RCI Freedom-Class Ships Up Ante With Oasis Faves

Updated 5/24/10

With the successful launch of the Oasis of the Seas still rippling, Royal Caribbean International is bringing some of the Oasis’ most popular amenities and experiences to its Freedom-class ships – Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas.

Debuting in early 2011, the two ships will see new dining, entertainment and children’s program options, as well as several other enhancements.

“We have received such overwhelmingly positive guest responses to amenities, entertainment and programs that we debuted on Oasis of the Seas that we are introducing some of them aboard Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president of Hotel Operations, for RCI. “No matter which Royal Caribbean ship vacationers choose, they are going to love all the enhancements that we are planning.”

But one travel agent Travel Market Report spoke with said it is too early for Oasis experiences on other ships to lure clients away from the Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas.

“At the moment there’s an awful lot of the audience out there that ‘simply has to go on Oasis and Allure.’ I think there will come a time when the initial excitement has subsided a bit, when having more features on the Liberty class will be an advantage, but I’m not sure we’re there yet,” said Else Danies, ECC, owner/manager of DC-based Vacations at Sea.

Entertainment

Following the debut of the Tony Award-winning musical Hairspray on the Oasis of the Seas, and the recent announcement of Chicago: The Musical to run on Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has said it will also introduce a Broadway production of Liberty of the Seas, though no specific show has yet been mentioned. Also, a family musical geared for children, similar to the one playing in the Adventure Ocean Theater aboard the Oasis, will also open in the main theaters of both the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas.

Though the Aquatheater remains exclusive to the Oasis of the Seas, oversized outdoor video screens will make their debut aboard the two Freedom-class ships in 2011. The 18.5-foot video screen aboard each ship will be center of and overlooking the main family pool area and will be used to show movies and entertainment programs.

Navigating the many activities onboard the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will soon be much easier, with the installation of the wayfinding system currently used on the Oasis. Onboard activities, real time updates, customized directions and routing, as well as ship factoids will be at guests’ fingertips via the plasma and LCD touch screen signs that will be placed throughout the ship.

Child Care

Hugely popular aboard Oasis, according to RCI, Royal Babies and Tots Nursery will be added on the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. The nursery care program for babies and tots six through 36 months old gives parents a safe and fun vacation environment for their smallest kids. The line’s trained care givers offer various playgroups and activities developed exclusively for Royal Caribbean with Fisher Price and Crayola.

Dining

Any guest with a sweet tooth will be happy to hear that Oasis’ popular Cupcake Cupboard will soon be available on the two Freedom-class ships. The specialty bakery boutique features a wide array of fresh gourmet cupcakes a la carte. The bakery also offers hands-on decorating classes, as well as a separate space for guests looking to celebrate special events.

For guests more interested in wine than sweets, the Vintages lounge aboard the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas will soon offer a wider range of wines, as well as a new, trendier décor and the self-pour Enomatic serving system.

Exclusive Excursions Debut on Oasis

In other Royal Caribbean International news, guests aboard the Oasis of the Seas can now enjoy a choice of three shore excursion options in Cozumel, exclusive to the Oasis. One of the options is part of a new series of “voluntourism” opportunities the line is giving its passengers.

One of the new excursions gives families the chance to snorkel near nurse sharks (under the eyes of trainers) and learn more about sharks at Xcaret Eco Park. Another shore excursion gives foodies and wine aficionados a special Mexican food and wine pairing experience. Participants can sample more than 180 Mexican wines on display at Xcaret’s newly constructed wine celler.

As part of a new series of “voluntourism” activities, “Voluntourism: The Mexican Red Cross Landscaping Project” gives guests the chance to contribute to the local Cozumel community, via a partnership with the Mexican chapter of the Red Cross. As part of a beautification project, guests will be outfitted with materials and tools for this four-hour excursion that allows them to assist with the planting of trees and shrubs at the local chapter’s new facility.

For more information, travel sellers should visit www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.