Largest cruise ship takes to water

Last Modified: 21 Nov 2008
Source: PA News

The world's biggest ever cruise ship will feel the sea underneath her for the first time when the milestone float out ceremony takes place.

The 220,000 tonne leviathan called Oasis of the Seas is being built by American company Royal Caribbean at the STX Europe shipyard in Turku, Finland.

The 1,187ft long vessel can carry 6,296 passengers and is so big its exhaust stack retracts so it can pass under bridges as it travels the world.

Representatives from the owners and the shipyard will turn a wheel to let the water into the enormous dry dock where the ship is being built at around 2.15pm GMT on Friday. It will take several days to fill the dock and float the ship completely.

The £700 million vessel is 40% bigger than any other cruise ship afloat and it has a "Central Park" style open air space aboard the size of a football field with its own micro-climate.

The attraction means that guests can have the option of a sea or tree view.

In addition there is a bar called Rising Tide that will move between three of the 16 passenger decks.

Completing the major new attractions is a 750-seat AquaTheater concept modelled on an ancient Greek amphitheatre located at the stern of the ship.

It allows guests onboard the chance of lounging around the biggest pool afloat in the day and then going back at night for shows including acrobatics, synchronised swimming, water ballet, and professional high-diving.

Other amenities include loft-style apartments plus the usual pools, restaurants and a casino.

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