OASIS OF THE SEAS-Largest Cruise Ship

The largest Cruise Ship of the world

·    Oasis of the Seas sailed into Southampton at 10am on 15 October 2014, Wednesday in dense fog, welcomed by a crowd of hundreds and helicopters circling overhead.

·         Weighing 225,282 tones, the 1,187ft ship is longer than London's The Shard is tall, and at 208ft wide, larger than the wingspan of a Boeing 747.

·         The Royal Caribbean vessel is longer than the Shard and wider than Boeing 747.

·         The Oasis of the Seas is five times bigger than the Titanic and three times the QE2.

·         It is also more than twice as high at 214 ft and 20 storeys as the Wightlink ferry passing behind it.

·         It cost £800 million to build – as much as Wembley Stadium.

·         Built in Finland, it is said to be the world's greenest cruise ship, reusing all its water and dumping no sewage into the sea.

·         Spread across its 16 decks is an outdoor park with more than 12,000 real plants and trees, an 82-foot long zip wire, and the largest pool on the seas. There is also a 750-seater arena, ice rink, surf machines, a high-diving performance venue and an elevating bar. It can accommodate 6360 passengers, including 2700 Cabins ‘multilevel urban style loft suites’ with floor-to-celling windows. It has a giant pool, musical Hairspray, ice dancing and shows by Olympic gymnast. Youth Zone has theme parks, children's science labs and a mock tall bar serving non-alcoholic drinks. There are also whirlpools, volley ball and basketball court, a rock climbing wall, a nine-hole golf course and a zip wire that races diagonally down nine decks. Central park has a square with boutiques, restaurant and bars.

·         Dominic Paul, the senior vice president of Royal Caribbean International, said: 'Today is an important milestone in the global expansion of the Royal Caribbean International business. 'We are marking a significant step change in our investment into growth markets around the world. 

'The welcome of Oasis of the Seas to Southampton is followed next year by sister ship Allure of the Seas sailing outside the Caribbean for the first time during a summer 2015 season based in Barcelona. 

'These investments highlight our commitment to deliver the most innovative and architecturally advanced ships to Europe and are part of our ongoing effort to redefine the cruise sector. 'Their extensive investments into new ships, new technology and new ideas are increasing the appeal of the cruise sector around the world.'

·         Onlookers this morning were kept in good spirits despite the grey weather with free tea and bacon sandwiches offered by Royal Caribbean.

·         It is a busy time for Southampton, with another Royal Caribbean ship, Quantum of the Seas, expected to dock in just over a fortnight to be showcased.

·         The first in a series of new ships coming from Royal Caribbean International over the next few years, Quantum of the Seas will sail from Southampton to New York on 2 November 2014.

·         In 2015 Quantum of the Seas will become the newest ship from a global cruise line to ever be based in the Far East when it offers cruises from Shanghai starting in June 2015.