Freedom Of The Seas Arrives In Port Canaveral To Offer Most Innovative Cruise Vacation Year-Round From Central Florida

Miami - May 4, 2009 - Amid great excitement, Royal Caribbean International's Freedom Of The Seas arrived today at its new homeport of Port Canaveral, offering vacationers the most exciting cruise experience from Central Florida's space coast. Freedom Of The Seas shares the title of the world's largest and most innovative cruise ship with sister-ships Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, and is the first of the three ships to exclusively feature the FlowRider surf simulator; H2O Zone water park; a full-size boxing ring; cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 ft. above the ocean; and the four-bedroom, four-bath, and 14-guest Presidential Family Suite. Freedom Of The Seas will sail year-round from Port Canaveral every Sunday on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean seven-night itineraries.

"Royal Caribbean International is delighted to bring the world-renowned Freedom Of The Seas to Port Canaveral for the first time," said Betsy O'Rourke, senior vice president, Royal Caribbean International. "With Freedom Of The Seas, we are bringing one of the world's best cruise ships with the most variety of innovative onboard amenities to Central Florida to offer a most memorable vacation experience."

On the Western Caribbean itinerary, guests will enjoy a call at Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach destination on Haiti's northern coast, where they can enjoy the Dragon's Breath Flight Line, the longest zip-line over water, and the new Dragon's Tail Coaster, an alpine coaster to open in summer 2009 that winds down the adjoining mountainside. On Eastern Caribbean itinerary, guests will call at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island paradise in the Bahamas, offering a myriad of sun, sand and water-sport diversions.

Guests also can enjoy the best of land and sea with the Way More Than a Cruise vacation package, which combines a Freedom Of The Seas' cruise with a three- or four-night stay at Universal Orlando Resort, home to two world-class theme parks that brings blockbusters to life, a nighttime entertainment complex and three magnificently themed on-site hotels.

Way More Than a Cruise includes hotel and shipboard accommodations; multi-day passes to both Universal theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure; complimentary admission to select live entertainment venues at Universal's CityWalk; a variety of special theme park privileges, including free Universal Express ride access; and ground transfers between airport, hotel, theme parks and the ship at Port Canaveral. For more information or to book a Way More Than a Cruise ultimate vacation and enjoy up to 25 percent savings from the combined rates of the individual land and sea experiences, vacationers should contact their travel agent, visit www.WayMoreThanaCruise.com, or call 877-202-5090 .

At 160,000 gross registered tons, Freedom Of The Seas has a capacity of 3,634 guests at double occupancy. In addition to the exclusive Freedom-class amenities, the ship also features the cruise line's exclusive amenities such as the Studio B ice-skating rink; full-size basketball and sports court; iconic rock-climbing wall; and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard that runs nearly the length of the ship, lined with boutiques, restaurants, and bars and lounges.

Guests have a choice of eight restaurants, including the impressive three-deck high main dining room, and Royal Caribbean's signature specialty restaurants Chops Grille steakhouse, featuring a new menu of premium cuts of beef and lamb; and Portofino, featuring Northern Italian classics ranging from meats to seafood.

Freedom Of The Seas also features the 12,000-sq. ft. Freedom Fitness Center and Day Spa, offering a multitude of state-of-the-art fitness equipment, aerobics studio, and one-on-one or group sessions to work up a sweat. Guests also can rejuvenate and be pampered with a relaxing ritual from the full menu of spa services ranging from massages to acupuncture.

Onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, guests enjoy the cruise line's award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions; acclaimed Adventure Ocean kids and teen programming; world-class gaming in the Casino Royale; and Royal Caribbean's renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service from every staff and crew member.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand.

Source: www.royalcaribbean.com