In Pics: World’s Largest Cruise Ship Sets Sail

The 16-deck ship is longer than the Eiffel Tower is tall, and holds the record for the widest cruise ship ever built.

The gargantuan cruise ship cuts a majestic figure. (Photo: AP)

Tens of thousands of French well-wishers waved goodbye to the largest cruise ship in the world as it set sail on its maiden voyage to the UK after 32 months in a French shipyard.

The $1 billion Harmony of the Seas cut a towering silhouette on Sunday as it left the western port town of Saint-Nazaire.

At 362 meters (1,187 feet) long, the 16-deck ship is longer than the Eiffel tower is tall, and holds the record for being the widest cruise ship ever built — boasting a 6,360-passenger capacity.

It’s been compared to a floating city, with more than 2,500 staterooms, 20 dining venues, 23 swimming pools, and a massive park.

The Harmony of the Seas has a whopping 16 decks. (Photo: Reuters)

French well-wishers waved goodbye to the largest cruise ship in the world. (Photo: Reuters)

All aboard! (Photo: Reuters)

The ship boasts a 6,360-passenger capacity. (Photo: Reuters)

Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., delivers his speech during the delivery ceremony of the Harmony of the Seas. (Photo: AP)

(With inputs from AP and Reuters)