Southampton 'International Centre' for superliners

It has been reported that Southampton is to grow in stature and become an international centre for cruise ships.

The vessels heading to the famous port city are becoming bigger and bigger, including the recently inaugurated 160,000 tonne Royal Caribbean superliner Independence of the Seas.

Richard Fain, Chief Executive of the Miami-based Royal Caribbean International, told the Southern Daily Echo newspaper reporting on the subject:

"The size of vessels will continue to grow, in fact the only limiting factor will be the imagination of ship designers of the future. In fact the sky's the limit."

Mr Fain also commented on the company's forthcoming Project Genesis which will feature a park with real lawns, trees and flowers - the first addition of its kind to a ship. It will also include a moving bar and sufficient cabin space for 8,400 passengers.