Which Royal Caribbean ship introduced the FlowRider surf simulator at sea?

Freedom of the Seas introduced Royal Caribbean’s FlowRider surf simulator at sea.

The ship entered service in 2006 as the first vessel in Royal Caribbean’s Freedom class. One of its headline attractions was the FlowRider, which pumps a continuous sheet of water up an inclined surface so guests can practice bodyboarding and surfing while the ship is underway.

Freedom of the Seas helped establish the modern cruise ship as a floating resort with large activity areas, rather than simply a vessel carrying passengers between ports. Its onboard features included multiple pools, a large sports area, and a rock-climbing wall.

The FlowRider is not an ocean wave and does not propel the ship. It is a controlled water attraction installed on the open aft deck. Royal Caribbean later added similar surf simulators to many other ships in its fleet.