Freedom of the Seas Review: Can You Go Back to a Smaller Ship After Years on Mega Ships?
After years of sailing the biggest ships in the world—Harmony of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas—my wife Ashley and I decided to shake things up. We booked a 5-night sailing on Freedom of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s beloved Freedom-class ships, to see if smaller could still feel spectacular.
Spoiler alert: it absolutely can.
Going in, we knew to temper our expectations. Freedom isn’t a floating city like the Oasis or Icon class ships, but what it lacks in scale, it makes up for in charm, accessibility, and personality. The result? A cruise that felt refreshingly relaxed—proof that you can step down in ship size without stepping down in experience.
Freedom of the Seas: The Classic that Holds Up
Let’s start with the basics. Freedom of the Seas launched in 2006, but she’s far from outdated. Thanks to recent renovations under the Royal Amplified program, she’s been thoughtfully modernized with updated staterooms, refreshed restaurants, and reimagined public spaces.
From the moment we boarded, it was clear this ship still has plenty of life left. You won’t find record-breaking water slides or sprawling neighborhoods like on Icon or Oasis, but what you will find is a ship that feels comfortable, navigable, and perfectly balanced between activity and relaxation.
There’s something nice about being able to walk from bow to stern in minutes, not miles. On a mega ship, that’s almost impossible.
Our Junior Suite: Space and Simplicity
For this cruise, Ashley and I booked a Junior Suite—a stateroom that bridges the gap between standard balcony cabins and the true suite experience. While the Freedom class doesn’t offer multiple suite tiers like Star, Sky, and Sea Class, the Junior Suite still delivered on comfort.
We had plenty of space, a large balcony, and thoughtful storage throughout the room. It was simple but elegant. For us, it was a reminder that size isn’t everything—especially when you’re spending most of your time around the ship anyway.
If you’ve sailed in Star Class on Oasis or Icon, adjusting expectations is key. You won’t have a Genie or exclusive restaurants here, but you will have a cozy, well-appointed room and Royal Caribbean’s consistently strong service.
If you’ve ever wondered how to experience a suite without breaking the bank, our guide on how to afford a cruise suite breaks down exactly how to do it.
Dining on Freedom – Fewer Options, Still Fantastic
Even after years of cruising on Royal Caribbean’s mega ships, where dining options seem endless, we found that Freedom of the Seas still delivers where it counts. With Unlimited Dining, we made it a goal to revisit some of our favorites—and even though there are fewer venues onboard, the quality and service were every bit as strong as what we’ve experienced on the largest ships.
Chops Grille
Chops Grille remains a Royal Caribbean classic for a reason. The food and service are consistently excellent, and this sailing was no exception. From perfectly cooked filets to their signature sides, it was one of the best meals of our cruise. What makes Chops shine on Freedom is the intimate feel—you get the same high-end experience as the larger ships but with more personalized service and less noise.
Giovanni’s Table
We’ve dined at Giovanni’s across several Royal Caribbean ships, but the new Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen on Freedom of the Seas is our favorite version yet—even more than the ones on Icon or Oasis class. The redesigned space feels more open and welcoming while still keeping that warm, rustic Italian charm.
The menu has expanded, featuring wood-fired pizzas, house-made pastas, and hearty Italian comfort dishes. Every meal felt relaxed and unhurried, just the way an Italian dinner should be. It’s one of those spots you could easily linger over dessert and espresso long after the plates are cleared.
Izumi Sushi
Izumi has become one of our go-to specialty venues no matter which ship we’re on, and Freedom’s Izumi didn’t disappoint. The sushi was fresh, the rolls creative, and the staff made the experience fun and personal. It’s a great change of pace from the more traditional venues, and it never feels repetitive—even after multiple cruises.
Even without a massive selection of specialty restaurants like on Icon or Oasis, Freedom of the Seas proves that quality easily outweighs quantity. Every meal felt personal, well-paced, and satisfying—something we’ve come to expect from Royal Caribbean, no matter the ship size.
The Solarium: Our Favorite Yet
Now for what might be our favorite solarium at sea—and we’ve seen them all.
Unlike the glass-enclosed Solariums on the newer ships, Freedom’s Solarium is open-air, giving it an island resort feel. It’s equipped with cushioned loungers, a full pool bar, and an easygoing vibe that’s perfect for adults looking to unwind.
We loved how the sea breeze flowed through the space. It felt more like a private retreat than a ship deck. Sometimes simplicity wins, and this Solarium was proof of that.
Breakfast and Sea Day Dining
The Windjammer Marketplace was busy each morning, which is to be expected on any ship, but the staff handled it well. Knowing what to expect—and being flexible—made a big difference.
A pro tip we discovered: during peak times, Giovanni’s Table opens up as overflow seating, which really helps with crowd control. Grab your breakfast plate and enjoy a quieter, more relaxed start to the day.
And while there’s no Coastal Kitchen or suite-only dining on this class, we never felt limited. The food quality across the board was strong, and service always came with a smile.
Entertainment: Scaled Down but Still Strong
Freedom’s entertainment may not have the budget of Oasis or Icon, but it’s still classic Royal Caribbean. The main theater shows were solid, with talented singers and dancers performing high-energy sets.
We also joined The Quest, Royal’s famously cheeky adults-only scavenger game. As anyone who’s played knows, the fun depends heavily on the crowd—and our sailing had a great one.
It was a reminder that while the production value may be smaller, the spirit of fun is universal.
Perfect Day at CocoCay: Experiencing The Hideaway
The highlight of our cruise—and one of our favorite days ever on a Royal Caribbean sailing—was finally visiting The Hideaway at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
As soon as we arrived, we hopped on the dedicated shuttle from the pier to The Hideaway, which immediately set it apart from other beach areas on the island. The vibe was upscale yet relaxed, the pool was heated, and there were plenty of loungers along both the pool deck and beach area.
What really stood out was that it’s adults-only, which created a more peaceful, resort-like feel. The lagoon-style beach has no waves, making it perfect for floating and lounging without distraction.
And of course, no CocoCay visit is complete without a stop at the Snack Shack—where the crispy chicken sandwiches and mozzarella sticks remain undefeated.
If you’re sailing on a Freedom-class or any Royal Caribbean ship that visits CocoCay, make sure The Hideaway is on your list. It’s one of the best additions Royal has made in years.
Finding the Right Cruise Length
This was our first sailing under seven nights, and we quickly realized that five nights is the sweet spot for us. Anything shorter feels rushed, but five days gives you enough time to settle in, explore, and unwind.
That said, for the larger Oasis- and Icon-class ships, we’d still recommend a minimum of seven nights. Those ships have so much to experience that anything less feels incomplete.
Freedom, on the other hand, feels perfectly suited to these shorter getaways. It’s easier to navigate, and you can enjoy everything without feeling like you missed half the ship.
Mega vs. Mid-Size: What We Learned
Sailing smaller after years on mega ships felt like a return to cruising’s roots. There’s less planning, less walking, and more opportunity to simply enjoy the moment.
What We Missed from the Mega Ships
Specialty suite dining options like Coastal Kitchen.
The grandeur of large-scale entertainment.
Dedicated suite neighborhoods and lounges.
What We Loved About Freedom
Walkability—you can get anywhere in minutes.
An open-air Solarium that’s hard to beat.
A friendlier, more intimate atmosphere.
Quick embarkation and disembarkation.
The smaller scale meant fewer crowds, less waiting, and more personal service. It was cruising distilled back down to its essence—and we loved it.
Final Thoughts
After this sailing, we can confidently say yes—you absolutely can enjoy a smaller ship after years of sailing the biggest ones.
Freedom of the Seas reminded us what makes Royal Caribbean special in the first place: great food, great people, and great energy. The ship may not have the bells and whistles of Icon or Oasis, but it delivers a pure, classic cruise experience that’s hard to beat.
For us, it was the perfect reset.
✨ Thinking about your next Royal Caribbean cruise? Whether you’re sailing a mega ship or a Freedom-class favorite, we’ll help match you to the perfect itinerary and stateroom.
Email us at info@travelbytrinidad.com or visit travelbytrinidad.com to start planning your next voyage.
