World’s largest cruise ship arrives in Spain for inaugural European summer sailings

The 18-deck high 'Wonder of the Seas' will cruise to Florence, Naples, Capri, Provence and Malaga

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  The mega 'Wonder of the Seas' has officially joined Royal Caribbean International’s award-winning lineup of ships. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

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  Some of the ship's highlights include an elevated sun deck with a plunge pool and bar, a private restaurant, and a grand family suite. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

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  The world’s largest cruise ship, the 'Wonder of the Seas' will set sail in the US and Europe. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

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  The ship boasts an open-air theatre, where slackliners, divers, dancers, acrobats and more will perform. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

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  The ship also has the tallest slide at sea and surf simulator. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

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  An interactive outdoor play area will mean the little ones are kept entertained. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

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  The spacious ship has something for everyone, proving the ultimate choice for travellers of all ages. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

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  Guests can choose to take a dip in one of four pools. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

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  The 16-deck ship was built in Saint-Nazaire, France. Photo: Sigrun Sauerzapfe

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  'Wonder of the Seas' will begin sailing on March 4. Photo: Royal Caribbean International

The largest cruise ship in the world has arrived in Barcelona ahead of its inaugural European sailings.

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas will commence seven-night cruises from the Catalonian capital and Rome starting Sunday.

The mega-ship will call at several popular destinations in the Mediterranean, including Italy’s Florence, Naples and Capri, Provence in France and Malaga in Spain.

At more than 18 decks high, the Oasis Class ship is 362-metres long and weighs more than 237,000 gross tonnes. It has capacity for 6,988 guests and 2,300 crew members.

Royal Caribbean’s 'Wonder of the Seas' is 18-decks high and has eight distinct neighborhoods.

Having taken more than three years to build, the colossal cruise liner has eight on-board neighbourhoods, including Central Park, where travellers will find more than 20,000 real trees and plants stretching from one end of the deck to the other.

Families seeking an extravagant European cruise experience can book the Ultimate Family Suite, which sleeps up to 10 people and has an in-suite slide, cinema and karaoke area, table tennis and more, split across two levels.

The Boardwalk has seaside charm and family activities, including taking a ride on a hand-carved carousel, while guests can also enjoy dining and drinking at more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges on board.

Travellers can also enjoy some Royal Caribbean favourites found across several of its cruise ships including a FlowRider surf simulator, a 10-storey high zip-line and the tallest water slide at sea.

The Suite Neighbourhood debuts the grandest Ultimate Family Suite complete with an in-suite slide, cinema, private balcony and whirlpool.

Summer entertainment across Wonder’s four stages will see more than 100 performers and technicians bring full-scale productions to life including inTENse, which features the first all-female cast of aerialists, high divers and slackliners at sea.

Having made its maiden voyage in March, cruising from Florida to the Caribbean, Wonder of the Seas will sail in Europe until October.

The AquaTheatre on 'Wonder of the Seas' will debut new show inTENse featuring the venue’s first all-female cast.

In November it will once again sail in the US to what will be her new year-round home in Florida. From there, the ship will set off on sailings that explore the Caribbean and The Bahamas.

Including Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean now operates the world’s five biggest cruise vessels, as well as nine of the world’s 20 largest cruise vessels.