Southampton has welcomed the world's largest cruise ship into its docks in preparation for its first ever voyage, which begins next week (22 May 2016). Built by STX France for Royal Caribbean International, Harmony of the Seas is 361m long – 37m longer than the Eiffel Tower and more than three times the length of the Elizabeth Tower in London (home of the Big Ben bell), making the Royal Caribbean's latest addition the world's largest cruise ship at 227,000 gross registered tonnes.
It is the widest cruise ship ever built, and cost close to one billion euros (£783.2m) to construct. It has 16 decks and will be able to carry 6,410 passengers and 2,100 crew members and 2,747 staterooms. From giant water slides to Bionic Bars (where robots serve you drinks) the cruise ship is the most lavish and expensive ship in the global cruise line's 25-strong-fleet.
IBTimes UK takes a look inside:
Harmony of the Seas arriving in SouthamptonHarmony of the SeasHarmony of the Seas arriving in SouthamptonHarmony of the SeasInside the Harmony of the SeasRoyal Caribbean InternationalHarmony of the Seas arriving in SouthamptonHarmony of the SeasHarmony of the Seas cutaway illustrationRoyal Caribbean InternationalWater slidesRoyal Caribbean InternationalHarmony of the Seas arriving in SouthamptonHarmony of the SeasIts Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine restaurantRoyal Caribbean InternationalSlot machines at a casino in the Harmony of the SeaJean-Sevastien Evrard/AFPHarmony of the SeasHarmony of the SeasA casino game table inside the Harmony of the Seas cruise shipJean-Sevastien Evrard/AFPThe Harmony of the Seas' water parkRoyal Caribbean InternationalHarmony of the Seas sailing from the STX Saint-Nazaire shipyard in western FranceJean-Francois Monier/AFPRear view of the Harmony of the SeasRoyal Caribbean InternationalThe Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine restaurantRoyal Caribbean InternationalWonderland Imaginative CuisineRoyal Caribbean InternationalHarmony of the SeasRoyal Caribbean InternationalHarmony of the Seas sailing from the STX Saint-Nazaire shipyard in western FranceJean-Francois Monier/AFPWater slidesRoyal Caribbean InternationalWater slidesRoyal Caribbean InternationalWater slidesRoyal Caribbean InternationalRear view of the Harmony of the SeasRoyal Caribbean InternationalThe Bionic Bar, a technology-savvy venue complete with two robotic bartenders that can shake, muddle and mix a variety of drinksRoyal Caribbean InternationalThe Bionic BarRoyal Caribbean InternationalHarmony of the SeasRoyal Caribbean InternationalHarmony of the Seas sailing from the STX Saint-Nazaire shipyard in western FranceLoic Venance/AFPHarmony of the Seas sailing from the STX Saint-Nazaire shipyard in western FranceLoic Venance/AFPAn artist depicting on of the vessel's journeysRoyal Caribbean International
