Harmony of the Seas arrives in Southampton ahead of maiden voyage

The world's largest cruise ship has arrived at Southampton ahead of its maiden voyage.

The 1,188ft long Harmony of the Seas cost one billion US dollars (£695 million), can carry 6,780 guests and 2,100 crew, and took more than two-and-a-half years to construct.

The Royal Caribbean ship, which has 20 restaurants on board, will set sail for its first trip, a four-night cruise from Southampton to Rotterdam, on Sunday May 22.

The liner features a 10-storey water slide called the Ultimate Abyss, which features a 100ft drop, making it the tallest at sea. Other facilities on board the "seven neighbourhood" ship including the deepest pool at sea, which will feature diving performances. The ship also boasts a production of the musical Grease.

It has its own park, which contains 10,587 plants, 48 vine plants and 52 trees, while a total of 11,252 works of art are showcased across the vessel.

Stuart Leven, managing director UK and Ireland, Royal Caribbean International, said: "The Harmony of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship. Bigger can be beautiful when it allows you to put so many great facilities on board to allow people to have a great holiday at sea.

"Cruising is changing - it's becoming a holiday for all the family, it's not just white table cloths and ties at dinnertime - now the sort of holiday you get at all-inclusive resorts on land can be replicated on the seas.

"We have a 10-storey slide, surf machines, plenty of restaurants like Jamie Oliver's Italian on board, a great choice, and you can wake up with a different view from your balcony each day.

"My favourite facility is the robotic bartenders where you go in with an iPad to place your order and they will mix your cocktail. We are really pushing the boundaries.

"It's all about variety - when you have a ship of this scale, you can offer so many things."