Over 20 Photos of Oasis: The world's largest cruise ship sails into the UK for the first time

• Oasis Of The Seas stopping in Southampton for just one day, before departing for the US
• 1,187ft Royal Caribbean vessel is longer than the Shard and wider than Boeing 747
• Cruise ship has outdoor park with 12,000 plants, 82-ft zip wire, and high-diving performance venue 

Spectacle: Crowds gathered to welcome the 225,282 tonne vessel arrive under dense fog
Passengers will be boarding all afternoon and it leaves Southampton for Vigo, Spain, and Fort Lauderale, Florida, tonight.
The Royal Caribbean cruise ship is 40 per cent larger than any other vessel to ever dock in the UK, and has the capacity to house 5,400 passengers and 2,394 crew.

It is the first time the impressive ship, which took three years to build in Turku, Finland and launched in 2009, has visited the UK.

Oasis Of The Seas uses 2,350,000 litres of water every day and houses over 10,000 square metres of retail space, 37 bars and over 20 restaurants.

You'll never get bored: There are rock-climbing walls, basketball courts and mini-golf available



Super sized: The Royal Caribbean cruise ship has the capacity to house 5,400 passengers and 2,394 crew

Entertainment: Oasis Of The Seas boasts a 750-seat arena and high-diving performance venue















Record-breaking: The ship took over three years to build and the largest pool on the seas

Spread across its 16 decks is an outdoor park with more than 12,000 real plants and trees, an 82-foot long zip wire, and the largest pool on the seas.

There is also a 750-seater arena, ice rink, surf machines, a high-diving performance venue and an elevating bar. 

Onlookers this morning were kept in good spirits despite the grey weather with free tea and bacon sandwiches offered by Royal Caribbean. 

It is a busy time for Southampton, with another Royal Caribbean ship, Quantum Of The Seas, expected to dock in just over a fortnight to be showcased.

The first in a series of new ships coming from Royal Caribbean International over the next few years, Quantum of the Seas will sail from Southampton to New York on 2 November 2014. 

In 2015 Quantum Of The Seas will become the newest ship from a global cruise line to ever be based in the Far East when it offers cruises from Shanghai starting in June 2015.

Short stay: Oasis of the Seas will only be in port for one day before departing for the US








Tight squeeze: On its maiden voyage, the ship is pictured lowering its smokestacks to squeeze under the Great Belt Bridge
Dominic Paul, senior vice president of Royal Caribbean International, said: 'Today is an important milestone in the global expansion of the Royal Caribbean International business.
'We are marking a significant step change in our investment into growth markets around the world.
'The welcome of Oasis of the Seas to Southampton is followed next year by sistership Allure of the Seas sailing outside the Caribbean for the first time during a summer 2015 season based in Barcelona.
'These investments highlight our commitment to deliver the most innovative and architecturally advanced ships to Europe and are part of our ongoing effort to redefine the cruise sector.
'Our extensive investments into new ships, new technology and new ideas are increasing the appeal of the cruise sector around the world.'
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 Daily Mail UK