IT’S OFFICIAL:
CRuISING IS
From on-board basketball
obviously retired people were on board, but plenty of
Thrumming WiTh acTiviTy
courts, ice-skating rinks and
others clearly weren’t. Besides the widely varied age Complimentary ice cream, talent shows, table tennis,
groups, there were guests from 73 countries on board. face painting, water ballet in amateur synchronised
juggling classes, to rock swimming competitions – it all adds up to the
climbing walls, wireless
Bags of Pzazz
ultimate playground for kids. It’s also pretty nifty for
Cruise ships never tend to err on the side of adults, with both day and nightlife full on and fizzing.
internet access and gigantic
minimalism but ‘Freedom’ throws caution to the Designed as floating resorts, there is a bewildering
spas, Gilly Pickup finds
wind with her glitzy, even, in places -it has to be array of things to do, a breathless programme of on-
cruising floats her boat...
said- somewhat gaudy, décor. Sparkly glass lifts at board activities which illustrate exactly why Freedom
either end of the promenade have changeable carpets of the Seas offers ‘way more than a cruise’.
spelling out what day of the week it is in large letters. You could, for instance, start the day trying
aller than Nelson’s Column, heavier Not as daft as it may seem, because once at sea it can to achieve ‘fab-abs’ in the gym, have a game of
T
than 80,000 cars and three times be only too easy to lose track of passing time. basketball, take in a Vitality Workshop or enjoy
the size of the Titanic - that’s Royal Freedom’s top-deck aqua environment, the underwater music while swimming in the central
Caribbean’s jaw-dropping ‘Freedom pool. Then you could bid in an art auction, let the
of the Seas’. Mind you, the problem with a quarter caricaturist draw you in a quirky, comical way – if
of a mile long ship is that if you board at the wrong
“ At night the whole
you dare! take an art class or lessons in how to fold
end it’s a long walk to your cabin (oops sorry, napkins (you wouldn’t want to miss those), join a
your ‘stateroom’.) ‘Freedom’, along with her twin,
area is transformed
cooking demo and okay, if you really have to, you
‘Independence of the Seas’ is the largest passenger could check your emails.
ship afloat and until you see one of these behemoths
into a magically-lit
The superbly tiered Art Deco-style Arcadia
of the ocean it is impossible to convey how large and Theatre with revolving stage and orchestra pit is the
extremely graceful they are. sculpture garden.” venue for glittering, razzle dazzle Vegas style evening
Diminutive Greek master Manolis Kasselas, shows- no cheesy cabaret this - though should
responsible for 6,000 passengers and crew - and not spectacular H2O Zone, features coloured sculptures high octane clubbing be more your scene, Gothic-
least, this $500m, 160,000 tonne, ship, commands depicting humans of all shapes and sizes which themed two-deck nightclub The Crypt, all ghoulish
this monster. He delights in introducing himself as double as interactive fountains. A circular current memorabilia and velvet chairs won’t disappoint.
“the world’s smallest captain on the world’s largest pool is fed by a glorious flamingo-shaped waterfall Besides that, there are 16 bars and lounges (I
ship.” Royal Caribbean, like many cruise companies, cascading from an overhanging bridge. At night, counted) from the elegant Champagne Bar and ultra
is trying to alter the perception that cruising is the whole area is transformed into a magically-lit classy Olive Or Twist club to Boleros where you can
primarily the pursuit of the retired. Certainly, many sculpture garden. shake your booty to hip live Latin beats. For more
18
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