World's biggest cruise ship takes shape

The largest cruise liner ever to be built is now under construction for Royal Caribbean International in Finland.

Royal Caribbean already have the three largest cruise ships in the world, but the new ship, codenamed Project Genesis, will be 40% bigger, weighing in at 220,000 tonnes. The new cruise ship will be 1,180 feet long - longer than four football pitches - 154 feet wide and 240 feet high and able to accommodate 5,400 cruise holidaymakers.

The first Project Genesis cruise ship will enter service in late 2009, and Royal Caribbean plans to launch another new cruise liner of a similar size in 2010. "It's very exciting to see our plans come together for these two amazing ships. The bold designs, daring innovations and technological advancements planned for these ships will thrill our loyal guests and help generate new devotees to our brand," says Royal Caribbean International president and ceo, Adam Goldstein.

Both new ships will have their home port at Port Everglades near Fort Lauderdale in Florida and are expected to welcome around 584,000 passengers a year each. Port Everglades is the busiest cruise port in the world, home to 40 cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean International already operates 21 cruise ships and now has another three under construction. Independence of the Seas will begin cruising from her home port of Southampton in May 2008. Her facilities will include an ice skating rink, boxing ring, and surf simulator.

Written by: Nick Purdom

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