Freedom of the Seas: Sanitation Record & Health Report
ShipTea Verdict
When Freedom of the Seas launched in 2006, she was the largest cruise ship in the world — a title Royal Caribbean was very, very excited for you to know about. Nearly two decades later, she's been thoroughly lapped by her own fleet (Icon of the Seas makes her look like a tugboat), but Freedom still holds her own as the original Freedom-class flagship. She's not the newest, not the flashiest, and at 11.7 knots she's not exactly rushing anywhere, but the 154,000-ton girl has something newer ships could stand to aspire to: a spotless health record. One CDC inspection. Score of 98. No drama, no dips, no lowest-ever to quietly sweep under the gangplank. Just clean. Consistently, boringly, beautifully clean.
The caveat — and there's always a caveat — is that one inspection is a thin resume. A 98 with a sample size of one is more of a promising audition than a proven track record. We can't call it a "trend" when it's a single data point wearing a trend's outfit. That said, a 98 is two points above the fleet average, and Freedom earned it on her most recent inspection in September 2025, which means she's not coasting on old glory. She's keeping the kitchens clean and the food-safety inspectors nodding approvingly, even at 19 years old. For a ship her age, that deserves genuine respect — and maybe a small round of applause.
Who it's for: Families and first-time cruisers sailing out of Miami who want a proven Royal Caribbean product without the overwhelming scale of the newer Oasis or Icon-class ships. You get the waterslides, the flow rider, the specialty dining circus — just in a size that doesn't require a map and a spirit animal to navigate. Who should skip it: Trend-chasers and luxury seekers who need the newest everything — Freedom's amenities were cutting-edge when the iPhone was still a year away from existing. If you've already sailed her sister ships or want the full spectacle of modern Royal Caribbean mega-ship excess, you'll probably feel like you're watching reruns.
Freedom of the Seas at a Glance
Freedom of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, built in 2006 and refurbished in 2025. It carries 3,634 passengers and measures 154,407 gross tons. Freedom of the Seas has 50 sailings on the schedule through July 2027, mostly from Miami (39) and Southampton (11), most often on 5-night voyages (trips run 4 to 12 nights). The next departure is September 19, 2026 from Miami.
We have 2 CDC inspections on record for Freedom of the Seas. The most recent results ran 98 (Sep 2025), 94 (Feb 2026), down 4 points across that span.
Freedom-Class Sister Ships
Freedom of the Seas has 2 sister ships in the Freedom class. Here is how their latest CDC scores compare.
| Ship | Line | Latest CDC score | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | 99 | Oct 30, 2025 |
| Liberty of the Seas | Royal Caribbean | 97 | Dec 12, 2025 |
Score History
Inspection History
Outbreak Timeline
No outbreaks on record for the Freedom of the Seas.
Outbreak history for this ship is not currently available from the CDC.
Safety score last updated: Feb 20, 2026
How Does This Compare?
USCG Deficiency Records
No USCG deficiencies on record.
Marine Casualties & Investigations
No marine casualties or investigations on record.
Crime Rate Context
Royal Caribbean Crime Rate
Based on DOT CVSSA quarterly crime reports, Royal Caribbean has a crime rate roughly in line with the industry average. This score applies to all ships in the fleet. Crime Score: 85/100.
Environmental Rating: B-
Making Effort
Score Breakdown
Friends of the Earth Report Card
USCG Environmental Compliance
✓ Clean environmental compliance record — no MARPOL deficiencies on file.
Crew Treatment: Crew's Choice
This score reflects how Royal Caribbean treats its crew — based on employee reviews, flag state quality, safety compliance, and editorial assessment. All ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet share this line-level rating.
Glassdoor Employee Rating
★★★★☆ 4.0Based on 3,339 employee reviews
Score Breakdown
Flag State Quality
Freedom of the Seas is registered under a Paris MOU White List flag state — the highest safety and compliance tier. Flag State Score: 100/100
Upcoming Sailings
| Voyage | Departs | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 5 nights, round-trip from Miami, USA | Sep 19 | 5N |
| 9 nights, round-trip from Miami, USA | Sep 24 | 9N |
| 5 nights, round-trip from Miami, USA | Oct 3 | 5N |
| 9 nights, round-trip from Miami, USA | Oct 8 | 9N |
| 5 nights, round-trip from Miami, USA | Oct 17 | 5N |
Sailing on Freedom of the Seas?
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Should You Book?
Good For You If...
- You want a ship with a passing CDC score (94/100)
Proceed With Caution If...
- Scores have been trending downward recently
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Frequently Asked Questions
The latest CDC sanitation score for the Freedom of the Seas is 94/100 as of February 12, 2026.
No, the Freedom of the Seas has never failed a CDC inspection. All recorded scores have been 86 or above.
No, the Freedom of the Seas has no recorded gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on file with the CDC.
Based on CDC inspection data and our editorial review, the Freedom of the Seas has a ShipTea rating of "🟢 Smooth Sailing". Check the full profile for detailed inspection history.
The Freedom of the Seas was last inspected by the CDC on February 12, 2026.