Cruisin' for Clay: Ship and Destination Details

Royal Caribbean's "Freedom"

Here are a few of many features on our Cruise Ship:

Ice-skating rink	Several swimming pools & hot tubs
Rock-climbing wall	Themed bars and lounges
In-line skating	Boleros Latin-theme lounge
ShipShape® Day Spa and Fitness Center	Casino RoyaleSM
Royal Promenade (shopping mall)	Golf simulators
Johnny Rockets® '50s-style restaurant	Full-size basketball court
Portofino Italian Restaurant	Adventure Ocean® youth facilities, including teen-only areas
Chops Grille	9-hole miniature golf course
Ben & Jerry's® ice cream	Vintages wine bar ... and more!

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Destination Details

About SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO (text courtesy Royal Caribbean)

One of the largest islands in the Eastern Caribbean, Puerto Rico's landscape encompasses mountains, underground caves, coral reefs, white-sand beaches and an incredibly massive rain forest that supplies fresh water to most of the island. At the same time San Juan, the capital of the commonwealth, is a big city with a bustling business district, glitzy resorts and casinos, as well as one of the most stunning examples of colonial life in the Western world.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

When you're in San Juan, don't miss the opportunity to witness the pinnacle of natural beauty by exploring Puerto Rico's El Yunque Rain Forest. It features more than 240 species of trees, hundreds of miniature orchids, and what was once believed to be the Fountain of Youth.

Other Fun Things to Do

See Baño Grande, a natural swimming pool. Then take a walk on Camitillo Trail and look for the artificial nest of the Puerto Rican parrot and the flora and fauna of the Palo Colorado forest.

Explore Old San Juan, the second-oldest European settlement in the New World. Ride to San Felipe El Morro, the most dramatic of all the city's military fortifications. Visit the Casa Blanca Museum & Gardens, the Ballaja Barracks, Quincentennial Square, San Jose Church, San Juan Cathedral, and Cristo Chapel.

Sporting Adventures

Bike through the gorgeous scenery of the Piñones Reserve, home to the island's most spectacular views.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor

Puerto Rico is a great place to enjoy authentic Spanish-style sangria and taste a wide array of delicious tapas.

Local Currency

The U.S. dollar (USD) is the official unit of currency in Puerto Rico. Traveler's checks and credit cards are also widely accepted.

JANUARY Average Weather in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Temperature:
Average High 79.3° F
Average Low 66.2° F
Average Precipitation 0 in

About PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN, VIRGIN ISLANDS (text courtesy Royal Caribbean)

When the Spanish closed their colonial fort on St. Maarten in 1648, a few Dutch and French soldiers hid on the island and decided to share it. Soon after, the Netherlands and France signed a formal agreement to split St. Maarten in half, as it is today. Philipsburg displays its Dutch heritage in its architecture and landscaping. The island offers endless stretches of beach, beautiful landscapes and great shopping.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

Compete in an actual race on an America's Cup shortened course. Grind a winch, trim a sail or just sit back and enjoy. Professional sailors will give you a quick lesson, then you're off to compete on Stars and Stripes, one of the most famous sailboats in the world.

Other Fun Things to Do

Rendezvous at one of the newest and trendiest restaurants in French St. Maarten. Explore Orient Bay, the French Riviera of the Caribbean, with over 1 1/2 miles of white-sand beaches.

Admire the delicate nature and dazzling colors of hundreds of butterflies as you tour St. Maarten's popular Butterfly Farm.

Sporting Adventures

Tour the saltwater lagoons by kayak, and discover egrets, plovers, heron and pelicans.

Discover the undersea world of coral reefs and exotic fish as you take a snorkeling expedition through Shipwreck Cove.

Shopping for Bargains

There are about 500 duty-free shops on St. Maarten with prices 25% to 50% below those in the U.S. The selection of jewelry and watches is premier on the Dutch side of St. Maarten. Friendly competition between merchants guarantees excellent prices on emeralds, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, pearls, gold and silver. St. Maarten offers a wide selection of fine jewelry and watches from such well-known designers as C2K, Caribbean Hook, Honora, House of Tanzanite, John Atencio, John Hardy, Kabana, Roberto Coin, Starnight, White Diamonds, Alfex, Concord, Faconnable, Gucci, Maurice Lacroix, Michele, Movado, Wenger, La Nouvelle Bague and more. Be sure to try a bottle of St. Maarten's own guavaberry liqueur. The guavaberry is exclusive to this island.

Local Currency

The official units of currency are the Netherlands Antilles guilder (ANG) and the Euro (EUR). However, U.S. dollars, traveler's checks and credit cards are widely accepted.

About CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS (text courtesy Royal Caribbean)

St. Thomas is known as an idyllic vacation spot today, but its history is not so peaceful. In the 18th century, the island was at the center of a bustling pirate culture, as swashbuckling pirates such as Blackbeard and Drake traded stolen wares in the port of Charlotte Amalie. This world-renowned Caribbean island is home to amazing beaches, gorgeous sea and landscapes and unbelievable duty-free shopping.

Be sure to learn more about this exciting port. Check out our Shopping guide.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss

While the beaches and ocean are beautiful, there is one thing that really sets St. Thomas apart - shopping. Browse through the shop-lined streets of Charlotte Amalie and find out why St. Thomas is called the "duty-free shopping capital of the world." Shop for duty-free trinkets and bargains on everything from liquor to imported china and crystal. Visitors can bring home $1,200 in merchandise without paying duty - twice the limit of most of the Caribbean.

Other Fun Things to Do

Take a ride on Skyline Drive and enjoy a breathtaking view of St. Thomas Harbor. Then travel to Mountain Top, the highest point on St. Thomas, and see spectacular views of Magens Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Check out Coral World Marine Park, where you can touch sea stars at the touch pool or explore the mystery of life in a mangrove lagoon off the Coastal Trail.
Sit back and enjoy a relaxing half-day sail to Buck Island aboard a large sailing yacht, then snorkel in Turtle Cove.

Submerge yourself in a sci-fi adventure. Trek around coral reefs and get up close and personal with the marine life on the Atlantis Submarine.

Experience a bird's-eye view of the beauty of St. Thomas on an exciting helicopter adventure.

Travel 700 feet above the sea via skyride to The Paradise Point and see the most fantastic vistas in the Caribbean.

Sporting Adventures

Take an exhilarating, wind-in-your-face ride-of-a-lifetime all the way around the island on the 100-foot trimaran, Wild Thing.

Take a bike tour through historic and picturesque St. Thomas harbor.

Shopping for Bargains

St. Thomas is the bargain-shopping bazaar of the Caribbean. There are over 400 shops along the Main Street area in Charlotte Amalie and some 50 more in Havensight Mall. Great bargains are found on precious gemstones, and on fine jewelry and watches from designers like C2K, Caribbean Hook, Chopard, Honora, House of Tanzanite, John Atencio, John Hardy, Kabana, La Nouvelle Bague, Roberto Coin, Starnight, White Diamonds, Alfex, Concord, Gucci, Maurice Lacroix, Michele, Movado, Wenger and more. St. Thomas also features excellent buys on luxury items like perfume, leather, imported linens, china and crystal. Cameras, electronic goods, and designer clothing are also available, as are a selection of island rums and liquors, with great bargains on your favorite spirits.

Local Currency

The U.S. dollar (USD) is the official currency. Traveler's checks and credit cards are also widely accepted.

JANUARY average Weather in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Average High 84.8° F
Average Low 71.9°
Average Precipitation: 2 in.