Royal Caribbean International took delivery of the Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, on Wednesday in Turku, Finland.
Shipbuilder STX Europe delivered the ship 12 days ahead of its U.S. debut in Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, where the ship will homeport during its inaugural Caribbean season.
The delivery begins a series of events that will culminate in the ship’s naming in Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 30.
On Friday, the ship departs Turku on its first Atlantic crossing, which will be chronicled at OasisoftheSeas.com. Webisodes will be posted daily and a Google Maps application will enable people to follow the Oasis’s trip.
The ship will be unveiled to the public on ABC’s "Good Morning America" news program during a special live broadcast on Nov. 20.
The night before, pop superstar Rihanna will be the first performer to take the stage on the Oasis. She will perform at the AquaTheater, the ship's outdoor amphitheater.
The official naming ceremony for Oasis will take place on Nov. 30 during a one-night inauguration fundraiser to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Tickets for the naming begin at $750 per person.
