World's largest ship to get own Central Park

THE world's largest cruise ship will feature a boutique-lined New York-style Central Park, according to owners Royal Caribbean.

THE world's largest cruise ship will feature a Central Park-like public park, according to its owners.

Royal Caribbean Cruises have said that the ship - its working name is Project Genesis - will be the world's largest ocean liner when it is delivered in late 2009.

Its 'Central Park' will stretch for more than 100 metres and will include quiet tree-lined walkways and lush greenery. Boutiques, an art gallery, five eateries and two bars will flank the edges of the ship-board green space.

More than 250 balcony staterooms will look over the park which will be situated on Deck 8 of the 16 deck ship and be open to the sky.

The park will form one of seven neighbourhoods aboard the boat and is the first major design element to be revealed by Royal Caribbean who said that the park will double as a concert venue and will feature street performances.

Trees in the park will tower more than two-and-a-half decks tall and the area is to have micro-climate control techniques to make sure the plants thrive, according to the Daily Mail newspaper.

"I have spent the last two years keeping this a secret even from my immediate family," said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean International told Associated Press

The 220,000 tonne cruise ship will be capable of carrying 5400 passengers and will sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida by the end of 2010.

Project Genesis will be larger than the Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, which currently co-hold the title of the world's largest cruise ship at 160,000 gross tons each. Royal Caribbean will launch next month a third Freedom Class ship, the Independence of the Seas.

Project Genesis and a sister ship are being built at a cost of more than $US1 ($1.07) billion to build.

Despite the ship's size, Royal Caribbean has developed plans to reduce the ship's carbon footprint once it is launched, Mr Goldstein said.

The cruise industry has adopted several practices to control fuel costs, such as applying different hull paint to reduce drag in the water and using lighting that helps reduce onboard energy costs.

Worldwide cruise passengers are tipped to increase this year to 12.8 million people. Cruise lines will add eight new ships in 2008 and more than 35 new vessels in the next four years.