Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Freedom of the Seas

Aker Shipyards of Finland delivered the Freedom of the Seas, the world´s largest cruise ship, to Royal Caribbean International April 24 at a ceremony in Hamburg, Germany. The 160,00-ton ship was delivered after a weekend of successful sea trials in the North Sea.

The 3,600-passenger ship sailed immediately to Oslo, Norway, on April 26, then headed to Southampton, England, April 29. On May 3, it will begin its transatlantic voyage to Royal Caribbean´s port in Bayonne, N.J., for its U.S. debut.

The Freedom of the Seas will sail eight-day western Caribbean itineraries from Miami, calling in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Labadee, Haiti, Royal Caribbean´s private Caribbean island.