Freedom of the Seas is the flagship of the Freedom class of ships and is owned by the Royal Caribbean International. Freedom's maiden voyage was in June 2006, and Freedom was built in the STX Europe - Aker shipyard in Turku, Finland. At 158,000 gross tons, this ship hosts 3634 guests and 1360 crew. The ship's Royal Promenade has shops and eateries on each side, and many interior staterooms have windows offering a view of the Royal Promenade. The Royal Promenade has, a coffee shop, Sorrento's Pizzeria, a Ben and Jerry's ice-cream shop, Vintage's winery, the Bull and Bear Irish pub, and several Duty-free stores. The ship has an interactive water park, a dedicated adult pool and a main pool. The 13th deck has a sports area with a rock climbing wall, a FlowRider surfing pool as well as a miniature golf course and a full size basketball court. Other items include an ice skating rink, a casino, a Johnny Rockets restaurant and there is Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the ship. more

Windstar Cruises calls the Central America and Costa Rica area, " A small jewel, where nature is the show . . . blessed with more butterflies and birds than most continents . . . where dolphins and turtles swim in startlingly clear seas." Whether you're in search of adventure in a tropical rainforest, or are looking for an endless supply of surf and fun, Central America cruising has become an ideal cruise destination. It's an area that offers a wealth of diversity as a nature lover's paradise where it's easy to find as much action or relaxation as one could want. You can hike through a jungle, climb a volcano, lounge on a pristine white sand beach, or seek adventure in a natural paradise - from scuba diving, snorkeling, whitewater rafting, and bird-watching. Most of the time, ships stop in Central American ports as part of a Panama Canal or Western Caribbean Itinerary; however, there a few cruises that are exclusive to Central America and Costa Rica. more