Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Royal Caribbean International's (RCI) newest and the world's largest cruise ship, Liberty of the Seas, will make its maiden voyage to the Western Caribbean on Saturday, and is expected to dock in Montego Bay for one day, next Wednesday.

The world's most hotly awaited ship, which accommodates 3,634 guests based on double occupancy, will thereafter dock in Jamaica every other Wednesday.

The Gleaner was invited to participate in one of RCI's two-night pre-inaugural cruise in Miami on Monday, where we had the opportunity to tour the different state rooms and suites, dine in the finest restaurants, experience the Royal Promenade Entertainment Boulevard, the undisputable hub for dining, shopping, bars and lounges, among other scintillating treats.

An exciting time

Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday on-board the ship, president of RCI, Adam Goldstein, described the newest ship as an exciting time for cruising. He noted that RCI was leading in South and Latin America and the goal is to be much more powerful and carry more people.

"Our dedication to provide the most enriching cruise vacation experience for families has earned Royal Caribbean many accolades, year after year," said Goldstein.

Meanwhile, Wykeham McNeil, State Minister in the Ministry of Tourism, Entertainment and Culture, who also participated in the pre-inaugural cruise, described the ship as "wonderful". He noted that this is expected to bring more revenue to the country as Freedom of the Seas, which once docked in Montego Bay, will now go to Ocho Rios, while Liberty of the Seas docks in Montego Bay.

New class of ships

RCI will be launching a new class of ships called Genesis between 2009 and 2010 and these are expected to accommodate more passengers than Liberty of the Seas.

"I think what we have to do in Jamaica is to continue to build on what we have as a product and we will be considered," McNeil told The Gleaner.

The stellar new ship features the cruise lines' industry innovations such as the flow rider surf simulator, the powerbox ring, H²O zone water park and rock-climbing wall.

Liberty of the Seas and its sister ship, Freedom of the Seas, wil between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, with Liberty departing Saturdays and Freedom on Sundays from Miami. Both itineraries include stops at RCIs' private destination, Labadee, Haiti, before returning to Miami.

The two freedom-class ships will be joined by a third, Independence of the Seas, when it makes its debut in Europe in May 2008.