The world's biggest and most expensive cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, was handed over to the Royal Caribbean cruise line in the Finnish port of Turku by shipbuilder STX on Wednesday.

"The handover took place at 9.20 am and the papers were signed then by both companies," STX Europe's spokeswoman Tanja Sabell told AFP.

The vessel, worth $1.3-billion, can accomodate up to 6360 passengers and 2160 crew members and features a variety of traditional and new activities including swimming pools, a casino, pool surfing and a zip line above the boardwalk.

Oasis of the Seas is 16 decks high, or 65 metres above the waterline, and measures 360 metres long and 47 metres wide.

Richard Fain, the chief executive of Royal Caribbean, told reporters the new ship had attracted strong pre-bookings despite the global financial crisis and said the aim was to lure new customers who have not cruised before.

There are however still spots left for the ship's maiden voyage in December.

Breaking cruising 'myths'

"We like to deliver the vow and I think it's fair to say that this ship delivers the vow," he said.

"Part of the thought process of the ship is to overcome the old myths people have about cruising. It's very hard to look at a vessel like this and think that cruising is secondary when you can choose rock-climbing, surfing or zip-lining," Fain explained.

He added that the company was targetting international clients, not just American or European cruisers, with Oasis of the Seas, which will be sailing mainly in the sunny Caribbean.

It's also catering to younger, more active passengers with children, and therefore offering a wider selection of activities, including 21 swimming pools, an aqua park, a carousel and a science lab.

On Wednesday evening, some 1000 VIP guests will be dining and partying on board the Oasis of the Seas, but details about the guest list have not been disclosed.

The vessel is scheduled to leave Finland on Friday when it will set sail for its home port of Fort Lauderdale in the United States, where it will arrive in about two weeks.

Oasis of the Seas will make its four-night maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale to Labadee in Haiti on December 1.

AFP

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