World's largest cruise ship calls

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The world's newest and joint largest cruise ship has arrived in a British port for a promotional visit.

The 160,000 metric ton Liberty of the Seas has docked in Southampton on its first port of call and its only European visit.

The 1,112ft-long ship has 15 decks for 4,375 passengers. It is longer than three-and-a-half football pitches.

It is slightly bigger than Cunard's liner Queen Mary 2 and is the sister ship of Freedom of the Seas.

Facilities onboard include a surf simulator, rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and children's water park, as well as a casino and spas.

Firework celebrations

Owner Royal Caribbean will use the ship on the American and Caribbean market.

An identical sister ship, Independence of the Seas, will be launched next year and will be based in Southampton next summer.

The south coast port is the prime port for cruise ships in the UK.

The ship will stay until Tuesday with firework celebrations scheduled before it sets sail on a small cruise.