Third Freedom for Aker

Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCCL) and Aker Yards have signed a LoI for the order of a third ship in the Freedom class, the world’s largest cruise ship. The contract value is at the same level as the second vessel in this class ordered last autumn and the LoI is valid until the end of this month. The agreement is subject to certain conditions, including RCCL and Aker Yards board approval.

Aker Finnyards, which is a part of Aker Yards, has two of these record breaking cruise ships under construction at its yard in Turku. The first cruise ship in this class, ?Freedom of the Seas? will be delivered in April 2006 and the second ship will be ready for delivery in spring 2007. This third vessel is scheduled to be delivered early 2008. These new ships are some 15% cent larger in space and passenger capacity than the earlier Voyager-class vessels.

The new 158,000 gt Freedom class vessels will be 339 metres long and 38.6 metres wide and will stand 18 decks high. The ships will carry 3,600 guests, some 500 more than its predecessors in the Voyager-series, and 1,400 crewmembers.