TAZAMA PICHA 15 ZA MELI KUBWA KULIKO ZOTE DUNIANI ILIVYOWASILI NCHINI UINGEREZA

Longer than The Shard and wider than a Boeing 747 wingspan:

The world's largest cruise ship arrived in the UK today for the first time.

The £800m Oasis Of The Seas sailed into Southampton at 10am on Wednesday in dense fog, welcomed by a crowd of hundreds and helicopters circling overhead.

Weighing 225,282 tonnes, the 1,187ft ship is longer than London's The Shard is tall, and at 208ft wide, larger than the wingspan of a Boeing 747.

Tight squeeze: On its maiden voyage, the ship is pictured lowering its smokestacks to squeeze under the Great Belt Bridge

Dominic Paul, senior vice president of Royal Caribbean International, said: 

'Today is an important milestone in the global expansion of the Royal 

Caribbean International business.

'We are marking a significant step change in our investment into growth markets around the world.

'The welcome of Oasis of the Seas to Southampton is followed next year by 

sistership Allure of the Seas sailing outside the Caribbean for the 

first time during a summer 2015 season based in Barcelona.

'These investments highlight our commitment to deliver the most innovative and architecturally advanced ships to Europe and are part of our ongoing  

effort to redefine the cruise sector.

'Our extensive investments into new ships, new technology and new ideas are 

increasing the appeal of the cruise sector around the world.'