First look inside Harmony of the Seas: Daily Mail Online sets sail on the world's biggest cruise ship

Three thousand lucky souls have boarded the world's biggest cruise ship on its pre-inaugural cruise - and MailOnline Travel is among them.

Docked at Southampton this past week, the awe-inspiring Harmony of the Seas is sailing up the English Channel this weekend before returning to the UK on Sunday and allowing the privileged few a sneak peek of what lies ahead for holidaymakers.

Walking up the red carpet gangplank at Southampton I am greeted by polite staff and feel as though we are entering a small, floating city.

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Although some pools were still being filled today, the much-anticipated water slides drew the excited first passengers to deck 18 

As only half the ship’s capacity of 6000 are currently aboard the pre-inaugural cruise it feels relatively calm and relaxed. The empty pools and water slides are pictured (left and right)

The sheer scale of the mega ship is overwhelming yet it is surprisingly easy to navigate.

As only half the ship’s capacity of 6000 are currently aboard it feels relatively empty and relaxed with only the excited voices of my fellow passengers disrupting the calm each time they discover one of the ship’s much-talked about highlights and stop for a selfie.

The ship’s water slides, which include the tallest helter-skelter at sea, unsurprisingly draw the crowds.

The Ultimate Abyss flings thrillseekers down 10 decks at more than 150 feet above the waves, in one of a pair of tunnel slides. While it looks to promise much fun, the weather in Southampton docks mean more people have flocked there with their cameras than their swimwear, although it is the busiest part of the ship.

Suitably impressed with the entertainment I head to the bars and restaurants floor, which has around 100 eateries to choose from including a Jamie Oliver outlet. The area is vibrant with an eclectic design that adds a liveliness to the dining experience.

The dining floor has around 100 eateries which are all open and ready to serve curious diners

The area is vibrant with an eclectic design that adds a liveliness to the dining experience and has recognisable names such as Jamie's Italian (left) to sample

Friendly staff seem well trained and more than able to help with any difficulties or frustrated passengers

Padding around the spacious veranda walkways it is surprising how relaxing it feels to be aboard such a mighty behemoth

What was recently just a building site and an ambitious plan is now a majestic, multi-entertainment game-changer for the cruising industry

After a lengthy check in process, I am finally ensconced in a Royal Suite, my home for the weekend. 

It features a double bed, sofa bed, a small table and plenty of floor space. While the ceilings are a little low, the room still feels light and spacious as there is a balcony and large windows running the whole width of the room.

My balcony has a seating area so that I’ll be able to watch the world drift by. The room has a classic luxury aesthetic decorated in shades of grey and black which extends into a sizeable bathroom with a shower and spectacular mirror/dresser.

Padding around the spacious veranda walkways, imagining I am in the Mediterranean already, I am surprised at how relaxing it feels to be aboard such a mighty behemoth. The staff are pleasant with a ready smile and seem more than able to handle any unexpected issues or frustrated passengers.

While it’s clear to see that some finishing touches are still being made, such as pools being filled with water and flights of stairs being attended to by maintenance staff, even on its first day, with paid passengers on board, the luxury of the ship is apparent.

What was recently just a building site and an ambitious plan is now a majestic, multi-entertainment game-changer for the cruising industry.

Harmony of the Seas: The impressive ship is travelling up the English Channel to France then back to Southampton this weekend, ahead of its maiden voyage

Earlier this week, the ship which measures more than four football pitches in length with a maximum capacity for 6,780 passengers – docked in Southampton for final preparations before its maiden voyage.

A small crowd of well-wishers, including some dressed in their pyjamas, welcomed the £800million Harmony of the Seas as it arrived just after dawn then tens of thousands of people visited the coastal city during the week to catch a glimpse of the gigantic vessel before it carried paying customers for the first time.

After sailing from a shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, and spending the day cruising the English Channel, Harmony of the Seas sailed up Southampton Water and arrived at Southampton. 

Following a four-day taster voyage to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, Harmony of the Seas will make its maiden voyage to Barcelona on May 29, where it will be based for 34 seven-night tours of the western Mediterranean this summer. It will sail between Florida and the Caribbean this winter.

Royal Caribbean International’s 18-deck ship has set new records for length (1,1188ft), gross tonnage (227,000), width (215.5ft), passenger capacity (5,479 at double occupancy or a maximum of 6,780) and staterooms (2,747).

With a crew of 2,100 from 77 countries, the floating city boasts seven 'neighbourhoods', a 10-storey slide that is the tallest at sea, 23 swimming pools, 20 dining venues, 52 trees, surf simulators, robot bartenders, a casino and climbing walls.

Welcome: A small crowd turned out to wave in the Harmony of the Seas as it sailed into Southampton last week

The largest cruise ship in the world measures more than four football pitches in length with a maximum capacity for 6,780 passengers

Stunning aerial photos of Harmony of the Seas' arrival in Southampton reveal the scale of the 227,000-ton cruise ship

The gigantic vessel's amenities include the 10-storey Ultimate Abyss (pictured at the back of the ship), the tallest slide at sea

The Ultimate Abyss, a 10-storey slide that is the tallest ever built on a cruise ship, takes thrillseekers on a 100ft plunge

The 18-deck ship has set new records for staterooms (2,747) and passenger capacity (5,479 at double occupancy or a maximum of 6,780)