The world’s largest cruise ship, the Independence of the Seas has today been delivered to its owner, Royal Caribbean International.

The 160,000-tonne vessel will be based in Southampton, UK, where it will arrive on 25 April.

The cruiser is due to begin passenger services on 2 May 2008, following an official naming ceremony on April 30.

The ship, built by the Åker shipyards in Turku, Finland, is 1,222ft (372m) long and able to carry 3,600 passengers.

It is larger than rival Cunard's flagship liner, the 150,000-tonne QM2, which until now has held the title of the largest in the world.

Specialist facilities onboard the Independence of the Seas include an ice rink, a FlowRider surf simulator; a 43ft-tall rock-climbing wall; a H20 Zone-branded water park with its interactive sculpture garden for families; cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 ft above the ocean in the adults-only Solarium and a full-size boxing ring.

There will also be a 126-station ShipShape health club, a health spa and a wide range of restaurants and bars.

Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, RCI, said: “We are delighted to welcome Independence of the Seas to our fleet and to introduce her to vacationers throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.

"Positioning one of our largest and newest ships in Southampton reaffirms Royal Caribbean's strong commitment to the region and will provide the opportunity for more European guests to experience the distinctive and award-winning vacation our brand has become recognized for throughout the world."

RCI currently owns and operates 21 ships with two further vessels under construction.