This Freedom of the Seas review is coming from someone who has actually sailed this ship three different times, and I’ll be honest, there were a few reasons I almost did not book it again. I kept seeing the shiny new ships with all the hype, and it was tempting to write Freedom off as the “cheap old option” that you only pick when you are trying to save money. But every time I sail her, I end up thinking, “wow, this is still a ridiculously good value.”
If you do decide to book her, make sure you check my full Freedom of the Seas cabins to avoid guide so you do not accidentally pick one of the noisiest or most awkward rooms.
The whole point of this post is to walk you through five brutally honest reasons you might want to avoid Freedom of the Seas, the exact reasons that made me hesitate, and then show you why those same reasons can secretly make it the perfect ship for the right cruiser. It is a bit of a love letter in disguise: I am going to complain, I am going to compare it to Icon and Oasis class, yet by the end you will see why I keep coming back anyway.
Right now you can find sailings on Freedom that are shockingly affordable, especially compared with newer ships sailing very similar routes from the same ports. When I see a 4 or 5 night getaway priced in that “how is this even real” range, it becomes really hard to justify spending double just to ride the latest hardware. That sweet spot of price versus experience is why I think Freedom is one of Royal Caribbean’s best bang for your buck ships, even if we are going to pick it apart a bit in this article.
So let’s set the stage, look at what kind of ship Freedom actually is, and then we will dive into those five reasons I almost skipped it, starting with the obvious one: its age and how it stacks up next to the flashy new classes everyone is talking about.
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Freedom of the Seas At A Glance: Old Hardware, Big Value
Freedom of the Seas is a Freedom class ship, sitting in that sweet middle ground between the tiny “classic” ships and the mega-resort giants like the Icon and Oasis classes, and it makes a lot more sense once you have seen how all the Royal Caribbean ship classes compare and where she lands on my Royal Caribbean ships by size list. She carries just under 4,000 guests at double occupancy, which means you get a ship that feels big and full of energy, but not quite as overwhelming as the true mega ships. If you are bringing a mix of family and friends, that mid-sized feel can be a huge positive, especially for first-time cruisers.
Launched back in 2006, Freedom is absolutely an older ship in cruise years, and if you look at where she sits in my Royal Caribbean ships by age guide, you can see why a lot of people side-eye it. When you compare it to ships like Wonder, Utopia, Icon, Star, or the upcoming Legend, you are talking about a twenty year technology and design gap, from materials and decor to how public spaces are laid out. Newer ships are built to be “resort cities,” with every square inch optimized for Instagrammable moments, and Freedom simply reflects an earlier era of what a cruise ship was supposed to be.
But age is also why the pricing can be such a ridiculous value, and why I keep coming back. Royal Caribbean has put real money into keeping Freedom relevant, including a major amplification that added water slides, a refreshed pool deck, new dining, and updated venues. You are not stepping onto some neglected relic, you are stepping onto a ship that has already gotten a lot of the “new ship shine” without the new ship price tag. That tension between “older design” and “updated experience” is the foundation for almost every reason I almost skipped this ship, and also why I think it can still be one of the smartest bookings in the Caribbean right now.
If you are the kind of cruiser who wants the newest toys, the most cutting-edge suites, and every single headline attraction, you might feel Freedom is missing a few of your bucket list features. If you care more about value, solid food, classic Royal Caribbean vibes, and a great ship to reconnect with friends or family, it quickly jumps back onto your short list. With that in mind, let’s start breaking down those five “avoid this ship” reasons that almost scared me off, and why they might not be deal-breakers for you at all.
Reason 1: This Ship Is Old Enough To Make You Second Guess It
I am going to start this Freedom of the Seas review with the thing everyone notices first… this ship is not new. When you walk onboard, you can feel it comes from an earlier era of cruise design, and if you have been stalking Icon class or Oasis class ships on YouTube, that can be a real shock to the system. I have sailed Freedom three times now, and every time I still get that little voice in my head saying, “remember, this is older hardware.”
Freedom launched in the mid 2000s, which in cruise years makes her a seasoned veteran compared with headliners like Wonder, Utopia, Icon, and Star of the Seas, and I have full cabins to avoid guides for each of those mega ships too. Those newer ships were built in a world of Instagram, infinite specialty dining, and “floating resort city” expectations, while Freedom was designed when the big flex was simply being one of the largest ships at sea. If you are dreaming of ultra modern everything, that timeline gap can make Freedom feel a full generation behind.
You see it in the styling right away. Newer ships lean into light neutrals, airy spaces, and sleek lines that feel like a brand new resort, while Freedom still has that classic Royal Caribbean mix of bold carpets, warmer woods, and traditional color schemes. It is not ugly, it just reads “classic cruise ship” instead of “brand new lifestyle hotel”, and for some guests that alone feels like a reason to hold out for Icon or Oasis class instead of booking what this Freedom of the Seas review is talking you into.
Cabins are where the age of the ship really starts to show, and this is exactly why I always tell people to read my Royal Caribbean cabins & suites guide before they pick a stateroom on any ship. The staterooms are clean and functional, but the design is more practical than glamorous, with storage and layout that feel a bit older compared with the newest ships. Bathrooms tend to be on the compact side, with fixtures that clearly belong to an earlier design language, and you may notice small bits of wear and tear like scuffed trim or slightly tired upholstery. None of this ruins a cruise, but it can take the shine off if you were picturing something ultra contemporary.
There is also the perception problem that comes with older hardware. New ships get all the marketing love, executive attention, and headline grabbing features, so it is easy to assume that the very best crew, chefs, and entertainers are being pulled toward Icon class or the newest Oasis class ships. From the outside, that can make Freedom feel like the place where you get the “B team” and second tier investment, which is a scary thought if you only cruise every few years and want everything to feel top shelf.
Here is where I need to flip the script a bit, because a good Freedom of the Seas review should not stop at “it’s old.” Yes, Freedom is older, and if you absolutely must have the newest, shiniest ship, that is a perfectly valid reason to skip her. But the same age that makes this ship feel “outdated” on paper is exactly why it can be such a monster value in real life. You are not paying to finance brand new steel, and you see that reflected in those surprisingly low prices you have already pulled up… the ones that make you do a double take and say, “wait, that’s it for a short Caribbean cruise?”
Royal Caribbean has not just left Freedom to age quietly. The ship has already gone through a major amplification, which means she picked up modern touches like:
- Top deck water slides that bring her closer to newer ships
- A refreshed pool deck with a more modern, resort style feel
- Updated bars and newer dining concepts that upgrade the day to day experience
So you are not stepping onto an untouched time capsule from the 2000s, you are stepping onto a ship that has been brought forward in smart ways, without forcing you to pay new build pricing for every little perk. That blend of older bones and updated features is a big part of why I keep coming back for sailing number two, three, and beyond in this Freedom of the Seas review story.
I also have to say this plainly after three cruises on board… the crew has never felt like a “B team” to me. In fact, you often find seasoned pros who know this layout cold, understand the guest flow, and quietly keep everything running smoothly without the circus vibe you sometimes feel on the newest ships. New hardware attracts excitement, but older ships like Freedom attract crew who genuinely like the balance of energy and routine, and that experience shows up as calm, confident service all week long.
So if your absolute top priority is a ship that looks and feels brand new in every corner, you should probably aim at Icon class or Oasis class and skip Freedom for now. If you care more about value, smart upgrades, and a ship that still delivers a lot of fun for a surprisingly low fare, the age of Freedom turns from a red flag into a huge hidden advantage that can save you a lot of money… which is exactly the heart of this Freedom of the Seas review.
Reason 2: The Ports Of Call Can Feel Weirdly Limited
Here is another brutally honest reason someone might want to avoid this ship at first glance… the current and upcoming ports of call can feel underwhelming compared with what you could get on other ships. Freedom of the Seas often runs short Caribbean itineraries, which is great for quick getaways, but it also means you are not exactly doing the “grand tour” of the islands. In any fair Freedom of the Seas review, that has to be mentioned.
That 2027 Labadee plan you mentioned is the perfect example. There is an itinerary where the ship goes to Labadee, Haiti as the only stop, and that is it. Labadee itself is a beautiful private destination, with beaches, cabanas, zip lines, and all the usual private port fun, but if you want the full-blown waterpark-style private island experience you should also look at sailings that go to Perfect Day at CocoCay… but for some people, booking a cruise just to visit one stop can feel like buying a huge buffet just to eat one dish over and over again.
If this is your very first cruise, a simple Labadee only itinerary might actually be a nice low stress introduction, especially if you pair this Freedom of the Seas review with my best cruise for first timers guide to make sure you are not overthinking the decision. You unpack once, enjoy the ship, have one tropical beach day, and you are done. But if you want to feel like you have truly explored the Caribbean, that kind of route can leave you thinking, “Wait, that’s all we are doing?” You miss that sense of hopping from island to island and sampling different cultures, landscapes, and vibes.
There is also the comparison problem. While Freedom is doing shorter loops with fewer ports, other Royal Caribbean ships and other lines are out there hitting more varied itineraries. Longer Caribbean cruises will stack stops like:
- St. Maarten and St. Thomas for classic Eastern Caribbean views
- San Juan, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire for more culture and color
- St. Kitts, Barbados, Roatán, Belize, Cozumel, Costa Maya and more, and a lot of my picks for the best Royal Caribbean Caribbean ports show up on those routes instead of the short Freedom itineraries.
When you put those lineups next to a simple “Miami, sea day, Labadee, sea day, Miami” style run, it is easy to feel like you picked the least adventurous option on the menu. Any honest Freedom of the Seas review has to admit that shorter itineraries can look a bit basic on paper.
Here is the nuance though. Those longer, more exotic itineraries usually mean more vacation days and more money. They are amazing for people who can take a full week or more off and want to deep dive the islands, but not everyone is in that season of life. If you are juggling work, kids, school schedules, and a real world budget, a quick Freedom sailing that hits Labadee or a couple of close by ports can be a very realistic way to get some sun without wrecking your calendar.
You also have to think about what type of trip you are actually trying to plan. If you want a “see the Caribbean” trip, then yes, Freedom’s shorter itineraries and that Labadee only run in 2027 are going to feel too limited, and you should be looking at longer sailings on ships doing Southern or Eastern Caribbean routes. If you want a “reconnect with friends and family on a ship with good value” trip, then the ports become more like bonus days instead of the main event. In that case, Freedom’s simpler itineraries become a feature, not a bug, and this is where a Freedom of the Seas review can sound a lot more positive.
So the honest takeaway is this… if your dream is waking up in a different iconic port every morning, you are going to be happier booking a longer Caribbean cruise on a ship that hits more islands. If what you really need is a short, affordable escape where you can still get a private beach day and plenty of ship time without draining your PTO, then Freedom’s “basic” ports of call lineup quietly becomes one of its biggest strengths for real life travelers. That is the ports story sitting under the clicky headline in this Freedom of the Seas review.
Reason 3: There’s Less To Do Than On The Newest Ships (On Paper)
If you live on cruise YouTube and TikTok, it is really easy to look at Freedom and think “there’s just not as much to do here.” Compared with Icon class or Oasis class, you are missing neighborhoods, AquaTheater shows, wild top-deck attractions, and a dozen different “wow” features designed to go viral. On paper, a lot of Freedom of the Seas review posts make it sound like a classic family ship instead of a full-on floating theme park.
When I sail with Britini, the kids, and extended family, that difference is very real. On the newest ships, everyone can scatter into a hundred different activities, shows, and venues at any moment, which feels exciting but also a little chaotic. On Freedom, the menu of options is smaller and more traditional… pool, water slides, sports court, mini golf, kids’ splash zone, main theater shows, live music, trivia, and so on. If your crew is all about chasing the most intense thrills, Freedom can feel a little underpowered next to Icon or Oasis.
You also will not find as many obvious “headline bragging rights” attractions. There is no AquaDome, no Central Park, no Boardwalk with a carousel, no ice shows on the same blockbuster scale as the newest ships. Teens and very active young adults who have done the bigger ships may look around and think “is that it?” That fear of boredom is a huge reason some people scroll right past Freedom when they compare ships for their next big vacation.
Here is the part a lot of people miss in a typical Freedom of the Seas review. On a 4 or 5 night sailing, almost nobody actually does everything on a mega ship anyway. The insane list of attractions turns into a to do list you can’t finish, and some families walk off feeling like they missed half of what they paid for. Freedom’s slightly smaller activity set quietly fixes that… there is still plenty to do, but not so much that you feel like you are failing your vacation if you skip a few things.
For families like yours and mine, that can be a huge win, and this is exactly why in my Royal Caribbean for kids guide I talk so much about choosing ships that are fun but not overwhelming:
- Perfect Storm water slides for repeated runs and races (they are in my Royal Caribbean water slides guide if you want to see how they compare to the slides on the newer ships)
- Sports court and mini golf for easy, low stress activity time
- FlowRider surf simulator that your crew already loves, and if you are nervous about trying it, I have a full Royal Caribbean FlowRider guide with tips for first timers.
Adults still have bars, live music, comedy, casino time, and late night snacks. You can spread out during the day, then come back together for dinner and a show without feeling like half the group missed some critical “must do” experience somewhere else.
The other big plus is that a ship like Freedom is simply easier to learn. On Icon or Oasis, first timers can spend two days just figuring out where everything is and how to get there. On Freedom, by day two you usually have the layout dialed in, which makes the whole trip feel more relaxed and less exhausting. For non cruiser relatives or people who get overwhelmed by endless choices, that smaller footprint is honestly a feature, not a flaw.
So yes, if your goal is to be on the ship with the absolute most things to do and you want maximum theme park at sea energy, Freedom is going to lose that comparison every single time. But if what you really want is enough fun for the kids, enough variety for the adults, and a ship that feels manageable not overwhelming, then the “less to do than Icon or Oasis” complaint actually flips into one of the reasons Freedom works so well for short, value packed family trips.
Reason 4: The Cabins And Decor Are Definitely Not The Star Of The Show
If there is one area where this ship really shows its age, it is in the cabins and interior decor. When you walk into a stateroom on Freedom, you are not getting that sleek, minimalist, brand new boutique hotel feel you see in every viral cabin tour video, which is why I always tell people to read my Freedom of the Seas cabins to avoid guide before they lock in a room. You are getting something that feels very much like “classic Royal Caribbean”, for better and for worse, and any honest Freedom of the Seas review has to call that out.
The color palettes lean toward warmer woods, patterned carpets, and older fabrics, not the cool neutrals and clean lines of Icon or the latest Oasis class refreshes. It is all functional and it works, but if you are expecting a room that looks like it was designed last week for Instagram, you might feel a little underwhelmed when you first open the door. This is that moment where a lot of people think, “yep, this is what I was afraid an older ship would look like.”
Bathrooms are another spot where the age is obvious. They are generally compact and efficient, with layouts and fixtures that clearly belong to the mid 2000s generation of ships rather than the latest spa inspired designs. You might see curved shower areas, simpler hardware, and basic lighting, which is perfectly fine for most people but not exactly a “wow” moment. If you have cruised in newer cabins with big glass showers and ultra modern finishes, Freedom’s bathrooms will feel a step behind that experience.
Because the ship has been working hard for a long time, you can also spot little signs of wear and tear here and there. A bit of scuffed trim, balcony furniture that has fought years of sun and salt, cabinetry that does not feel brand new anymore… none of that has ever ruined a cruise for me, but if you are very sensitive to aesthetics, it is a fair reason to hesitate. This is the part of any Freedom of the Seas review where I have to admit the cabins are probably the weakest link visually.
Here is where we flip it into something useful. Because these rooms are not chasing the very latest decor trend, you are not paying “latest decor trend” prices. Instead of blowing your budget on an inside cabin on Icon or a bare minimum balcony on the newest Oasis class ship, you can often book nicer categories on Freedom for the same or less money, especially if you use my Royal Caribbean cabins & suites guide to decide exactly which room type fits your family. That can mean:
- Two connecting cabins for the family instead of cramming into one
- A balcony instead of an inside for the same rough budget
- A better location on the ship instead of the cheapest possible spot
Those upgrades become much more realistic on this older hardware, and that is a huge part of why this Freedom of the Seas review keeps coming back to value.
Personally, I would much rather have a slightly dated but larger or better located cabin than a tiny, “prettier” room on a newer ship where I can barely move, and in my balcony cabin on a cruise is not worth it post I go deep on when to save money and when to upgrade. When I am traveling with family, having that extra elbow room or the ability to grab two cabins for separation is worth way more than a fancy headboard and a couple of extra USB ports. Freedom lets you make those kinds of smart trade offs without emptying your wallet, and that is a big part of its appeal.
And remember, you are genuinely not spending that much time in the room. On a short Caribbean cruise you are out at the pool, slides, shows, bars, and ports most of the day. The cabin is where you sleep, shower, and regroup. As long as it is clean, functional, and comfortable… which in my experience on Freedom it has been… the slightly dated style moves way down the priority list once the cruise actually gets going and the fun starts.
So yes, if you want your stateroom to double as a design showpiece, this is absolutely a reason you might want to skip Freedom and book a newer ship instead. But if you look at the actual numbers and realize the “less sexy” decor is what lets you afford a balcony, a better location, or even multiple cabins for your group, the older styling suddenly becomes a smart financial advantage rather than a dealbreaker. That is the real cabin story underneath the clicky headline in this Freedom of the Seas review.
Reason 5: The Vibe Can Feel Like A Short-Cruise Party Ship
One more brutally honest reason someone might want to avoid Freedom of the Seas is the overall energy on board. This ship sails a lot of short 3–5 night itineraries out of Florida, which naturally pulls in a specific crowd. People are there to squeeze every ounce of fun out of a few days, and that can make the vibe feel very “weekend party mode” at times.
On sea days, the pool deck can be packed, loungers go early, music is loud, and the whole top deck feels like one big social scene. That is amazing if you want fun and people-watching, but it is not exactly a zen spa retreat. Add in drink packages, sail away parties, and late night events on the Royal Promenade, and Freedom can absolutely feel like a short cruise party ship in certain sailings, which is why my Royal Caribbean drink package guide and free drinks on Royal Caribbean list are so helpful for budget planning.
You will also notice it in the little moments. Elevators jammed right after a show lets out. Lines at Windjammer during breakfast on a port day, unless you follow my best times to eat on a Royal Caribbean cruise tips to dodge the worst of the crowds. Hallway noise a bit later than you might like on a weekend sailing. None of this is unique to Freedom, but because the ship is doing shorter runs, the crowd often shows up in a “go hard, go fast” mindset instead of slow, chilled-out resort mode.
Here is when that vibe is a real negative:
- You want quiet, all the time
- You are super sensitive to crowds
- You are picturing spa robes, silence, and early nights
In that situation, it is totally fair to say, “this ship and these itineraries are not for me right now.” A longer, more port-intensive cruise on a different ship will usually feel more relaxed and less spring-break adjacent.
But if you look at who is actually booking Freedom most of the time, that energy can be a big plus instead of a minus.
For groups of friends, multigenerational families, and couples who want action, not silence, Freedom delivers exactly what you want from a short, budget friendly Caribbean blast, and it is one of the easiest ships to use the tricks in my how to meet people on a Royal Caribbean cruise guide. There is live music, parties, games, bars hopping in the evening, the casino, late-night snacks, and a general feeling that there is always something going on somewhere. That is the whole point of a 3–5 night trip for a lot of people.
And it is not like you are trapped in chaos 24/7. Once you know the ship, there are still reliable quiet pockets where you can escape the buzz when you need to reset. Think spots like:
- The outdoor promenade deck where you can walk and sit near the water
- Higher, tucked away lounges that are empty in the daytime
- Forward or aft open decks away from the main pool party zone
If you care about dialing the intensity down a bit, you can also make simple choices when you book that help a lot. Aim for slightly longer 5 night sailings instead of 3 night party weekends, sail outside peak spring break and major holidays, and avoid cabins right above or below the loudest venues and the Royal Promenade if you are a light sleeper. Those small choices can turn the experience from “too much” into exactly the right level of fun.
So yes, Freedom’s short-cruise, high-energy vibe is a totally valid reason to skip this ship if you want ultra-quiet luxury. But if what you are really after is a few days of big-ship fun, loud pool decks, late-night laughs, and a great price point, that same vibe is exactly why Freedom ends up being one of the most satisfying bang-for-your-buck choices in the fleet.
