The world's largest cruise ship

Posted by Sue Bryant Feb 27, 2007

Royal Caribbean's new Freedom-class ships (Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas) measure more than 160,000 gross registered tonnes - in other words, more than 80,000 cars each, or 32,000 adult elephants. (Incidentally, ships always 'measure' rather than 'weigh', if you want to sound knowledgeable!)

Each ship is 1,112 feet long - more than 37 double decker buses, five Boeing 747s or three football pitches.

The theatre on each ship seats 1,292 guests, the equivalent of three full Boeing 747 aircraft.

On Independence of the Seas, the Royal Promenade, an entertainment boulevard on Deck Five, is longer than a football field, with shopping, dining, bars and lounges.

Got a head for heights? Relax in one of the two giant whirlpoools, cantilevered 12 feet out from the side of the ship, 112 feet above the ocean.

3,600 guests will be looked after by 1,360 crew.

Royal Caribbean International carries more than three million guests annually.