Royal Caribbean International`s Freedom of the Seas makes waves on her maiden U.S. arrival

With her energetic FlowRider(R) surf park, cantilevered whirlpools and colorful H20 Zone silhouetted against the backdrop of The Statue of Liberty, Freedom of the Seas, the most anticipated cruise ship to take to the seas in years, made her spectacular U.S. premiere yesterday.



With all of her never-before-seen features, Freedom lives up to the standard Royal Caribbean created with years of envelope-pushing amenities. Not surprisingly, it takes a big leap and a large ship to follow the wake created by the launch of her sister ships — when measured from the waterline to the top of the funnel, Freedom of the Seas towers 208 feet tall, approximately the same height as two Statues of Liberty, placed head to toe.



A few highlights on this mega-ship include:

• The first FlowRider(R) surfing simulator at sea, found on the same deck as the multi-hued interactive sculpture garden found in the H20 Zone water park.



• The first cantilevered whirlpools at sea, suspended 112 feet above the ocean in the adults-only solarium, which also features a pool flanked by hammocks.



• Studio B the onboard skating rink open for skating lessons and free skating during the day while used to stage the original ice show Freedom-Ice.com by night.



• At 1,215 square feet, the Presidential Suite sleeps 14 people and features an 810-square foot outdoor living area with a Jacuzzi and private bar.



• The first boxing ring on a cruise ship in the Freedom Fitness Center, the largest-ever cruise ship gym.



• The Royal Promenade entertainment boulevard, longer than a football field and the hub for dining, shopping, bars and lounges and the midnight parade.



• Samsung Flat-paneled televisions and the debut of the line`s new bedding program in every stateroom.



• A Sports Deck offering guests the chance to test their skill at a 9-hole miniature golf course, a golf simulator, basketball, paddleball or volleyball.



• Also found on the Sports Deck, a bigger, enhanced version of the industry revolutionizing rock-climbing wall that first appeared on Voyager of the Seas in 1999.

Freedom of the Seas was making headlines even before she was delivered. In a nationwide search conducted with NBC`s TODAY show to find an extraordinary everyday Godmother, Katherine Louise Calder, foster mother to over 400 children, was crowned in February 2006 during TODAY`s Olympic broadcast coverage.



At 160,000 GRT and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. The first in Royal Caribbean`s new Freedom class, she sails seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Royal Caribbean`s private destination, Labadee, Haiti.



Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand currently with 20 ships in service and three more under construction. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its cruise tour division.