World's largest cruise ship arrives in Southampton

World's largest cruise ship arrives in Southampton

Royal Caribbean International’s $1 billion new mega ship, Harmony of the Seas, arrives in Southampton today ahead of being showcased to agents attending the 10th annual Clia Conference.

Heralded as the world’s largest cruise ship, the third Oasis-class vessel will be shown off to agents at the event on Friday.

New features include the Ultimate Abyss, claimed to be the tallest slide on a ship with a 10-storey drop, and The Perfect Storm – three waterslides

The ship combines the seven neighbourhood concept that the line's Oasis class ships are known for, with the top technological features from its Quantum class ships, such as the robot-powered Bionic Bar.

Entertainment ranges from hit musical Grease through to aquatic performances at the AquaTheatre and ice shows.

The 5,497-passenger ship's 20 dining include Jamie's Italian by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and a Wonderland restaurant.

The ship is running two short preview sailings from Southampton before relocating to the Mediterranean for summer sailings from Barcelona and Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, and seven-night winter itineraries in the Caribbean from Port Everglades in Florida.

Construction on the fourth ship in the series started at the St Nazaire ship yard in France last autumn with the as-yet unnamed vessel due to enter service in spring 2018.