland Ave. -Suite 1002 Altamonte Springs, Fl. 32701 Phone: 407-339-2022 Fax: 407-442-0469 E-mail: [email protected]

Engineering and Ship Design:

[email protected]

Employment related questions regarding Freedom Ship please send to:

Human Resources E-mail: [email protected]

Media related questions regarding Freedom Ship please send to:

Media Relations Phone: 727-776-6409 Fax: 407-442-0469 Media E-mail: [email protected]

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Wow-Worthy ADVENTURE

Freedom of the seas.

The Amplified Freedom of the Seas® is as wow-worthy as the destinations it sails to.

Top-rated coasts. Bow-to-stern boasts. The best of both worlds combine for an all-in-one adventure on the Amplified Freedom of the Seas®. Wherever you choose to wander, you’ll find plenty of unparalleled thrills onboard in between adventures ashore. Like adrenaline-pumping slides and rides right on deck. A new pool scene designed to level up your time in the sun. And fresh, authentic flavors that will satisfy any craving.

Wonder Wanderers Wanted

Unleash your inner explorer.

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VACATION MODE: ON

In between exploring Southern Caribbean shores, Freedom of the Seas delivers all new amped up thrills — like the twisting turning waterslide duo, The Perfect Storm℠. Delicious deckside dining that takes you from Mexico to Japan. And bars that keep the party going — and the cocktails flowing — long after the sun sets.

GO FOR THE BOLD

Take on three stories of thrills on the added waterslide duo, The Perfect Storm℠. Face off in the latest glow-in-the-dark laser tag battle. And catch a wave on the fan-favorite FlowRider®*. Plus, adventurers of all ages will have a blast in completely reimagined spaces for kids at Adventure Ocean® and hangouts exclusively for teens.

EXPLORE ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

AN ALL-OUT FLAVOR FEST

There’s something to please every palate onboard the Amplified Freedom of the Seas. Feast on Italian classics at Giovanni’s℠ Italian Kitchen. Grab crazy good authentic Mexican tacos and burritos from El Loco Fresh®. And indulge in hand-rolled sushi and tableside teppanyaki at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi. You’ll find a detailed list of the best places to eat for free on a cruise , along with information on when breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the Windjammer and the main dining room.

EXPLORE ONBOARD DINING

GET DOWN AFTER DARK

Cap off a day’s worth of discoveries with a friendly faceoff at Playmakers℠ Sports Bar & Arcade. Or sip on your favorite vacation-mode libations at The Lime and Coconut® — two stories of turned up Caribbean cool, plus a rooftop sun deck that turns into a moonlit lounge spot once the sun goes down.

EXPLORE BARS & NIGHTLIFE

FROM THE SUNSHINE STATE TO AN ISLAND STATE OF MIND

Sailing from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Freedom of the Seas is your key to the ultimate getaway. Spend a few days making new, sun-soaked memories. Each one goes long on thrills with stops at top-rated destinations — including   The Bahamas   and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

SAIL FROM THE SUNSHINE STATE

Explore bustling Ocean Drive and dig into delicious Latin cuisine on Calle Ocho in Miami or drop by the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Port Canaveral , before heading to the powder-white beaches of The Bahamas and our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. For short getaways filled with plenty of sunshine and good vibes, it doesn’t get better than this.

EXPLORE CRUISES FROM FLORIDA

BRING ON THE THRILLS & THE CHILL

There are so many reasons why guests consistently rate our private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, one of the best Caribbean destinations. You’ll find it all here — the tallest water slide in the Caribbean, the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean , the Bahamas’ first overwater cabanas — the list goes on and on. And with some itineraries offering two visits, you’ll have double the time to max out every moment.

EXPLORE PERFECT DAY AT COCOCAY CRUISES

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• Cruise Ships
• Carnival Freedom

Carnival Freedom ®

• Dining & Activities
• Past Guest Photos
• Sails From:

Carnival Freedom has a message for you, and its "feel free to have fun!" Explore the ship and you'll find food options galore, starting with two dining rooms, but definitely extending outdoors — there's mouth-watering Guy Fieri burgers at Guy's Burger Joint ™ , plus the greatest tacos and burritos this side of the pier at BlueIguana Cantina ™ . For delicious, but quick and easy, selections from the sea, get your chopsticks around all the good stuff at Bonsai Sushi Express ™ . For every great food spot, there's a great place to enjoy drinks, too, from the toe-tapping Scott's Piano Bar to the always-hoppin' 70's Nightclub. For the thirsty, libation hotspots include Alchemy Bar ® and the place we all gather to raise very important toasts: Heroes Tribute ™ Bar & Lounge. Everybody's favorite outdoor seaside bar is here... whether yours is the RedFrog Rum Bar ® or BlueIguana Tequila Bar ™ . (Or hey, make it both!) The rum bar's older brother, RedFrog Pub ® , features drinks, live music and traditional pub games. Topping off adult-time is Serenity — adult-only, of course — the retreat where total relaxation is not only encouraged, but pretty much required. If you're a kid, Carnival Freedom means you're in for a treat. Not only will you find new friends at one of three youth spaces — like Camp Ocean ® — but you can splash around with them in one of our many pools, speed down a waterslide at Carnival WaterWorks ™ , or once you dry off, challenge them to a round of mini-golf. Oh, and adults — don't get jealous; your inner kid gets to do all this stuff too! Up on stage is Playlist Productions ™ , featuring songs you know... and dance moves you'll soon be using. And for the cherry on top... it's actually called Cherry On Top ™ . It's the spot for something special, whether that something's a little something sweet — or simply a little something to sweeten a special occasion.

• 110,000 Gross Tonnage
• 2980 Guest Capacity
• 952 Length In Feet
• 1150 Onboard Crew

INSIDE THIS SHIP

Just like a delicious cake, your ship is made of layers. Find out which fun ingredients — staterooms, dining, activities — go into each deck.

YOUR STATEROOM

Interior with picture window (walkway view).

Every room includes:

• Dedicated stateroom attendant
• Soft, cozy linens
• Plenty of closet and drawer space
• In-room safe for valuables
• Stateroom climate control

Interior Upper/Lower (Porthole)

Interior upper/lower, scenic ocean view.

Your Scenic Ocean View stateroom aboard Carnival Freedom provides the best view of the sea that lies ahead of the ship, with views unlike any on land. And you'll get more of them, too, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing plenty of looking-glass for gazing at the natural wonders of the sea... and let's not forget sunrise and sunset.

Ocean View (Obstructed View)

Premium vista balcony.

Premium Vista Balcony staterooms were designed to wrap around the aft corners of Carnival Freedom, giving you a unique vantage point from which to enjoy luxuriously panoramic views of the sky and the sea — and yes, take in even more of that sunshine.

Premium Balcony

Step into a Premium Balcony stateroom aboard Carnival Freedom and it’s easy to see exactly what you're getting: one seriously spacious stateroom. It's about more than just the room itself, you'll find... step onto your oversized balcony and you'll find that when there's a sea breeze in your hair, there's no limit to the relaxation you can have.

Aft-View Extended Balcony

Aft-View Extended Balcony staterooms feature a larger balcony for more lounge-around room, more kick-back space... not to even mention some of the best stern-side views you'll find anywhere. Get ready to relax as you gaze upon Carnival Freedom's gentle wake from your spacious balcony.

Balcony staterooms were designed for maximum sea breeze and the most stunning views, so look to a balcony if you're looking to cruise aboard Carnival Freedom. Any time you're in your room, you're just steps away from your own personal outdoor oasis, featuring the sort of sea view you can also feel.

Captain's Suite

This is the best room you can get… without bunking up with the guy himself. A Captain’s Suite aboard Carnival Freedom features tons of indoor space, and a huge balcony when you need a little more. Back inside you’ll find a king-size bed, two full bathrooms (one with whirlpool tub), plus a separate living room that sleeps another three. And VIP check-in? Naturally.

Amenities exclusive to suites:

• Priority check-in and boarding
• Priority Main Dining Room time assignment
• Priority debarkation at homeport, and ports of call requiring a water shuttle or with arrival times later than 9:30 Am
• Two large bottles of water
• Pillow-top mattress

Plus, every room includes:

Grand Suite

A Grand Suite aboard Carnival Freedom features even more space than the standard suite — plenty of room in your room! This stateroom is loaded for an unparalleled experience: VIP check-in, a huge balcony, and even a convenient dressing area with vanity.

Ocean Suite

A Carnival Freedom suite is the ultimate way to cruise. With more space for stretching out indoors, plus a large balcony for kicking back outdoors, try an Ocean Suite to experience private, luxurious relaxation. Ocean Suites also include VIP check-in, walk-in closet and full bathroom.

ONBOARD ACTIVITIES

Onboard dining, where to for you.

This ship is always visiting great vacation spots. Where will your next vacation take you?

* Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional per person.

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• Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Freedom

Cruise line Carnival Cruise Line

• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)

Carnival Freedom current position

Carnival Freedom current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 21.42744 N / -71.14684 W) cruising en route to TCGDT>USPCV. The AIS position was reported 2 hours ago.

Current itinerary of Carnival Freedom

Carnival Freedom current cruise is 5 days, round-trip Eastern Caribbean . Prices start from USD 809 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 22 Jun, 2024 and ends on 27 Jun, 2024 .

Specifications of Carnival Freedom

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Carnival Freedom Itineraries

Carnival freedom review, review of carnival freedom.

The 2007-built Carnival Freedom cruise ship is the 5th/last of Carnival's Conquest-class liners, with sisterships Conquest , Glory , Valor , Liberty .

The vessel (IMO number 9333149) is currently Panama- flagged (MMSI 371154000) and registered in Colon .

History - construction and ownership

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) is a US shipping company, trademarked brand and subsidiary of Carnival Corporation (shipowner). CCL was founded in 1972 as an independent company by Ted Arison (1924-1999, co-founder of NCL Norwegian ).

CCL has the Corporation's largest fleet as number of vessels and GT-tonnage (ship sizes/volumes and passenger capacities). In 2023, CCL had ~9% (by revenue) and ~19% (passengers) share of the cruise industry's worldwide market. In 2024, the parent company (Carnival Corporation) had ~51% stake in the US$64+ billion industry.

The 3000-passenger ship Carnival Freedom was refurbished in 2014 for USD 70 million. Vessel's main architecture is a standard sandwich with most public rooms on Decks three through five; most fitness, spa and casual dining rooms on Deck 9 and above; and most cruisers cabins in among or below the public room decks. This main design has been a pattern for CCL newbuild construction since the introduction of Carnival Destiny in 1996.

There have been made few changes and enhancements in attributes and conveniences since the class was pushed in 2002, most especially, the addition of Seaside Theater (huge outdoor screen above swimming pool on Lido Deck). However, the Carnival ship Freedom suffers from the same cruisers-flow bugaboos as do the other vessels in this class. It is impossible to get from the Posh Dining Room (aft end of the liner) to the Victoriana Lounge (basic showroom) all the way forward without having to climb or descend 1 or 2 decks. And even then, one has to pass either go through the other dining room or the cigar bar.

Decks and Cabins

Carnival Freedom staterooms (1492 total, in 27 grades) include 52 Suites, 504 Balcony, 330 Oceanview and 587 Inside cabins, including 29 wheelchair-accessible (in all cabin categories). The ship has no "family cabins" but instead offers connecting rooms in various categories. Most cabins are sized 170-185 ft2 (16-17 m2). Cabin balconies are sized 35-75 ft2 (3-7 m2). The ship has 3 types of suites - Captain's, Grand, Ocean. The largest are Captain's Suites (500 ft2 / 46 m2 plus 150 ft2 / 14 m2 terrace).

The boat has 13 passenger decks , of which 8 are with cabins. Over 50% of all staterooms are outside, 60% of those are with balconies.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Two formal restaurants onboard Carnival Freedom serve open seating breakfast and lunch. Dinner is served in an open seating option or two assigned seatings. The casual Lido buffet offers a number of food stations with a variety of choices, including a salad bar, deli, dessert station, daily regional cuisines. The ship also boasts an upscale supper club which assesses a cover charge and requires reservations. You'll also find outdoor poolside grills, specialty coffee bar, complimentary sushi bar, pizzeria and 24-hour room service that provides a limited selection of items.

Onboard dining has remained mainly free of charge onboard Carnival Freedom. Apart from the main dining room and the buffet, there are burritos and burgers with enough toppings to experience something different every day of your voyage. Even the buffet themed counters seem like tiny, specialized eateries.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Freedom restaurants and food bars.

• Chic Restaurant (744-seat forward Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and “Your Time Dining”; offers “Seuss At Sea” themed breakfast for $5)
• The Posh Restaurant (1122-seat aft Dining Room, with two fixed dinner seatings and open seating for Breakfast and Lunch)
• Freedom Lido Buffet Restaurant (1396-seat, self-service buffet restaurant with various food stations; operates as a bistro in the evenings)
• Sun King Steakhouse (108-seat, reservations only specialty restaurant for steaks and seafood, with dance floor and live music)
• Carnival Deli (complimentary) offers hot/cold sandwiches, side dishes, paninis, and has a draft beer dispenser (for ThirstyFrog Red and Bud Light).
• (refurb 2019) Bonsai Sushi Express (Deck 9 starboard) is a new outdoor food bar offering a variety of rolls, sushi, sashimi.
• Meiji Sushi (sushi bar, complimentary)
• Bluelguana Cantina (complimentary fast food Mexican bar - burritos, tacos)
• Guy’s Burger Joint (complimentary fast food bar by Guy Fieri).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

In 2012 Conquest-class ships first received the newly branded Carnival bars and comedy club. Deck parties are a staple highlighted by new musical performances and poolside bars. Carnival Freedom boasts 22 bars and lounges, giant disco, as well as a piano bar, sports bar, wood-paneled lounge with leather chairs and smoking section. The three-level theater is the special venue for Vegas-style productions accompanied by live orchestras.

Freedom is the first Carnival ship with Camp Ocean, which replaced Camp Carnival as children's program. Carnival Freedom is also the first ship to feature Bookville, a play space and reading room that anchors Seuss at Sea onboard experience. She's also the first ship to boast 4 full PlayList Productions shows at 30 minutes each, rotating throughout the cruise. A number of other Carnival branded experiences enhance onboard life. EA Sports Bar offers action on every wall with video games, sports games, and sports memorabilia. "Hasbro, the Game Show" plays the board games everyone knows out on the stage together with members of the audience. Apart from the "commercial breaks" showcasing Hasbro advertisements, the action is infectious.

Follows the complete list of Carnival Freedom lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Victoriana Theatre (1400-seat, 3-level show lounge for grand shows and musical productions; also used for daily trivia game shows, movies, bingo sessions).
• Freedom Atrium The Millennium Lobby (9-deck high open floor area with Millennium Lobby Bar for live performances)
• Chic Card Room; Art Room Gallery; The Dynasty Conference Room
• The Fun Shops (offer “Bon Voyage” items, duty-free liquor, jewelry, fashion boutiques, souvenirs, logo items), Carnival Adventures Shop (refurb 2019)
• Cherry on Top (candy shop)
• Club O2 (teens' club lounge for video games, movies, karaoke, and themed parties)
• Players’ Bar (55-seat sports bar); Nouveau Bar (30-seat wine bar); Alchemy Bar; Scott’s Bar (100-seat piano bar); Swingtime Bar (88-seat jazz bar); Habana Bar (147-seat cigar bar with live music and a faux fireplace)
• Babylon Casino (484-seat, served by Centuries Bar); Centuries Promenade Bar (23-seat)
• Viennese Cafe (specialty coffee bar)
• Video Games Arcade
• 70’s Disco and Nightclub (211-seat)
• International Lounge (425-seat, with dance floor; hosts Punchliner Comedy Club)
• Blue Iguana Tequila Bar (Mexican beer, tequila, margaritas)
• RedFrog Rum Bar (Caribbean rums selection, ThirstyFrog Red draught beer, burgers, and fries)
• Spa Carnival complex (with steam rooms, saunas, massage room, Spa Pool, Beauty Salon, and Gymnasium)
• Sports Deck (multi-sports court, Tennis Tables, Shuffleboard)
• 9-hole Mini-Golf Course, Jogging Track
• Circle C (kids' club lounge, complimentary)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour Internet computers room)
• Timeless Pool area (with 2 Timeless Bars, 2 Grille Bars, and 2 Whirlpools).
• Endless Pool area (with SkyDome glass roof; two Whirlpools are served by Endless Bar, Grille and Pizzeria)
• (refurb 2019) WaterWorks aqua park (Deck 10) features a 62-m / 203-ft long AquaTunnel (waterslide), Carnival’s signature 65-m / 212-ft long Twister slide, a 75-gallon / 285-liter PowerDrencher (tipping bucket) and the kids-only SplashZone.
• Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge
• Dreams Studio (photo sessions studio)
• Carnival Seaside Theatre (poolside LED screen / outdoor cinema)
• Serenity (adult-only sundeck with Serenity Bar, two Whirlpools, padded lounges)
• Camp Ocean (kids' club lounge hosting complementary programs with supervised activities, an outdoor playground). Camp Carnival's wading/paddling pool for kids is no longer available.

During drydock refurbishment in 2023 (October) were added the Heroes Tribute Bar (deck 5/replacing the Skybox Sports Bar) and the Dreams Studio (deck 3, in the Lobby), while the Babylon Casino was expanded.

CCL's Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge (forward-portside/adjacent to the Casino) is the first-at-sea venue dedicated to active and retired US military personnel. The bar lounge features a distinctive decor with the logos of the USA's 5 armed forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), military memorabilia throughout, walls lined with photos and messages themed "America’s Heroes", "Welcome Home" and "Thank You for Your Service". Specialty cocktails are served in custom-made pint glasses. A portion of each beverage sale benefits Operation Homefront (nonprofit organization). The special glasses can also be purchased as souvenirs.

Itineraries

Carnival Freedom itinerary program is based on departures from Galveston TX with 7-day roundtrip cruises to Eastern and Western Caribbean. Feature port destinations include Nassau , Key West , Cozumel , Belize , Roatan .

Starting April 27, 2021, Carnival Freedom had planned cruises in Alaska leaving on roundtrips from homeport Seattle WA . The 7-day "Glacier Route" itinerary visits Skagway , Juneau , Ketchikan , Victoria (BC Canada) , Tracy Arm Fjord (scenic cruising). The ship also had an 8-day itinerary to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point/Hoonah , Victoria BC, Tracy Arm Fjord. Freedom's Seattle departures were on Tuesdays.

In 2021, in Alaska Carnival Freedom had to join Carnival Miracle (10-11-day roundtrips from San Francisco ). After Alaska, Freedom was to be relocated from Seattle to homeport Fort Lauderdale Florida with a 17-day Panama Canal itinerary (September 22, 2021) for 6- and 8-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean roundtrips. However, due to the Coronavirus crisis and Canada's extended (through 2022) ban on cruise ships, CCL's entire Alaska 2021 program was canceled and CCL's Freedom ship restartded operations on October 9, 2021, out of Miami .

In 2023, to Carnival Freedom's schedule were added two Transatlantic crossings (RepositionCruises.com) between Florida USA and Europe. The special voyages were due to the drydock (in Cadiz Spain ) scheduled for 2023 October (4-23). The first/eastbound Transatlantic voyage (Sept 21-Oct 4) is a 13-night itinerary from Port Canaveral to Barcelona . The second/westbound Transatlantic voyage (Oct 23-Nov 6) is a 14-night reverse itinerary from Barcelona to Port Canaveral.

Carnival Freedom - user reviews and comments

Photos of carnival freedom.

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Other Carnival Cruise Line cruise ships

• Carnival Breeze
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Conquest
• Carnival Dream
• Carnival Elation
• Carnival Firenze
• Carnival Glory
• Carnival Horizon
• Carnival Jubilee
• Carnival Legend
• Carnival Liberty
• Carnival Luminosa
• Carnival Magic
• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Miracle
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Paradise
• Carnival Pride
• Carnival Radiance
• Carnival Spirit
• Carnival Splendor
• Carnival Sunrise
• Carnival Sunshine
• Carnival Valor
• Carnival Venezia
• Carnival Vista

Carnival Freedom Wiki

Fun Ship 2.0 upgrade was done in 2014. Freedom is the first Carnival ship with a reservations-only/specialty restaurant (Sun King Steakhouse) and the adults-only "Serenity" (resort deck area). Freedom is also Carnival's last Conquest-class liner ( Fincantieri Monfalcone -built), with sisterships Conquest , Glory , Liberty , Valor . The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on March 5, 2007 (Mediterranean itinerary from Civitavecchia-Rome ).

Carnival Freedom refurbishments review

Carnival Freedom's drydock refurbishment in 2024 (March 26-April 4) was at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport (Bahamas) . The project was for routine maintenance, technical overhauls, classification works/safety inspections, and some steelworks (including on the funnel that was shorted).

Drydocking 2023 (October 6-21) was conducted at Navantia shipyard in Cadiz Spain . The drydocking project included the replacement of the funnel, superstructure and hull cleaning/repainting, exterior refurbishments (new decking installation, adding CCL's new red-white-blue hull livery), adding the Heroes Tribute Bar (deck 5), Dreams Studio (deck 3). The Casino was expanded, and all staterooms and public areas were renovated/upgraded. Curiously, the funnel was designed and manufactured by Navantia.

The ship's 2019 drydock refit and refurbishment (February 14 - March 8) was done at Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport) and resulted in the following deckplan changes:

WaterWorks Aqua Park (Deck 10) replaced the Stressless Pool area (with a waterslide). The new aquapark features a 62-m / 203-ft long AquaTunnel (waterslide), Carnival's signature 65-m / 212-ft long Twister slide, a 75-gallon / 285-liter PowerDrencher (tipping bucket) and the kids-only SplashZone.

Bonsai Sushi Express (Deck 9 starboard) is a new outdoor food bar offering a variety of rolls, sushi, sashimi.

The Deli (Deck 9 portside / outdoor food bar) now offers an expanded menu with sandwiches, traditional side dishes, paninis.

The 9-hole Mini-Golf Course was relocated from Deck 12 to Deck 11.

Retail shopping areas (Promenade Deck 5) were expanded and redesigned (as mall-style space) with outlets selling watches, perfumes, jewelry, Carnival-branded merchandise (including at the new Carnival Adventures Shop / next to the Internet Cafe / midship-starboard).

The ship was also drydocked in 2021 (January-February) for routine maintenance and classification works.

FREEDOM CRUISE LINE INTERNATIONAL, INC.

FREEDOM CRUISE LINE INTERNATIONAL, INC. was filed on 13 Feb 2018 as Profit Corporation type, registered at 377 MAITLAND AVE., STE. 1002 ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, FL 32701 . It's Document Number is P18000014876, and FEI/EIN No. is 82-4520912 . The state for this company is Florida.There are 6 directors of this company. The agent name of this company is: PFLUEGER, ROBERT H , and company's status is ACTIVE now. Freedom Cruise Line International, Inc. has been operating for 6 years 4 months, and 12 days.

Director details (6)

• FREEDOM & ABUNDANCE LLC
• FREEDOM & FULFILLMENT ENTERPRISES INC
• FREEDOM & GRACE LLC
• FREEDOM & PROGRESS CONSTRUCTIONS LLC
• FREEDOM & PROSPERITY AGENCY LLC
• FREEDOM (2017) LLC
• FREEDOM (PENTAGON) KITE'S LLC
• FREEDOM .45 PLAN LLC
• FREEDOM 007, LLC
• FREEDOM 1 COFFEE LLC
• FREEDOM ANIMAL ALLIANCE INC.
• FREEDOM AXS INC.
• FREEDOM CENTER OF BEACON, LLC
• FREEDOM CENTER OF TROY, LLC
• FREEDOM CINEMA LLC
• FREEDOM ASSOCIATES LIMITED
• Freedom Couture International Pty Limited
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• FREEDOM EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
• WINSLOW, KING, RICHARDS AND CO, INC.
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7 Epic Adventure Cruise Alternatives To Boring Traditional Cruises

• 2023 saw 31.7M cruise passengers globally, up 7% from 2019. Popular regions to cruise include the Caribbean, Mediterranean, South America, and Alaska.
• Cruise tourism rebounds faster than other travel forms due to convenience and value, offering all-inclusive benefits, but traditional cruises are quite common; instead, adventure cruises are increasing in popularity.
• Adventure cruising appeals to millennials; options like Margaritaville At Sea, Swan Hellenic, Lindblad Expeditions, Celebrity Cruises, Princess, NCL, and Royal Caribbean cruises provide unique onboard experiences and exciting shore excursions.

According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry trade association's 2024 State of the Cruise Industry Report, 2023 passenger volume reached 31.7 million passengers globally, up 7% from 2019. Cruise tourism is rebounding faster than other forms of travel and tourism due to convenience and value. Studies also show that the future of adventure cruising is enthusiastic millennials.

Convenience is one of the reasons why cruising is so popular. While cruising, you travel to new destinations daily versus staying at one hotel or resort the entire vacation. Cruise passengers unpack once, compared to those on land who have to pack and unpack when changing accommodations to explore a new destination.

Cruising provides an all-inclusive vacation that is arguably better value than staying in a land-based hotel or vacation rental. Food and drinks, accommodations, entertainment, fitness centers, and visits to different ports of call are typically all included, no matter the cruise location.

While the Caribbean continues to be the world's most visited region by cruise, the Mediterranean, South America, and Alaska have also seen the highest increase in passengers. While there are many excellent cruise lines for every type of traveler , adventure cruises, in particular, are on the rise, and it's no surprise why; here are several adventure cruised and there liners that provide travelers with truly adventurous opportunities from sunrise to way after sunset:

These 7 Missing Cruise Passenger Stories Still Make Us Shudder

Swan hellenic cruises, the ultimate expedition adventure cruise.

While there is no lack of incredible cruise destinations for every traveler type , the most remote and adventurous locations are becoming increasingly popular among cruise fans. In fact, CLIA noticed that the number of passengers sailing on expedition itineraries has increased by 71% from 2019 to 2023.

Those looking for the ultimate expedition adventure cruise can book a Swan Hellenic cruise to various destinations, including the different ports in Iceland, Arctic Island hopping, sailing from Long Arc to the Antarctic, and even the charms of Brazil's coastline. Other ports of call included on this cruise line include Norway to New Zealand, Australia to Africa, or to see the vibrant colors of the Mediterranean.

What makes Swan Hellenic unique is that they never repeat the same itineraries twice. Their three ships, SH Diana, SH Vega, and SH Minerva visit unusual destinations that the boring cruise ships never visit! This gives passengers the chance to explore places in the world that most travelers will never experience.

Cruising in Iceland with Swan Hellenic, guests hike with the Swan Hellenic Expedition team to Dynjandi Waterfall. Other active excursions include ATV tours through exquisite areas, kayaking to view wildlife and whale-watching adventures.

Swan Hellenic is also partnering with Deepak Chopra, offering Wellness transformative “Explore & Restore” voyages. These exclusive new “Explore & Restore” voyages will explore Brazil’s natural splendors and cultural hotspots this coming October and November. This program has been expertly designed to unveil each participant’s authentic self and ignite their path to purpose while traveling to the most captivating places on earth.

The Charms of the Brazilian Coastline departs from Salvador de Bahia on October 31 for a five-day round-trip voyage. Explore the wildlife wonderland of the Abrolhos Archipelago Marine Park and the mesmerizing car-free Morro de São Paulo. Another Chopra Well-Being Package includes Soul, Samba, and Sea: Journey to the Heart of Brazil leaving from Salvador on November 4, to follow the Brazilian coast over six nights down to Rio de Janeiro.

These cruises include activities for inner exploration both on board and ashore and include daily yoga and meditation sessions, breath work, group connection, and post-excursion reflection, as well as self-discovery workshops, self-care practices, and nourishing Ayurveda-inspired meals. Plus, there is at least one complimentary excursion at every port.

In polar regions, Swan Hellenic gives passengers expedition parkas to take home. They also offer rubber boots to use for wet zodiac landings.

Lindblad Expeditions

National geographic enhanced journeys.

There are 17 Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic scaled expedition ships, each unique and purposely chosen to explore specific areas of the world. Some of the most adventurous cruises are the eight to 10-day Antarctica explorations.

Fly the Drake Passage for the most time-efficient travel to and from Antarctica. The two-hour flight eliminates the "Drake Shake" Passage. Both the 148-passenger National Geographic Explorer and the 102-guest National Geographic Orion vessels are built for polar waters.

Explore the White Continent bypassing the traditional Drake Passage to meet a team of naturalists and experts onboard one of the expedition ships to venture into channels and coves around enormous icebergs. Get in a Zodiac boat or kayak to see whales, penguins, and other wildlife. The agenda can be as active as you want when you sign up for daily activities. A National Geographic photographer is even on board to offer tips to guests to capture that perfect photo to bring home or post on social media.

Lindblad Expedition ships also visit Baja California, the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, and the Mediterranean. Travel to Costa Rica with the expedition team through lush rainforests filled with colorful birds, slow sloths, and chattering monkeys. Zodiac boats slice through clear water with vibrant sea life and into jungle rivers for passengers to learn about biodiversity.

Visit Corcovado National Park and see one of the world's oldest and largest UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Guanacaste Conservation. Add a trip to visit the Panama Canal, one of history's greatest engineering marvels.

Board in Baja California to cruise near majestic mother gray whales and their babies. Step into a panga with the ship's naturalist for up-close encounters with marine life. Kayak in mangrove forests and wander on desert islands in search of pelicans and ospreys in Baja California's Magdalena Bay.

Attend the daily naturalist talks to learn about what you will experience each day on a Lindblad Expedition cruise.

Margaritaville At Sea

A new off-shore resort adventure.

The two Margaritaville At Sea ships offer colorful-beach-designed staterooms and suites inspired by the sea, sky, and sea. Passengers will appreciate the tropical flip-flop lifestyle onboard the Margaritaville At Sea Paradise and Margaritaville At Sea Islander. These two ships cruise from Palm Beach and Tampa Bay in Florida to Grand Bahama Island, Mexico, and Key West.

Think of it as a floating island vacation with endless activities and entertainment. The adventure begins with dancing to live music, splashing pool parties, and specialty dining restaurants centered around chef-crafted, Caribbean and Mexican-inspired cuisine. Take a mixology or wine-tasting class, or learn how they make their signature margarita at one of the uniquely themed outdoor bars and lounges.

Dining is an adventure at the six restaurants, bars, and eateries, including 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar and Grill. Build your own cheeseburger at the Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar, before visiting the action-packed Margaritaville Casino or quieter St. Somewhere Spa & Salon. Later in the day, soak in one of the hot tubs while enjoying the warm Caribbean or Mexican sunset.

Once in port, adventure excursions include zip-lining at Pirates Cove, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling with sea turtles, floating in crystal clear water with pigs, jet skiing, jeep tours, or learning about the stingrays near your feet.

Book a shore excursion for even more fun. The cruise line offers a list of preferred and vetted shore excursion partners that provide transportation for your worry-free day ashore.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Line

Multi-generational adventures at sea.

Cruises are a top choice for multi-generational travelers with one-third of families sailing with at least two generations. Families can island hop to beautiful beaches in the Caribbean or in the South Pacific onboard some of Royal Caribbean's 28 different ships, a company that's long been one of the best cruise lines in the world .

Another cruise trend is investing in private islands and beach clubs, and enhancing them. Royal Caribbean International's 'A Perfect Day in CocoCay' is an ideal island and beach club experience. Passengers disembark for waterslide thrills on land or reserve a private overwater cabana at the new Hideaway Beach. Join the fun at a DJ-dance party next to a lively swim-up bar.

Passengers on all Royal Caribbean International ships, including Celebrity Cruises, will get to explore 'A Perfect Day at CocoCay' when it's a stop on the cruise itinerary. Swim and snorkel in the warm clear blue water, dine barefoot on the sand, zip-line, or rise up in a hot-air-style balloon to take in the magnificent views.

Passengers have a variety of adventure cruise options when exploring the wild national parks in Alaska, and cruising to Northern Europe to learn about the ancient history and culture, as well as in the Mediterranean and Asia. They offer more than 300 awe-inspiring ports of call around the world to begin your adventure.

The newest ship in the fleet is the 20-deck tall, Icon of the Seas. It offers even more adventures for every age group. There is nothing boring about the Icon of the Seas 8 unique neighborhoods and oceanview cabins and suites. With more than 40 dining venues and bars, passengers can experience Asian delights at Izumi and fresh seafood at Hooked inside the AquaDome.

This ship also offers families 6 record-breaking waterparks at sea. Cool down in one of the seven swimming pools or relax in one of the many whirlpool spas. Those looking for an adrenaline-pumping activity will want to ride The FlowRider surf simulator funneling 30,000 gallons of rushing water to create the perfect swell. There is even a rock climbing wall and ice skating ring, plus live Broadway-style shows, a piano, and a karaoke bar.

In July 2024, the cruise line will be debuting a sister Icon ship, Utopia of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas sails year-round, starting on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. The Bahamas, and a mix of destinations like Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Basseterre, St. Kitts are also ports of call.

Try to be one of the first onboard to beat the crowd at Windjammer Caf for lunch.

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Celebrity cruises, a premium cruise line with a resort feel.

CLIA studies show that cruising continues to be strong among "Forever Cruisers" and "Potential New Cruisers". They have noticed that 12% of cruise travelers cruise twice a year, and 10% of cruise travelers take three to five cruises a year. Celebrity Cruises has many 'Forever Cruises', because of its land resort design, exceptional crew, service, and amenities. As part of the Royal Caribbean Group, many of the itineraries stop at "A Perfect Day at CocoCay."

Known for their innovative Edge Class ships - Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent, guests have the opportunity to enjoy a drink at sunset or an al fresco dinner on the bright orange 'magic carpet'. It's a cantilevered platform lounge on the outside of the ship.

Designer Nate Berkus created an international beach club vibe at the back of the Edge Class ships at the Sunset Bar, an ideal gathering spot before dinner. Celebrity Cruises is also the first American female Captain of a cruise ship - Captain Kate McCue. She leads an international crew and her passengers on the ultimate cruise adventure.

Those who reserve an oceanview suite in The Retreat will experience a smaller, more personalized, exclusive cruise experience on a larger ship. It's the best of both worlds. Dine at Luminae, The Retreat suites-only restaurant. Enjoy the area's exclusive pool and whirlpools with an attentive staff happily tending to your needs.

Ports of call destinations include Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Galápagos Islands, Hawaiian Islands, the Mexican Riviera, New England, and South America, plus Transatlantic cruises.

If you are on one of Captain Kate McCue's Celebrity Cruises voyages, be sure to attend one of her talks to learn about her hairless cat named 'Bug' who travels with her onboard the ship. Bug has almost one million followers on her own Instagram account, as does Captain Kate.

8 Best Budget Cruise Lines For 2024

Norwegian cruise line - ncl, freedom and flexibility cruising.

CLIA announced at the beginning of 2024 that the trend for solo traveling is on the rise, setting the cruise industry in a new direction by increasing the number of single cabins designed to suit the needs of solo cruisers. On that note, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is one of the best lines for solo cruisers with its extensive inventory of single cruise cabins.

NCL calls single cabins - studios just shy of 100 sq. ft. Each has a full-size bed and private bathroom, plus access to the Studio Lounge. It's a common area near the studio cabins with large-screen TVs, a coffee-making facility, and a comfortable spot for solo passengers to socialize with other travelers. It's also priced for one person, with no single supplement required. Some other cruise lines charge a single supplement that is up to 100 percent over standard per-person double-occupancy fares.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation on their preferred schedule. There are no assigned dining and entertainment times and no formal dress codes. Once onboard a ship, you unpack once and get to see multiple cities and countries without hauling a suitcase, taking trains, and making connecting flights. Cruising is a safer and less stressful travel experience to see the world, plus you have ocean and sunset views daily.

Some of the biggest thrills at sea are on the Norwegian Prima , racing on a thrilling three-story racetrack and maneuvering around the largest rope course at sea. The ThrillPlex is an adrenaline-pumping activity zone with larger-than-life adventures and exciting reality laser tag.

Norwegian has 19 innovative ships in its fleet and eight more on order. Their ships sail to 400 of the world's most adventurous destinations, including the 268-acre Great Stirrup Cay, their own private island in the Bahamas. The cruise line also stops at its own Harvest Caye in Belize for passengers to explore Southern Belize all day.

Cruise lines have onboard packages to upgrade your drinks to top-shelf beverages, specialty dining opportunities, and unlimited internet.

Princess Cruises

Connecting you to the entire world.

Princess Cruises will leave passengers spellbound cruising on the Sun Princess. This is one of the newest cruise ships in 2024 and indeed the youngest ship in the fleet, which offers one of the most unique entertainment experiences, Spellbound by Magic Castle. Enter three rooms to see one of the most 'how did he do that' magic shows.

The Sun Princess also offers the most balconies and sun decks of the 15 Princess cruise ships. Guests can soak up the warmth of the sunshine outdoors while admiring the crystal-clear waters of the Northwest, Mediterranean, and Caribbean from the comfort of their stateroom.

Studies show that cruise passengers are interested in immersive culinary adventures, and Princess Cruises hops on that trend; it offers plentiful cooking demonstrations and wine-tasting opportunities. Meanwhile, sports fans will enjoy playing basketball while cruising the Inner Passageway in Alaska, playing ping pong up on deck, or swinging a putter to get a hole-in-one on the miniature golf course.

Princess offers deals on last-minute cruises for those looking to sail soon to Alaska , Mexico, the South Pacific, and beyond.

Be sure to bring seasick remedies when cruising to stay comfortable throughout the cruise. Passengers on smaller vessels tend to feel the motion more than those on larger ships.

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Royal Caribbean’s newest ship is making its way to Florida

New train-inspired restaurant on board.

Veronica Crespo , Digital Journalist

Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship is finally complete and making its way from France to Florida.

According to a press release, the Utopia of the Seas has set sail from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, after more than two years of construction.

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The Oasis class ship will be headed to Port Canaveral, near Orlando, with more than 1,400 crew members.

Three- and four-night itineraries will take guests from Port Canaveral in Orlando to Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.

“Vacationers are looking to make every moment count by celebrating and recharging with their friends and family, and Utopia of the Seas makes all that possible in more ways than one,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

A new section of the island will be available for adults only, Hideaway Beach, in early 2024.

The ship will also feature a new restaurant concept, The Royal Railway , inspired by the turn-of-the-century rail journey with two 24-seat train cars. The interior has LED screens dressed by window frames and a team of actors will play their roles. The chef’s menu will match the destinations.

The experiences may vary from the family-friendly Old Wild West adventure, a romantic Silk Road journey through Asia, hot chocolate time at the North Pole, and wine tastings in Napa Valley.

According to Royal Caribbean, the new ship has a total of 18 decks, 2,834 staterooms, a capacity for 5,668 guests and weighs 236,860 GT.

The ship is expected to arrive on July 19.

To track the ship’s voyage to Florida on Vessel Finder,  click on this link .

For more details about the new ship,  click on this link .

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Veronica crespo.

Veronica Crespo writes for Local10.com and also oversees the Español section of the website. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism and Spanish.

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Cruise line launches booking for new ship coming from florida seaport, fun on cruise ships: royal caribbean presents a train-inspired restaurant.

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A cruise ship rescues 68 migrants and finds 5 bodies in a boat adrift in the Atlantic Ocean

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MADRID (AP) — A cruise ship rescued 68 migrants and found five bodies in a traditional fishing boat that was drifting off the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, Spain’s maritime rescue agency said Thursday.

It said an oil tanker traveling from northwestern Spain to Brazil spotted the drifting boat on Wednesday afternoon about 815 kilometers (506 miles) south of Tenerife, one of the seven islands in the Canaries archipelago.

Spanish authorities diverted the Insignia, a cruise ship, to rescue the migrants. The Insignia crew also recovered three of the five bodies on the fishing boat. The remains of two people were left at sea because of bad weather hampering their recovery.

The canoe-shaped boats, known as pirogues, are used by fishermen in Mauritania and Senegal.

It is unusual for cruise ships to make rescues of migrants on the Atlantic route, but the pirogue “was a long way out and they could be in danger,” said a maritime rescue’s spokesperson, speaking on condition of anonymity under departmental rules.

One of the passengers on the cruise ship, Steve Dilbeck from Huntington Beach, California, said they were not told about the dead.

“They did say the boat had been at sea for 20 days,” Dilbeck told The Associated Press in a text message. “We were diverted in the evening and took us two hours to reach them. They were brought on board and placed in the Insignia Lounge, which is where they have all their shows.”

“The area has been closed off to passengers. Told they had them remove their clothes and put on jumpsuits. Then they asked passengers if they had shoes and clothes they could donate, particularly for men. Their announcement said 62 were men, with the rest women and children,” he added.

The Marshall Islands-flagged Insignia had left Mindelo, a port city in Cape Verde, on Tuesday. Its operator, Miami-based Oceania Cruises, did not immediately comment on the rescue.

The Spanish rescue agency emailed a statement saying the Insignia is expected to arrive on Friday at the port of Santa Cruz, Tenerife.

The Canary Islands is a destination for boats packed with migrants departing from northwestern Africa on a perilous Atlantic route in search of a better life in Europe.

Spain’s Interior Ministry says a record 55,618 migrants arrived by boat — most of them in the Canary Islands — last year, almost double the number of the previous year. More than 23,000 have landed so far this year, the ministry said.

The Spanish nonprofit organization Caminando Fronteras (Walking Borders) says more than 5,000 migrants have died so far this year through May while trying to reach Spanish coasts, most of them on the Atlantic route. The figure for all 2023 was 6,600, more than double the number for 2022.

Associated Press writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration