The newest and most highly anticipated Cruise Ship in the world, the MS Anthem of the Seas, has just arrived in the UK, and it is being billed as the most technologically advanced cruise vessel ever.
It is due to be named at a ceremony today in front of 1000 invited guests, in Southampton Docks, which will be its home port for the summer season.
It is now the world's third-largest cruise ship, and is owned by Royal Caribbean, who expect more than 80,000 people to travel on board it this summer.
With 16 decks and a capacity for almost 5,000 passengers at a time, the Anthem of the Seas, is truly an engineering marvel.
On board, guests will be able to experience robotic bartenders, take part in circus skills training activities, and even go on a virtual sky dive.
There are also FlowRider surfing simulators on board so kids and adults alike can ride the waves and, in case the weather is bad, SeaPlex is the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with activities including bumper cars and roller skating.
However it’s piece de resistance (providing passengers have a head for heights) is the North Star aerial observatory; a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for panoramic sea views.
For foodies, there are 18 distinctive on board restaurants, ranging from traditional American to Jamie's Italian, a traditional pub and Japanese cuisine.
Some of the more unusual eating experiences include Wonderland (serving liquid lobster, tempura salmon caviar and truffled eggs), Izumi Japanese Cuisine and Devin Alexander’s Devinly Decadence restaurant.
The ship also has an adult-only Solarium and spa with shaded cabanas, a Jacuzzi and adjoining bistro, and the 1,300-seat Royal Theatre will show Queen-themed West End musical We Will Rock You as well as a cabaret show and an original production for Royal Caribbean called The Gift.
Anthem of the Seas spans 16 guest decks, encompasses 167,800 gross registered tonnes, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy and features 2,090 staterooms in total.
As you might imagine to incorporate all this the Anthem isn’t small. In fact it is actually 1,142 feet (348m) long, which put it into context is longer than both The Shard and New York's Chrysler Building.
And for all New York will be the permanent home port for the vessel after the summer it will forever have ties with the UK, as it received its unique name from a 27-year-old travel agent based in Sunderland!
Emma Wilby won a competition for the honour of becoming the so-called Godmother for the beast.
Please watch the video below to see it arrive in Southampton, and to find out more visit their website here.