Freedom of the Seas Next Drydock

[ethanfite56]

Hi everyone,

 

My family just booked a B2B sailing in late May of 2020 and am interested to know more about the drydock that is happening before that sailing. Specifically, what it will entail and what time is it scheduled for. I understand if this information is not available, however any information helps. 

 

Thanks so much!

 

-Ethan 

[Clarea]

The cruise line has not publicly released details about the dry dock.

[the_lovely_voyage]

I'm not sure what happened but I definitely replied to this thread yesterday, and then Ourusualbeach replied to my post last night, and now somehow both of our posts are gone. Not really sure what that's about.

 

To answer ethanfite56's question (again), the drydock for the Freedom is apparently scheduled for January 20-February 22, 2020. It will be getting the Royal Amplified Upgrades, similar to the Independence's upgrades.

[cot427]

1 hour ago, the_lovely_voyage said:

I'm not sure what happened but I definitely replied to this thread yesterday, and then Ourusualbeach replied to my post last night, and now somehow both of our posts are gone. Not really sure what that's about.

 

To answer ethanfite56's question (again), the drydock for the Freedom is apparently scheduled for January 20-February 22, 2020. It will be getting the Royal Amplified Upgrades, similar to the Independence's upgrades.

Yes, look for "Royal Amp" upgrades similar to Independence, but not exact. Royal is always analyzing and looking at what works, what doesn't (and how to make more onboard revenue lol). For example, take a look at Mariner vs. Navigator. Very similar in terms of upgrades and new venues, but also slightly different (pool deck, slides, restaurants)

[cruisinmamma]

Notified yesterday that our cruise scheduled for 2/23/2020 is cancelled to complete the refurbishment.

[cruiseguy1016]

Freedom is scheduled for dry dock January 19th  - March 1st next year. This is for the "Royal Amplified" changes listed below.

 

 Among the new "Royal Amplified" venues are:

• HOOKED SEAFOOD is a casual, surcharge restaurant for classic, freshest New England seafood favorites. including lobster, crab claws, oysters (at raw bar).
• PLAYMAKERS BAR and ARCADE is an adults-only sports bar with a la carte priced fast-food options - like chicken wings, popcorn shrimp, sliders, RCI's new signature Playmaker Burger, ice-cold beers. Age restrictions are 18+ yo (on itineraries in South America, Europe, Asia, Australia New Zealand) and 21+ yo (North America departures).
• EL LOCO FRESH is complimentary Mexican Cafe restaurant open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The traditional Mexican food (including beef burritos, fish tacos, carnitas) is served with mole sauce and salsa verde.
• FISH and SHIPS is a la carte priced, poolside fast-food bar serving American fare for Lunch and Dinner. The seafood menu features fresh-battered cod, lobster rolls, calamari, draft beers, hand-cut fries.
• JAMIE'S ITALIAN (menu link) is a casual, surcharge restaurant serving Italian fare for Lunch and Dinner. The venue is via partnership with the British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. The menu offers handmade dishes from authentic recipes and prepared with seasonal (locally sourced) ingredients. Menu's signature item is "Jamie's Italian Famous Plank " (cured meats, pickles, cheeses). Other specialties are in-house made pastas, pumpkin panzerotti, zingy prawn linguine, variety of entrees, small plates, grills, desserts.
• THE BAMBOO ROOM is an adults-only, Polynesia-themed bar lounge serving handcrafted cocktails prepared with exotic fruits and spices, as well as sharable bites at the bar. Age restrictions are 18+ yo (on itineraries in South America, Europe, Asia, Australia New Zealand) and 21+ yo ((North America departures).
• LASER TAG course (BATTLE FOR PLANET Z) is a complimentary, glow-in-the-dark gaming experience offered at Studio B. Laser tag battles require minimum 40 players, with age restriction 5 yo.
• THE PERFECT STORM is a waterslides complex (complimentary) that includes "Tidal Wave" (aka Boomerango) plus 2 racer slides ("Cyclone" and "Typhoon"). Both spiraling slides are positioned portside and go around the Flowrider. At "Tidal Wave" passengers ride in rafts plummeting down a very steep drop. Then the rafts shot up a nearly vertical wall into the air for experiencing the sensation of weightlessness and free fall. Then follows a swift return below. Slides builder is WhiteWater - company specializing in designing and manufacturing of water park products and family-fun attractions. WhiteWater also owns the FlowRider patent. There are no age restrictions, but there are passenger height and weight requirements - min 48 inches (122 cm) and max 300 lbs (136 kg).
• SKY PAD is a bungee trampoline with optional virtual reality gaming headset. Age restrictions are 5 yo (jumping) and 7 yo (jumping with virtual reality headset). Passenger weight requirements are min 20 lbs (9 kg) and max 240 lbs (109 kg).

She was last in dry dock in 2015. In addition to the above work, my assumption is that she will also have other things done such as painting, carpet, furniture replacement etc.

Edited February 22, 2019 by cruiseguy1016

[kjacruiser]

10 hours ago, cruisinmamma said:

Notified yesterday that our cruise scheduled for 2/23/2020 is cancelled to complete the refurbishment.

Yup us also...worst part is we had a b2b booked....will be calling today to give a piece of mind that the March 8th cruise isn't one they will price lock....starting to get more unhappy with the line.....

[cruisinmamma]

3 minutes ago, kjacruiser said:

Yup us also...worst part is we had a b2b booked....will be calling today to give a piece of mind that the March 8th cruise isn't one they will price lock....starting to get more unhappy with the line.....

 

[cruisinmamma]

Us too. I was able to get March 8.

it cost me $300 more, but I ended up with a total of $575 OBC.

not sure what I’ll do with that other than gratuities.

we are not drinkers and generally arrange private excursions.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

8 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

Freedom is scheduled for dry dock January 19th  - March 1st next year. This is for the "Royal Amplified" changes listed below.

 

 Among the new "Royal Amplified" venues are:

Just curious, where did this info come from? Because I haven't seen an official press release detailing the changes yet. 

Edited February 22, 2019 by OfTheSeasCruiser

[cruiseguy1016]

22 minutes ago, OfTheSeasCruiser said:

Just curious, where did this info come from? Because I haven't seen an official press release detailing the changes yet. 

 

I got most of the information from this site. I have picked up other bits and pieces from sites such as this, this and this. The first bits of information I got regarding the scheduled dry dock I got here on Cruise Critic. I realize none of these are an official RCI site but they all seem to agree on the dates and work to be done.

[OfTheSeasCruiser]

4 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

 

I got most of the information from this site. I have picked up other bits and pieces from sites such as this, this and this. The first bits of information I got regarding the scheduled dry dock I got here on Cruise Critic. I realize none of these are an official RCI site but they all seem to agree on the dates and work to be done.

Understood. I just wanted to confirm that this isn't official. Royal Amplified upgrades vary by ship, so we don't know for sure whether or not all of the venues on that list will or will not be added during the dry dock. 

[kjacruiser]

22 hours ago, cruisinmamma said:

Us too. I was able to get March 8.

it cost me $300 more, but I ended up with a total of $575 OBC.

not sure what I’ll do with that other than gratuities.

we are not drinkers and generally arrange private excursions.

calling today had the flu all week....not happy at all think anyone who was on a b2b should still get the price lock let alone anyone who is moving the sailing to March 8th....since it's the same itinerary...use some in the casino......and see if you can use some for a future booking....

 

Edited February 23, 2019 by kjacruiser

[drscooby74]

Now I see why our March 8 2020 went from almost empty when we booked (Booked Dec. 2018) to almost fully booked now... 

I really hope the dry dock is completed and not delayed for the March 8th sail.. March 1 finished date is cutting it close