The world’s largest cruise ship will dock in Southampton next autumn in its first visit to the UK.

The Oasis of the Seas is offering cruises aroud Europe for the first time in September 2014, sailing from Barcelona.

The Royal Carribean ship will then return to Port Everglades on a 13-night transatlantic cruise on October 14, departing from Rotterdam inthe Netherlands and calling into Southampton on  October 15, where UK guests can join the ship for the sailing across the Atlantic.

Oasis of the Seas is a 225,282 gross registered ton vessel and the largest passenger ship in the world alongside its sister Allure of the Seas.

It can take 6,400 guests and will be 40 per cent larger than any other cruise ship to ever dock in the UK.

The ship has stopped in the Solent before, paying a brief visit in 2009 to disembark some workers, but did not actually dock.

Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager for Royal Caribbean International UK and Ireland said: “Oasis of the Seas sailing from Southampton is going to be the hottest ticket in town.

"Bringing the world’s largest cruise ship to Europe, and specifically the UK and Southampton, is testament to the commitment to selling cruise demonstrated by our trade partners.

“We will be developing sales tools to support agents such as a dedicated brochure and training module.

"We can't wait to get started selling the world's largest and most innovative cruise ship as part of our huge choice in cruises from Southampton - this is such exciting news."

The cruise will go on sale on April 11 2013.