You might think of taking a cruise as “getting away from them all,” however on this cruise you’ll be “taking them with you!”  Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas is scheduled to set sail in June 2006.  At 158,000 tons this goliath of a cruise ship can house up to 3600 guests.  Being the largest cruise ship in the world means having to live up to a whole lot of amenities and activities.  That’s exactly what you’ll find once you come aboard Freedom of the Seas. 

Should you desire to bring the entire family including grandparents, cousins, aunts or uncles, Freedom of the Seas has a suite which accommodate fourteen family members. The Presidential Suite is approximately 1215 interior square feet of lush living space.  When you’re not out on deck enjoying the natural beauty surrounding you – you’ll enjoy sitting in front of a forty-two inch plasma screen television.  Feeling at home?  That’s not all.  Try inviting newly met guests to come and share your balcony.  At over 800 square feet in dimension the whirlpool, wet bar, and lounging furnishings will spell out – P-A-R-T-Y!

While other cruise lines and their premium cruise ships sport a mid-deck shopping area, on Freedom of the Seas, you’ll travel along a 400 foot shopping mall of sorts containing shops, eateries, and entertainment.  This floating city provides for some of the best experiences.  Not a shopper?  Don’t worry, outdoors you’ll find a wall for rock climbing experiences and an ice rink for those who enjoy skating, and cantilevered whirlpools suspended over 100 feet above the surface of the sea.  Surf lovers will also enjoy catching a wave in the surfing simulator; another first for Royal Caribbean and Freedom of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas has one of the best programs to be experienced.  While mom and dad enjoy the spas or entertainment, the kids can enjoy the variety of programs which are age specific.  Ship crews are trained in assisting children of all ages.  From aqua babies to seventeen year olds, there is supervised fun.  Each day the programs begin around 10:00 am.   Babies starting at age 6 months have shared time with mom or dad as they learn to play with specially designed Fischer Price toys just for Freedom of the Seas.  Night time finds fun-filled hours from 10:30 pm to 2:00 am for those “tweens” and teens, while the parents enjoy themselves lost in moonlight on a Caribbean deck.

Once Freedom of the Seas sets sail, she will travel the Western Caribbean region making port calls to: Cozumel, Mexico;  Montego Bay, Jamaica;  Labadee, Hispaniola; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Miami, Florida.  While visiting these ports you’ll want to carry a generous supply of sunscreen, hat, walking shoes, sunglasses, and several bathing suits.

Cozumel, Mexico, first discovered by conquistadors looking for gold, is surrounded by a sheltered reef.  This makes Cozumel one of the best snorkeling areas in the Caribbean.  Cozumel is one of the prime duty free shopping areas in the Western Caribbean.  Pick up gemstones, diamonds, and name brand jewelry while on shore in Cozumel. 

Montego Bay, Jamaica, will be an experience for you if you’ve never been to a country outside of the United States or Mexico.  At Montego Bay, you’ll find an incredible shopping area with vendors showing their wares side-by-side in an outdoor shopping area.  The Jamaican people are zealous in showing their wares.  You’ll come away with some great sales.  While in Jamaica, take a short excursion in a glass bottom boat and watch the starfish and sea urchins glide by.  My favorite past-times were parasailing and snorkeling.  You might get lucky and see a sea

                                                                   turtle  swimming by.

While visiting Grand Cayman, shop, shop, shop and then enjoy snorkeling with the stingrays or just spending relaxing time among the beaches.  At Labadee, Hispaniola, you’ll find the beaches calling your name!  This is Royal Caribbean’s private island.  Here you can kayak, walk the beaches, snorkel, and enjoy the mountainous surroundings and vivid beauty of lush tropical foliage.

Now is the time to sign up for your seven night cruise to the Western region of the Caribbean.  Go ahead, take the family along.  There is room for all on this magnificent ship.  Happy Traveling!

(photos courtesy of Royal Caribbean)