Largest cruise ship in the world handed to owners

Royal Caribbean International took delivery of the largest cruise ship in the world, Oasis of the Seas from STX Europe in Turku, Finland.

Kicking off the 12-day countdown until her U.S. debut into Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on November 11, Oasis of the Seas departed Turku on Friday, Oct. 30 with Captain William S. Wright at the helm.

Her transatlantic crossing will be chronicled on OasisoftheSeas.com as new webisodes are posted daily and via Twitter by following @OasisandAllure.

A new feature to OasisoftheSeas.com will allow visitors to view a Google Maps application and follow Oasis of the Seas journey. Richard Fain’s “Chairman’s Blog” on OasisoftheSeas.com and “Adam’s Blog” by president and CEO Adam Goldstein on NationofWhyNot.com also will provide personal updates.

Oasis of the Seas boasts a neighborhood concept – seven themed areas providing guests with the opportunity to seek out experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood.

Within these seven neighborhoods – Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone – are elements such as the first park at sea, a zip line that races diagonally nine-decks above an open-air atrium, an original handcrafted carousel, 28 multilevel urban-style loft suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, an aquatic amphitheater – called the AquaTheater that serves as a pool by day and an ocean front theater by night; and an array of culinary options.

The official naming ceremony for Oasis of the Seas will take place on November 30 during a one night inaugural celebration-fundraiser to benefit the non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Bookings are also available for Oasis of the Seas' inaugural sailing departing on December 5. The inaugural sailing will include exclusive entertainment and gifts for guests to commemorate the occasion.