The Freedom of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, the world's largest Cruise ship, made its first visit to Grand Cayman on Wednesday 7 June.

Various MLAs, and dignitaries including the Hon Charles Clifford, Minister of Tourism, attended a special presentation of plaques and keys on board ship.

They were then joined by other VIP's from Cayman's business community.

At 160,000 tonnes she comfortably beats the Queen Mary 2, and can accommodate 1,360 crew plus 4,375 passengers (1,755 more than the QM2). She is the size of the Eiffel Tower lain on its side.

Besides Grand Cayman Freedom of the Seas also calls at Montego Bay in Jamaica and Cozumel, in Mexico, before returning to Miami.

Some of the features of Freedom of the Seas include 'Flowrider,' the first-ever shipboard surf park, and a water park, which features interactive sculpture fountains, ground geysers, a cascading waterfall and a circular pool with its own built-in current.

Passengers can also take part in a golf course, on the top deck, as well as an adults-only solarium with two cantilevered whirlpools extending 12 feet past the sides of the ship.

Before presenting Cayman VIPs with their plaques, Captain Bill Wright said: "I am proud to be the master of Freedom of the Seas. It is the largest, most magnificent, and I also sometimes like to say, sexiest cruise ship in the world."

Captain Wright then spoke about Royal Caribbean's past history, ever since the 'Song of Norway,' the world's first ship built solely for cruises, was built at the end of the 1960s.

Captain Wright then spoke of Royal Caribbean's plans for the future, including the construction of a yet unnamed vessel, part of what he referred to as 'Project Genesis,' that would dwarf even the Freedom of the Seas, weighing 220,000 tonnes.

Mr Wright also described the environmentally friendly aspects of the ship, including some of the modern waste management technology on board.

"I am proud that the environmental 'footprint' of the ship is negligible," he said.

As he went to take part in the presentation of plaques and keys, the Minister of Tourism, Hon Charles Clifford, outlined some of the plans for new developments to the facilities for cruise ship passengers.

christopher@caymannetnews.com