FOR Captain Trym Selvag, master of the world's largest cruise ship Oasis of the Seas, arriving in Southampton tomorrow will be very familiar – even though he has never sailed into the Hampshire port before.

But Captain Trym Selvag has negotiated the Solent and Southampton Water on numerous occasions on a simulator. And that, he says, gives him supreme confidence that the arrival and departure of the giant Royal Caribbean ship will prove a comfortable experience for all concerned.

“The size of Oasis of the Seas always creates a challenge. But she is very powerful and arriving in Southampton should prove no problems,” assured Captain Selvag.

“Oasis is easier in many ways to handle than smaller ships. The power from three pods enables her to easily turn 360 degrees, on top of that she has four thrusters providing 7,500 horse power each. Such power means she can manoeuvre in 40 knot winds if needs be.”

A native of Norway, Captain Selvag began his career by following in the family footsteps of his grand-fathers and father and headed to sea at the age of just 16.

At the age of 20 he studied for his Captain qualifications at the Norwegian Maritime Academy and then joined Royal Caribbean International in 1990 on Sovereign of the Seas as a young officer.

He has been Captain of the Oasis of the Seas for the last three years. The scale of Oasis, however, makes the vessel under his command now unique among other cruise ships.

“With so many guests on board the offering is completely different. Unlike other ships where there might be one or two events going on at the same time, here we can have lots of shows going on at same time,” he commented.

And the Captain’s favourite place? That would be Central Park, the first open air garden at sea.

“Then perhaps the Boardwalk for its charm and then perhaps the Royal Promenade,” he adds.

You get the impression there isn’t anywhere on board his magnificent command that he doesn’t think is, well, magnificent.