Royal Caribbean
Freedom & Voyager Class
The sweet spot. Most of the fun, noticeably less money.
Photo: Jonathan Palombo / CC BY 2.0
Ships in this class: Freedom, Liberty, Independence, Voyager, Explorer, Adventure, Navigator and Mariner of the Seas
Voyager Class introduced the Royal Promenade - an indoor street running through the middle of the ship - and Freedom Class refined it. These are the ships people are often happiest on: big enough for everything that matters, small enough to cross in a few minutes, and consistently cheaper than the headline ships.
What's onboard
- The Royal Promenade, lined with bars, cafes and shops
- FlowRider surf simulator on most of the fleet
- Ice rinks - yes, actual ice, in the middle of the Caribbean
- Rock climbing walls and full-size sports courts
- Waterslides and splash zones added in recent refits
Best for
Value without giving anything up, and anyone who finds the biggest ships overwhelming
Worth thinking about
These are older ships, so cabins and decor can feel dated on the ones that haven't been refitted recently. Which specific ship you're on matters more here than in any other class - ask.
Thinking about Freedom & Voyager Class?
Tell Katie who's travelling and roughly when, and she'll tell you which ship in this class fits — and which cabin on it.