By Calvin Palmer
The world’s largest cruise ship docked at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale today accompanied by a flotilla of small boats.
The Oasis of the Seas with its 16 decks is 40 percent larger than its nearest rival and five times the size of the Titanic.
Oasis of the Seas comes into its home port of Port Everglades, Florida. Picture courtesy of the Associated Press.
The $1.5 billion ship boasts 2,700 cabins and can accommodate 6,300 passengers along with its crew of 2,100.
The Royal Caribbean Cruises vessel set sail from Finland in late October and will embark on its first cruise on December 5.
The Oasis of the Seas braved high seas and hurricane force winds in the North Atlantic, adding two days to its journey from the STX Europe shipyard in Turku, Finland.
The 225,282-ton ship features various ”neighborhoods” — parks, squares and arenas with special themes.
Workers will spend the next few days tending to the final details, including the installation of some 12,000 shrubs, plants and trees in the Central Park neighborhood.
Miami-based Royal Caribbean plans a private performance by pop singer Rihanna on November 19, followed by a national television debut on ABC’s Good Morning America on November 20.
[Based on reports by the Associated Press and Miami Herald.]
