Freedom of the Seas Vs Liberty of the Seas

Choosing the right cruise ship can be tough when ships are from the same class and cruise line. How do you pick the best one for your next cruise?

Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas are two mid-size ships from the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. They launched around the same time and were almost identical but recent updates have made them different.  

In this article, we will compare Freedom of the Seas vs Liberty of the Seas. Let’s look at what they have in common and what makes them different.

Table of Contents

Royal Caribbean’s Amplification Program was launched in 2018, aimed to upgrade Voyager and Freedom Class ships with features from newer vessels. Freedom of the Seas was renovated in early 2020, following Independence of the Seas in 2018.

Freedom of the Seas Vs Liberty of the Seas 
Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas

The global shutdown halted the program leaving Liberty of the Seas unmodified. Despite the cruise industry’s recovery, the Amplification Program remains paused, resulting in significant differences between the once-similar Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. 

Freedom of the Seas (Launched in 2006) and Liberty of the Seas (Launched in 2007) both belong to the Freedom Class of cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean International. There is no difference in their class, as they are sister ships within the same class. The Freedom class was introduced in 2006, including these two ships and Independence of the Seas.

Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas are very similar in size with just a few small differences. After its recent renovation, Freedom of the Seas can hold more passengers and has a slightly higher gross tonnage than Liberty of the Seas. Liberty of the Seas is one foot longer.

These small differences in size and capacity probably won’t affect a traveler’s choice, as both ships provide similar experiences.

Here is the Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas Size Comparison Chart 

Ship StatsRoyal Caribbean
Liberty of the Seas
Royal Caribbean
Freedom of the Seas
ClassFreedomFreedom
Gross Tonnage154,407 GT156,271 GT
Length1,112 ft1,111 ft
Width185 ft185 ft
Total Decks1515
Passenger Decks1414
Total Passengers Capacity4,9604,635
Passengers (double occupancy)3,7983,926
Crew1,3601365

Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas construction costs approximately $800 million. These sister ships were built at the same shipyard – Kvaerner Masa-Yards (now part of Meyer Turku) in Turku, Finland.

The Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, both Royal Caribbean cruise ships have similar but slightly different passenger capacities. The Freedom of the Seas Passenger Capacity is 3,926 guests at double occupancy, with a maximum capacity of 4,635 guests.

In comparison, the Liberty of the Seas has a double occupancy capacity of 3,798 guests but can host up to 4,960 guests at full capacity. This indicates that while the Liberty of the Seas has a lower standard occupancy, it can actually accommodate more passengers overall when fully booked.

Common Accommodations on Both Ships  

Both Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas offer a wide range of staterooms and suites, including interior, ocean-view, and balcony rooms. They feature unique options like Royal Promenade-facing cabins and “hump” balcony rooms with extra space.  

Freedom of the Seas Vs Liberty of the Seas 
Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas

Family-friendly options include interior rooms with bunks and two-bedroom Oceanview cabins. Both ships offer various suites, from junior suites to the Royal Suite (1,360-square-foot with a baby grand piano), with grand suite guests and above having access to exclusive lounges. 

Liberty of the Seas Accommodations 

Liberty of the Seas has 1,899 staterooms for passengers, providing a range of accommodations to suit various preferences and group sizes. For example, Liberty of the Seas offers a 4-bedroom Villa Suite, one of the largest in Royal Caribbean’s fleet in terms of capacity. This suite can accommodate up to 14 guests across four bedrooms and sofa beds in living areas. 

Freedom of the Seas Accommodations 

Freedom of the Seas renovated recently in 2020 and has 1,963 staterooms, offering guests more choice in their lodging options. It has six large (406 sq ft) Spacious Oceanview cabins on the port side of Deck 12, opposite the Adventure Ocean kids program facilities and arcade.

These cabins are conveniently located one flight of stairs above Splashaway Bay, making them ideal for families with small children.

Key Differences 

  • Liberty of the Seas retains the 4-bedroom Villa Suite, which Freedom no longer has. 
  • Freedom of the Seas offers extra Oceanview options near the kids’ clubs, which are not available on Liberty of the Seas. 
  • Freedom’s Villa Suite was replaced with Junior Suites. 
  • Freedom’s 2020 renovation means it has some attractions not found on Liberty of the Seas, which was last updated in 2016

Common Dining Options 

Both ships feature a Main dining room and the Windjammer Cafe buffet. They also offer complimentary pizza at Sorrento’s and snacks at Café Promenade. Specialty dining options on both include Johnny Rockets and Chops Grille steakhouse. 

Liberty of the Seas Restaurants 

Liberty of the Seas provides two unique dining options. Sabor Modern Mexican offers Mexican cuisine but is not complimentary. For Italian dining, Giovanni’s Table presents a more formal experience. 

Freedom of the Seas Vs Liberty of the Seas 
Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas

Freedom of the Seas Restaurants 

Freedom of the Seas offers several distinctive dining venues. El Loco Fresh is a complimentary Mexican eatery serving breakfast burritos, nachos, and tacos. Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade offers pub-style food. The ship also features Izumi Hibachi and Sushi restaurant and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, a more relaxed Italian option. 

Key Differences 

Freedom of the Seas offers more popular dining locations including a free Mexican option, while Liberty’s Mexican restaurant is paid. Freedom of the Seas also has Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, which are not on Liberty of the Seas.

The Italian restaurants differ in style, with Freedom of the Seas’s being more casual. These differences are due to the recent Amplification upgrade, which introduced several new dining venues. 

Here is the Freedom vs Liberty of the Seas Dining Options Comparison 

RestaurantsTypeFreedom of the SeasLiberty of the Seas
Main Dining RoomFree
Windjammer BuffetFree
Cafe PromenadeFree  
Sorrento’s PizzeriaFree
Sprinkles Ice CreamFree
El Loco FreshFree
Room ServiceCost Extra
Chef’s TableCost Extra
Chops GrilleCost Extra
Ice Cream ParlorCost Extra
Johnny Rockets BurgersCost Extra
Cupcake CupboardCost Extra
Giovanni’s TableCost Extra
Giovanni’s Italian KitchenCost Extra
Izumi Hibachi & SushiCost Extra
Playmakers Sports Bar & ArcadeCost Extra
Sabor Modern MexicanCost Extra

Common Bar Options 

Both Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas have many similar bar venues like Boleros, Schooner Bar, and R Bar providing guests with a variety of options for drinks and socializing. 

Freedom of the Seas Bars 

Freedom of the Seas features two newer additions not found on Liberty of the Seas. These include Playmakers Sports Bar, which offers a sports-themed environment, and The Lime & Coconut cocktail bar located on the pool deck.

The Lime & Coconut has become a popular feature on Royal Caribbean ships, with newer ships like Icon of the Seas has this bar on multiple locations. 

Freedom of the Seas Vs Liberty of the Seas 
Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas Bars 

Liberty of the Seas has a unique sports bar called On Air. This versatile venue serves as a sports bar during the day and transforms into a karaoke bar at night, offering guests different entertainment options throughout their cruise. 

Key Differences 

The main distinctions in bar offerings are Freedom’s Playmakers Sports Bar and Lime & Coconut, which are not present on Liberty of the Seas. Instead, Liberty features the dual-purpose On Air bar. These differences reflect the more recent updates made to Freedom of the Seas, incorporating newer concepts popular across the Royal Caribbean fleet

RestaurantsRoyal Caribbean
Liberty of the Seas 
Royal Caribbean
Freedom of the Seas 
Schooner Bar
Casino Bar
Boleros
English Pub
R Bar
Star Lounge
Suite Lounge
The Plaza Bar
Vintages
Olive or Twist
On Air Club
Playmakers
Pool Bar
Sky Bar
Solarium Bar
Squeeze
The Lime & Coconut
Viking Crown Lounge

Common Activities and Entertainment 

Both Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas offer a wide range of activities and entertainment options. These include rock climbing walls, adults-only solariums, kids’ clubs, FlowRider surf simulators, and mini-golf courses.  

Freedom of the Seas Vs Liberty of the Seas 
Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas

Both ships feature Ice Skating rinks with performance shows and open skating times. Evening entertainment includes musical productions, magicians, and jugglers. Interactive game shows like Love and Marriage and The Quest are popular on both ships.  

Freedom of the Seas Activities and Entertainment 

Freedom of the Seas boasts newer and higher-quality facilities for its kids’ clubs and Solarium due to its recent Amplification upgrade. It also features a unique laser tag attraction called Clash for the Crystal City. The ship’s theatre shows are all original productions. 

Liberty of the Seas Activities and Entertainment 

Liberty of the Seas offers Broadway productions in its theatre, along with a Saturday Night Live show, which may appeal to those who prefer familiar theatrical performances. 

Key Differences 

The main distinctions lie in the quality of some facilities and the variety of activities. Freedom’s recent upgrades have resulted in improved kids’ clubs and Solarium areas as well as the addition of a laser tag attraction.

The theatre shows also differ, with Liberty of the Seas offering Broadway productions while Freedom of the Seas presents original shows. These differences reflect the more recent updates made to Freedom of the Seas adding newer concepts and facilities.

Common Pool and Water Features 

Both Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas offer extensive water-based amenities. These include multiple swimming pools, whirlpools, and indoor adults-only Solarium pools. Both ships feature a Splashaway Bay splash park for younger children and the “Perfect Storm” racing waterslides, Typhoon and Cyclone.  

Freedom of the Seas Pools and Waterslides 

Freedom of the Seas has pool deck (Caribbean-inspired makeover) after renovation. The Splashaway Bay on this ship received upgrades with new water features, enhancing the experience for young cruisers. 

Liberty of the Seas Pools and Waterslides 

Liberty of the Seas has an additional waterslide called Tidal Wave, which is not present on Freedom. This boomerang-style slide sends riders on a raft up an almost-vertical slope before sliding back down, offering a unique thrill. 

Freedom of the Seas Vs Liberty of the Seas 
Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas

Key Differences 

The main distinction lies in the Tidal Wave slide exclusive to Liberty of the Seas. Freedom of the Seas features a more recently renovated pool deck with a Caribbean theme and an upgraded Splashaway Bay.

These differences reflect the different renovation timelines and focuses for each ship, with Freedom of the Seas receiving more recent updates to its general pool area, while Liberty of the Seas maintains a unique water attraction. 

The main differences between Freedom of the Seas vs Liberty of the Seas lie in their homeports and cruise durations. Freedom of the Seas focuses on Bahamas and longer Caribbean cruises from Florida, while Liberty offers more diverse itineraries, including Bermuda and Canada, with varying cruise lengths and departure points throughout the year.   

Freedom of the Seas Itineraries 

Freedom of the Seas offers short cruises from Miami from February to July 2024, focusing on Bahamas trips. Most of these itineraries include a stop at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay as well as at Nassau. After July, the ship relocates to Fort Lauderdale for longer 8-nights Caribbean cruises until April 2025. 

Freedom of the Seas Vs Liberty of the Seas 
Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas Itineraries 

Liberty of the Seas sails from Cape Liberty offering cruises to Bermuda and Canada in summer 2024. The ship moves to Fort Lauderdale providing shorter 4 to 5-night trips to the Eastern Caribbean during the 2024/25 winter season. 

Choosing between Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas can be tough because the best depends on what you like. Both Royal Caribbean ships have many activities for different interests. You can enjoy rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, and the FlowRider surf simulator on either ship. They also have similar pools, gyms, and spas.  

Freedom of the Seas has been recently renovated and now features the Perfect Storm water slides and a new kids’ area called Splashaway Bay. Freedom of th Seas is popular Royal Caribbean ship for babies and toddlers.

Liberty of the Seas hasn’t been renovated, but it has the Tidal Wave boomerang slide. Despite these differences, both ships offer great entertainment including Broadway-style shows, live music, and various bars and lounges for relaxing in the evening.

Both ships provide excellent service and similar travel routes. Your choice may depend on specific features you want, your budget, or available sailing dates. In the end, both ships offer fantastic Royal Caribbean experiences with their own unique perks. 

When was Freedom of the Seas Refurbished? 

Freedom of the Seas underwent a massive $116 million refurbishment in early 2020 as part of Royal Caribbean’s Amplification Program. This extensive upgrade added new features, refreshed existing areas, and modernized the ship just before the global cruise industry shutdown due to the pandemic. 

When was Liberty of the Seas Refurbished?  

Liberty of the Seas underwent a smaller refurbishment in 2016, receiving some updates and new features. It has not undergone the major Amplification Program renovation that was originally planned for it, as the program was paused due to the global cruise industry shutdown. 

When was Liberty of the Seas Built? 

Liberty of the Seas was built in 2007 and started sailing in May. It is the second ship in Royal Caribbean’s Freedom class. 

When was Freedom of the Seas Built? 

Freedom of the Seas was built between 2005 and 2006. It started sailing in 11 May 2006. 

Afsheen Aslam

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