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World’s largest cruise ship to sail from Southampton
Ex-UK and European cruises onboard the world’s largest ship will go on sale next month after Royal Caribbean announced Oasis of the Seas will call at Southampton in 2014.
The 6,400 passenger ship will offer cruises in Europe next autumn and will make its first port of call into Southampton on October 15.
The ship, which is longer than four football pitches, will be 40% large than any other cruise ship to ever dock in the UK.
Oasis of the Seas will leave Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, its home port since December 2009 next September on a 12-night eastbound transatlantic cruise to Barcelona from where it will offer a series of Mediterranean cruises.
The ship will return to Port Everglades on a 13-night westbound transatlantic cruise on October 14, calling into Southampton, where UK guests can join the ship to sail across the Atlantic.
Royal Caribbean associate vice president and general manager UK and Ireland Jo Rzymowska said: "Oasis of the Seas sailing from Southampton is going to be the hottest ticket in town.
"Bringing the world’s largest cruise ship to Europe, and specifically the UK and Southampton, is testament to the commitment to selling cruise demonstrated by our trade partners.
"We will be developing sales tools to support agents such as a dedicated brochure and training module. We can’t wait to get started selling the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship as part of our huge choice in cruises from Southampton – this is such exciting news."
The European and UK-based cruises will go on sale on April 11.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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