world's largest cruise ship

Oasis of the Seas has 25 of these split-level apartments, each with its own balcony. They also boast 52in LCD televisions, two bathrooms, 'fog-free' mirrors and limestone tiles.

The Royal Loft suite sleeps six and has inside and outside dining areas, a video projector so you can watch films in bed, a bar, a Jacuzzi, a library and an 843sq ft balcony.

On board Oasis, it's difficult to maintain perspective, especially when the ship is so long that you cannot take it in with a single glance.

Oasis - 'The world's biggest cruise ship' could hardly be described as pretty - it's the sheer size that grabs your attention. As the largest cruise ship on the planet, it towers 20 storeys over the waves and stretches 1,187ft from bow to stern.

The width of the ship is 208ft; Oasis is wider than the wingspan of a Boeing 747.

This has allowed designers to open up the middle of the vessel with a series of atriums. There are sea-view cabins and atrium-view cabins to choose from.

Although the ship is able to shipping 6,296 paying guests and 2,296 crew, there is plenty of room for everyone, not just in the large cabins but also in the public spaces.

There is, for example, a 1,300-seat theatre (larger than some on Broadway) and, remarkably, an ice rink.

For couples eager to escape the company of families with children, there is an adults-only zone; for families with children, there are cavernous kids' clubs catering for every age, from babes-in-arms to the surliest teenager.

To help promote the desired feeling of spaciousness, the ship is divided into seven 'neighbourhoods'.

In addition to the Youth Zone, they include the Boardwalk, which is in the style of a traditional American seaside resort; the Royal Promenade, a bigger, more startling version of Royal Caribbean's traditional indoor shopping mall; Entertainment Place, the venue for the night-time activities; and Central Park, an indoor/outdoor space with real grass and trees.

The ship also boasts a Vitality At Sea Spa and Fitness Centre, and Pool and Sports Zone.

Oasis has a total of 20 different eating places. In a sign of the times, cruise companies are looking to increase revenue, and 12 of the cafes and restaurants on board charge an additional fee.

There are so many things to see and enjoy: two enormous rock-climbing walls, a full-size basketball court and a nine-hole mini-golf course.

There can be no doubt that the new ship, which will be joined next year by Royal Caribbean's similarly vast Allure of the Seas, is an expensive gamble. Costing more than £800million, Oasis will have to produce instant success to justify such huge investment.