Before Christmas the keel laying ceremony for the worldÕs largest cruise ship took place in Turku, Finland. Royal CaribbeanÕs first new vessels of the Genesis class will leave for Miami, Florida in the USA in autumn 2009.

For the time being, two huge luxury cruise vessels have been ordered. Both will be 47 metres wide, 360 metres long and reach 65 metres above the water line. Some 5,400 passengers will be hosted comfortably on each cruise.

"Large vessels, such as the Genesis class, are more environmentally friendly per transported unit than smaller vessels. This is therefore another step in a positive direction," says Karl Morten Wiklund, DNV's director of passenger ships.

Date: 2008-02-11