10:56am Monday 2nd November 2009
By Keith Hamilton
The world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, is set to make a brief, but dramatic, appearance in the Solent today.
At 220,000 tons, she is 60,000 tons bigger than the previous record holder, Independence of the Seas which operates from Southampton.
The latest information is Oasis of the Seas is expected to be in position close to Lee-on-Solent, any time between 3pm and 4pm.
Oasis of the Seas is making a brief diversion before beginning her transatlantic crossing to America to disembark hundreds of shipyard workers who have been putting the finishing touches to the monster-ship, which can accommodate more than 5,400 passengers.
The vessel is so big that she has been divided up into seven separate "neighbourhoods'' including one are called Central Park which is open to the sky and features trees, grass lawns and flower-beds.
Owner, Royal Caribbean International, has ordered a second ship of similar size, which will be called Allure of the Seas and enter service in 2010.
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