How was the world’s largest cruise ship built?

(CNN) – It’s been three years since preparation, but the world’s largest cruise ship is finally ready to welcome passengers.

The 1,188-foot Wonder of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas last month and is scheduled to begin its maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean on March 4.

The 18-storey cruise ship was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and seats 6,988 guests and 2,300 crew members.

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View of the wonders of the seas, the largest cruise ship in the world.

Royal Caribbean

“We are excited to introduce guests around the world to the Wonder of the Seas and its world-class features after a six-year process,” Mark Thames, senior vice president of hotel operations at Royal Caribbean International, told CNN Travel.

“From planning to delivery, we’ve used our expertise across Royal Caribbean, as well as incorporating our guest suggestions and travel partner feedback to create something truly amazing.”

The ship will begin operating five- to seven-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to the Caribbean in March before launching Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome in May.

The wonders of the seas Comprised of eight neighborhoods, one of which contains more than 20,000 real plants, its onboard features include what’s described as the “longest slide in the sea,” as well as a 10-story zip-line and a massive poolside movie screen.

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Wonder of the Seas during the beginning of its physical construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

Bernard Biger / Chantiers de l’Atlantique / Royal Caribbean

“We’ve always prided ourselves on offering guests the best and most innovative vessels to give them a truly extraordinary experience. Wonder includes it all,” adds Thames.

The ship was originally scheduled to be delivered in 2021, but this has been postponed due to delays caused by the global pandemic.

The cruise line industry has faced constant disruption over the past two years as a result of Covid-19. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pay cruise travel to the highest risk level in late December, indicating that the risk of Covid-19 was “very high” due to an increase in infections among cruise passengers and crew after the emergence of the Omicron variant.

In January 2022, it released the Health Agency’s Covid guidelines become optional To a large number of cruise ships. This month, the CDC Reduce the level of risk From level 4 to level 3, which means her advice now is that people should be fully up to date on Covid vaccinations before traveling.

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Wonder of the Seas features eight on-board neighborhoods spread over 18 floors.

Royal Caribbean

The rules under the CDC’s Conditional Sailing Order, which Ended on January 15th95% of both passengers and crew required full vaccination to sail in most conditions, while some cruise lines require vaccination for all passengers and crew.

cruise line Currently requires all guests Those aged 12 or over to be fully vaccinated, while those over two years of age must submit a negative Covid-19 test before sailing. All guests aged 2 years and over are required to wear a mask in most indoor public areas.

The Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s fifth and newest Oasis class vessel, is one of several new cruise ships set to hit the waters in the coming weeks and months.

The Discovery Princess, the latest addition to the Princess Cruises fleet, has been delivered at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

Meanwhile, Disney Wish, the first new cruise ship built by Disney in ten years, is scheduled to be delivered this summer, while Silver Dawn’s new luxury cruise ship from Silversea Cruises is set to debut in the spring.

CNN’s Marnie Hunter contributed to this report.