Giant of the sea sets sail

The world's largest cruise ship, which at 362m is over 50m longer than the Eiffel Tower, has set off on its first sea trial from France.

The 227,000-tonne Harmony of the Seas has a capacity for slightly over 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew, and is specially catered to a new generation of cruisegoers.

It boasts 18 decks that reach a height of 70m packed with facilities not for the faint-hearted.

These include a ride that flings thrill-seekers down 10 decks, a water park, zip line, rock-climbing walls, two FlowRiders with simulated waves for surfing, an ice-skating rink and a theatre for Broadway- type productions that seats more than 1,000.

The US$1 billion (S$1.4 billion) mammoth is the latest addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet, and is scheduled for delivery in May.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 12, 2016, with the headline Giant of the sea sets sail. Subscribe