Royal Caribbean is preparing to launch its new 18-deck ship, Wonder of the Seas, which it claims is the world’s largest-ever cruise liner.

Wonder will make its debut in Florida on 4 March to begin sailing seven-night tours to the Caribbean before heading to Barcelona and Rome, to deliver summer cruises in the Mediterranean.

The ship will accommodate 6,988 guests and offer opportunities for wellness experiences at sea via one of Royal Caribbean's signature Vitality spa and fitness centres.

The Vitality spa menu will provide guests with a taste of both traditional European spa rituals and medi-wellness treatments. Brand partners include Elemis, bliss, La Thérapie and Ionithermie.

The ritual line-up will feature massages, wraps, facials and acupuncture, as well as treatments to smooth wrinkles, lift and tone. Royal Caribbean will also provide hair and nail services at the spa’s salon.

Wonder’s wellness offering will cater to fitness enthusiasts with an onboard gym, jogging track, outdoor sports court, PT services and a schedule of classes such as yoga, Pilates, spinning and sculpting.

In addition to wellness, the ship is being fitted with a variety of other leisure amenities and experiences, ranging from ice skating, live musicals and art auctions to a waterpark, zip-lining and a casino.

Marking the completion of three years of construction, a traditional flag-changing ceremony took place last week in Marseille, with shipyard partner Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

Welcoming Wonder to the Royal Caribbean family was group chair Richard Fain, group president and CEO Jason Liberty, international president and CEO Michael Bayley and Laurent Castaing, general manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire.

“Wonder will energise cruising in a bolder and bigger way,” said Liberty, “adding this ship to our fleet elevates the company in continuing to lead the industry with new features and innovation.

“This is one more way we’re delivering world-class and memorable vacations, responsibly, to guests around the world.”

Bayley added: “Taking delivery of Wonder is the culmination of 30 months of ingenuity and partnership across more than 2,000 committed crew members and workers who are among the best at what they do.

Additional facilities on board will include kids clubs and play spaces, an outdoor movie screen, conference centre, medical centre, mini-golf course and 20 F&B outlets.

Wonder launches in March, taking the Royal Caribbean fleet to 26.

The fleet is divided into six classes; Quantum, Oasis, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance and Vision. Wonder will fall into the Oasis category.