Harmony Of The Sea Sets Sail: See Pictures, Watch Videos Of World's Largest Cruise Ship

Harmony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, set sail in western France for its first trial. The $1.1 billion ship, built by Royal Caribbean International, was led into sea Thursday by six tugs, BBC reported. Thousands of people gathered to watch the ship as it left the port of St. Nazaire.

The 130,000 ton, 240-foot high vessel, set to sail through Sunday, is expected to be delivered to the U.S. in two months. Harmony of the Seas is more than 2,000 feet long, making it longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower. Construction of the ship began in September 2013.

Some 500 people were on board the ship for the three-day trial — mostly crew members and officials from companies that had a role in building it. Tourists have been allowed to tour the ship for months as it sat towering in St. Nazaire.

The Harmony has the capacity to carry more than 6,000 passengers and some 2,000 crew. The voyages will visit the western Mediterranean, the Caribbean and Florida. A cinema, an underwater theater, an ice rink, a casino and a “bionic bar” with robot bartenders are planned onboard, Wired reported. A waterslide, 10 stories high, will be the “tallest slide at sea,” the company has said.

The world’s four largest operating cruise ships — the Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas — are all owned by Royal Caribbean. The world’s fifth largest ship, the Norwegian Escape, is owned by Norwegian Cruise Line. Harmony of the Seas is the largest cruise ship ever built.

The next sailing tests will take place before the end of April. Delivery to the U.S. is set for May 12, 2016.