At 160,000 gross tons, Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship. Its sister ship, Freedom of the Seas, also weighing in at 160,000 gross tons, is also the world’s largest ship. These nearly identical Royal Caribbean vessels currently share the title. Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 is the second largest cruise ship in the world weighing in at 151,400 gross tons.
The $870 million Liberty of the Seas is around 1,112 feet in length, and can hold more than 3,634 passengers at maximum capacity. Even more impressive is that this massive vessel is chock full of over-the-top amenities that smaller (and most large) ships can only dream of.
Aside from the usual suspects such as swimming pools, numerous shopping opportunities, plenty of restaurants & eateries, and a wide variety of bars and lounges, this behemoth ship also has a whopping 15 passenger decks, and it houses a 43-foot rock climbing wall, an ice-skating rink, a wave pool for surfing, a full-size Everlast boxing ring, a 9-hole miniature golf course, a casino, and a full-size sports court.
Other Liberty of the Seas amenities include:
Adventure Ocean youth facilities
Cantilevered whirlpools
Extensive WiFi capabilities and connectivity for cell phones
FlowRider
Full-size, flat-screen TVs in every stateroom
H2O Zone Waterpark (with ground geysers)
Presidential Family Suite
Royal Promenade
ShipShape® Fitness Center and Day Spa
Sports Pool
Vitality Wellness Program
Wedding Chapel
Accommodations aboard Liberty of the Seas include: Oceanview staterooms, Interior staterooms, Deluxe with Oceanview, and Suites. Oceanview staterooms offer several sizes to choose from including: small, family (accommodates six), and large (two twin beds & private bathroom). Interior staterooms offer six options ranging from standard to family and Deluxe with Oceanview rooms run the gamut from Junior and Royal Family to Grand and Presidential suites. Royal Family suites feature 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, while Presidential suites feature four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private balcony, and a living room with sofa bed!
Depending on type and size of the stateroom, the time of year, and the destination, prices may range from $649 (special pricing), all the way up to $3,699 or more. The departure city for all Caribbean cruises is Miami, Florida.
Liberty of the Seas eastern and western Caribbean Cruises are typically seven-nights and may feature the following ports of call: Miami, Florida; Labadee, Haiti; Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to name a few.
Belonging to Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class of ships, Liberty of the Seas arrived at Royal Caribbean around April 19, 2007, and made its first port of call during a promotional sail to the UK on April 22, 2007. During a live broadcast on The Today Show, Liberty of the Seas was christened. She set sail on her maiden voyage May 19, 2007.
A third giant vessel — Independence of the Seas — is set to become a member of the Freedom of the Seas family in May 2008. Gross tonnage? You guessed it –160,000!
To plan a cruise vacation aboard Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas or any of Royal’s other 20 vessels, visit: www.royalcaribbean.com. You can also call 866-562-7625 from 8 a.m.-midnight (EST), seven days a week to speak to a Certified Royal Caribbean Vacation Planner.