The world’s largest cruise ship is preparing to set sail, even earlier than expected.
Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas cruise ship is nearing completion at its construction site in St. Nazaire, France, USA Today reported.
When finished, the megalith ship will weigh more than 230,000 gross pounds and be able to carry more than 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew members.
Royal Caribbean announced the development of Symphony of the Seas last year. And although the reveal was laiden with teasers, the cruise line is still unveiling some of the ship’s features.
The ship’s sheer size is one of its biggest selling points. There will be 28 more cabins on the ship than the current world’s largest ship, including a family-oriented two-level suite, complete with slides that lead from the bedrooms down to the living room.
The gigantic ship will be twice as tall as the Washington Monument and have seven “neighborhoods.” Guests can slide down the 10-story Ultimate Abyss (the tallest and most ominously named slide at sea) or visit the largest floating spa and casino. There are more than 20 restaurants onboard, including an Italian sit-down eatery from Jamie Oliver.
There’s also an ice-skating rink, laser tag venue, a “central park” with trees and greenery, a bar with drinks made by robots, theatres and several other attractions across its 18 decks.
The ship will embark on its maiden voyage from Barcelona on March 31. It will sail around the Mediterranean until this fall when the ship takes passengers from Miami to the Caribbean.
When Symphony of the Seas is put into service, it will take the record for world’s largest cruise ship from Royal Carribean’s Harmony of the Seas, which accommodates 5,400 passengers and weighs almost 227,000 gross pounds.
Source: http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/symphony-of-the-seas-worlds-largest-cruise-ship