The Ultimate Family Guide To Cruising Onboard Freedom Of The Seas
Freedom Of The Seas® Always Delivers When It Comes To Enjoying The Best Family Vacation. Here’s Why.
By Amanda Mesa | Published on April 25, 2023
Family cruises are always a great vacation option if you’re looking to bond with your loved ones while visiting beautiful new destinations. Every cruise ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet offers plenty of activities for kids, teens and adults. And if your preferred itinerary happens to take place onboard Freedom of the Seas, you’re in for a real treat. Amplified to include unparalleled thrills onboard — like a sprawling pool deck, twisting, turning water slides and show-stopping spectaculars, it has all kinds of experiences everyone in the family can look forward to. Not to mention world-class dining that takes you from Italy to Asia, vibrant nightlife and award-winning entertainment sure to keep you at the edge of your seat. What’s more, parents craving a little adult time can take advantage of child care options that make cruising with kids — even cruising with a baby — a breeze. Keep reading for some of our favorite family-friendly travel experiences onboard Freedom of the Seas.
1. Go Bold — And Brave — On The Perfect Storm℠ Dueling Waterslides
Kids can fuel some friendly sibling rivalry or go head-to-head with their parents on The Perfect Storm, twin racer slides that offer the perfect test of speed and mettle. These dual water slides, named TyphoonSM and CycloneSM, offer three stories of twisting, turning, white-knuckle thrills you and your family will want to conquer again and again. Rides are included in your cruise fare, providing endless fun for everyone in your party as long as they’re at least 48 inches tall. Feel free to challenge your loved ones as often as you like.
2. Play A Round Of Mini Golf At Sea
Everybody loves mini golf, especially when it comes with captivating ocean views. Grab a putter and hit the green at sea while soaking up awe-inspiring vistas with every well-aimed shot. Games are free for cruise guests, and no reservations are necessary. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon with teens and little ones.
3. Tame Some Waves On The FlowRider®* Surf Simulator
Think you have what it takes to hang ten like a pro? Head to this iconic Royal Caribbean attraction for gallons of family fun. You don’t need to have any previous wave-riding experience to have a blast on the FlowRider*. Just grab a board and hit the surf simulator on your feet or on your belly, boogie-style. Rides are included in your cruise fare, but you can also opt to upgrade your skills with an instructor-led lesson.
4. Unwind Poolside With The Whole Crew
The pool deck is the perfect spot to spend a sea day — especially onboard the Amplified Freedom of the Seas. Grab a couple of lounge chairs and soak up the sunshine in between refreshing dips in the pool. Or reserve a private casita for your closest friends and family. Tots and tweens can have a blast at Splashaway BaySM, an aqua park designed just for little ones. And parents can indulge in some grown-up relaxation at the Solarium, an adults-only indoor-outdoor oasis with whirlpools and plenty of room to unwind.
5. Take Adventure Sky-High On The Rock-Climbing Wall
Another Royal Caribbean staple, the rock-climbing wall is the perfect activity to stretch your muscles while enjoying the best views on the ship. Everyone from beginners to speed climbers can strap in and scale this 40-foot, fan-favorite attraction, as long as they’re six years or older. You don’t need to make a reservation to enjoy this complimentary onboard activity, so feel free to go vertical any time you like during your cruise onboard Freedom of the Seas.
6. Lace Up Your Skates For A Whirl On The Ice
Need to cool off from the warm Caribbean sunshine? Head to the sprawling ice-skating rink at Studio B onboard Freedom of the Seas. You can practice your figure eights or inch your way around the rink with a hand on the rail — everyone from amateurs to expert skaters, children to adults, are welcome here. Like most of the top-rated, family-friendly activities onboard this cruise ship, ice skating is complimentary to cruise guests.
7. Drop Little Ones Off At The Award-Winning Adventure Ocean®
Young kids will have the time of their lives at Adventure Ocean, reimagined onboard the Amplified Freedom of the Seas with wide-open play spaces and interactive activities for different age groups from babies to kids. Think mind-bending challenges, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and so much more. It’s the perfect way to ensure your little ones are having engaging, supervised fun while making new friends — so you can enjoy some adult time. The best part? It’s included in your cruise fare.
8. Let Your Teens Kick Back In Their Own Hangout Spot
If you’re wondering about activities for teens vacationing onboard Freedom of the Seas, you can rest assured there’s plenty onboard to keep your older kids engaged. In fact, 13 to 17-year-olds can unwind in an exclusive space all their own. Past a speakeasy-style entrance, they’ll find a gaming lounge that’s always playing great music, movies on demand, comfortable hangout nooks and even an outdoor patio where they can mix and mingle with new friends their age.
9. Suit Up For A Glow-In-The-Dark Laser Tag Clash
One of guests’ favorite family-friendly activities onboard Freedom of the Seas is Laser Tag: Clash for the Crystal CitySM. Open to guests aged five and older, this glow-in-the-dark laser tag battle pits two teams against each other — snowshifters and Yetis — in a frozen world millennia in the future. The object of the battle is to claim a mythical ice city and its life-sustaining innerlight. Laser tag is included in your cruise fare, so come back and test your skills on both teams.
10. Level-Up Every Family Dinner Onboard
Royal Caribbean is known for its incredible cruise dining options, and Freedom of the Seas lives up to that reputation. With so many crave-worthy options onboard, every family meal is bound to be unforgettable. Settle in for a Far East feast at Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, where menu standouts include fresh rolls and delicious teppanyaki prepared tableside. Or opt for a taste of Tuscany at Giovanni's℠ Italian Kitchen. And in the Main Dining Room, you can savor a rotating selection of global delicacies and long-standing foodie favorites — all complimentary. Whatever you and your family are in the mood for, you’re in for plenty of flavor.
11. End Every Evening With Family-Friendly Entertainment
A show-stopping spectacular is a great way to end every adventure-filled day onboard Freedom of the Seas. Head to the Royal Theater for Broadway-style musicals like Marquee — a dazzling original production that celebrates some of the greatest music hits from the Great White Way. And Once Upon A Time, a fantasy ride through your favorite childhood stories paired with electrifying choreography and music. And in Studio B, the ice rink sets the stage for spins, jumps and flips in the wow-worthy, stunt-filled skating show, FredomICE.com.
Ready to start planning the ultimate family getaway onboard Freedom of the Seas? There are plenty more family-friendly activities, attractions and experiences onshore everyone in your group will enjoy. The best way to hit all of them is to make a plan ahead of your sailing — though leave some free time for surprises along the way, like impromptu musical performances at the Bull and Bear English pub, parades along the Royal Promenade, themed party nights and more.
