Thread: Port to get Freedom of the Seas!

Canaveral to Homeport Freedom-class Ship

Royal Caribbean International’s vessels largest afloat

PORT CANAVERAL, FL— March 19, 2008 – An agreement between the Canaveral Port Authority and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is expected to be finalized in the next few months to homeport Freedom of the Seas at Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean today submitted a letter of intent to deploy the 160,000 gross-registered ton vessel to Canaveral in May 2009.

“The Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise vessel homeported here,” says Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne. “And the agreement represents the longest commitment of Royal Caribbean to Port Canaveral.”

“Bringing a Freedom-class ship to Port Canaveral will give vacationers another homeport choice to experience the most innovative cruise ship at sea,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “Based on the popularity of Mariner of the Seas at Port Canaveral, we look forward to and anticipate similar success for Freedom of the Seas.”

The 3,634 guest capacity, double-occupancy, Freedom-class ships revolutionized the cruise industry when Freedom of the Seas first was launched in 2006. With Liberty of the Seas, launched in 2007, and the soon-to-be launched Independence of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s Freedom-class ships feature exclusive onboard amenities, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, a boxing ring for Power-Box conditioning classes, an ice-skating rink, 10-route rock-climbing wall, a full-size basketball court, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of restaurants, bars, lounge and shops that runs nearly the length of the ship.

“We are delighted that Royal Caribbean continues to offer those traveling from Port Canaveral with the best the cruise line has to offer,” says Joe Matheny, Chairman of the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners.

This is what we have been waiting for---to know which ship RCI was going to put in PC after the others are gone!

I hope they put out the dates and Itinerary early for the fall of 09!!

Originally Posted by sue miller

I hope they put out the dates and Itinerary early for the fall of 09!!

Me too!

This is from today's local paper:

Commissioners unanimously approved the Disney deal and one involving Royal Caribbean International, which signed a letter of intent to bring its Freedom of the Seas to Port Canaveral in 2009.

The Royal Caribbean arrangement is important because the 3,634-passenger ship will replace the Mariner of the Seas, which leaves for Los Angeles that year.

The five-year deal, which includes two one-year contract extensions, is the longest term of any contract between the port and Royal Caribbean.

SOURCE: Disney to sail 2 new super-cruisers to port | floridatoday.com | FLORIDA TODAY

She'll be here soon, and will be doing alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. There are still cabins available for the May sailings.

Eastern: Coco Cay, St Thomas, St Maartin
Western: Labadee,Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel

Freedom of the Seas
Arrival at Port Canaveral:
May 4

There is also a special 6 day saililng on May 4: Labadee, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman

PC is getting a great ship Notice a lot of the ships are going 3 ports, 3 sea days, must be the fuel savings.

Sheila, I know you don't like the big ships, but heck, you should try it once.
It's right there for you

There will be quite a few big ships there soon. The Carnival Dream, Norwegian Sun in addition to the Disney ships and Monarch Of The Seas. The Carnival Glory will be based in Miami later this year.