Explorer of the Seas vs Freedom

The Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas was built in 2000. It was renovated in 2023. It's 7 years older than the Freedom, which was built in 2007 and renovated in 2023.

Comparison Overview

• Ship Size
• Number of Passengers
• Food and Restaurants
• Bars and Drinks
• Pools and Hot Tubs
• Ship Features and Activities
• Cruise Costs
• Onboard Costs

Ship Size

The Explorer of the Seas is considered a medium size ship. Coming in at 1,020 feet long and 157 feet wide, it's roughly the length of 2.8 football fields, as wide as 3 tractor-trailers and the same height as a 14-story building. Compared to the Carnival Freedom, the Explorer of the Seas is 25% larger in terms of overall tons.

Number of Passengers

Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas holds about the same number of passengers as the Freedom based on double occupancy (two people per room). When you compare the total tonnage of the ship to the number of passengers, or what we call the "Space Ratio," the Explorer of the Seas has more space per person compared to the Freedom. This means that you might have a bit more space to yourself on the ship, although there still could be some crowded areas like buffets, pools, etc.

Food and Restaurants

Food is a big part of any cruise, and the ship you choose can make a huge difference in your food experience.

The Explorer of the Seas has 14 different dining options like Giovanni's Table, Windjammer, and Izumi Sushi & Hot Rocks. Of those options, 8 are complementary, or included with your cruise fare. The other 6 options have an additional fee.

The Freedom has 4 more dining venues. Some of its popular venues are Guy's Burger Joint, Blue Iguana Cantina, and Seafood Shack. 13 of these restaurants are complementary and the other 5 have an additional fee.

If you like having a variety of places to eat, the Freedom might be a better choice. It has 29% more dining options than the Explorer of the Seas.

If you're looking to avoid extra money while on board, the Freedom might be a better choice then the Explorer of the Seas. More of the dining options are included in the base cruise fare, potentially saving you money.

Bars and Drinks

The Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas has 3 fewer bars than the Carnival Freedom. The Explorer of the Seas has 10 bars like English Pub, Pool bar and Sky Bar. On Explorer of the Seas, you can grab a drink at 13 different bars such as Atrium Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar and Casino Bar.

In terms of drinks and cocktails, you have a variety of choices. The Explorer of the Seas serves Coca Cola branded products. That includes drinks like Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite and Barqs Root Beer, although the selection can vary by ship. Most Royal Caribbean ships also have Coke Freestyle machines where you can make 100 different flavor combinations. The Freedom serves the Pepsi family of products. That means Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Starry, Mug Root Beer, and Mountain Dew.

You can check out recent the bar menus for the Explorer of the Seas and the Freedom below.

Pools and Hot Tubs

Nothing beats relaxing by a pool with a nice drink in hand as you feel the fresh sea breeze pass by you. The problem is that with thousands of people on a ship, there's not always room. If you want to spend all day for 7 days in a pool, a cruise isn't for you. You would have a much better bet choosing a resort with a huge pool complex. That being said, a quick dip in the pool can be nice on a hot day.

The Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas has a total of 3 pools and 6 hot tubs. Tired of loud kids and splashing? 1 of the pools and 2 of the hot tubs are adults only.

Carnival Freedom has fewer pools than the Explorer of the Seas and fewer hot tubs.

Cruise Coloring and Activity Books for Kids
Get your kids ready for their cruise or keep them entertained while on board with our custom made coloring and activity books.

Cruise Ship Coloring Book for Kids 3-5
(Carnival Edition) (Royal Caribbean Edition)

Let's Get Cruising Activity Book for Kids 6-8
(Carnival Edition) (Royal Caribbean Edition)

Ship Features and Activities

Both ships have lots of activities to keep you busy throughout your cruise. Below you'll see a list of some of the major features on these ships. You might up paying more while on board the Explorer of the Seas. Only 71% of the activities below are included in your cruise fare. On the Freedom, 73% of the activities are included at no additional cost.

Cruise Costs

Royal Caribbean and Carnival are both considered "Mainstream" cruise lines. Mainstream cruise lines cater to a variety of guests, hoping to provide something for everyone. These typically cost about $100 - $350 per person per day.

Cruise pricing is dynamic and varies for each specific sailing based on factors such as departure point, ports of call, and time of year. Typically newer ships cost more, so a cruise on Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas will likely be cheaper than on Carnival Freedom.

Onboard Costs

Another way to gauge the cost of a cruise is to consider how much you'll spend on board. Even though a lot is included in the base cruise fare, you may still spend money on things like spa treatments, specialty dining, drinks, and excursions. In addition, guests can also have to pay for things like gratuities and tips.

Typically guests can expect to spend about 25 - 40% of the cost of the cruise on onboard expenses. In other words, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, you might spend between $250 and $400 on extra expenses.

The table below will help you compare onboard prices to see if you might spend more on a specific ship.

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing, which means the pricing for many things will vary per sailing. The daily gratuities and tip are consistent across the fleet, but the pricing for the drink package, internet, and excursions will change. The only way to know your price is to consult the Royal Caribbean cruise planner once you're booked.

Want to Stay Up-To-Date on All Things Cruising?

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Articles Related the These Ships

How To Enjoy Dive-in Movies on Carnival Cruise Ships

What Theme Parties Will Be On Your Carnival Cruise?

All You Need To Know About Carnival’s Cheers Package

What is Half Moon Cay and Why Should You Visit?

Go Ice Skating on a Cruise Ship

How to Choose the Best Cabin on a Carnival Cruise

About Cruise Spotlight
Founded in 2020, Cruise Spotlight's goal is to help people understand every aspect of cruising. Plenty of sites focus on the perfect Instagram pictures and marketing fluff. We focus on what really matters: onboard expenses, tips for cruise ships, detailed cruise reviews, and more. Our goal is to provide helpful, unbiased information to new and established cruisers. Over the years, we've helped millions of people get the most from their cruise vacation.
Learn more about Cruise Spotlight.