World's largest liner cruises to Britain

This is the newly-launched Liberty of the Seas - the largest cruise ship in the world - as she arrived in a British port yesterday for a promotional visit.

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The world's biggest cruise ship has arrived in Britain for the first time

The 237ft tall ship has so many attractions on board that cruisers may well be tempted not to leave when she eventually docks in her planned ports of call in the Caribbean.

Among some of the more unusual features packed into the ship's 18 decks are an adults- only solarium complete with a cascading waterfall, a rock-climbing wall for those steady enough on their sea legs to try something more challenging, and a surfing pool which creates artificial waves for surfers.

It also features a nine-hole golf course, a sports court, a running track, an ice rink, a casino and a shopping promenade for those after a less active holiday, as well as a theatre and casino for evening entertainment.

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Restaurants range from a steakhouse to an Italian to a Fifties-style diner and an "Asian fusion" eaterie, along with children's activities, a karaoke club and the Bull and Bear pub which boasts 17th centurystyle decor.

There is also a three-storey dining room which specialising in cuisine and wine from around the world, plus a fast food outlet called Johnny Rockets.

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Facilities onboard include: a surf simulator generating waves at 20 mph and a rock climbing wall (top)

The cheapest room is a standard interior room, which will cost £1,703 for a family of four for seven days.

Balcony rooms have a 189 sq ft private sitting area and 68 sq ft balcony. They also have two twin beds that are convertible to queen size. The cost is £2,581 for a family of four for seven days.

The royal family suite costs £4,508 for the same period. This offers a complimentary concierge service which includes access to a private lounge and a personalised service to make arrangements for you while on board.

The most luxurious suite is the presidential suite, which can accommodate up to 11. For a group of four, it would cost £5,905 for seven days.

Cruise passengers have long been stereotyped as mainly pensioners in search of relaxation.

But having spent more than £500million on the ship the Royal Caribbean cruising company is keen to entice younger passengers on board with the wide-ranging choice of facilities.

Cruise companies insist the average age of those coming aboard is falling, and hope that a series of food poisoning epidemics on liners has not deterred those expected to fork out up to £1,346 a person for a seven-day voyage on the Liberty of the Seas.

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The 160,000-tonne ship docked at Southampton yesterday, drawing gasps of amazement from onlookers.

She can carry 4,375 passengers on her 15 passenger decks, along with 1,360 crew to cater for them, is three times the size of the Titanic and longer than three football pitches.

Royal Caribbean is expecting mostly American passengers on board when the ship is in service, but an identical sister ship, the Independence of the Seas, is due to be launched next year and will be based next summer in Southampton, which is now the prime arrivals and departures point for cruise liners in the UK.

Another sister ship, the Freedom of the Seas - which is the equal largest cruise ship in the world - is already in service.

According to the Passenger Shipping Association, the number of people taking a holiday on the high seas has more than doubled over the last ten years, with a reported 1.2million Britons holidaying on a liner in 2006.

Passenger Shipping Assocation director Bill Gibbons claims there will be an additional 300,000 doing so next year.

He argues that the development of children's facilities and kids' clubs to give parents a break now makes cruise liners ideal for all the family.

A PSA spokesman said: "People used to see cruises as old fashioned. But nowadays they're very much a family holiday."

And as the market grows, and in a drive to cut costs per head and boost profits, cruising companies are building ever larger ships to carry more people at once.

Liberty of the Seas will stay in Southampton until tomorrow, with firework celebrations scheduled before she leaves for a short cruise.

She will finally set off for the Caribbean on May 19.