Video: Cruise line's billion dollar baby makes splash

IT took two-and-a-half years to build, carries nearly 7,000 guests and even features a 10-storey water slide.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th May 2016, 10:42 BST
Updated 18th May 2016, 11:51 BST
The world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA WireThe world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
The world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

And the world’s largest cruise ship arrived yesterday in port in the UK ahead of its maiden voyage. The 1,188ft long Harmony of the Seas cost a billion US dollars (£695m), can carry 6,780 guests and 2,100 crew, and took more than two-and-a-half years to construct.

The Royal Caribbean ship, which has 20 restaurants on board, will set sail for its first trip, a four-night cruise from Southampton to Rotterdam, on Sunday.

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The liner features the 10-storey water slide called the Ultimate Abyss, which features a 100ft drop, making it the tallest at sea.

The world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA WireThe world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
The world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Other facilities on board the “seven neighbourhood” ship include the deepest pool at sea, which will feature diving performances. The ship also boasts a production of the musical Grease.

It has its own park, which contains 10,587 plants, 48 vines and 52 trees, while a total of 11,252 works of art are showcased across the vessel.

Stuart Leven, the managing director UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean International, said: “The Harmony of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship.

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“Bigger can be beautiful when it allows you to put so many great facilities on board to allow people to have a great holiday at sea.

The world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA WireThe world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
The world's largest passenger ship, MS Harmony of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean, makes her way up Southampton Water into Southampton ahead of her maiden cruise. Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

“Cruising is changing – it’s becoming a holiday for all the family, it’s not just white table cloths and ties at dinnertime.Now the sort of holiday you get at all-inclusive resorts on land can be replicated on the seas.

“We have a 10-storey slide, surf machines, plenty of restaurants like Jamie Oliver’s Italian on board, a great choice, and you can wake up with a different view from your balcony each day.

“My favourite facility is the robotic bartenders where you go in with an iPad to place your order and they will mix your cocktail.

“We are really pushing the boundaries.”

Related topics:Southampton