The inaugural visit of the Spectrum of the Seas luxury cruise ship to Penang was greeted with much pomp and pageantry at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal on May 16.
Coming into service only last month, the quantum-ultra class cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean International (RCI) is the third largest cruise ship in their inventory and was built at a cost of US1.25 billion.
The other ships in the class are the Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas and the Ovation of the Seas.
On show was the opulence and grandeur which awaits holiday makers going on board the cruise ship.
Measuring 347.11 m in length and towering 18 decks high, the mega cruise ship can house a maximum of 5,622 passengers.
They are some 1,750 crew to take care of the comfort and welfare of passengers. The captain of the cruise ship is Charles Teige.
They also feature balcony staterooms Wave Loch Flowrider surf simulator and rock-climbing wall, skydiving simulator, and The North Star observation tower, a glass-walled capsule at the end of the 41 m crane arm.
Other facilities on the Sports Deck are the indoor pool with a retractable roof and whirlpools, solarium, spa and fitness centre, The Royal Theatre for movie buffs, casino along with bars and 20 other restaurants to chose from.
Present at the welcoming ceremony was the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mohammadin Ketapi, United States ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Lakhdhir, Royal Caribbean International managing director for Asia Pacific Angie Stephens, Penang Port chairman Commission Jefferey Chew, Ian James Group CEO of MMC Ports and Penang Port CEO V. Sasedharan..