World's Biggest Cruise Ship Sets Sail

At sixteen stories, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is 50% bigger than the next-biggest cruise liner in the world.  ”A turf-covered chip and putt course, the world’s first open-air amphitheater, two surfing simulators, twenty-one swimming pools, and a zipwire.”  Also an indoor basketball court, a shopping mall, an “adults-only solarium,” and a carousel.  That’s what’s up.  This colossus can hold 6,000 passengers, runs 1,600 feet long, and cost $1.5 billion to construct.  We’re getting to the point when the question must be asked: at what size does it stop being “a ship” and start being “movable Jamaica”?

The Oasis left its shipyard in Finland today, on its way to Miami, its future port of departure.  Video of this giant seaborne wedding cake, plus the best amenity of all, after the jump.  

Rihanna!  This boat is making such waves (har har) that Royal Caribbean got actual Rihanna to perform, rather than your standard cruise fare, “Brihanna sings the hits of Rihanna!”  (Or “Elvis Preston” or “The Rolling Rocks” or “Madeline Manson” or “Ol’ Dirty Bustard” – typical cruise ship cover acts.)

Oops, can’t embed the video, but you can watch it here.  It is cool.