The world's biggest ever cruise ship, expected in Southampton next year, will be so enormous that it will have its own micro-climate, owners of the vast Oasis of the Seas, revealed today.

Passengers on-board the 220,000 tonne floating resort will have the chance to take their seats at an outdoor amphitheatre and a bar that moves between decks Oasis of the Seas is being built by Royal Caribbean International which now operates the huge vessel, Independence of the Seas, from Southampton and is the latest salvo in the intensely competitive global cruise market.

Royal Caribbean is planning to bring Oasis of the Seas to Southampton, probably in November next year, as part of the ships inaugural tour before crossing the Atlantic to its home base in Florida.

The American company has already announced the £700m ship will have a Central Park style open-air space the size of a football pitch, an attraction that will give guests the option of a sea or tree view from their cabin balconies.

Royal Caribbean said the 750-seat AquaTheater concept was modelled on an ancient Greek amphitheatre and will be at the stern of the ship.

It allows the 6,000 guests on-board the chance of lounging around the biggest pool afloat in the day and then going back at night for shows including acrobatics, synchronised swimming, water ballet, and professional high-diving.

Other ground breaking attractions will be a full-scale, ornate carousel, and the first-ever moving bar on a ship which will traverse three decks and allow passengers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend and descend into the open air park.