While cruise ship casinos are a major draw for many passengers, the debate of allowing smoking in these venues has been a hot button topic.

While Royal Caribbean has not changed its policy at all, they have made an unexpected change on one of its cruise ships.

Freedom of the Seas went in for what was thought to be routine maintenance work at a dry dock in Spain, but returned with a brand new venue that could make a lot of would-be gamblers quite happy.

Confirming the news we were first to report, the Vintages wine bar on the Royal Promenade has been replaced by a non-smoking casino, providing a new alternative where non-smokers can gamble without any second-hand smoke issues.

Traditionally, cruise ship casinos are divided in half between smoking and non-smoking areas, but it's one large space where the smoke odor can easily travel between the two.

With Freedom of the Seas back in service, we've gotten our first look at this new venue.

The entrance to the casino is an open space, with tables inside and outside the venue.

Keeping tables nearby is likely an option for passengers to have when enjoying time on the Royal Promenade. Often these tables are used for a place to have a quick bite or drink, or sit and enjoy watching what's happening nearby.

When Vintages was still there, these tables were often used by guests that weren't ordering anything at Vintages.

The new casino is split into two sides, with a casino bar in the middle.

You'll find a variety of slot machines to play in this new non-smoking casino.  While the footprint is smaller than the main casino, there's a good variation of machines to play.

Having a bar in this non-smoking casino is a feature not found on the Oasis Class ships.

While the non-smoking venues on Oasis Class ships have waiter service to get drinks, being able to quickly get a drink at the bar is far more convenient.

Plus, adding a bar to this casino reduces the workload on the casino bar in the primary casino.

We also spotted numerous televisions throughout the casino, including at the bar.  

Since sport watching is so popular, there's now additional viewing opportunities when a game is on.

There's also a few table games in the casino, such as roulette.

The idea to replace a somewhat less popular venue with a casino was first introduced on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

The genesis of the concept began on Wonder of the Seas, which was originally destined for the Chinese cruise market.  In Asia, there's a need for more gambling venues so the original plan was to have a casino in lieu of Jazz on 4.

When plans changed and Wonder was re-routed to North America, Royal Caribbean decided to keep the idea.

Soon thereafter, all the Jazz on 4 venues were replaced by non-smoking casinos as a way to offer more passengers an opportunity to gamble.

This appears to be the same idea with Freedom, but this is the first time a non-Oasis Class ship received such a change.

There's been no official statement by Royal Caribbean or any official as to why they decided to make the change, but it's likely it has much to do with maximizing onboard revenue as it does addressing a need passengers have been asking for.

While Vintages was the only wine bar on the ship, the supply of wine should be unaffected to any passenger that wants it, since the bulk of the wine was always stored behind-the-scenes.

Could more ships be getting a non-smoking casino?

With this change to Freedom of the Seas, the next question becomes will other ships receive a similar change.

Royal Caribbean hasn't released any sort of update to indicate if it would. They didn't make any announcement with the Oasis Class either, but then systematically went through and made the change on each ship.

It's entirely possible other Freedom or Voyager Class ships would see their Vintages replaced with a casino, as the venue is nearly identical to Freedom's. 

A few ships already had their Vintages replaced with something else.  

Mariner and Navigator of the Seas have the Bamboo Room instead of Vintages, which is a tiki bar.  Adventure of the Seas has Izumi Japanese Restaurant in its place.

It looks like Royal Caribbean is doing something different and adding a new casino to one of its cruise ships in an unusual place.

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas went in for its regularly scheduled maintenance work in January. The ship, built in 2006, arrived in at a shipyard in Cadiz, Spain for a three-week drydock.

Routine drydocks usually just consist of maintenance work, but it looks like a new idea is coming to Freedom.

Updated deck plans within the Royal Caribbean show the ship's wine bar, Vintages, is being replaced.

In place of Vintages is "Casino Royale Non-Smoking".

Royal Caribbean hasn't formally announced a change.

Vintages was the ship's wine bar, where you could find the widest selection of wines.  All restaurants and bars offer wine, but Vintages had the most types and was a bar best known for its comfortable furniture.

The location of the casino is just one deck above the main casino, with a staircase nearby for convenient trips between the two.

The new non-smoking casino won't be nearly as large as the main casino.  Vintages was a smaller location, and from the deck plans, it's clear that it's roughly the size of two shops.

Adding a non-smoking casino to Freedom of the Seas would follow a trend the line first began implementing on the Oasis Class ships.

In 2023, Royal Caribbean began converting the jazz club to a non-smoking casino.  Wonder of the Seas was the first ship to debut this feature, and the conversion process began on the other Oasis Class ships.

The 3,926-passenger ship is getting ready to resume cruises from Fort Lauderdale in February.

Addressing a problem that's plagued the casino for years

Adding a non-smoking casino has been a strategy to offer a gambling location for those that don't want to deal with second-hand smoke.

Royal Caribbean allows smoking in its casinos. Technically, the rule is for active players, but the casino has ended up being a glorified indoor smoking venue in practice. 

The debate over allowing smoking in the casino has been contentious over the years, with many cruise ship passengers voicing their opinions on the matter and it's left Royal Caribbean in the middle.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley spoke on the subject at an event in 2022, admitting, "smoking in the casinos is a bit of a conundrum."

"The dilemma is that there are many people who do want to smoke in the casino. I know that's not a popular response, but it's it's the truth."

"I'm not judging anyone or anything, but there's a large group of people who do want to smoke in the casino."

While there's a non-smoking side to the casino, the odor of the smoke still travels.

The cruise line has not gone as far as banning smoking in the casino outright, providing a non-smoking alternative venue seems to be their new strategy.

By offering a non-smoking casino on the Royal Promenade, it's likely the company wants to attract gamblers who don't want to be around smoking, back to the casino.

More casino space is good business

Offering more casino space means more opportunities to drive up revenue on a cruise ship.

Gambling in the casino is one of Royal Caribbean's top revenue generating businesses.  It's big business, and more popular than ever.

Royal Caribbean Group lumps casino revenues in with other extra cost items, such as drink packages, shore excursions, wifi, and anything else not included with your cruise fare.

In the second quarter, Royal Caribbean Group reported "onboard and other" revenue was $183,000,000 across all brands. That's $14 million more than the same quarter in 2023.

Anecdotally, many cruise fans have taken notice of the special offers made by the onboard casino in order to take advantage of discounted and complimentary sailings.

Freedom of the Seas returns to service this month

With Freedom finishing up its 3-week dry dock, the ship is ready to start cruising again on February 16.

The drydock work included general maintenance for the ship's propulsion, as well as replacement of carpets, and more.

The ship will begin sailing with a 7-night voyage that visits Nassau, St. Thomas and St. John’s, Antigua.

In May, Freedom of the Seas repositions to Miami,

One of the first choices you'll have to make when booking a cruise is the length of your sailing.

Royal Caribbean cruises range from three days to over three weeks, leaving many wondering what the ideal cruise length is.

I sailed on Freedom of the Seas two times, a year apart, but each sailing was for a different length.

My first cruise, in October of 2023, was a weekend sailing, lasting only three days.

My second, in October 2024, was a full seven-day sailing.

Although they were on the same ship just a year apart, the two sailings were entirely different experiences.

I was surprised by how much the length of your cruise can change the entire cruise vacation.

Read more: How different is a 3-night vs 4-night cruise?

From travel buddies to staterooms, here's how the length of my cruise affected my experiences on the same ship.

I get homesick on longer cruises, but they're much more memorable

When I first started taking week-long cruises, I would feel slightly claustrophobic by days five and six.

Despite the abundance of activities onboard, I tend to feel homesick during seven-day cruises.

However, comparing my weekend and weeklong cruises on Freedom of the Seas helped me see the appeal of a longer sailing.

My weekend cruise went by in a flash: three days onboard, including one stop on Perfect Day at CocoCay, is barely enough time to see everything.

Once the weekend cruise ended, the activities, entertainment, and food onboard felt like a blur. My weekend cruise on Freedom of the Seas was probably my least memorable sailing, simply because it went by so fast.

In contrast, my 7-day sailing on Freedom gave me time to stretch out and take my time to see all the sights onboard. I was able to attend multiple shows and activities, even seeing some things twice!

Plus, the sailing had visits to more ports, calling upon Perfect Day at CocoCay, St Thomas, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Weekend cruises offer plenty of entertainment, but the shorter duration means you must pack your schedule to experience it all. They're a less memorable sampling of a cruise ship.

My weekend cruise prepared me to try a longer one on Freedom of the Seas, but if I had to choose just one experience, I would pick the 7-day sailing.

My week cruise was solo, while I was able to find a travel buddy for the weekend

One disadvantage of taking a longer, 7-day cruise, is setting aside the time to go on a weeklong vacation. Taking time off from work or school for a weeklong cruise can be challenging, especially mid-year in October.

It was easy for me to take along a travel buddy on my weekend cruise—she didn't even have to request time off from work.

Read more: I cruised by myself on two different Royal Caribbean ships, but there were stark differences in the experiences

However, none of my friends were able to get time off to join me on my later 7-day sailing, so I had to take the longer cruise solo.

While there's nothing wrong with cruising alone, having a travel buddy can make a travel experience more rich and enjoyable.

Plus, if I'd wanted to cruise with multiple friends or my family, it would have been even more difficult to coordinate a weeklong sailing together.

I had time to form friendships on my 7-day cruise

While I didn't bring anyone along on my 7-day cruise, the longer sailing gave me time to form friendships with other cruisers onboard.

I noticed—and was a bit disappointed—that most cruisers on my weekend sailing kept to themselves.

Read more: I'm a new cruiser and tried a weekend cruise on one of the biggest cruise ships. It was filled with lots in a short amount of time

They seemed focused on enjoying their time onboard with their travel groups, rather than making conversation with other cruisers.

On my weeklong cruise, however, I had plenty of time to join Hyperlink events for young adults, spend nights chatting in the hot tubs, and go on multiple shore excursions.

I ended up meeting many more cruisers and crew members on my longer sailing, making the experience an enjoyable, social vacation.

Extra-cost packages are more expensive on a longer sailing

A shorter weekend cruise is often a great opportunity to splurge on extra-cost items. If you've been eyeing drink packages, shore excursions, or specialty dining, a short sailing offers a vacation with a looser budget.

Daily-priced packages like drink packages and WiFi are more affordable overall during shorter cruises since you’re onboard for fewer days.

And shore excursions are worth buying when you visit fewer ports.

On my 3-day sailing on Freedom of the Seas, I splurged and purchased a dinner at Chops Grille. Since the sailing was only three days, it was worth it for me to try a specialty restaurant while onboard.

I also spent more on extras like drinks and Internet.

For example, WiFi runs from $25-30 a day. On my weekend cruise, I paid just $75 for Internet, while WiFi for my 7-day sailing would have cost over $175.

I opted not to purchase Internet for the length of my week-long voyager. This saved me money in the long run but kept me more disconnected on the longer cruise.

Read more: Freedom of the Seas vs. Newer Ships: Does It Still Hold Up?

Since I needed to carefully budget on my weeklong sailing, I spent more time on the ship but had a less lavish experience.

I tried two different staterooms: a balcony and an oceanview

Similar to spending money on extra-cost packages, I was able to splurge on the stateroom category for my shorter sailing.

I booked a guarantee balcony cabin, receiving a spacious stateroom with a private balcony. The cabin featured a spacious couch, a king-sized bed, and a large balcony furnished with patio seating. It was a luxurious stay for the weekend; the perfect spot to relax or watch the ocean wave by.

In contrast, I booked a guarantee oceanview cabin on my longer cruise. The stateroom came with a smaller couch, and a King bed placed under the porthole window.

Read more: 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas

While I couldn't feel the sun and breeze like on a balcony cabin, I still enjoyed getting the same ocean views.

However, my oceanview cabin also came with a lot of loud noises, as it was placed low on Deck 2.

In the end, both cabins were enjoyable places to stay, with similar amenities and bathrooms. Choosing the right stateroom all depends on your preferences, budget, and the length of your sailing.

Last week, I sailed on Freedom of the Seas for a 7-day Perfect Day and Eastern Caribbean cruise.

Originally launched in 2006, Freedom of the Seas ushered in the Freedom Class. 

Although she was once one of the fleet’s largest ships, Freedom is now dwarfed by the Icon and Oasis Classes.

However, she still boasts plenty of amenities and activities, with 15 total decks and a capacity for 4,635 guests. 

In 2020, Freedom underwent a $116 million Royal Amplification, receiving upgrades to the pool deck, water slides, and new dining venues.

The ship itself holds 1,963 staterooms, and my home for the cruise was located on the 2nd deck. 

This was my second time sailing on Freedom of the Seas, so I decided to switch it up for this cruise.

On my first sailings, I’d booked a guarantee balcony stateroom. For this sailing, I selected a guarantee oceanview cabin.

Selecting the guarantee (GTY) cabin option gave me a cheaper price for both categories because it allowed Royal Caribbean to assign me a leftover room, instead of choosing my own location.

The total cost was $1678.14 (with gratuities) for a 7-day cruise, which comes out to just $239 per night. 

I knew I’d be traveling by myself, but to avoid the solo supplemental fees, I booked with two people in the room, then came alone!

The 7-night sailing departed from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida, and called upon Perfect Day at CocoCay, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas.

My room for the cruise was located on Deck 2, the lowest stateroom I’ve ever stayed in. I was eager to see if the cabin’s position would change my experience at all.

The front door opened on a clean, cheery stateroom, spanning 159 square feet. The porthole window on the back wall filled the room with natural sunlight.

The decorations and color scheme gave a thoughtful, elegant effect to the cabin. Green and gold patterns covered the walls and curtains while painting and furniture brought out blue accents.

To the left of the front door, I opened the closet. 

Inside sat six white-wire shelves. The shelves were wide and helpful for stacking clothes on, but I didn’t like the spaced-out metal—anything small would fall straight through to the floor.

One shelf held the stateroom safe, while the two bottom shelves were filled with bright orange life jackets. While I was grateful for the clear reminder of Royal Caribbean's commitment to safety, the life jackets took up more space than I would have liked.

However, the closet still had a wide expanse of space and hangers to hang clothes. It was at least two feet deep, and four feet wide, stretching taller than my head.

There was more than enough space for two people to hang their clothing and store shoes and luggage.

Next, I walked towards the cabin’s desk and vanity. The long counter had lots of space to leave documents or spread out makeup. The vanity portion had a ring light mirror, perfect for sitting down and getting ready. 

Read more: 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas

There was one comfortable, blue-patterned chair sitting at the desk. On either side of the vanity, I found three wide drawers. 

The desk portion held plenty of space for all the items I might need over a 7-day cruise. I could store makeup, jewelry, books, snacks, and more without a problem.

Just past the desk sat the mini-fridge—a large but lukewarm cooler—and, above it, the stateroom’s TV. While the TV didn’t have any ultra-modern amenities like Smart TV or AirPlay, it did show 20 free channels, along with a selection of movies at an extra cost.

Opposite the desk area sat the stateroom couch. This sofa was comfortable and useful, but it wasn’t long enough for everyone to sleep on, and it was not a sofa bed. 

While it was comfortable to sit on, I also found it a useful place to store clothes or bags.

Between the couch and the beds, a long curtain was pulled back. When opened, it could divide the entire room in half, allowing some travelers to sleep while their buddies turn on lights in the other area.

I left the bed as a large Royal King, and it quickly became one of the most comfortable areas I’ve ever slept in. The sheets were heavy yet cooling, and the four pillows were long and extremely soft.

The bed also sat right under the porthole window, which could be covered by two sets of curtains, or uncovered for gorgeous ocean views.

I loved being able to wake up and immediately pull back the curtains, bathing the room in bright sunlight and a view of the sea stretching out behind the ship.

Since my stateroom was also located so low on the ship, I felt very close to the water. It was a great reminder of why sea lovers enjoy cruising!

To either side of the bed sat a bedside table.

Each table had its own adjustable lamp with two light levels, and below that, a drawer and a larger shelf space for more storage. 

The table to the right of the bed held the stateroom’s phone, which could be used to call venues on the ship for free or make international calls at an extra charge.

The bathroom is where Freedom of the Seas starts to show her age in comparison to other ships.

Read more: All about Freedom Class cruise ships

The shower was a classic, thin cruise stateroom locker. 

Granted, the area had modern fixtures and great water pressure and temperature. 

But I found myself missing the wider showers, smooth sliding doors, and footstands of newer Royal Caribbean ships.

In any case, the sink was long, with shelving under the counter and shelves above it, which were built into the long mirror. 

The lighting was a warm golden tone, setting off the blues and greens of the stateroom decor.

A disadvantage of staying lower on the ship was the constant noise—I could hear the anchor banging, the waves crashing, and footsteps running ahead. 

It didn't seem to stop, no matter the time of day, but thankfully I am a sound sleeper.

The noise also was exacerbated by the fact that our sailing was experiencing high winds, so not every cruise would experience the same. 

Is it disappointing to go on Royal Caribbean’s older, Freedom Class ships, after trying their newer ships?

The cruise line’s smaller vessels, such as the Voyager and Explorer Class, are great for exploring unique ports and exclusive itineraries. 

Its mega-ships, like the Icon and Oasis Class, famously offer an overwhelming amount of onboard activities and amenities.

So where does that leave Royal Caribbean’s medium-sized vessels, like the Freedom Class?

Eighteen years ago, Freedom of the Seas debuted as the very first Freedom Class ship, and the largest cruise ship in the world.

In 2006, the 1,111-foot-long and 156,271 gross-ton vessel stunned guests with its water slides, 15 decks, and 1,963 staterooms.

However, nearly two decades later, Freedom of the Seas has long been dwarfed by six Oasis-class ships—each one larger than the next—and now a new Icon Class of even bigger mega-ships.

Freedom was Amplified in 2020, undergoing a $116 million upgrade that included a new pool deck, water slides, and dining venues. 

How does a cruise on Freedom of the Seas compare to Royal Caribbean’s newest ships?

Coming hot on the heels of my cruises on Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas, I was eager to compare this older vessel.

Freedom feels small and crowded in comparison to bigger ships

I almost felt disappointed when I first walked onboard Freedom. The golden, shiny elevators and the tiled Royal Promenade felt much smaller in comparison to the Oasis and Icon Class.

When compared to the wide open spaces of Icon of the Seas, for example—with a two-level Royal Promenade and huge Pearl staircase—Freedom of the Seas feels tiny.

The public spaces and seating areas looked dingy and crowded. When sailing on ships like Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, I appreciated how much seating and walking areas there were. 

On Freedom, however, I found myself stalled in huge throngs of people and wandering the pool deck trying to find a seat.

The public spaces felt tiny, especially the middle of the Royal Promenade, the elevator spaces, the Windjammer’s aisles, and the pool deck.

While it felt inconvenient, having to deal with more crowds onboard Freedom made me consider the communal nature of cruising.

There is something fun, after all, about squeezing into a packed elevator and exchanging quiet laughter with strangers. 

While the crowds were annoying, they also made the cruise feel more united. I saw the same faces over and over until we began to recognize each other

The cabin had fewer modern amenities

While I enjoyed my oceanview cabin on Freedom of the Seas, I noticed it missed some of the more modern amenities I’ve seen on newer Royal Caribbean ships.

Aspects like more ports around the room (instead of just at the desk) spoiled me by improving my experience on newer ships.

I felt the lack of the modern fixtures in the bathroom. Icon of the Seas, for example, has a large shower area, complete with smooth sliding doors and footstands in the shower.

Standing in Freedom’s astronaut-sized shower, by comparison, felt cramped and dull.

The bathroom was small, with dimming lights and slamming sliding doors. 

I also noticed less creative organizational designs, and less adjustable AC and announcement controls.

However, each aspect of the cabin was still clean and functional. It wasn’t that any part of it was lacking—the most inconvenience I felt was the lack of charging ports all over the stateroom.

My stateroom was still a comfortable, luxurious home at sea.

I needed the complimentary dining options on newer ships

The food onboard Freedom of the Seas was tasty and came with marvelous service, but I missed the complimentary dining options on newer Royal Caribbean ships.

I spent my time dining for free at the Windjammer buffet, the Main Dining Room, Sorrento’s Pizza, El Loco Fresh, and the Café Promenade, but found that I quickly tired of the breakfast options.

Read more: I spent a week on the world's largest cruise ship, the free food was the best of any Royal Caribbean ship

For breakfast, I could head to the Windjammer or the Café Promenade, or order room service—continental breakfast comes free.

But on a 7-day cruise, these options got old. The two venues served mostly the same dishes for breakfast: waffles, hashbrowns, oatmeal, pancakes, fruit, yogurt, and muffins. When I ordered room service, the food looked unappealing, and the fruit was moldy.

More than that, I longed for some new venues to switch up my breakfast scenery. I missed the AquaDome Market on Icon of the Seas, and the Park Cafe on Utopia of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean strove to add more complimentary dining on its newer ships, and I really missed that upgrade when I sailed on Freedom.

I didn’t miss the flashier shows and entertainment

Freedom may not have the flashy, unbelievable Aquashows and light performances of newer ships, but the onboard entertainment didn’t lack anything.

Freedom of the Seas has ice shows, live music and comedians, movies, nightclub events, and other production shows.

All of these performances still felt entertaining, even when compared to the marvelous technological wonders on newer ships.

Plus, the smaller nature of the cruise meant the entertainment came from the game shows, trivia nights, and other cruisers.

Instead of attending a flashy robotic performance, the biggest events of the evening would be a live piano player at the Schooner Bar or the finale of the karaoke competition.

This communal entertainment struck a balance amid more exciting shows, like the FreedomIce.com ice skating show and the Once Upon a Time performance.

The sports center was quite action-packed, with a rock climbing wall, basketball court, FlowRider surf simulator, two water slides, and an arcade. Plus, cruisers can experience laser tag and ice skating onboard, just like on the Oasis Class.

Freedom’s onboard activities create a great middle-ground for a more itinerary-intensive cruise. 

When the weather was rainy and windy, there were plenty of indoor cruise activities to enjoy. 

But on a port day, I didn’t feel the need to rush back to the ship to try everything onboard.

Bottom line: Freedom reminds me why I love to cruise

Even though I found myself missing some modern amenities, Freedom of the Seas reminded me of what I truly enjoy about cruising. 

I don’t cruise for the world records, the flashy technology, or the over-the-top activities. As a matter of fact, sailing on a ship with a less hyped-up reputation made for a calmer, more relaxed cruise. 

I cruise Royal Caribbean for its laid-back vacation atmosphere, cheerful service, unlimited food, and communal cruise entertainment.

Freedom of the Seas may not be the cruise line’s newest or biggest, but it was filled with genuine crew and fun-loving cruisers. 

The activities, service, and entertainment held up as quality, despite the ship’s age.

Cruise prices are on the rise, and that makes free cruise offers through the ship's casino much more enticing than ever before.

Royal Caribbean has its own loyalty program tied to gambling in its casinos. Similar to land casinos, the more you play, the better benefits you get.

I never paid much attention to the casino offers and its perks because I only casually gambled on my cruises and wasn't aware of how lucrative the program can be. The more I cruised, the more I became aware of what it offered, and I was intrigued.

Read more: How to get free cruises through the casino

Let's stop here and remind everyone gambling is very addictive and is not for everyone. Know your limits, and you could easily spend much more in gambling losses than what you could get on a cruise. There is definitely a bigger picture to consider.

You can earn free cruise offers based on how much you gamble during a sailing, and if things go moderately right, you could come home with a free cruiser offer.

How I got a room just by playing in the casino

On my spring break cruise in March, I had some good fortune in the casino and won enough money at the beginning of the cruise to budget my gambling for the remainder of the sailing.

Usually I'll play $100-200 on any given day in the casino, primarily in the evening after dinner and nightly entertainment on the ship. But on this cruise, my early win allowed me to play a bit more since I had a cushion.

In short, you can earn one point for every few dollars you wager (not wins or losses, just how much you play). 

At the casino host desk, there is a sheet that lists how many points during that sailing you need to reach certain reward thresholds. The lowest milestone is 1200 points, where you can get an inside stateroom for free and just pay taxes and port fees.

If you get more points, you can qualify for better cabins and/or more free play to go with it.

I got my 1200 points, and then booked an open cruise booking with NextCruise, which is a requirement to get your free room.  Once I got home, I called Casino Royale and booked my cruise based on the available sailings that qualify.

Read more: 4 common mistakes people make when booking another cruise onboard their ship

You can't use the free cabin offer on any cruise. There are a list of blacked out sailings, and it's no surprise they are over holidays.

I found an  offer on Freedom of the Seas in May, and went ahead and booked it. I opted for an inside guarantee cabin, because I would get an additional $25 in free play at the casino if I went with that instead of picking a room.

I then checked how much my room would have cost if I paid cash for it that same day, and it was $1499.29.

I paid $204.29 for my free room, which was just the port fees and taxes.  Meaning, I saved $1295 on the booking.

Of course, I'd have to refer back to how much I gambled on my cruise to get it, and in this case, I came out ahead because of my windfall that buoyed my play.  That's not always going to be case.

The counter-argument when someone says "you're paying for the room, it's just in gambling losses" is while true, some people are going to gamble anyway in the casino.  It's one thing to go out of your way to gamble, but some people play enough whether there's a free room offer or not.

By offering cruises to further entice play, someone could continue to cruise and save a lot of money on their cruise fare.

Of course, luck isn't always on your side. I've been on cruises where it seems like the you cannot win anything, and losses can mount quickly.  It's entirely possible to lose thousands of dollars and come home with just an inside cabin on a weekend cruise to show for it. It's important to keep this in mind when playing, and be realistic about your play.

The best last-minute deal on the market

In addition to winning a cruise based on your play, Royal Caribbean will periodically send offers select members to entice them to come sail again and play in the casino.

It's not uncommon to get online, email, or even printed letters with an offer of a free or reduced fare cruise. Often, these are for sailings coming up in the next few months.

With regular fares being so much more expensive, it's impressive how lucrative these casino offers can be even for just casual play.

An added bonus to relying on casino bookings is you can cruise more, which helps catapult you up the Crown and Anchor Society membership tier ladder faster.

In my situation, I found my Freedom of the Seas sailing to be a steal. I paid money to gamble that I probably would have done even if there was no free cruise offer, and I came away with a bonus sailing.

While you should expect gambling losses, I still think the Casino Royale offers are the best deal you can get on a cruise these days, especially on a close-in sailing.

It's certainly not an option for everyone, but those that have a stomach for casual gambling might find the best Royal Caribbean cruise deals coming through the casino.

Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class cruise ships are an excellent balance of fun things to do onboard and value. They're big enough to include lots of activities, but they don't come with the price tag of newer cruise ships.

Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas are two ships within this category of Royal Caribbean cruise ship that appeal to families looking to get a good value for their vacation dollar.

Read more: What I liked (and disliked) about my Liberty of the Seas cruise

I often get questions on how to choose between the two ships, and what you should know about the similarities and differences each has. They're quite similar, but there's just enough variations to make one a better choice over the other depending on your preferences.

It's important to note that Freedom of the Seas received a major upgrade in 2020, while Liberty of the Seas' scheduled upgrade in 2021 was postponed and has yet to happen.  This is going to be a recurring theme in comparing these two ships.

Liberty of the Seas received some updates in 2016, which gave her an edge versus Freedom until its 2020 refurbishment.

Here's a look at Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas so you can understand what stands out about each.

Ship size

Technically, Liberty of the Seas is one foot longer than Freedom of the Seas, but you really shouldn't factor that in at all.

Freedom Class cruise ships are 1,111 feet long and they were both the largest cruise ships in the world at the time of their debut.  They've since been eclipsed by larger ships, but they still offer that "big ship" experience many cruisers look for in any vessel.

Here's a look at Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas statistics:

Both cruise ships have just under 4,000 passengers, but Freedom of the Seas has a higher guest count because of her upgrades in 2020.

The ship layout is exactly the same, with a Royal Promenade in the middle of the ship, ice skating rink, surf simulator, and water slides. Both ships are 15 decks high.

Dining

The choices in dining venues diverge a bit between the two cruise ships, as you'll find certain restaurants on each ship.

Here's a breakdown of the complimentary dining venues on both Freedom and Liberty of the Seas.

The primary difference is that Freedom of the Seas has El Loco Fresh, which is a casual Mexican restaurant on the pool deck.

You'll find nachos, burritos, quesadillas, and chips along with a toppings bar at El Loco Fresh.

Freedom of the Seas has another advantage with its specialty dining offerings, as it has newer venues.

In my opinion, the specialty restaurant choices on Freedom of the Seas are superior because it has a greater variety of popular restaurants.

Both ships have an Italian restaurant, but Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is the updated version with a newer menu and more choices, including pizza.

Izumi hibachi is one of the most popular restaurants on any Royal Caribbean ship, as its teppanyaki tables often sells out every voyage.

Playmakers is super popular with cruisers because it offers a true sports bar experience, along with excellent bar food to go with it.

Bars

Because Freedom of the Seas got amplified in 2020, she has a few more bar choices.

At the pool, there's the Lime and Coconut. This is a vibrant multi-deck venue that has a wider selection of drinks and seating choices than you'll find at the pool bars on Liberty of the Seas.

Freedom of the Seas also has Playmakers Sports Bar, which is conveniently located on deck four between the atrium and casino. It replaced what is the photo gallery on Liberty of the Seas.

Playmakers is a fun spot to catch your favorite sporting event, with dozens of big screen televisions and lots of seating. It also has a great a la carte priced menu you can order from, so you have bar food for the game.

If you're on Liberty of the Seas and want to watch sporting events, they have the On Air club.  It doubles as a karaoke bar and de-facto sports bar because it has a few televisions that can show sporting events.  But it's not nearly as expansive as Playmakers, nor does it have food.

The rest of the bar choices is largely similar between the two ships.

Cabins and suites

You will find plenty of the core four cruise ship room categories on both Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, such as inside, oceanview, balcony, and suite cabins.

There are Promenade View cabins on both ships, which have a bay window that looks into the Royal Promenade rather than outside.  While there's no natural light with these rooms, it's great for people watching and offers a bit more space than a conventional interior room.

There are two very popular types of cabins that quickly sell out on most sailings.

A balcony located on the ship's "hump" can be found on either ship.  This refers to the rooms that are located on the outwards part of the ship deck plan, right around the middle.

The reason why these rooms are desirable is because their balcony space tends to be larger than other balcony cabins without a higher price.

Speaking of balconies, the other room type worth looking at is an aft balcony.

Located on the back of the ship, these balcony rooms face the ship's wake and their balcony space can be enormous.

Aft balcony rooms on the lower decks have the most balcony square footage, and it's like having a suite balcony.

Both ships also have family oceanview cabins at the front of the ship, which have bunk beds and an extra bathroom. They may not have a balcony, but they're great choices for families on a budget.

The suite offerings on Freedom and Liberty are more or less the same, but there is one important distinction.  

The cabins are similar, but the suite sun deck choices are different. Freedom of the Seas received the Lime & Coconut bar, which took up the space that used to be reserved for suite guests. Liberty of the Seas still has reserved chairs right in the middle of the pool deck for suite guests only.

The suite lounge has a newer look on Freedom of the Seas.

Entertainment

Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas have the same entertainment venues, but the show line-ups are different.

Liberty of the Seas has a full Broadway show onboard, while Freedom of the Seas does not.  Guests can enjoy Saturday Night Fever, which is shown in its entirety as you would see it in a theater on land.  The show is complimentary.

In the theater on Freedom of the Seas, you'll find musical acts and dance production shows, but nothing with as much plot and familiar music as what Liberty has.

Both ships have an ice skating rink, where you can see ice skating shows at no additional cost.

At the bars and lounges on both ships, there is live music each day. The pool deck has a live band as well as a DJ.  In the evening, the Schooner Bar has a piano player and the English pub has a guitarist.  There are other live musical acts at Boleros and other venues.

Pools & slides

Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas both have multiple pools and whirlpool hot tubs to enjoy, but the aesthetics of both differ along with the top-deck attractions.

Both ships have a common set of activities onboard:

• Main pool
• Solarium adults-only pool
• Splashaway Bay kids aqua park
• Rock climbing wall
• Flowrider surf simulator
• Mini-golf course

Freedom of the Seas' pool deck has a Caribbean vibe to it, while Liberty has the traditional Royal Caribbean pool deck look.

More importantly are the water slides. Both ships have a pair of Perfect Storm racer waterslides, but Liberty of the Seas has a big difference.

In addition to the duo of water slides, Liberty has "Tidal Wave", which is a boomerang style slide where two guests ride in a raft that goes up a near vertical wall to provide a moment of weightlessness before sliding back down.

Read more: The best cruise itineraries for every type of traveler

Bottom line

Is Freedom of the Seas or Liberty of the Seas better for you? It really depends on which features are the most important, as well as the itinerary.

The biggest difference between the ships are the dining choices and pool deck experiences. The newer restaurants on Freedom of the Seas represent some of the best concepts the line has come up with in recent years.  That isn't to say the specialty dining on Liberty of the Seas is sub-par by any means.

The itineraries offered might be the most compelling factor to select one over the other.

Freedom of the Seas sails from South Florida year-round and offers cruises to Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In summer 2024, Freedom will start offering longer Caribbean cruises.

Liberty of the Seas mixes up her itineraries, and moves between Florida cruises in the winter, and the Northeast United States in the summer.  Liberty visits Canada, New England, and Bermuda, along with longer sailings to the Bahamas.

The two sister ships are quite similar, and you really have to dig into the details to find a good reason to select one over the other.

I learned a few things from my first cruise, and decided to change a few things for my second cruise ever.

Having learned through both research and personal experience, I was now armed with important tips on how to have the best experience possible. 

And I was ready for more: I went ahead and planned a second cruise on Freedom of the Seas for a 3-night sailing traveling from Miami, Florida, to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

Read more: Freedom of the Seas cruise review

And this time, I had even more to look forward to: the fun I knew I would have and my newfound wisdom from my maiden voyage. 

In this post, I’ll share the most valuable lessons I took away from my first cruise and applied to my second cruise. 

From packing essentials to must-see shows, these are the top 7 things I changed this time around.

Read more: 11 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a cruise ship

1. Took a shorter cruise

The most fundamental difference about my second cruise was the difference in length.

My first cruise was a 7-night sailing, while my second one was only a weekend cruise spanning three nights.

I had found 7 nights a little too long for me: I felt claustrophobic by day 5 and realized that there was no way to escape the ocean. 

However, a 7-night cruise did allow for plenty of time to explore the ship and experience countless events and 4 shows.

Additionally, our Wonder of the Seas cruise had time for 3 full port days, allowing me to experience 3 new destinations. 

In contrast, my Freedom of the Seas cruise was only 3 nights. We stopped at just 2 ports, had fewer events to go on, and only attended 2 shows. 

Although it was a smaller ship, and there was less of it to explore, I wished I had more time to attend events and shows onboard. 

Where my first cruise had dragged a little long, my second one flew by in a flash. I think my sweet spot would be somewhere in between 3 and 7 days, such as a 5-night sailing. 

2. I went to the casino

On my first cruise, I felt a little nervous about trying out the casino. I walked through it a few times but stopped myself from actually participating.

But on my second, I went ahead, got some quarters, and tried out a few slot machines.

Not only was it an activity of its own, but the casino was also full of other cruisers. Once I started playing, I was able to make conversation with them.

With the fewer bonding events offered on this cruise, I was glad I took the chance to try a new activity and meet other cruisers.

3. I attended the Crazy Quest game show

I don’t know how I missed it on my first cruise, but I wasn’t going to miss the Quest game show again!

This adults-only scavenger hunt is famous (or perhaps infamous) among Royal Caribbean cruisers for its wild antics. 

My girlfriend and I attended together, and we had a blast.  The game show host split the entire room into teams, with team captains, and hilarity ensured. I was shocked at just how crazy the show got, but I’m glad I got to experience it this time around.

For those who haven’t been before, the Quest game show is a must-see. 

And if you’re introverted like me, don’t worry—you’re not required to participate. 

Everyone on stage is doing so out of their own free will. 

Read more: 50 things everyone should do on a Royal Caribbean cruise at least once

4. I ate at the Main Dining Room less

While I enjoyed the complimentary food offerings in the Main Dining Room, I didn’t always enjoy how formal it was.

On my second cruise, I chose not to eat in the Main Dining Room as frequently. Out of the 9 meals we had on the 3-day cruise, I only ate at the Main Dining Room once.

On that night, I recognized the menu from my previous cruise. The food, again, was quality, but it was nothing new to me.

And we did find that it was a very formal, multiple-course meal. My girlfriend commented that it was a little too formal for her, as well.

We preferred to go to the Windjammer for the majority of our meals for a quicker and more independent meal option. 

5. I didn’t bring my laptop

On my Wonder of the Seas cruise, I regretted bringing my laptop.

It took up unnecessary space. I only bought Wi-Fi for one device, and the TV in our cabin was a Smart TV, so I could stream shows directly from my phone.

I left it behind when I sailed on Freedom of the Seas. 

This time, the cabin’s TV was not a smart TV, so I didn’t have a larger scene to watch shows on.

We decided to go to movie nights hosted on the ship’s pool deck instead, enjoying a drink in the hot tub at sunset.

Given that it was a shorter cruise and I had less downtime, I didn’t miss access to personalized TV on a large screen. And ultimately, I was grateful for the extra packing space I had by leaving behind my laptop.

6. I packed a wider variety of clothes

On my first cruise, I made the mistake of packing cute dresses and swimsuits. 

I prepared with the mindset of a beach vacation, thinking I would only need simple dresses or beach outfits.

But once I got there, I was surprised at how many other activities I had access to. 

I should have prepared for activities like laser tag, ice skating, and biking. I also didn’t realize that the air conditioning can get cold on a cruise ship; sometimes, simple dresses didn't have enough coverage.

For my second cruise, I came more prepared with sneakers, pants, shorts, and warmer hoodies. I packed the perfect amount, having finally learned my lesson. 

7. I tried more activities on Perfect Day at CocoCay

My first encounter with Perfect Day at CocoCay was just alright. 

On my first cruise, I learned that weather can make a big impact on your experience on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

On the day Wonder of the Seas stopped at Royal Caribbean’s private island, the weather was cloudy and threatening to rain. 

Although my sister and I woke up early enough to get some sun, we mostly spent our time lounging by the water on Harbor Beach and South Beach.

We grabbed a few complimentary snacks and then walked over to Oasis Lagoon, a pool and floating bar with a live DJ. It looked like a blast, but the pool was too crowded for us to even find a space.

We decided to head back to the ship before 2:00 P.M and eat our lunch at the Windjammer buffet. Shortly after we returned, the rain started.

On my second cruise, however, I came prepared with more information about the complimentary and specialty experiences available on Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

I learned that, in addition to the snack bars, full lunches are also complimentary, offered at Splashaway Bay, Captain Jill's Galleon, Skipper's Grill, Chill Grill, and the Snack Shack.

I also saw that fun shore excursions were offered on the island, like snorkeling, swimming with pigs, and a glass-bottom boat tour. 

On our Freedom of the Seas cruise, I decided to go ahead and take full advantage of the experience. I purchased a snorkeling excursion for our day at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and it turned out to be a blast.

When my girlfriend and I arrived, we were given our snorkeling gear and pointed to the beach at Chill Island. 

We didn’t swim all the way out to the airplane wreck, but we were able to see a shipwreck, friendly tropical fish, two stingrays, and one harmless moon jelly! 

After that, we ate a complimentary lunch at Skipper’s Grill. 

It was still early enough in the day that we grabbed a spot at the floating bar directly in front of the DJ. There, we drank and danced into the afternoon.

Just last week, I traveled on a 3-night cruise on Freedom of the Seas, sailing from Miami to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

Originally launched in 2006, Freedom of the Seas is a Freedom Class ship and one of Royal Caribbean’s largest ships. She boasts 15 decks and a capacity for 4,635 guests. 

In 2020, Freedom did undergo a $116 million Royal Amplification, receiving upgrades to the pool deck, water slides, and new dining venues.

The ship itself holds 1,963 staterooms, and my home for the cruise was located on the 8th deck. 

My girlfriend and I stayed in a 214-square-foot deluxe balcony room for the length of the cruise.

We opted for a guarantee stateroom, selecting a lower price in exchange for an assigned room, rather than choosing one ourselves. 

The total price of the fare was $2,021.68, breaking down to $336.95 per night per person.

When the time came for our cabin to be assigned, we were lucky enough to get a deluxe balcony room with a gorgeous view.

Our stateroom was midship on deck 8, the perfect location to avoid seasickness. 

This location also gave us enough proximity to the Windjammer and pool on deck 11 and the Royal Promenade on deck 5 that we barely had to use the elevators. We only had to take a few flights of stairs to reach our destination. 

When we first opened the cabin door, we were greeted with a spacious room with a long gray couch and a queen-sized bed.

The room’s space is most visible in its length, stretching from the cabin’s front door to the back door leading to the balcony.

The floor between the couch and the deck/vanity was also wide enough that we could leave our luggage right there. 

We chose to leave the suitcases open on the floor instead of unpacking fully and still had enough space to walk about them.

From the cabin and its amenities, I could tell that Freedom of the Seas was an older ship. The features seemed run-down: lights flickered before fully turning on, and I found rips in the towels and stains on the sheets.

To the right of the stateroom door was the small bathroom. Where the stateroom had surprised me by its size, the bathroom felt pinched. 

The curved room was barely large enough for two people to use at the same time—we had to take turns brushing our teeth!

And the shower was even smaller, with only enough space for one person to stand in. However, I was satisfied with the water pressure and hot temperatures.

The sink and counter, although small, did have enough shelf space for our 3-night cruise. Two cups under the mirror served to hold our toothbrushes and toothpaste. 

The mirror was wide, and the counter was thin but long enough that we could spread our items out. However, I think we would have struggled to fit all our toiletries if we had been on a longer trip.

To the left of the stateroom door, we found a large closet with several shelves, a safe, and hangers for our larger clothes. The closet had enough floor space to store several pairs of shoes.

Directly behind that closet faced a floor-length mirror and the desk and vanity space opposite that.

The desk was long enough to hold makeup, jewelry, and multiple bags during our cruise. We also found shelves behind the vanity mirror.

Beside the mirror, we found a small TV. This TV wasn’t a smart TV, so we weren’t able to Chromecast or stream from our phones like I have on previous cruises. However, it had a few free channels available for viewing. 

The mini-fridge (or cooler, rather) was located underneath the TV. Although it was not a fridge cooling system, it kept food and drinks cold enough to store for a couple days.

Facing the desk was the long couch, large enough that I could have laid down to nap on it. However, the bed was so comfortable that we never felt the need to.

The highlight of this room was its large, comfortable bed. Although I found a few stains on the sheets, it was soft and restful for our stay.

Two large paintings above the bed brightened the room, adding to an already relaxing atmosphere with the cabin’s natural light.

On either side of the bed were two nightstands with lamps above them. 

They had helpful drawers and shelving but no charging ports other than one USB port on the phone. We had to plug in most of our devices by the desk. 

After unpacking, we met our stateroom attendant, Alex, who came and cleaned the room once a day. He usually left behind towels folded into cute animals, as well.

Lastly, at the very end of the room was our balcony door. Although heavy and hard to push open and close, the door led to a beautiful view.

The balcony held a small, round table and two deck chairs that could be adjusted to recline. 

The view itself was unbeatable: ocean water during the day and clear, starry skies at night. I also loved that we could wake up on port days and see the island right outside our window.

We also found that the cabin was peaceful and quiet: even when we sat on the balcony, we barely heard noises from other cabins. 

I’m someone who loves sunlight and natural views, so having the balcony attachment made the room so much more enjoyable. After experiencing my first balcony room, I don’t know if I could go back! 

The room felt large and luxurious. I loved this stateroom, from the size of the cabin, the beautiful balcony, and its convenient location in the middle of deck 8. 

I found that I didn’t experience any seasickness in the middle of the ship, and we enjoyed time spent relaxing in our room and on the balcony. 

Although we chose not to order room service, my girlfriend and I often brought back food from the Windjammer or leftovers from other restaurants and enjoyed our time eating in the stateroom.

With a gross registered tonnage of 156,271 and maximum passenger capacity of 4,515, Freedom of the Seas is not a small ship by any means. In fact, when launched in 2006, she was the largest cruise ship in the world and the first to feature the FlowRider surf simulator!

Today, she is surpassed by Oasis and (in 2024) Icon Class ships. While you will not find all the bells and whistles on Freedom that you do onboard newer ships, there is still a lot to appreciate about this beloved vessel. 

Here are 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas.

Related: What it's like to cruise on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas in 2023

Utilize the Cruise Planner ahead of time to take advantage of pre-cruise discounts 

Once you have placed your deposit, you will gain access to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site. This is your go-to place to see everything that is available onboard Freedom of the Seas. 

Here, you will have the option to book shore excursions, drink packages, specialty restaurants, internet packages and more.

You can also decide whether you want to book any for-a-fee activities, such as a FlowRider surf lesson, sushi making class, or All Access Ship Tour. 

By purchasing items and packages in advance, you can take advantage of Royal Caribbean's pre-cruise sales. While the actual discount varies, it is not uncommon to see drink packages marked down anywhere from 20% to 40%. 

If you want until you get on the ship, you will be stuck paying the onboard pricing for everything! 

She underwent a $116 million dollar renovation in 2019, meaning there is more to see and do onboard than before

Freedom of the Seas underwent an extreme bow to stern makeover in 2019. New features, such as the Perfect Storm water slide duo, updated Caribbean resort-style pool deck with The Lime & Coconut Bar, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, and dedicated spaces for kids and teens, were added. 

Other restaurant additions include the complimentary poolside El Loco Fresh, as well as specialty Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. 

Younger children will love the Splashaway Bay aqua park, while teens will appreciate Social033, a teens-only hangout with private outdoor deck. 

Many public areas got a fresh too, including the adults-only Solarium and Boleros.

You will not find any Broadway-style shows on Freedom of the Seas

While Royal Caribbean is known for their entertainment, not all cruise ships have the advertised Broadway-style musicals or water shows with high drivers, aerialists, and dancers. 

From the ice skating show called FreedomIce.com to two Royal Caribbean original productions, headlining acts, and numerous game shows, there's no lack of entertainment options onboard Freedom of the Seas.

The first original production is called Marquee and showcases a collection of Broadway songs with sets that try to replicate the specific show. The second, Once Upon a Time, highlights different fairytales including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, and Little Red Riding Hood. 

Adults can (and should) relax in the cantilevered hot tubs

Freedom of the Seas was the first cruise ship to add cantilevered hot tubs onboard. Now, you can find them on other Freedom Class ships, as well as Oasis Class ships, too. 

In the Solarium, you will find two hot tubs that jet out over the side of the ship. One is located on the port side, while the other is across the ship on the starboard side. 

They are enclosed with glass panels, making it so that you are able to look out at the surroundings while relaxing in the whirlpool. 

Plan on bringing a portable charger or cruise line approved power strip

Like most older cruise ships, Freedom of the Seas' staterooms are not equipped with endless outlets. You will only find two American plugs in standard staterooms located near the desk, meaning that there are no charging options if you want to use your device in bed. 

There is a third European outlet if you have a converter handy. Even so, you may want to be able to charge multiple devices at once, whether that be phones, tablets, or smart watches.

If you have more than two people staying in one room, you will definitely want to ensure that you have a way for everyone to be able to at least charge their phones at the same time. 

Related: I paid $1500 for an inside cabin on the Freedom of the Seas: take a look inside my tiny windowless room

There is a sun deck at the aft of the ship behind the FlowRider that offers great wake views 

I did not venture up to the FlowRider until the final afternoon of my 4-day cruise. To my surprise, I found there to be an empty sun deck at the back of the ship right behind the surf simulator! Sure, the noise from the sports deck was noticeable, but it was not much different than that found at the pool deck. 

If you are unable to find chairs near the pool or simply want to soak in better ocean views with fewer people around while still sitting in the sun, head to the aft of Deck 13. There, you will find a staircase leading down to this area! 

Take time to familiarize yourself with the deck plans ahead of time, especially for shorter sailings

On a similar note, you should always explore the ship as early as possible. You never know what hidden areas you will come across. 

Prior to boarding the ship, take some time to look over the deck plan. Do you know where your cabin is located in proximity to the Windjammer? What about the Royal Promenade and Adventure Ocean? 

When check-in opens, you might want to consider booking an earlier arrival time, as this will give you more time on embarkation day to wander around the ship before the sail away festivities begin. 

Related: 15 ways to speed up the embarkation process and board your cruise ship faster

Through July 2024, you do not have much variety in itineraries

From now until July 2024, Freedom of the Seas is mostly making 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

In December, there is a single 5-night sailing to Mexico in CocoCay, while Royal Caribbean is also offering one 4-night cruise to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in April 2024. 

Starting next summer, she will begin making 6- to 8-night cruises to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. You will be able to visit anywhere from Castries, St. Lucia and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis to Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica. 

If you are sailing soon, you should expect to find a brand-new port area in Nassau 

In May 2023, Nassau opened the first phase of their upgrade cruise port. This cost $300 million and meant not only the addition of new berths to accommodate more ships, but a new port area that no longer immediately exits into the hustle and bustle of Nassau. 

Instead, you can enjoy a leisurely walk through the plaza and browse the local stores, wait in line for a cab to Atlantis, Cable Beach, and Baha Mar at the decided taxi stand, or grab something to drink. There is even a gelato shop!

Related: Nassau, Bahamas opened the first phase of its cruise port revamp. Here's what's new and different

Onboard, you will find five complimentary dining options, ranging from the three-story Main Dining Room to El Loco Fresh for poolside tacos

Food is a major component of any cruise vacation. Some guests like to get their base fare worth and only dine at complimentary venues, while others prefer to splurge on specialty dining. Regardless of your preference, there are plenty of dining options to choose from.

In addition to room service, which is complimentary if you order continental breakfast during certain hours, you have the Main Dining Room, Sorrento's, Windjammer, Café Promenade, and El Loco Fresh.

None of these venues cost you anything extra, and you can eat as much from them as you'd like! 

Specialty restaurants include Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Chef's Table, and Johnny Rockets.