Tall order ... the Oasis of the Seas can accommodate 6360 passengers, 2160 crew and offers a world of luxuries. Picture: Royal Caribbean
THE world's biggest and most expensive cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, has finally taken to the seas.
Nearly six years in the making and worth a staggering $1.47 billion, the ship was delivered to the Royal Caribbean cruiseline in Turku, Finland.
The Oasis of the Seas can accommodate 6360 passengers, 2160 crew and offers a world of luxuries, including: 21 swimming pools, an aqua park, a casino, a zip line and real trees.
Pictures: Onboard the Oasis of the Seas
With six levels of staterooms, a turf-covered chip and putt golf course, the world's first open-air amphitheatre at the stern, two surfing simulators and a boardwalk surrounded by restaurants, it is more like a giant ritzy resort than a cruise ship.
The biggest suite is 156 square metres and features a large 78.3-square-metre balcony with a jacuzzi.
Oasis of the Seas is 16 decks high, or 65 metres above the waterline, and measures 360 metres long and 47 metres wide.
It is 50 per cent bigger than its nearest rival, Cunard's elegant ocean liner Queen Mary 2.
On board facilities include a casino and spa, shops but those looking for more excitement can choose between pool surfing, rock-climbing and a whiz above the boardwalk on a zip line.
"Part of the thought process of the ship is to overcome the old myths people have about cruising," Royal Caribbean executive, Richard Fain, said.
"It's very hard to look at a vessel like this and think that cruising is secondary when you can choose rock-climbing, surfing or zip-lining."
Mr Fain said the ship, which will be sailing mainly in the Caribbean, had attracted strong pre-bookings despite the global financial crisis and said the aim was to lure new customers who have not cruised before.
There is however still spots left for the ship's maiden voyage in December.
The vessel is scheduled to leave Finland today when it will set sail for its home port of Fort Lauderdale in the US, where it will arrive in about two weeks.
Oasis of the Seas will make its four-night maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Labadee in Haiti on December 1.
With no plans of cruising Down Under, Australians will be able to book a seven night Inaugural Eastern Caribbean Cruise for $1519 or the four night Labadee Extravaganza Cruise starting from $859 with Royal Caribbean.
With AFP
Pictures: Onboard the Oasis of the Seas
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