World's largest cruise ship begins operating from Barcelona, its base for the summer season

Barcelona (ACN).- The 'Allure of the Seas' is going to be based in the Catalan capital for the entire summer season, from where it will start and end 25 trips. At 362 metres long, it is the world's largest cruise ship, and the equivalent to 4 football pitches. Measuring 66 metres across, it is able to transport more than 6,300 tourists and 2,380 staff. It has 16 decks and 2,700 cabins. This Tuesday, it is starting its first trip of the season from the Catalan capital. During the summer season, it is expected to transport 157,000 passengers, who will have an economic impact of €17 million on Barcelona's local economy, according to Royal Caribbean's General Manager for Spain and France, Belén Wangüement. Then, the boat will travel to the Caribbean Sea, where it will spend its winter season. The President of Barcelona's Port Authority, Sixte Cambra, hoped to improve last year's cruise liner figures and exceed the 2.5 million mark this year. Barcelona has been for many years now Europe's top cruise ship harbour, ahead of Rome and Piraeus. It is also the world's 4^th largest cruise ship port, just after the top 3 harbours, which are all located in Florida.

The world's largest cruise ship has set its base for the summer season in Barcelona and has started operations from the Catalan capital this Tuesday afternoon. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean confirmed that the "sister ship" of the 'Allure of the Seas', called 'Harmony of the Seas' will also set its base in the Catalan capital as of next year. This means that Barcelona will become the world's first harbour from which the three largest cruise ships have operated, since the 'Oasis of the Seas' has also visited Barcelona on several occasions.

A theatre, a mini-golf course, surfing slides, an aerial ropeslide, an ice rink, night clubs, 21 swimming pools, restaurants, shops, a garden with 12,000 plants and many other leisure facilities are packed into this 362-metre long, 66-metre wide ship with 16 decks, which weighs 225,282 tonnes. Its 6,318 passengers (at full capacity) can also enjoy the jacuzzis and swimming pools located in the upper docks, at 41 metres above sea level.

The 'Allure of the Seas' will visit Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Marseille, La Spezia, Civitavecchia and Naples, according to Royal Caribbean. The boat should have a €27 million impact on the Spanish economy, €17 million of which will go to the local economy in Barcelona.

Sixte Cambra highlighted that the Port of Barcelona is offering "efficient" facilities to better serve cruise ship companies, which appreciate them and include Barcelona among their favourite destinations and bases for their ships. Cambra insisted on the fact these ships have "Barcelona’s Port as their base harbour is a success that we have to share with the city of Barcelona, the entire port community, Barcelona’s airport, all the people related to transport (including those operating buses and taxis), and the Barcelona Tourism Board. I think the cooperation among everybody has enabled us to be where we stand today".