Freedom of the Seas takes largest cruise ship crown from Queen Mary 2

Royal Caribbean's massive Freedom of the Seas officially became the world's largest cruise ship afloat when her hull was moved from drydock to wetdock on August 22, in preparation for the final work prior to her May 2006 introduction. At 158,000 gross registered tons, Freedom edges out the previous champ, Cunard's Queen Mary 2, which weighs in at a mere 150,000 tons.

Everything about Freedom is big, from the passenger capacity (4,370) and number of staterooms (1,817), to the size of the interior promenade (427 feet) and overall length (1,112 feet). The ship keeps the popular features of the Voyager-class vessels, like the rock climbing wall and ice skating rink, while adding new bells and whistles--some of which remain secret.

Freedom of the Seas' Western Caribbean itineraries are now available for booking, from $709 per person (double occupancy, as of 8/22/2005). All Freedom of the Seas bookings at 02Cruise.com are eligible to earn valuable CruiseDividends points redeemable toward name-brand merchandise, from Apple iPods to Weber grills.